73 Best Restaurants in Portugal

A dressy crowd gathers at this ultramodern dimly lit restaurant specializing in Japanese-Peruvian fusion food. At Nikkei you can sample many varieties of ceviche and sashimi, as well as tiraditos (a sashimi-shaped raw fish dish that blends Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions).

This longtime favorite, overlooking a pleasant riverside garden, has walls that are adorned with old guitars, carvings of saints, ceramic birds, and vintage books—you know the kind of place. In warm weather the terrace out front is a great place to dine on some of the best seafood in town, though it is not cheap.

In a building that was once part of a religious foundation and later a factory, this smart space mixes the traditional and the contemporary; the same can be said about the food, which comprises reinvented Portuguese snacks such as mussels escabeche and slow-stewed moelas (chicken gizzards). Among desserts, the most famous is the Dona cheese tart—ordered by the slice, or whole to take away—and there is a good wine list, too.

The passion project of a French theater director, Palacio do Grilo is an immersive theater experience that also happens to serve good food. The restaurant occupies an 18th-century palace in what was then the far outskirts of Lisbon, built as a palace of dreams for a noble family. In its current incarnation, it leans heavily on the surreal for decoration and for entertainment, with dancers and actors creating new works of performance art every evening. The international menu is well executed, though not the main draw.

The main draws at this smart restaurant in Pederneira, on a hill south of town, are the stunning ocean views and the octopus---grilled, roasted, stewed, or prepared in several other ways. There is also a wide range of other fine seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes, with another favorite of regulars being the veal loin tataki served with ponzu sauce. For dessert, choose from a large tray of homemade sweets.

Atop a tall building north of the city, the lofty Portucale is known for its sweeping views that take in everything from the Atlantic Ocean to the Marão Mountains. Dining here is like stepping back in time, with mid-century modern furnishings, refined service, and dishes that celebrate Portuguese gastronomic history. Local specialties include bacalhau à marinheiro (cod with shrimp and clams).

Located in a former pizzeria of the same name, Tasca Baldracca serves contemporary takes on Portuguese classics with a heavy accent from the chef's native Brazil. The vibe is youthful and playful—the antithesis of fine dining—with chalkboard menus, heavily graffitied bathrooms, and rock music on the sound system. While the menu doesn't shy away from meats, there's always a fully realized vegetarian dish or two.

This local favorite serves traditional Alentejo dishes based on old family recipes. Tucked away in a former horse stable near the imposing Paço Ducal, it has a rustic decor with granite walls and arched ceilings. Specialties include costelinhas de borrego (lamb ribs) and wines produced in nearby vineyards.

The Foz neighborhood, at the mouth of the Douro, is a favorite place for well-heeled locals to see and be seen, and this smart two-story seafood-focused restaurant has become a neighborhood standby. It's particularly hard to resist the sauteéd tiger prawns, black spaghetti with lobster, and top-grade sushi. The space itself is as elegant and well-presented as the food. 

A passion project for natural wine enthusiasts Tiago Feio and Cátia Roldão (the restaurant name comes from the first and last parts of their names), Tia Tia pairs beautifully presented sharing plates with excellent vinhos. The hands-on pair run the kitchen and restaurant, preparing every seasonal dish with great care. There's no meat on the menu, but there are some wonderfully light fish dishes, including a signature seared carapau (horse mackerel). Expect relaxed breakfasts and brunch from Tuesday to Friday, with more elaborate tasting menus on weekend evenings. Book in advance, and ask for a seat on the terrace when weather allows.

This boisterous bar and restaurant is a favorite among locals and out-of-town families who come to enjoy a meal overlooking the mountains. The cuisine is typical Alentejan, with specialties like migas with potato, lamb casserole, and fish.

"The Old Woman" is named for the owner of the tasca (cheap eatery) that once functioned here; it is now a smart, modern restaurant that pays homage to that tradition and retains many traces of its past (literally, in the case of sums chalked up on the walls), such as the seasoned tremoços (lupin seeds) you can nibble before your meal. The menu---devised by Michelin-starred chef Rodrigo Castelo---features delicious starters such as partridge escabeche and oxtail croquettes, as well as fresh fish from the Tagus River or its tributary, the Zézere, and slow-cooked meat dishes---all with tasty accompaniments such as creamy lemon rice or pickled red cabbage. For dessert, don't miss the velhoses---a classic fried sweet, here served with salted caramel and crisped cured ham.

Live sea creatures crawling around in an aquarium shaped like a blue-and-white fisherman's boat gives you an idea of what you'll find on the menu at this renowned seafood restaurant on the coast road north of Ericeira. Pick out the fish or shellfish of your choice to be prepared especially for you, such as a sapateira recheada (stuffed crab) brought to the table in its shell.