The summer of 2024 is bringing the heat down for real. In the heat who minds a place to cool down and have a refreshing drink? Luckily for you, we have tried and tested the best places to enjoy great food and cool down this summer, in and around Lisbon.
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Best Places to Eat in Lisbon 2024
Read on to learn about the best places to eat in Lisbon 2024. It depends on your taste for the most part but any place on the list is worth visiting at least once this summer.
BouBou’s
BouBou’s is a delightful restaurant in Principe Real, Lisbon. It is led by Louise Bourrat, the winner of Top Chef France 2022. Recently it launched a new menu in its cozy green courtyard. The restaurant offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for summer nights.
This place is known for its local, seasonal, and sustainable approach. The menu leans heavily on seafood and green dishes, offering bold and exciting flavors. Some of the standout dishes include sweet potato ceviche, grilled mushrooms with raspberries, and a unique chocolate garlic dessert, all paired with expertly selected wines.
Bourrat’s cooking focuses on natural ingredients, with two tasting menus: the Vegetarian Terrae and the Omnivorous. She trained with internationally renowned chefs and now combines French techniques with Portuguese ingredients, aiming to elevate humble products. Bourrat feels at home in Portugal, where her passion for cooking thrives.
Libertà
If you’re craving a taste of Italy, head to Libertà. It is just behind Avenida da Liberdade. This restaurant, led by an Italian chef Silvio Armanni, combines simplicity with a focus on high-quality local ingredients. The space features a small patio and large front windows that open fully.
This setting makes it perfect for people-watching during aperitif hours, from 4 pm to 7 pm daily. Sip on a Negroni while enjoying light bites, and save room for the standout pasta dishes, all made fresh in the restaurant’s unconventional Italian kitchen.
The menu offers a range of dishes, from light summer options like beets with orange and mascarpone, to rich ragout with sage and butter. Even decadent desserts like affogato, made with hazelnut ice cream and a shot of espresso are available.
Here is what the Chief Chef has to say about Libertà
We like to take our time to do it differently and add a personal touch to what we do. There is no copy-paste here.
Rossio Gastrobar
Rossio Gastrobar offers a panoramic view of the city, from Rossio Square to the Castle of São Jorge, while enjoying some of the best drinks in town. It is located on the top floor of the Altis Avenida Hotel. This is not just a place to be seen, but also a place to soak in the sights.
Here, you can experience the perfect blend of executive chef João Correia’s culinary expertise and bar manager Flavi Andrade’s award-winning cocktails. The combination is nothing short of heavenly. Rossio Gastrobar recently won Best Restaurant Bar in Portugal at the Mesa Marcada Awards.
The menu here features oven and grill techniques, with a mix of traditional recipes and Asian-French influences. Fresh, light, and summery options include razor clams with butter, lemon, and herbs, yellowfin tuna belly, and squid with tomatoes, onion, and olive oil.
Whether you’re in the mood for cocktails, a full meal, or a light snack, this place offers an experience paired with stunning views and a relaxed ambiance, perfect for watching the sunset.
A Cevicheria
A Cevicheria is a must-try in Lisbon’s Principe Real district. Here Chef Kiko Martins might be the star, but the giant octopus hanging from the ceiling is equally eye-catching. The octopus remains, but the Peruvian restaurant has undergone the most significant menu change in its 10-year history.
True to its name, this place is the go-to spot for ceviche, a traditional Peruvian dish, with a Portuguese twist, featuring cod or an infusion of Asian and tropical flavors. The focus is on fish and seafood, complemented by citrus fruits, tiger milk, and bold ingredients like raspberries, quinotto (quinoa-risotto), and seaweed.
While the light dishes are perfect for a hot summer day, the Piscos, a refreshing Peruvian cocktail made with lime juice, egg whites, sugar, and Peruvian brandy, are a must-try. The restaurant also offers a well-curated selection of wines, including a special Lisbon wine made exclusively for A Cevicheria.
The best part is that this restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so simply show up and enjoy the experience.
