Updated Oct. 23, 2023. You can find a lot of great, quirky restaurants in Lisbon. From hidden gems tucked away in narrow alleyways to innovative dining that pushes the boundaries of culinary experiences.
We will look at some of Lisbon’s most unique and eccentric restaurants. Not only do these restaurants put out great food, but dining in one of these establishments is a fun and memorable part of any trip to Lisbon.
Marisqueira Uma – a quirky dining experience
Rua dos Sapateiros, 177 .
One of the most interesting dining experiences I have ever had. I walked up and asked the elderly gentleman for a table for one. “No,” he shook his head.
“No now, or no never?” I waited around and he finally sat me next to two girls.
He didn’t give me a menu, but asked what I wanted. I heard the seafood rice was really good, so I asked for it.
That may have been the only thing they served.
When the wine came, he spilled it on my arm, and then walked off without saying anything.
He asked the girl next to me to pass a beer down to another customer. He tried to chase off everyone who walked in the door. We all laughed every time someone poked their head in and he shooed them off.
But yes, the seafood rice was great. And it was only 150 euro. “Oh, just kidding,” said the other elderly gentleman at the cash register.
$15 euros for a filling pot of seafood and rice, wine, and an entertaining evening.
Cevicheria -a great quirky restaurant, just a great restaurant
Rua Dom Pedro V, 129 in the Príncipe Real neighborhood.
This great quirky restaurant may be the only eatery in the world that has a giant octopus suspended from the ceiling.
While Chef Kiko Martins’ restaurant is known for its sleek modern decor, he also puts out great-tasting food.
The menu is centered around ceviche, a popular Peruvian dish made with raw fish marinated in citrus juices and spices. A Cevicheria offers a wide variety of ceviche dishes, as well as other seafood specialties, such as grilled octopus and shrimp.
Ceviches range in price from 17€ for a puro ceviche made with croaker and sweet potato puree to 37€ for a lobster ceviche.
The bartenders also make fantastic Pisco Sours.
Official site: https://www.acevicheria.pt/
Bairro do Avillez
Rua Nova do Trindade, 18
At Bairro do Avillez, you have to choose which experience you want.
Taberna and Terrace are open every day from noon-midnight.
Páteo is open from 12:30 PM until 3 PM. Dinner is from 7:00 PM until midnight.
The minibar opens every day at 7 PM. Sunday – Wednesday it closes at 1:00 AM. On Thursdays, it closes at 2:00, and on Friday and Saturdays, the bar closes at 3:30 AM.
Pizzaria Lisboa is open Monday – Friday from 7 PM-midnight. Saturday and Sunday lunch is from 12:30 PM until 3:00 PM, and dinner is from 7 PM until midnight.
Páteo – seafood and shellfish at Lisbon’s Bairro do Avillez
It’s not so much quirky, as it is tasteful and unique. Renowned Portugueses Chef Jose Avillez operates four distinct restaurants under one roof. There is the Taberna – a casual tavern where you can try cheese and charcuterie, a tuna steak sandwich, or Iberian pork steak.\
Then there is Páteo – if you are craving fish or seafood.
There is a pizzeria, as well as an exciting cocktail bar.
Official site: Bairro do Avillez
Cantina das Freiras
Travessa Faragial, 1. The best approach is to walk down Rua Serpa Pinto from Chiado, or take the tram and get off at the corner of Rua Serpa Pinto and Vitor Cordon.
The entrance to the cantina is in a small alley off of Vitor Cordon. There isn’t much signage, other than a piece of paper stapled to a large wooden door.
Serving lunch Monday – Friday.
I wrote about Cantina das Freiras in my article, How to enjoy Lisbon on a Budget – lisbontravelideas.com
This humble cafeteria is run by nuns. And every penny that you spend here goes to feeding the poor.
For less than 8 euros, you will have a simple but filling meal. You get a salad, a main course, a side, a dessert, and a drink. The menu changes daily.
You can sit on a balcony and enjoy views of the 25th of April Bridge. For more information on Lisbon’s bridges, read my article A guide to Lisbon’s most famous bridges
Cantinho do Aziz – a comfortable and quirky place to eat
Rua de São Lourenço, 5
Open every day from 9 AM – 11 PM.
It’s such a comfortable and informal spot, that you kind of wonder if Aziz didn’t just drag a bunch of tables out into the alley in front of his house, way before dining alfresco was cool.
That could be how it went down, but there is also a more formal, indoor dining space. Everyone eats in the alley though.
I wrote about this Mozambican eatery in my article Best places to try ethnic food in Lisbon
The chamussas (samosas) are delicious starters. Main dishes go from 12€ to 19€. The menu features several shrimp, chicken, and lamb recipes. Cantinho do Aziz offers several vegan options as well.
Casa do Alentejo – a unique, historic restaurant in Lisbon
Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 58
Open for lunch from noon – 3 PM. Dinner is from 7 PM until 11 PM. Reservations are a good idea for dinner.
In an unremarkable building on Rua das Portas de Santo Antao, wedged in between two trinket shops, is the doorway. You go up a flight of stairs and arrive at what looks like a Spanish courtyard, or more accurately – a Moroccan riad.
The space is beautiful. On the immediate right is a small tavern – on the same floor. But, that’s not where you are going. You are looking for more stairs.
The opulent staircase lets you know that you are in a mansion, and you are heading for the grand dining room of the Alentejo Association.
When I was there, I had monkfish rice with shrimp. The monkfish was beautifully tender. I wish I could make this dish at home and get the same result.
This dish was enough for two to share, really. With a tip and water, 24€.
Official website: CASA DO ALENTEJO | O Alentejo no coração da cidade.
Chapitô à Mesa – colorfully quirky with a view
Costa do Castelo, 7
There is patio dining from noon until 1 AM. The kitchen closes at midnight. For fantastic views, you will want to call ahead and reserve a table in the Panoramic dining room from 7 PM until 12:30 AM. Last order is at 12:30. Call for reservations between Noon and 11 PM.
T: 351 218 875 077
E: reservas@chapitoamesa.pt
Attached to a circus school, Chapitô à Mesa is a colorful experience.
You enter through a jewelry shop and go down several flights of stairs. Below you will find this restaurant that has one of the best views in Lisbon.
All of the tables are shaded under a tent. A few lucky seats have fantastic views of the Tejo River and Praça do Comércio.
Go in the late afternoon and hang onto your table until the sun goes down.
On the menu, you will find a cheeseburger, a prego sandwich, slow braised pork cheeks, braised oxtail, roast cod, and grilled steak. That’s just the terrace menu.
Most of the tables are covered by a colorful tent. There was a relaxed atmosphere. I enjoyed the fact that samba played in the background as I ate.
I had the grilled octopus and sweet potatoes with a bottle of water. The cost was €26.
The panoramic dining room offers slightly more creative options.
They serve cod fish confit, octopus confit, turbot, slowly braised beef cheek, suckling pig, Parmentier Apicius with black truffle, mushroom açorda with cured egg yolk, and vegan XO sauce. These main dishes are all 25€.
They also have live music performances at 9 PM in the bar. You do not need a reservation for the music.
Chinês Clandestino
Rua de Bemformoso, 59
This secret, unlicensed, Chinese restaurant has been operating since the early 2000s. At the time many Chinese immigrant families were operating restaurants out of their homes in the Mouraria neighborhood.
Mouraria is not really a touristy neighborhood. Originally the Muslim Quarter, today it is home to many South East Asian and African immigrants.
There is no sign out front, so unless you know the address, you wouldn’t know it’s there. The front door is open, you peer in, and the walls are covered in graffiti. The old wooden stairs are really the most questionable part of the operation.
As I made it halfway up the stairs, an Asian lady asked me, “Why you here? Comida?” I responded “Yes,” and she pointed to the door on the left of the first-floor landing. Then she ran up the next flight of stairs. The door was not completely shut, so I pushed it open.
I was told to sit anywhere I wanted. I was given a menu, a pen, and notepad to write the numbers of what I wanted.
I had spring rolls, chicken chow mein, a glass of vinho tinto, and a bottle of agua fresca for 12€.
Aside from the novelty of eating at an underground restaurant in someone’s apartment, and all of the graffiti inside and out, it was like any other Chinese restaurant.
Decadente
Rua São Pedro de Alcântara, 81
T: 351 911 183 459
Make reservations on their official website: https://thedecadente.pt
The restaurant is open every day from 7 PM until 11 PM. The bar is open from Sunday to Thursday from 7 PM until midnight. On Friday and Saturday, the bar is open from 7 PM until 1 AM.
Decadente is dedicated to sustainability, not only using locally sourced products but they are also committed to zero waste. All ingredients are completely used.
The cocktail menu is assembled using only 100% Portuguese liquors. Cocktails are priced from 9€ – 12€.
Highlights include a 450 g chargrilled ribeye, roasted red pepper salad and walnut pizo. This dish is meant to be shared and is €49.
Decadente offers chargrilled smoked Seabass, Pasito broth, and Iberian pork chorizo. This shared dish €45 for two people.
But you don’t have to go big at Decadente. Most of the menu is made up of small plates. Try the broccoli plate.
Fábrica Braço de Prata
Rua Fábrica de Material de Guerra, 1.
T: 351 930 497 484
E: FBPreservas@gmail.com
The restaurant is not in the tourist center of Lisbon. Uber, Bolt, or Taxi are probably your best options for getting there. A trip each way should be less than 10€.
Open Wed-Fri 6 PM – 2 AM; Sat 1PM – 4 AM.
At one time, the Silver Arm Factory was a weapons manufacturing plant. Today it is an artsy community center with a bar and restaurant, a collection of used books, artist workshops, RV camping, a variety of live music, and of course some interesting murals.
They regularly offer live music. You may find live jazz, salsa, samba, African music, or poetry readings.
Check their website for a schedule https://www.bracodeprata.com/
They serve pork cheek, duck leg, grilled pork, grilled duck breast, octopus a largareiro, shrimp stew, grilled cauliflower and rice, and burgers.
The last time I ate here, there was a samba band playing. The atmosphere was fantastic. The food and the drinks were on point. Service systems were a little confusing for the staff and needed to be improved. With that, I would not hesitate to eat here again.
The Insólito
Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara, 83, near the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7 PM until 11 PM. The bar is open from 6 PM until 1 AM
Located on the rooftop of the Independente Hotel, The Insòlito has fantastic views of Castelo de São Jorge. Quirky bric-a-brac adorns the walls, the tables, and the ceiling.
Main dishes include sirloin, Katsusandu, and Korean black pork, smoked Alheira, Amberjack, black tiger prawns, sea bream, baby beats and razor clams, tomato açorda, mussels, and tuna with shiitake mushrooms. These dishes are generally under $24 per person. Cocktails are 10€.
I guarantee you will enjoy the view from this rooftop terrace. For more information on Lisbon’s rooftops, read my article Best rooftop bars in Lisbon
Mex Factory at the LX Factory
LX Factory, Rua Rodrigues Faria, 103
Sunday – Thursday open noon-midnight
Friday and Saturday noon – 2 AM
Excellent Mexican food, excellent drinks, and outstanding decor.
Lucha-libre, Mexican-style wrestling is the theme of this eatery. The walls are done up with great artwork, but the most interesting point is that you can sit at the table in the wrestling ring.
Go to the official website to make reservations: https://mexfactory.pt
Pharmacia Felicidade – a unique concept
Rua Marechal Saldanha, 1 (in front of the Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoint) Pharmacia Felicidade is located in the Museum of Pharmacy building.
The charming interior is set up to resemble a late nineteenth or early 20th-century pharmacy.
If the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is in a beautiful garden overlooking the river. Whether you are wealthy or not, sitting on the terrace here will make you feel like you are.
Given its location at the Pharmacy Museum, the designer cocktails follow a medical theme and include names such as Hipnótico, Hipertensor, and Cardiotónico.
The menu is inspired by the Algarve region and might include items such as steak, duck croquetes, pork cheek, cod, or fried octopus.
For reservations, email pharmacia@chef-felicidade.pt or try their page at https://www.facebook.com/restaurantepharmacia
Pop Cereal Café – maybe the quirkiest restaurant in Lisbon
Rua do Norte, 64
T: 351 211 317 211
E: lisboa@popcereal.com
Open seven days a week from 9 AM until midnight.
Choose Your favorite cereals – National and international brands, and mix them all in one bowl.
They are even gluten-free and vegan cereals to choose from. They have more than 150 brands in all.
Decide what toppings you want, and what flavor of milk you would like.
Pop cereal café also has a variety of creative milkshakes. For example, they have a milkshake made with Nutella.
Official website: https://popcereal.com/en
Sol e Pesca – a unique place to eat
Rua Nova do Carvalho, 44. This restaurant is located on Lisbon’s famous Pink Street.
Opening hours: 12 pm-2 am
The name Sol e Pesca means “Sun and fishing.” That’s the vibe you get inside as this restaurant has a fishing theme décor. It’s adorned with fishing gear and the walls feature a display of appealing tins and packages.
The interior décor complements the variety of canned sardines and cocktails they serve.
Expect to pay between 12€ – 20€.
Village Underground
Avenida da India, 52
T: 351 911 115 533
Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM until 8 PM. Open Friday and Saturday from 11 AM until 11 PM.
Village Underground has more than 2000 m² of outdoor space. You can eat on the covered patio, or you can eat in a refurbished double-decker bus that serves as a dining room.
The restaurant features two suspended tables, a swing, and views of 25th of April Bridge.
At Village Underground you are surrounded by art installations, and you may catch a live music performance. You might also end up staying much longer than you had intended.
Village Underground serves a mini brunch for €10. You can opt for either juice, coffee, and avocado toast or cream cheese and salmon on toast.
Other items include burgers, sandwiches, salads, nachos, and desserts.
They have an extensive bar menu, and cocktails are no more than €10.
One option might be to have lunch at Mex Factory, enjoy Lisbon’s LX Factory for the afternoon, and then head over to the nearby Village Underground for cocktails, live music, and dinner.
Official website: https://www.vulisboa.com/en/food/
I am not affiliated with any of the restaurants mentioned here, and prices may change. If you buy anything from a link on this page, such as a tour or a hotel room, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for taking the time to read about the great, quirky restaurants in Lisbon.
