Lisbon - Food & Drink

Try classic Portuguese dishes with wine, surf'n'turf (steak and seafood) with a beer, or seek out world cuisine.

The Bairro Alto and adjoining Chiado districts retain their charm with fado houses playing melancholic songs of love and loss, landmark restaurants such as Pap' Açorda, and relaxed cevejarias (beer halls) serving Portuguese grilled meats, seafood and caldo verde (kale soup). Seek out backstreet eateries and hilltop restaurants in the Alfama, or wide squares for snacks in the Baixa.

Along Avenida da Liberdade choose from upmarket hotel dining with city views or seafood restaurants with fresh fish in their window displays. Sit by the lake in Edward VII Park's self-service places, or treat yourself to Michelin-starred Restaurant Eleven's modern Portuguese menu. Rato and Amoreiras are also popular for lunches with Brazilian and international options in the shopping centre.

Lisbon's renovated docks by 25 de Abril Bridge have the newest restaurants and are the place to be seen. From Doca de Santo Amaro to Doca de Alcântara, choose from classical Portuguese and Brazilian to Asian and American cuisine, as well as cafés and snack bars.

Built as part of Expo '98, there are cheap eats and restaurants in the Vasco da Gama shopping centre and dotted around the Doca dos Olivais docks. Both conference delegates and tourists flock to the riverfront by the Lisbon International Fair exhibition space. Enjoy Italian, Brazilian, Japanese or Argentinian dining with a river view.

Restaurants stay open until about 11pm, but if there's music you can usually stay until 2am. Many places in the Docas and Nations Park turn into nightclubs after dinner. Look on the menu for half-portions, as Portuguese servings can be generous – it's acceptable to share too. Tipping is discretionary but becoming more commonplace with the influx of tourists. Ask at the Lisbon Welcome Centre about the Restaurant Card – it lasts for 72 hours and offers discounts in selected restaurants.