My Lisbon Guide
After years of wanting to move back to Europe, Greg and I finally made it happen and landed in Lisbon in February 2026 (you can read the full story here). As I'm writing this, we've been here almost six months. Time really does fly!
One of the first things I learned after moving is that Lisbon is one of the oldest capital cities in Western Europe (which blows my mind). Once you start paying attention, you literally notice it everywhere. Buildings are missing tiles and crumbling while sidewalks are uneven and missing huge chunks of pavement. Some places look like they're barely hanging on, but behind those doors are some of the best cafés, restaurants, and shops. It's what gives Lisbon so much character and it's one of my favorite things about living here!
Another thing I love about Lisbon is how walkable it is. Once you know your way around, everything feels surprisingly close. The only catch is that the city is built on seven hills, and while the cobblestone streets are beautiful, they're also unbelievably slippery. Comfortable shoes with good traction are a non-negotiable. They might not go with the outfit, but I'd take that over falling on my ass.
Finally, if there's one thing that has exceeded my expectations, it's the food. I expected amazing seafood and pastéis de nata, but I didn't expect the quality across the board to be this good. I still have a longggg list of places I want to try, but below you'll find the spots Greg and I keep coming back to, along with the places I'd recommend to anyone visiting Lisbon for the first time.
So, with alll that being said, here's my Lisbon guide broken down by category:
Cafés
Restaurants
Desserts
Things to do
Pilates & yoga studios
Easy day trips
Enjoy! And if you think I'm missing something, let me know so I can add it to my list.
Stasia xx
Favorite Cafés
Copenhagen Coffee Lab
This is probably the café we've been to the most since moving to Lisbon. There are locations all over the city, and the coffee is consistently good. We also buy our bread here every week (the seeded sourdough is the best). At around €4 it's definitely on the pricier side by Lisbon standards, but we love it.
My favorite location is the one near the waterfront in Santos, just a short walk from Time Out Market. It has a great outdoor patio and is close to my favorite walking path along the river, so it's my go-to spot before or after a walk (you can find more info on my favorite walking path under “things to do”). It’s also a great place to bring your laptop and get some work done.
Marquise da Mobler
This is probably my favorite independent coffee shop in Lisbon. One of my Portuguese friends introduced us to it, and we've been back several times since. The coffee is great, the breakfast is delicious, and there's a hidden garden patio in the back. You can walk to Jardim Fialho de Almeida afterwards for great people watching.
Comoba
Comoba is one of my favorite coffee stops in the city. They also serve great breakfast and brunch, but we usually come just for a beverage. If you can, grab a seat by the open bay windows!
Fábrica Coffee Roasters
Great coffee and they have a few locations throughout the city.
Buna
While the coffee is so-so, I absolutely love the atmosphere. It's tiny with just a handful of tables out on the sidewalk, which makes it a great spot to sit and people-watch. Just avoid going on a hot day since most of tables are usually in direct sun.
The Folks
Another solid option if you're looking for breakfast. They have a few locations around the city, but the Belém location is my favorite because of its (large) outdoor patio.
Favorite Restaurants
Honest Greens
This is hands down the restaurant I've eaten at the most since moving to Lisbon. Yes, it's a chain, but it's AMAZING. Seriously, I've become slightly (by slightly I mean very) obsessed with it. It's reasonably priced and one of the easiest places to get a healthy and delicious meal, plus it’s aesthetically pleasing. There are several locations throughout the city, but my favorite is the one near Time Out Market (link here). I almost always order one of the plates with either the piri piri chicken or the salmon. There are coffee bars inside each restaurant too, and while the coffee is decent, I would avoid the desserts (they are heartbreakingly bad).
Fabric
If I could only recommend one restaurant in Lisbon, it'd probably be Fabric. We eat here at least once a week because we love it so much. I'd skip the appetizers and go straight for one of the sandwiches (you can get them on either pita or challah) or one of the platters, which is what we almost always order. The falafel is my favorite, while Greg almost always gets the chicken schnitzel. And definitely save room for the pistachio mousse!!
Just one heads-up: the kitchen seems to close for a few hours most afternoons, but we've never been able to figure out the exact hours because they seem to change slightly every time we go. To be safe, I'd avoid going between about 3–6 p.m.
La Matta Pizzeria
Just down the street from Fabric is our favorite pizza spot in Lisbon. The pizzas are big, reasonably priced, and every one we've tried has been delicious. There are a handful of small tables outside on the sidewalk which is fun. They also have a second location in Alfama that we like.
Lupita
If you've looked up "best pizza in Lisbon," you've probably already come across Lupita. It's tiny, there's almost always a line, and the pizzas are smaller (and pricier) than La Matta. That said, it's known for its exceptional dough and has become one of the city's most popular pizza spots. If you don't mind the wait and enjoy a lively, buzzy atmosphere, then it's worth checking out.
Da Noi
One of my favorite things about Da Noi is the little street-facing window where you can order a drink while you wait for your table…sometimes it even turns into a bit of a party! The restaurant itself is small, the staff are incredibly friendly (they even brought us little non-alcoholic shots for Greg's birthday), and the food is really good and made for sharing. Because there are only a handful of tables, I'd definitely recommend making a reservation.
Maluca
This is one of our favorite places to bring friends when they're visiting. The menu is built around sharing plates (which you'll notice is pretty common in Lisbon), so you'll want to order a few dishes for the table and try a bit of everything. I definitely recommend ordering the mushroom dish, which was our personal favorite. It comes with a black garlic hollandaise and the staff will actually bring out a jar of black garlic and explain the fermentation process which is a fun touch! Reservation needed.
A Valenciana
We honestly never would have found this place if friends of ours who have lived in Lisbon for years hadn't taken us. It's a bit of a local spot that doesn't seem to get much attention online. Just trust me and order the chicken. It comes with fries, rice, and salad, the portions are huge, and it's fricken delicious. They also have a large outdoor patio, which is great if you're there on a nice day.
Leonetta
We came here for my birthday, and I was obsessed with the ambiance. It's dimly lit, the walls are covered in art, and it just feels really cozy and intimate. They're known for their handmade pasta and even offer a gluten-free option thats also handmade.
Rocco
Rocco shows up on just about every "best restaurants in Lisbon" list, and after visiting, I get it. It's definitely a splurge, but the restaurant itself is absolutely stunning. If you don't want to commit to the full dinner menu, book a seat at the bar instead. They offer a separate menu that's a bit more affordable and it's a great way to still experience the space.
Desserts
Pastéis de Nata
Portugal is famous for its pastéis de nata, so you really can't leave without trying one. These flaky custard tarts were first created by monks in Belém (a neighborhood in Lisbon) in the 1800s, who used leftover egg yolks from the monasteries to make pastries that eventually became one of Portugal's most iconic foods.
My personal favorite is Manteigaria (you'll find locations all over the city). I highly recommend ordering one with a coffee while it's still warm. If you're visiting Belém, you have to stop at Pastéis de Belém. This is the original bakery, and they're still made using the secret recipe that dates back nearly 200 years. Instead of grabbing one to go, head inside, order a coffee and a tosta mista (a toasted ham and cheese sandwich), and make a meal out of it. Note you’ll probably have to stand in line to get a table inside, but it’s worth the wait.
Gelato Davvero
This is our personal favorite gelato in Lisbon. There are two locations—one inside Time Out Market and another closer to Santos. We almost always go to the Santos location because it's bigger and much less busy. If you stop by the one inside Time Out Market, I'd recommend taking your gelato and walking down to the waterfront.
Nannarella
Nannarella is another really popular gelato spot. While it isn't my personal favorite, it's still very good and definitely worth stopping by if you're in the neighborhood. There isn't anywhere to sit, so grab your gelato and head over to Jardim Fialho de Almeida to people-watch.
Quest
I haven't made it here yet, but I've had so many people recommend the cinnamon rolls that I couldn't leave it off this list. If you're a cinnamon roll person, this is apparently the place to go.
Landeau Chocolate
If chocolate is more your thing, don't skip Landeau. They became famous for one thing and one thing only: chocolate cake. It started as a tiny shop in LX Factory and became so popular that they've since opened a few locations around Lisbon.
Things to Do
Walk Along the Waterfront
One of my favorite things to do in Lisbon is walk along the Tagus River. I've probably done this walk more than anything else since moving here. My favorite route starts at Cais do Sodré and follows the waterfront west toward Belém. I usually walk all the way to the MAAT Museum (don't miss the free rooftop while you're there!) before turning around. If you're up for it, it's about 9 km (6 miles) round trip from Cais do Sodré.
One thing to note: for whatever reason, this path feels noticeably hotter than the rest of the city, probably because there's very little shade and the sun reflects off the river. During the summer, I'd highly recommend walking either early in the morning or later in the evening. Strangely, once you get past the 25 de Abril Bridge, it starts to cool off.
MAAT Museum
Even if museums aren't usually your thing, I'd still recommend stopping by MAAT. The building itself is one of the most recognizable pieces of architecture in Lisbon, and you can walk up onto the rooftop for one of my favorite views of the Tagus River (it's completely free). If you do decide to go inside, the museum features rotating exhibitions focused on contemporary art, architecture, and technology.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
This museum blew me away! The collection belonged to Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian businessman and philanthropist who was born in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Istanbul), later lived in London and Paris, and eventually settled in Lisbon. Throughout his life, he collected art from all over the world, and today the museum houses everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts and Islamic art to European masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt, Monet, and Renoir.
Before or after your visit, grab a coffee at Do Beco or Flâneur Lisbon (which makes one of my favorite cappuccinos in the city), then spend some time wandering through the Gulbenkian Garden. It's one of my favorite parks in the city.
Feira da Ladra
If you're in Lisbon on a Tuesday or Saturday, check out Feira da Ladra, the city's famous flea market. You'll find everything from antiques and vintage clothing to Portuguese tiles, artwork, records, and all kinds of random treasures. Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's a fun way to spend the morning before wandering through Alfama.
I'd recommend getting there right when it opens since most of the market is in direct sun and gets very hot by the middle of the day.
Miradouros
One of my favorite things about Lisbon is how many miradouros (which translates to viewpoints) are scattered throughout the city. Most have little kiosks where you can grab a coffee, a beer, or a snack, and around sunset they fill up with both locals and visitors. You really don't need to seek out a specific one. If you come across a miradouro while you're exploring, stop for a few minutes and embrace one of the best parts of Lisbon life.
Jardim da Estrela
This is one of my favorite parks in Lisbon!! Yes, it's at the top of a VERY steep hill, but that's part of the experience. Bring a blanket, a book, or grab lunch from one of the nearby cafés and spend a few hours relaxing. It's one of the quieter parks in the city and a great place to escape the crowds.
Lisbon Botanical Garden
The Lisbon Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places to visit with a book and journal. It's tucked away in the middle of Lisbon but feels much quieter with winding paths, tropical plants, and beautiful old trees throughout the garden. Admission is free on Sundays from 10am–1pm, so that's a great time to visit.
Yoga/Pilates Studios
Leela Yoga
Leela is a beautiful yoga studio, but the thing that makes it stand out is its new "Wet Terrace." For €20, you can add on time before or after your class to use the sauna and cold plunge for 2 hours. I’m obsessed and it's a fun way to make a yoga class feel like more of an experience rather than just a workout. Here’s a video of the space.
Baraza Yoga
My go-to instructor is Bruce Chung—his classes are challenging, fun, and always leave me feeling stronger. He also teaches at Leela from time to time, so if you see him on the schedule, definitely book one of his classes.
KYND Space
KYND is probably the most beautiful studio in Lisbon and the offer mat pilates, reformer pilates and yoga classes. It's bright, modern, and beautifully designed. I haven't found a yoga teacher there that I absolutely love yet, but I've heard really good things about their reformer Pilates classes (which Bruce also teaches).
Easy Day Trips
Depending on how much time you have, there are a few easy day trips from Lisbon that may be worth adding to your itinerary.
1. Cascais
Take the train from Cais do Sodré directly to Cascais. It's a cute coastal town with colorful streets, shops, restaurants, and a nice waterfront to walk around. While Cascais itself is worth visiting, I actually don't think the beaches there are the best—there are better options along this same train line (listed below).
2. Estoril
Instead of staying on the train all the way to Cascais, get off a few stops earlier at Estoril. The beach here is better, and it's an easy place to spend the afternoon. You can either start with breakfast or coffee in Cascais and walk along the coast to Estoril, spend the day at the beach in Estoril and head back to Cascais for dinner, or just skip Cascais altogether and spend the day here.
3. Carcavelos
Another beach option along the same train line is Carcavelos. The only downside is that it's a bit of a walk from the train station to the beach, but the beach itself is larger and a popular spot for swimming / relaxing / surfing.
4. Costa da Caparica
For a proper beach day, take a taxi or Uber across the bridge to Costa da Caparica. The beach here is huge, stretching for around 15 km, and it’s much larger than any of the beaches along the Cascais train line. There are tons of restaurants and beach bars right on the sand, so you can easily spend the entire day here without needing to leave the beach.
It can get very busy on summer weekends, but it’s one of the easiest trips from Lisbon.
5. Sintra
Take the train from Rossio Station to Sintra (the ride is around 40 minutes). Sintra feels completely different from Lisbon—it's a cooler, forested mountain town filled with palaces, gardens, and historic estates. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, with places like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira being the main attractions.
A few tips: go early because it gets very crowded, especially on weekends. If you go, stop at Garagem Café in the town of Sintra and order the burger. Here is everything you need to know for a day trip to Sintra (specifically if you are visiting Pena Palace).
The End
Like I said at the beginning, this list is far from complete. We've only been here for six months, and there are still dozens of restaurants, cafés, and neighborhoods I want to explore. But if you're planning your first trip to Lisbon—or you've just moved here yourself— I hope this gives you a good place to start.
And if you end up finding a place you love that’s not on this list, drop a comment below. We're always looking for our next go-to spot!
