7 Must Eats / Drinks in Portugal
In the back-half of November, I made my way back to the beautiful land of Portugal!! It was so much fun and I loved being able to see more of the country this time around. Most importantly, we ate some absolutely phenomenal food! So in this post, I’m sharing 7 spots to add to your Portugal dining list. Check ‘em out below!
Ramiro
Ramiro is a fantastic seafood restaurant that is a MUST GO if you eat shrimp, clams, etc. My sister and I loved this spot so much that we went multiple times during our time in Lisbon. My favorite sushi was the prawns in garlic sauce (we had 3 rounds over the course of 2 meals)! Every single dish is made with extremely fresh seafood, cooked to order & accompanied by friendly staff. To top it all off their buttered bread was simple but jaw dropping & I finally found a white wine I love!!
You can make a reservation for Ramiro online, but we decided to do the “take a number” seating on both visits to give us some flexibility in our travel schedule.
Cinco Lounge
After 2.5 years, we made our way back to the fun and unique specialty drinks of Cinco Lounge. Perfect for a chill night out, Cinco is a place for great music, conversation & delicious cocktails.
This was another multi-visit stop during our trip, and it was well worth it! My favorite drink was the Tony 2 Fingers; pampero, amaretto, and grand marnier, mixed with Champagne and cooked apple. This is definitely my new go to drink for next time I can go back! To top it all off it’s easy to tell that the owners and bar keeps of Cinco are not only friendly, but also passionate about their work. Highly recommend for a weekend night cap!
Villa Medici
An unexpected run-in during our time in the Algarve region, Villa Medici served up some delicious Italian plates that were the ultimate comfort food on a rainy day. We ordered the lasagna (our favorite), a streak linguine, and panna cotta (delicious!!) for dessert.
If you plan on going to Algarve/Lagos during the ‘off season’, this will be one a restaurant you can rely on to be open 😅 We struggle quite a bit during our time in the south to find dining spots, but after a few trial & errors we were blessed to find such a great meal.
The gentlemen who waited on us were so kind and warm! When it started pouring outside, they gave us these cute reusable bags to cover our heads. I’m not saying everyone in Portugal is nice, but I am saying that I didn’t run into a single mean person…what a country!!
TimeOut Market Lisboa
If you had not heard yet, Chicago got its very own TimeOut Market in November! Unfortunately, I was in Portugal when they opened, but I was fortunate enough to check out Lisbon’s Market. This massive food hall and Market was packed with tourists and locals alike. There are so many food and wine vendors that you’re bound to find something you like! Two highlights from our visit include Pudim do Abade (a caramel flan / custard soaked in white port wine) and Santini’s gelato. Both are great spots for any sweet tooth.
Crisfama
Located in one of Lisbon’s more residential areas, Crisfama is another tasty seafood spot to add to your hot list. Here you will find fresh, simple & traditional dishes served by their lovely owner. It had been quite some time since I’d had a sea bass cooked as well as this was! The food at Crisfama will make you feel cozy, like you’re eating at a grandparent’s house. My favorite part of our experience was getting to know the owner a little bit. He was a kind and funny older gentleman who made us feel like special guests. We promised him we’d be back to visit him, and I look forward to seeing that through!
LXeescake
Located in the LX Factory area, this is the perfect place for all sweet tooths! These specialty cheesecakes come in a variety of delicious flavors that taste as good (if not better) than they look. While I wish I could get a slice in a Chicago, my waist line is definitely happy to not have a store nearby.
Lactose intolerant? No worries!! We’re not completely sure what type of cheese was used to make this dulce de leave slice, but my sister was able to eat it whiteout any problems. That’s my kind of cake 😋
Bonsai
Owned by a Japanese-Portuguese couple, Bonsai is beautiful dining experience where food meets culinary art with a heavy helping of a cozy family ambiance. We ate the tuna toro, steamed clams (part one of a two step dish where the broth is then used to make a rice dish), and crispy chicken wings in traditional Japanese sauce!
If you’re in the mood for some authentic and flavorful Japanese food in Lisbon, this is the place you should go! And if you’re looking to make it a night out on the town, it’s less than a 10 min walk from Cinco Lounge!!
Some other honorable mentions from the trip include: Tantura’s Mediterranean cuisine, Seagull Method Cafe for a dope chai latte, Mar d’Estórias’ Portuguese dining in Lagos, CBO sandwich from the Portuguese McDonald’s menu, Planalto’s Duro vinho branco ‘18, and Fabrica Velha.
