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Best Street Food in Lisbon: 8 Foods Every Traveler Must Try

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2 months ago

When thinking about street food, your mind probably goes to the backstreets of Hanoi or the markets of Mauritius. Most travelers probably aren’t thinking of street food in Europe, let alone street food in Lisbon. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t doesn’t exist!

In my opinion, Lisbon is one of the best places in Europe for street food with countless little savory snacks, cakes and sweets available on the streets, or in small neighborhood bakeries or mini-markets. And the best part about street food in Lisbon is that everyone makes a different version of these classic Portuguese snack. This means you’re always in for a surprise as to what you will be biting into (and should probably try more than one!).

Whether its your first time in Lisbon, or you’re a regular here every summer, there is nothing better than exploring the small and narrow streets and enjoying some of the best local Portuguese food.

With that, here are my favorite 8 street foods every traveler should try when in Lisbon. Pick one up, head to one of Lisbon’s many mirantes (viewpoints) and enjoy the very best of Lisbon street food.

1. Bifana

When you look at this sandwich, it may not look like anything special. But I think the beauty of bifana is its simplicity. This simple yet delicious sandwich is filled with cheese and pork. The pork is usually marinated in a white wine, garlic and spices.

In true Portuguese fashion, the bread roll is usually crusty on the outside yet light and fluffy on the inside. You can add mustard or piri-piri chilli oil for a little extra kick. Generally speaking, the sandwich is on the smaller side, making it perfect for an afternoon bite. Whenever I see bifana, my mouth genuinely start to water and its one of those dishes on my Lisbon street food list which I just need to have.

Best places to try bifana in Lisbon

You’ll find the bifana in many small cafes around Lisbon, but two which should absolutely be on every traveler’s list are O Trevo and Casa das Bifanas. You know a place is good when even the locals come here to get their bifana. Both are just small cafes and perfect for a quick bite on the go while you continue your Lisbon adventures.

2. Prego

If pork isn’t really your thing, you should try a prego. It’s basically the same concept as the bifana but with marinated beef. Again, it’s the simplicity which makes this sandwich a hit or miss. You’ll know you found the right spot when the beef is still nice, tender and juicy, and the flavors are well-balanced.

You could elevate this simple sandwich to a full dish by ordering a side of fries. But some people love to eat the prego as dessert after a hearty seafood meal. If you’re looking to leave out the bread, order the prego no prato. Usually, you’ll get a plate with beef, fries, salad and a fried egg to top it off.

Best places to try prego in Lisbon

You’ll see prego served in many places, but if you truly want a unique experience, head to O Prego da Peixaria, a stall in the Mercado da Ribeira. This eatery is devoted to prego and they don’t just serve the beef version. This is your chance to mix it up and try their tuna, cuttlefish or salmon prego.

3. Pão com chouriço

If you’re looking for a quick hearty snack after walking around in Lisbon, pão com chouriço might just be what you’re looking for. The Portuguese love their chouriço, a sausage which contains garlic and paprika. There are many different flavors, ranging from mild to spicy. While you could eat chouriço by itself, it’s even better in a roll.

Pão com chouriço is a bread roll filled with baked chouriço and the fat of the chouriço drips into the bread, giving it its flavor. It’s easy to eat standing up, or take with you for a walk.

Best places to try pão com chouriço in Lisbon

If you’re in Lisbon during one of the many festivals you might get a chance to try pão com chouriço at one of the stalls. They usually bake them on the spot and, quite frankly, the smell will lure you in the right direction. But a great place that offers them year-round is A Merendeira. They serve traditional foods and you could order a menu which also lets you try caldo verde (next on our list).

4. Caldo verde

Caldo verde is a traditional Portuguese soup which is particularly famous across Portugal. The base is made of potatoes and kale and is usually topped with a little bit of chorizo. Every establishment will have their own variation, but it’s one of those soups which never disappears from the menu.

This soup is perfect for those days when you need a little pick-me-up. You could eat it by itself or make it a meal by combining it with one of Lisbon’s famous sandwiches. I love caldo verde when it’s less brothy and more creamy to give you that soup taste. But I’ll let you try a few variations before deciding how you like your caldo verde.

Best places to try caldo verde in Lisbon

What better place to try a dish than a restaurant that is named after said dish. Restaurant O Caldo Verde is an eatery that is easy to miss, but definitely worth a visit. They have a simple and traditional menu that lets you try calco verde and much more.

5. Castanhas

One of my favorite seasonal street foods in Lisbon you must try are castanhas, or roasted chestnuts. Around the end of fall you’ll see the chestnut vendors pop up throughout the city. But honestly, you’ll probably smell them before you see them. The chestnuts are usually roasted on an open fire and each vendor has their own way of roasting them.

The tale of St. Martins is the origination of the roasted chestnuts. During a snowstorm he tore up his own cloak to help beggars along the way, not having anything to keep himself warm anymore. But somehow the storm cleared and the weather got warm again.

Best places to try castanhas in Lisbon

This is truly a street food and you’ll find castanhas stalls all throughout the city during October, November, or December. Look for them on busy corners or markets or head to the Tagus river. Don’t forget to try different vendors and enjoy the different variations of this dish.

6. Pastel de nata

You can’t write about the food scene in Lisbon and skip Lisbon’s world famous pastel de nata. This sweet, crunchy Portuguese custard tart can be found in many establishments across the city. Any pastel de nata connoisseur will tell you that they taste the best fresh and warm out of the oven, with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

Pastel de nata is made from puff pastry, egg, milk, sugar, lemon and cinnamon and each bakery has it’s own twist. It’s said that Pastel de Belem is the original, and pastel de Nata is a variation to this receipt which has been kept secret since 1837. In Lisbon you have the opportunity to try both and decide for yourself.

Best places to try pastel de nata in Lisbon

Head to Pastéis de Belem to try the original pastel de belem. This is a popular place in Lisbon, so plan your time around waiting in queue for a short while. If you just want to try pastel de nata, visit Manteigaria. This bakery focuses solely on pastel de nata, so you won’t find any other specialties here. But they do serve (hot) drinks, so it’s perfect for a quick coffee break.

7. Churros and farturas

While churros and farturas are similar in that they are both deep fried dough, they are not the same. Farturas are usually bigger and fluffier than the churros and are soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Before serving them, the farturas are sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

Churros are usually thinner and can be served plain, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, or with a filling of chocolate, custard, or fruit jam.

Best places to try churros and farturas in Lisbon

You’ll find churros and farturas mostly at fairs and festivals in Lisbon. But if you can’t wait, head to Churraria Doce & Canela. They have a food truck which is semi-permanently parked in Praça Paiva Couceiro.

8. Salgados

If you’re looking for something deep fried, but you’re in de mood for something savory, salgados might be what you’re looking for. These snacks may be Brazilian, but you’ll find them all across Lisbon and these days they are one of the most popular Lisbon street food. In particular, salgados can be found in any bar, restaurant, bakery or supermarket. Salgados is a general, catch-all term for different deep-fried snacks, like pastéis de bacalhau, rissóis and croquetes.

With so many things to choose from, you need to come back to this snack on a regular basis. While most places serve them cold, some restaurants will have them on their menu as well. When salgados are served directly out of the frier the taste is even better.

Best places to try salgados in Lisbon

The best place to try salgados is at one of the pastelarias in Lisbon. These little local eateries often serve many of the street foods mentioned above and are a cheap way to try different salgados. Or head to Cafe Beira Gare across from Rossio station.


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