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It’s no secret that Portugal has excellent seafood. There are plenty of fantastic options when it comes to seafood restaurants in Lisbon. You can go to modern seafood places, ones that have a straightforward take on seafood, and places that specialize in traditional Portuguese dishes. Here are my recommendations for some of the best seafood restaurants in Lisbon, with selections from each of those categories.
There’s so much great food in Lisbon that I recommend taking one of these food tours!
Seafood Restaurants in Lisbon
A Cevicheria
A Cevicheria (website) isn’t just one of the best seafood restaurants in Lisbon, it’s one of the best restaurants period. Chef Kiko Martins is a legend in the Lisbon culinary scene, and it’s easy to see why. A Cevicheria does everything well, from the food to the service. It’s quite possible that you’ll see Chef Kiko on-site (he has two other restaurants in Lisbon as well).
As you might expect, the wait time at A Cevicheria can be long. However, you can wait at the window and have a drink or two or three as you watch the crowds in Bairro Alto/Principe Real walk by. I got there just after opening, and the restaurant was already full. I was able to snag the last seat at the bar – a benefit of solo travel. This is the place to sit anyway, as you can watch the staff preparing various seafood dishes.
I had the tasting menu, which consisted of six courses for a very reasonable €39.80.
Book your hotel in Lisbon now!The meal started with squid ink flatbread, plus cornbread and corn nuts, served with a light cheese dip & butter.
The courses included a couple of types of ceviche, gazpacho with barnacle & razor clam, grilled octopus, and a mind-blowing seafood quinoa.
The entire meal was a perfect blending of Portuguese, Peruvian, and other European cuisines. Other seafood restaurants in Lisbon have traditional dishes covered, but A Cevicheria is a symbol of modern Portugal.
Address: R. Dom Pedro V 129, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal (map)
Cervejaria Ramiro
Seafood & beer. Are there two finer words in the English language?
I first stumbled upon Cervejaria Ramiro (website) when I was doing a search for craft beer in Lisbon. The description said “seafood & beer”, and I was sold. They don’t have craft beer, but Google knew I’d be interested anyway. It turns out it’s one of the best seafood restaurants in Lisbon.
As I approached the building, I got a notification on my Field Trip app that Anthony Bourdain had visited Cervejaria Ramiro for one of his shows. That’s always a good sign.
Cervejaria Ramiro does one thing, and it does it well: simple seafood. When you have good quality seafood, you don’t need to do anything complicated with it. Upon entering, one senses this place has been exactly the same way for a very long time since it opened in the 1950s. The only hint of keeping up with the times is that the menus are presented on tablets. You can find pretty much any kind of fresh seafood you’d want.
I had two giant tiger prawns that tasted like crab; that’s how good they were. Sometimes, I still dream about them.
I also had clams & garlic, plus plenty of bread and butter. Garlic & butter is as fancy as the sauces at Cervejaria Ramiro get.
It’s a lively, crowded restaurant, but the service at Cervejaria Ramiro was fast. Depending on what you order, it’s not necessarily a cheap place, but seafood this good is worth paying for.
Word has gotten out about Cervejaria Ramiro, so it can be tough to get in. They do offer reservations, but walk-ins are more difficult, especially during peak season.
Address: Av. Alm. Reis 1 H, 1150-007 Lisboa, Portugal (map)
A Marisqueira do Lis
If you can’t get into Cervejaria Ramiro, head down the street to A Marisqueira do Lis. Opened in 1973, this unassuming Lisbon seafood restaurant similarly specializes in the freshest catch, prepared simply. The difference? There’s much less of a wait, especially in the afternoons.
House specialties include the shrimp in garlic butter and the big crab (1kg), prepared the “natural way” with insides spreadable over bread. A seafood bounty like this begs for a cheap glass of Sagres, making for the perfect pairing.
A Marisqueira do Lis is the sort of place where older men stand at the counter as Tram 28 rumbles by, eating sandwiches & drinking Sagres. I don’t speak Portuguese, but I sensed the conversation is the same as it is at similar bars and restaurants around the world: sports & politics.
Address: Av. Alm. Reis 27B, 1150-019 Lisboa, Portugal (map)
Restuarante Carmo
Restaurante Carmo offers a wide array of traditional Portuguese dishes, making it a good option for anyone looking for more than just seafood in Lisbon. It’s located just across from the Carmo Convent in central Lisbon.
Carmo is a great place to try a traditional Portuguese staple: Bacalhau a Bras. Bacalahu a Bras consists of shredded salted cod with onions, potatoes, and eggs. It’s a classic local dish, very much like a breakfast hash browns scramble with cod. Wash it down with a glass of vinhos verde, and you have a quintessential Portuguese seafood meal.
Address: Largo do Carmo 11, 1200-022 Lisboa, Portugal (map)
Churrasqueria del Paz
Churrasqueria del Paz is a neighborhood seafood restaurant in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto. It just happened to be up the street from where I stayed.
If you’re looking for simple grilled fresh fish and meat in a place that’s popular with both locals and visitors, this is the place to go.
Address: R. da Paz 80, 1200-319 Lisboa, Portugal (map)
Time Out Market
The Time Out Market in Lisbon (website) is a must-visit for anyone who is into good food, but it’s especially so for seafood.
Take a wander through dozens of stalls and restaurants, and you’ll find anything you want, from fresh local fish to sushi to cod fish cakes (pasteles de bacalao).
Address: Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa, Portugal (map)
Lisbon has some of the best seafood in the world. Whether you’re looking for modern Portuguese seafood dishes or want something more traditional, you’ll find plenty of excellent seafood restaurants in Lisbon.
Interested in taking a food tour in Lisbon? Check out these tours:
