This summer I went to Lisbon with my family during the scorching heat of July. Lisbon is a truly vibrant and buzzing city. The colourful architecture is only brought further to life by its bright people. The city truly soaking and basking in the sun. Numerous rooftops to take in the views and sample sangrias. It is a wondrous city. From the numerous boat excursions to the various trams and viewpoints, Lisbon is a fantastic city to visit for a long weekend. I got to spend several nights in Lisbon, and here are the highlights of my trip. I say highlights, more so places I recommend to eat and drink.
For the foodies among us
Lisbon is great for many things, but chief among them is the range of food that you can get your hands on. I have visited a number of towns and cities that are limited in food options whether in regards to their native or international dishes, so I am thankful that Lisbon isn’t like that. Here are a few options that I would recommend:
Bonjardim
If you are a fan of peri-peri (or piri-piri) chicken and/or you have had a cheeky nandos before, then Portugal is very much one of the best places to get your next fix. If you have somehow never tried it then you are missing out. Peri-peri offers an intensity of flavour to grilled or roasted chicken, with a nice little kick of spice. Even if your spice tolerance isn’t that high, peri-peri chicken has something to offer fans of chicken. Bonjardim was one of the first restaurants I visited when I touched down in Lisbon. I got to sample their whole chicken alongside their fries. Their fries were crispy salty golden delights, but the main star was the chicken. It did not disappoint, especially with the chilli olive oil. Perfectly roasted chicken and the skin was packed with a delightful mouth-watering amount of flavour.
Fabrica da Nata
If you have a sweet tooth, and you are still hungry coming back from Bonjardim then Fabrica da Nata is a great next stop. Only a few minutes walk away from the previous restaurant is Fabrica, an incredible place to grab a pastel de nata. A pastel de nata is truly an incredible dessert. It is a pastry filled with a sweet egg custard. I am not even a huge custard fan, but it blew my mind when I first tucked into one and it burst with a sweet gooey goodness. On top of this, the café offers powdered sugar and cinnamon to sweeten the deal. I haven’t even told you guys the best part yet. Whilst the café offers pastel de natas, there are several other food options, but the co-star of this show is the sangria. You can order a bottle of sangria here to wash down the incredible pastel de nata. I definitely recommend this spot to pop in for a quick sweet bite and a glass of sangria to live that European lifestyle.
Time-Out Market – Lisbon
Now I know that the Time-Out Market is probably played out and a total tourist beacon. However, two things about the location. The first is that it opens till late, so if you are ever on a night out in Lisbon (you should try the great nightlife to be honest), then you can get a quick bite to keep you going for the night. The second thing is that whilst it is a total tourist beacon, if you are out and about, and you just need something to line your stomach then the Time-Out Market is great for having a myriad of options. Whether you want a fix of seafood (there’s even an octopus hotdog), or you want a meat fix, or even a pastel de nata, or sangria, or so on and so forth. My main point is that there are so many options to sample local food. It is a location that allows for people that have differing dietary restrictions or needs to eat with everyone at the same venue. There was a stand that allowed for port tasting, and Portugal is very obviously the best place to try port in the first instance. You could make several trips to the market and still come away trying something new. The downside of the place is that it is heaving with tourists during peak times, so you might have to fight for a seat or two. Think of it as a more aggressive form of musical chairs…without the music.
Ramen Shifu
If you are like me and cannot get enough ramen, then you would be in luck when visiting Lisbon. Ramen Shifu is a great location to grab a quick bite of ramen and sample various items within Japanese cuisine. Whether you fancied some chicken kaarage, yakitori, or gyozas, or you were just in the mood for some kimchi, then this spot is for you. I haven’t even explained the best part yet…it is an anime-themed ramen spot. Well, it was the best part for me, because anime is probably the only passion of mine that I would place above food. The décor and wallpaper were covered in manga panels from popular series like Naruto, Pokémon, and One Piece. There were plenty of figurines and action figures on display too! There was even a robot waiter that brought food and beverages over to the table. This restaurant was a delight for me personally, as it felt like a restaurant created straight from my mind. A restaurant that does Japanese cuisine, and is dedicated to anime? I just have to recommend it to anyone I know. Even if you aren’t an anime fan, the food and selection of beverages are still worth the trip for sure. At least, in my humble opinion.
Han Table BBQ
Another spot that is not Portuguese cuisine, but is still worth the visit is Han Table BBQ. It is a Korean BBQ location which means plenty of meat on offer, that you can cook right in front of you. Granted, the prospect of cooking their own food does not appeal to everyone and I get that. Well, I don’t get it because I love to cook, however, not everyone is like me. However, bear with me, because it is very much worth it. There are a number of beef, chicken, seafood, and pork options that are on offer on the restaurant’s numerous platters. This is a restaurant that I highly recommend for group outings, as Korean BBQs are quite a social meal with small bites and sharing nature. There are also cocktails on offer too! I had one that included a whole bottle of soju (you can pick the flavour). Absolutely terrifying as a cocktail, because I could not taste the alcohol in there at all. Three or four of those would have had me in trouble.
Sangria with a view
As touched upon before, Lisbon is home to various rooftop bars that offer a number of scenic viewpoints. Whether you are out with a few friends and want a chill vibe or you have a hot date and need something classy; Lisbon’s rooftops have something to offer to all who visit. Here are two rooftops that are worth noting:
Javá
Javá is a wonderful location for those of us who like to get a bit dressed up and look classy. This is a rooftop bar that also hosts a restaurant. So not only can you get a delicious cocktail and picturesque views, but you can fill your belly too! Javá is a welcoming rooftop bar that has great lighting and accompanying greenery that makes it a perfect location for snagging a new Instagram photo.
Topo Martim Moniz
Topo is a rooftop bar that you would want to go with friends. It has a lively atmosphere with its outside seating area, but also a comfortable indoors. This one was quite awkward to get to as I accidentally walked into a completely different restaurant trying to get there. It is on the top floor of a shopping mall, so if you ever wanted to rest your feet and grab a bev then this is a great location to pop into. I didn’t try the restaurant there so I cannot speak on that, but it does come equipped with various arcade games, and that I did try. The bar has a welcoming down to earth vibe about it which I would say is almost the antithesis of Javá, as you exchange classy for comfy.
The Life Of Lazlo 
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