Fancy a bite to eat in Bairro Alto? Check out our favorite restaurants in the area!

There’s more than cheap beers and cocktails in Bairro Alto. This party district is also full of local restaurants and international eateries. From the famous steak-on-the-stone served at Cabaças to the delicious hummus of Tantura, we’re taking you to our favorite Bairro Alto restaurants.

Photo credit: Zé Varunca, Text overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours

1. Cabaças – For the Steak on the Stone

Locals and curious tourists queue up at Cabaças for one thing only: the steak on the stone. First, you leave your name with the staff and then all you have to do is wait for the call. There will be no discussion about how well you want your steak because you’ll be cooking it yourself! Just pick your favorite cut of meat, and the waiter will bring it on a sizzling hot stone. Then it’s up to you to season it and dip it in one of their tasty sauces.

Insider’s tip: Make sure to arrive early to get a seat. Also, ask how long you have to wait. If it’s more than 15 minutes, you can grab a drink at a bar nearby and come back later. Just remember to leave your name!

Address: Rua das Gáveas 8

2. Stasha – A Taste of the Sea

The sea might be far away, but Stasha has brought it to the heart of Bairro Alto. There’s a variety of seafood on offer, though the salmon is by far the winner. The dish is served with a side of mushroom risotto, that we could order again and again! For meat, we recommend the pork loin with goat cheese. Unlike most Portuguese restaurants, Stasha also caters for vegetarians, so no one is left out.

Address: Rua das Gáveas 29

3. Zé Varunca – The Flavors of Alentejo

Good cooking runs in the Varunca family. This restaurant has been passed down from generation to generation ever since 1981. It’s the family atmosphere that makes you feel at home every time you visit Zé Varunca. Here you can find typical dishes from the Alentejo region served in colorful plates. Our favorite is the Carne de Porco à Alentejana, grilled pork served with clams and a bit of lemon. Make sure to order the coffee which comes in a beautiful hand-painted mug.

Address: Travessa Mercês 16

4. Tapa Bucho – For Tapas & Petiscos

Spain meets Portugal at Tapa Bucho. This cozy restaurant has the best of both worlds, including the famous Portuguese petiscos: simple dishes made to share. We love the Mexilhões à Bulhão Pato (clams with a garlic and cilantro sauce) and the Pica-pau (little pieces of beef seasoned with garlic).

Insider’s tip: They don’t take bookings so go early!

Address: Rua dos Mouros 19

5. O Faia – A Fado Restaurant

O Faia offers an intimate experience in Bairro Alto: a dinner combined with a fado show. The restaurant was founded by two fado singers back in 1947, and it remains one of the best places to listen to fado, a Portuguese music genre famous for its sad tunes. The dim lights provide the perfect setting for the show, which takes place every evening, except Sunday when it closes. On the menu are typical Portuguese dishes and a vast selection of local wines.

Insider’s tip: You need to spend at least €50 on a meal, but it’s worth it for the experience!

Address: Rua da Barroca 54-56

6. Valdo Gatti – The New Italian Restaurant

Valdo Gatti might be a new addition to Bairro Alto, but it’s already one of our favorite spots! From Portugal come the vegetables, the olive oil, and the herbs. Add some Italian ingredients, like the organic flour and the buffalo mozzarella, and you’ve got yourself a delicious artisan pizza. There are 12 pizzas on the menu, but you can also make your own. We love the Crudaiola Antonino, which comes with cherry tomatoes and avocado.

Address: Rua do Gremio Lusitano 13

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7. Tantura – From Israel to Lisbon

Elad and Itamar arrived in Lisbon for their honeymoon and instantly fell in love with the city. Little did they know, that years later they would open a restaurant here. Back then, there weren’t many vegetarian restaurants in the city, so it was the perfect place to bring their Middle Eastern roots. They’ve taken their grandmother’s recipes and made them their own. You can tell everything is made with love at Tantura, from the house bread to the hummus. We can’t get enough of their shakshuka though, a tomato-based dish with onions, peppers and a perfectly-cooked poached egg on top.

Address: Rua do Trombeta 1D