No one in Lisbon rushes a meal, even during busy lunchtime. It\u2019s not just about eating. It\u2019s a complete cultural experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ask any local where to go for lunch or dinner, and you\u2019ll walk out of the conversation with a long list of places that\u2019s good enough for one week even if you\u2019re only staying for three days. That\u2019s how important food is for the Portuguese. To get you started, we at Devour Lisbon have put together this handy guide of the best food in Lisbon and where to eat it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Photo credit: Sandra Henriques Gajjar<\/a>, Text overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. Grilled sardines<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Seasoned with nothing more than rock salt, fresh grilled sardines<\/a> are a typical summer dish. However, high demand has led a lot of restaurants to include them on the menu regardless of seasonality. Off season, sardines will be frozen so beware if the restaurant advertises them as fresh. Most family-owned restaurants, the typical tascas<\/em>, will be upfront about it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Grilled to a light golden color, a sardine should be eaten on top of a slice of bread, moistened by the fish\u2019s dripping fat. Optional side dishes include grilled bell peppers, a tomato, lettuce and onion salad, or boiled potatoes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re in Lisbon in June for the Santos Populares<\/em> festivities<\/a>, any improvised tasca<\/em> in the streets of the Alfama neighborhood is a great place to eat grilled sardines. The rest of the year, look for places that serve only Portuguese cuisine\u2014none of those restaurants in touristy areas with laminated menus serving Italian, Indian, and Portuguese food all in one place!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Insider tip:<\/strong> Do as locals do and leave the fork and knife aside and dig in with your hands.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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