Portugal’s coastal capital city is just as famous for its delicious street feet as its historical Roman fortress, St. George’s Castle, with its fortified stone walls, protective moat, and defence features. Whether sunbathing on pristine beaches located on the outskirts of Lisbon, wandering the cobblestoned streets admiring historical architecture, or visiting museums, street food stalls abound. Visitors can enjoy indulging their senses with grilled sardines, savoury pork and steak sandwiches, delicious custard tarts, and fluffy custard-filled doughnuts during their sojourn in Lisbon. Please refer to the list of the best street food you must try in Lisbon so as not to miss out on any of these flavourful delicacies.
1. Grilled sardines
While taking in the city’s historic architecture such as Praca do Commercio with its marble archways and spacious square lined with shops and restaurants, take time to sample one of Lisbon’s favourite culinary dishes, grilled sardines. Enjoy this salty delicacy usually served alongside a side salad and potatoes at most Lisbon restaurants during your visit. If possible, make certain to plan a visit to Lisbon in June to indulge in the month-long celebration of Lisbon Sardine Festival where booths of delicious grilled sardines can be found scattered throughout the city. Make certain to sample the grilled fish on cornbread which soaks up the fish flavour and oils to create a flavourful side to be enjoyed with a glass of white wine.
2. Bifana (pork sandwich)
Just as no trip to Lisbon would be complete without a ride on famed trolley Tram 28 along the cobblestone streets, visitors share an innate need to try a bifana. Bifana consists of a Portuguese bread roll topped with thin cutlets of marinated pork which have been seasoned with garlic, spices, olive oil, and white wine. The meat is marinated in the juices overnight to mix the flavours before boiling. Then it is served in a roll with sauteed onions. This is the perfect snack to satisfy your hunger before embarking on a journey to Roman-built St. George’s castle to admire the dry moat encircling the fortress, the thick brick walls, and canons used to protect medieval Lisbon from invading forces.
3. Petiscos (snack)
Petiscos is a snacking platter or appetizer usually enjoyed alongside a cold beer by the Portuguese. During May through September, the popular appetizer to indulge in at the bar is a large plate full of escargot. After admiring the sea life at Oceanarium, stroll over to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a plate of croquetas which are deep-fried cod nuggets combined with potato, eggs, parsley, and onion. Not to be missed on a hot summer day is the refreshing Salada De Polvo which is a salad comprised of octopus that has been marinated in olive oil and vinegar. It is served alongside fresh tomato, onion, and chopped herbs.
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4. Pão com Chouriço (pork sausage sandwich)
Before starting your adventure to explore the royal gardens at the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, make certain to pick up a savoury Pão com Chouriço. The pork sausage found in this delicious sandwich is comparable to chorizo and provides a rich and spicy flavour. These popular sausage-stuffed sandwiches are served hot out of the oven and are best-enjoyed when eaten immediately.
Lisbon Tour Guide
Ana Cristina Paiva
I am an australian-born Portuguese living in Lisbon since I was 8 years old. I studied Tourism and became a Licensed Guide and I absolutely love my job! The Portuguese landscape, history, food, traditions have won me over and I hope to share all this with you! I live in an historical neighborhood and believe that the best way to get to know a city is by walking. During the tours I hope to answer your questions and curiosities, proving a memorable and fun learing experience.
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Lisbon Tour Guide
Francisco
Hello!!! My name is Francisco, but my friends call me Chico, so, feel free to call me that! I was born, raised and live in Lisbon, but I am a well travelled person, as I work for almost 30 years in the Tourism Industry. I am a family man, father of 3 grown up boys, and my friends say I am a "Social Animal" as I easily make friends! I love sports ( especially soccer and rugby), walking the streets of Lisbon ( I always discover new things. . . ); talking to people; trying a new wine or a different type of food. With a degree in Social & Cultural Anthropology, and with the experience as a Tour Guide, I have learned to look and feel our City and its people with tourist's eyes and heart. I believe that Life is a wonderful gift and must be enjoyed every single day, and in every moment, so my Tours reflect this philosophy. You can expect I will inform you about facts, but I will tell you the stories that made these facts interesting. My favourite themes are History and Traditions, Art and Gastronomy, Sports and People. . . Lisbon People!!! My Tours are relaxed; they are made for people who seek to Know, but also, to Enjoy!!! Aahh. . . and I can customize any of my Tours according to your special interests. Just ask me. So, this is Me. . . I am waiting for your contact!
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Lisbon Tour Guide
Marta Côrte Real
I was born in Lisbon and I'm forever in love with it! After my family, guiding is my greatest passion: I love what I do! I have a 5 year degree called Touristic Information, specifically to work as a Tourist Guide, as well as the Certificate of Competence acquired through a qualifying examination, in order to be able to exercise this regulated profession. I own and manage a tour company licensed by the Turismo de Portugal IP, Portugal's National Tourism Authority. Tour guiding has been my full time job since 2003 and it has always been incredibly rewarding. In 2021, I was recognized by the Wanderlust Awards as one of the world's "Best Specialist Guides", which I think is a result of doing what I love every day. Waking up knowing I'll meet enthusiastic people who are excited to discover my city makes me a very grateful and happy person. For almost two decades (how am I that old already?!) I travelled around the world as a tour guide and tour manager in Portugal, Europe, South and Central America. I stopped being so nomadic when my first child was born and in 2016, I became part of ToursByLocals' amazing team and since then I've been 100% dedicated to my lovely Lisbon and its surroundings. I am a mother of 3. I love planning family trips. I know how important it is to create special family memories. Travelling means getting to know new places and cultures, experiencing nature more closely, walking and playing more, discovering history through cities, monuments and palaces! Our childhood travel memories are often the sweetest and along with other remarkable moments, we build who we are and how we live in the world. So if you're in need of someone to guide you and your kids and have them thrilled about travelling, I'm your guide! I'm also very fond of small groups of friends, extended family trips and solo travellers. It's a much more personal approach and very interesting and grateful, too. It's so lovely to get to know you! My wish is to make you feel all the unique details of this fairytale country the way I proudly do, welcoming you as a friend, however always assuring professional, original and interesting tours. I offer walking tours or if you prefer to just sit and relax, I also provide tours with transportation included (private minivan, minibus, bus). You can choose from my many tours the one you're most interested in, or we can build together a tailored experience, everything at your pace. Once you send me a message, I'll try to answer right away, but if I'm delivering a tour or busy with my family, I'll let you know that I'll get back to you soon. I'll be happy to create a customized tour just for you and if you have a special request, if it's a family with different age ranges. . . let me know so we can build the best option for your group. Some of my tours can perfectly be combined. I can also help you plan the best timings to avoid the crowds and even buy your tickets, if needed. There are lots of magic places in Portugal: let me know about you, your interests and ideas and according to that I will work on your time here! The most recent experience has been incredible: the virtual tours. The idea came up with the 2020 pandemic scenery and I decided to keep them going in the future as they're such a pleasant way of travelling differently and sustainably. These tours are perfect to gather families and friends who live away from each other and for schools to complement their teaching, as well as to help those who cannot travel for many reasons, to be able to see the world. I believe we always need to make the best out of the worst. Portugal is a country to visit all year round: weather is wonderful and even during the winter you can enjoy the simple pleasures of life like sitting on an esplanade, absorbing each sunbeam! Plus, I love cooking and baking and I'm happy to share my recipes. Portuguese food is simply delicious and the wine is just perfect for a toast to celebrate life! Get ready to deeply fall in love with Portugal! Can't wait to meet you!
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Lisbon Tour Guide
Beatrice Sacco
Hello! My name is Beatrice, I'm originally from Milan and I'm currently living in Lisbon. Travel, nature, music and art are among my passions. I'm curious and determined and I love meeting people from different countries. I moved to Portugal after finishing my studies in Art History. Now I'm putting into practice what I have learned by working as a tour guide. I love to share with people all the history, culture and local insights about the beautiful city of Lisbon and its surroundings! Come with me, if you want to go deep into the richness of this place!
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Lisbon Tour Guide
Rita Jardim
Rita has been a tour guide in Portugal since 2015. She is a passionate storyteller and a history buff whose goal is to immerse curious travelers in the beautiful Portuguese tale. Rita creates customized tours, cultural experiences, and food adventures in Lisbon, Belém, Sintra, Évora, and lesser-explored corners of Portugal. If you're looking for a genuine and immersive experience beyond the typical tourist route, Rita is your guide.
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5. Pastel de nata (custard tart dusted with cinnamon)
After strolling through the lanes of fresh fruit and vegetables at Lisbon’s famous Mercado da Ribeira, stop by one of its stalls to indulge in delicious custard tarts. Pastel de nata refers to custard tarts in flaky pastry dusted with cinnamon. These delicious pastries are found throughout Lisbon’s bakeries and restaurants and can be enjoyed as a snack or a light dessert. Start your day of sightseeing with a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice accompanied by one of these creamy custard tarts.
6. Hot dog
Unlike American and Canadian hot dogs where you simply pile on relish, mustard, ketchup, or Cheez Whiz, the Portuguese combine many fresh ingredients to create a health-conscious speciality. This unique version of a hot dog consists of a bun filled with lettuce, corn, carrots, chips, ketchup, mayonnaise, and a sausage that is held in tight by ham and cheese slices. Since there are so many toppings, a regular hot dog bun would never suffice. To accommodate all ingredients comfortably a ciabatta, kaiser, or Portuguese bun is used.
7. Prego (steak sandwich)
Stop by the market for a sumptuous steak sandwich en route your trip to Queluz National Palace to explore its fountains, neoclassical architecture, luxe furnishings, and spectacular gardens. This delicious sandwich is created by marinating skirt steak overnight and frying it the next day. After slathering the soft flour-dusted roll with garlic, and butter infused with parsley leaves, thin slices of steak are placed on the roll to soak up the au jus. This popular mouth-watering street delicacy can be found throughout Lisbon’s markets and restaurants.
8. Bola de Berlim (custard filled doughnut)
As you start your day to explore the exhibits teeming with exotic animals at Lisbon Zoo. Stop in at one of the local bakeries to pick up some fluffy Bola de Berlim. These airy doughnuts are made of sweet dough and are filled with a custard filling. These delicious, fluffy doughnuts featured in many of Lisbon’s bakeries are finished off with a dusting of icing sugar and are best enjoyed hot. If these are anything like Waikiki’s famous Leonard’s custard-filled malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts), you must be certain to indulge in a number of them since it’s impossible to eat just one.
9. Salgados (salty deep-fried snacks)
After wandering through many of Lisbon’s notable museums, finish the day off by savouring some salgados at one of the city’s dining establishments. For seafood lovers, Rissol de Camaro will be a sumptuous deep-fried treat filled with shrimp. Those familiar with Indian cuisine will most likely enjoy sampling the Chamuças which are similar to samosas and are stuffed with meat or chicken. Croquettes are similar to thick deep-fried pancake filled with tuna, octopus, or bacalhau alongside onion and parsley best enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or a light meal.
10. Castanhas (roasted chestnuts)
As visitors stroll through the cobblestone streets of Lisbon admiring its numerous landmarks and historical sites, they will come across many smoky carts selling roasted chestnuts. This salty snack is roasted in mineral coal and plenty of salt to unlock the nuts to release the special salty and sweet flavour and to keep them warm. Although this snack is quite salty, the nuts possess properties that provide many medical benefits as in helping to reduce blood pressure, reducing stress, and improving brain function.
Savour Lisbon's street delicacies
While riding the trolleys up and down the hilly capital of Lisbon, one cannot fail to notice the stands and food carts selling street food alongside pastel-hued historical structures. Bifanas, pregos, and hot dogs are ideal hearty sandwich choices for a grab-n-go meal before exploring the numerous attractions, golden sand beaches, and hilltop neighbourhoods of Lisbon. Before departing the beautiful coastal city of Lisbon, make certain to indulge in a custard-filled doughnut or some of the various tapas-style pesticos or salgados along with a cold beer.
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