Arigato
Alameda dos Oceanos, Edifício Lisboa, Lote 2.11.01
218 967 132
Opens every day
Price per person: €25
This local favorite for sushi and sashimi has a modern, light-filled interior but the preferred sitting area is outside, facing the Oceanarium. In addition to the sushi it also offers dishes of Portuguese-Japanese fusion.
Butchers
Rua do Pólo Sul, 15C
936 221 553
Opens every day
Price per person: €25
Parque das Nações has never had a restaurant devoted to meat, but it finally happened in 2016, to satisfy carnivores. It’s located behind Casino Lisboa, and serves meat imported from the United States, Australia, Uruguay and Spain, among other countries. The meat is matured in the restaurant, and goes to the grill without salt or other seasonings. Alternatively, you may order one of the fish options, such as the salmon burger or tuna steak.
Cantinho do Avillez
Rua Bojador, 55
218 700 365
Opens every day
Price per person: €40
Chef José Avillez's first “Cantinho” opened in Chiado in 2011, and it was the first of his several restaurants. This second “Cantinho” was inaugurated in 2018, offering the same classic dishes of the chef, but with the advantage of outdoor seating facing the river.
Capricciosa
Passeio das Tágides, Lote 2.26.01
218 922 595
Opens every day
Price per person: €15
There are two Capricciosa pizzerias in Lisbon, both with terraces by the river (the other one is at Docas de Santo Amaro). This one in Parque das Nações is a good destination for before a show at Altice Arena or after a visit to the Oceanarium. On the menu are pizzas made in a wood oven, salads and pasta.
Fifty Seconds
Cais das Naus, Lote 2.21.01/Torre Vasco da Gama
211 525 380
Closes on Sundays and Mondays
Price per person: €150
Lisbon’s tallest restaurant is 120 meters (394ft) above ground, at the top of the Vasco da Gama Tower (or the Myriad Hotel). The name refers to the time it takes the elevator to reach the top, where you have one of the most impressive views of modern Lisbon and the Tagus. The menu was created by chef Martín Berasategui, who has been distinguished with Michelin stars at his restaurants in Spain. This one in Lisbon also has been awarded one star, for its Mediterranean-inspired dishes, served à la carte or on a tasting menu.
Guilty Parque das Nações
Avenida Dom João II, 27
218 915 440
Opens every day
Price per person: €30
The first “Guilty” opened several years ago by Avenida da Liberdade, and remains a trendy destination. The recipe for success has been repeated at this branch, located next to Oriente Station. It serves the same “guilty pleasures” -- juicy burgers, pasta, and wood-oven pizzas.
Honorato
Alameda dos Oceanos Lote 2.11.01, Fracção H/I
218 967 207
Opens every day
Price per person: €15
This famous burger restaurant is found in several neighborhoods in the city, and in Parque das Nações it has a pleasant terrace facing the river and the Oceanarium. On the menu, it lists the same artisanal hamburgers to accompany gins and cocktails.
L'Origine by Chakall
Rua da Pimenta, 103
218 948 136
Opens every day
Price per person: €20
After publishing cookbooks and hosting cooking shows on TV, Chakall became one of the most famous chefs in Portugal. However, he never aspired to reach the Michelin stars, and the restaurants he has opened in Lisbon over the years have always meant to be relaxed places for lighter meals. This one, which is next to several other restaurants with outdoor seating by the river and the Vasco da Gama Tower, focuses on Italian cuisine. It offers a variety of carpaccios, salads, burratas with toasted bread, pasta, pizza, and calzones.
M.Butterfly
Avenida Boa Esperança, 4C
210 996 589
Closes on Saturdays and Sundays
Price per person: €15
Hidden behind the Vasco da Gama Tower, this small restaurant serves lunches of vegan dishes, which change daily. Many are Asian-inspired, and use organic ingredients.
Senhor Peixe
Rua da Pimenta, 35
218 955 892
Opens every day
Price per person: €25
It’s found between touristy restaurants, but it stands out for the quality of its fresh fish, which arrives daily from the city of Setúbal. It has a tank with crabs and lobsters, but the grilled fish is the most popular order. It has a spacious dining area, inside and on the terrace outside, so it’s a frequent choice for group dinners.
The Fifties
Avenida João II, 1.17.02, Loja B
210 966 204
Closes on Sundays
Price per person: €15
Inspired by American diners, this restaurant goes back in time to the 1950s. A jukebox and images of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe decorate the colorful interior, where hotdogs or hamburgers are served, accompanied by milkshakes. The experience isn’t over without one of the sweet temptations, like brownies, cheesecakes, sundaes, waffles and pancakes.
The Old House
Rua Pimenta, 9
218 969 075
Opens every day
Price per person: €35
The Chinese ambassador and Portugal’s Deputy Prime-Minister both attended this restaurant’s inauguration. That’s because it’s the first restaurant of a Chinese group to open outside China, where it has over 30 branches. It serves the traditional (and spicy) cuisine of the Sichuan region, but here it’s slightly less spicy to suit Portuguese tastes. In order to avoid surprises, the intensity of the spice is indicated on the menus, which are presented on iPads.
The restaurant faces the waterfront between Altice Arena and the Vasco da Gama Tower, and is split into two levels. The upper floor only opens for dinner and overlooks the river, and there are also private rooms, while the ground floor is filled with tables for four and eight people. There are also tables outside.
The décor is contemporary but with traditional Chinese touches, such as porcelain and red lanterns.
Although the main dishes differ from those usually served at the typical Chinese restaurants, the good-old Peking Duck is also on the menu, cooked in a special oven.
Zero Zero
Alameda dos Oceanos, Lote 2.11.01H
218 957 016
Opens every day
Price per person: €20
The first Zero Zero opened in the Príncipe Real district, with a terrace facing the Botanical Garden, while this one, inaugurated in 2017, has its terrace facing the river. Here, all products also arrive from Italy, and the specialty is the wholewheat pizza. The firewood used in the oven is part of the kitchen’s décor, which opens to the dining area.
