Restaurants in Lisbon

Housed in a revamped warehouse on the waterfront, this lounge bar-cum-restaurant-cum-sushi bar attracts the Lisbon smart set with a number of different dining areas. Part owned by the actor John Malkovich, seafood is the forte here and is best enjoyed on the large outdoor terrace in summer, preferably with a sundowner.

Traditional Portuguese cuisine blends with international flavours in this Michelin-star restaurant, situated in the five-star design hotel Altis Belém. Chef João Rodrigues works with the very-best of what Portugal has to offer from both sea and land. Think pigeon, premium pork and fresh market fish prepared with the finest ingredients. There’s also a generous selection of carefully selected fine wines to complement your meal.

This ultra-chic modern establishment is a favourite with the city's movers and shakers thanks to a Michelin star for chef Joachim Koerper. The views over Lisbon are something to savour, especially at night, when the restaurant caresses its clients with smooth music and candlelight. The wine cellar is among the city’s best.

York House is a boutique hotel converted from a 17th-century convent, and the in-house restaurant has a charming setting. Dining is in an open courtyard in summer and tucked into a cosy room in the cooler months. The menu focuses heavily on seafood, and to finish there is a choice of Portuguese cheese and a selection of excellent port wines.

This timeworn tiled monastery claims to be Portugal's oldest beer house. Its menu is refreshingly simple as chefs dish up pleasingly large portions of seafood and meat. They also have their own microbrewery on-site to wash it all down. In summer, there's a delightful outdoor terrace to enjoy as well.

There's so much to love about Chapito: located in a former 17th-century prison, this state-funded school for circus performers also houses a wonderful restaurant. So there are actors practising lines over cuttlefish and mash or jugglers enjoying mackerel and anchovy salads. Try for a window table for beautiful sunset views. Reservations essential.

Lisbon's culinary son José Avillez puts his gourmet stamp on finger food in the surroundings of a former 19th century theatre. One menu is divided into 'acts' with stars including margaritas and caipirinhas to eat, rather than drink, and baby burgers served on brioche. There's live music at weekends.

A local secret, this family-run restaurant is a 10-minute ferry ride from Lisbon. The effort is worth it for the fresh food and stunning views of the city. On warm days tables spill out on to the tiny dock and diners can feast on the first-class seafood while watching anglers attempt to land their own catch.

Hidden among the winding streets of Moorish Alfama, Santa Antonio de Alfama is a newly opened tapas house that offers everything finger-licking petiscos (Portuguese tapas) to full on meals such as lamb shanks. The bar also offers wine tasting, a reward for those managing the climb.

This tiny husband and wife-owned eatery is a real gem, serving delicious, freshly prepared Mexican food. The short menu includes typical dishes from Minas Gerais such as roast loin of pork in a spicy pineapple sauce. There are only six tables, so ring ahead to book.