13 Best Restaurants in Intendente, Martim Moniz, and Mouraria, Lisbon

The interior at one of the best places in Lisbon to try Mozambican cuisine is cozy and welcoming, but, in warm weather, try to sit at one of the tables on the cobblestones outside. The menu features fragrant and spicy dishes like muamba (chicken stew with palm oil) or prawns cooked with okra and coconut milk. There's always at least one vegan dish, and the house-made hot sauce will have you reaching for an ice-cold beer or glass of wine. 

Enthusiastic approval from the late Anthony Bourdain helped boost Ramiro's profile, and this traditional cervejaria (which literally translates to "beer house" but practically speaking means seafood hall) is now one of the most famous places in Lisbon to eat fresh seafood. The atmosphere is casual, frenetic, and buzzy. The restaurant's popularity means there's almost always a wait for tables, so it's go at off hours or if you book ahead—they've finally relented on their infamous no-reservations policy.

A critical darling and a popular favorite, this Portuguese-with-a-twist restaurant had a line out the door almost as soon as it opened; it's the sort of place other chefs go on their days off. A team of young chefs is turning out classic regional dishes to a soundtrack of rock and roll in a resolutely casual dining room. The chalkboard menu changes constantly but often includes "advanced" Portuguese dishes like chicken gizzards and rice flavored with blood. Reservations (far in advance) are mandatory.

Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients are the stars of the show at this chic but relaxed fine-dining restaurant, where plants hang from the ceiling, and contemporary furnishings keep things feeling serene. The presentation is as sophisticated as the flavors, making this one of the city's most acclaimed and awarded restaurants, with top honors from the influential local publication Mesa Marcada and a recommendation in the Michelin guide.

Situated on one of Mouraria's prettiest squares, Café O Corvo is a great place to recharge after a day of wandering the area's hilly streets. There are outdoor tables under shady trees, friendly staff, and a menu that includes brunch, burgers, sandwiches, and snacks.

This easy-to-miss vegan tapas place is little more than a door in the wall halfway up a public stairway. Despite its location, it was the first fully vegan restaurant in Lisbon, and it's still worth the search for its ever-changing menu of shareable plates and its pretty tables on the outdoor stairway terrace on summer evenings.

The stylish bar-restaurant at the trendy 1908 Lisboa Hotel makes the most of its historical setting, with a striking tiled floor, high ceilings, an exposed metal staircase, and windows on three sides. It's a pleasant place for brunch, lunch, or dinner and has an eclectic menu featuring seafood, meat, and vegetarian options, many with Asian influences. The outdoor terrace is a nice spot for people watching on the plaza.

This trendy café and restaurant aims to be exactly what its name implies: a gathering spot for residents and locals in Intendente. The terrace is almost always busy, and laptops are welcome inside, allowing people to work and socialize. It's a rare café that functions well from breakfast and coffee straight through to dinner and cocktails. 

One of the most fun vegetarian restaurants in town, O Gambuzino lists its ever-changing daily specials on a chalkboard menu but always highlights fresh vegetables and other products from a place called the Fruta Feia ("Ugly Fruit") co-op. You get the sustainability angle, but the pleasure is also there, with a menu full of global influences. Sample dishes include kimchi rice balls, gazpacho served in crunchy puri wheat puffs, and lettuce tacos filled with giant mushrooms that were locally grown in recycled coffee grounds.

A good selection of pastries, a decent brunch menu, great coffee, and friendly service make this French-style café a good choice at the start of your day, whatever time that may be. Brunch is served until 3 pm, and light lunch options are also available.

One of the city's best tascas (traditional no-frills restaurants), O Zé da Mouraria features hearty traditional fare every lunchtime. It's a simple place but the servings are large enough to share, the wine list is decent, and the food is an excellent value.

Located in a former pizzeria of the same name, Tasca Baldracca serves contemporary takes on Portuguese classics with a heavy accent from the chef's native Brazil. The vibe is youthful and playful—the antithesis of fine dining—with chalkboard menus, heavily graffitied bathrooms, and rock music on the sound system. While the menu doesn't shy away from meats, there's always a fully realized vegetarian dish or two.

You'll probably need to wait on the stairs outside for a table and then perch on benches or at tightly packed tables, but it's worth the wait for the excellent Portuguese dishes served at this small neighborhood tasca. The menu changes daily with a selection of fish and meat options.