Street Food in Lisbon: 7 Local Dishes You Must Try
Lisbon isn’t just colorful tiles and tram rides — it’s a street food paradise if you know where to look.
Beneath the city’s historic facades, a world of sizzling snacks and sweet treats invites you to eat like a true Lisboeta. Here are 7 must-try street foods to hunt down when you’re getting Lost in Local.
1. Bifana (Spicy Pork Sandwich)
Simple, juicy, and unforgettable. The bifana is a marinated pork sandwich, usually served on a fresh crusty roll with a little mustard. Look for tiny neighborhood tascas (local taverns) where locals crowd around the counter.
Tip: Try it with a cold Sagres beer — the combo costs less than €5!
2. Pastel de Nata (Custard Tart)
No Lisbon food list is complete without this flaky, creamy marvel. Grab one hot from the oven at Manteigaria or Pasteis de Belém.
Tip: Sprinkle cinnamon and powdered sugar on top like a local for the true experience.
3. Prego no Pão (Steak Sandwich)
The beefier cousin of the bifana, the prego is a garlicky steak sandwich often eaten as a “dessert” after seafood meals. Wild, right? Find it at street stands and late-night bars.
Tip: Order it with a side of batatas fritas (Portuguese fries) for a full local snack.
4. Sardinhas Assadas (Grilled Sardines)
If you visit in June during the Santos Populares festivals, you’ll see (and smell) sardines grilling on every corner. Fresh, oily, smoky — just eaten on bread or a plate.
Tip: Go early evening when the sardines are freshest and streets are buzzing with music.
5. Chouriço Assado (Flame-Grilled Chorizo)
Some bars flame-grill chorizo sausage right in front of you, often using a ceramic pig-shaped grill! Spicy, smoky, perfect with bread and beer.
Tip: Pair it with a glass of vinho verde (young green wine) for a classic combo.
6. Pão com Chouriço (Chorizo Bread)
Imagine a cross between a croissant and a sausage roll, but infused with garlicky chouriço flavors. You’ll smell them baking at almost every local fair.
Tip: Grab it warm right out of the oven for maximum flavor.
7. Ginjinha (Sour Cherry Liquor)
Ok, not exactly food — but Lisbon’s famous sour cherry liqueur deserves a mention. Grab a quick shot at a tiny Ginjinha bar and toast to your Lisbon adventure.
Tip: Look for stands offering the liqueur in a chocolate cup — edible bonus!
Final Tip: Wander outside the tourist core. Neighborhoods like Graça, Alfama, and Campo de Ourique are packed with tiny bakeries and taverns where locals eat every day. That’s where the magic lives.
Ready to eat your way through Lisbon? Save this list and let yourself get Lost in Local! 🌏🍜