Lisbon, Portugal
I spent two weeks living and working in Lisbon in January 2023, and in many ways, it felt like a fever dream. Frenetic, colorful, and bustling, Lisbon is a place where you are both relaxed and alert at the same time – where the sound of the tram car whirring by will wake you from a wine-induced zen. The food is incredible, the wine even better, and the design both inspired and approachable – I stumbled into quite a few shops and cafes that truly captured my heart. I found Lisbon to be crowded, certainly, so would recommend making reservations when you can and planning ahead so that you don’t lose time in a line. The hills are also no joke – pack accordingly!
In this guide / Where I stayed, and where I wish I had stayed / Recommendations for coffee & brunch / Thoughts on dinner & drinks / The AirBNB experiences I signed up for / Top photo spots and scenic views / My wishlist / A map of all of my saved recommendations
Coffee & brunch
Neighbourhood Cafe
Australian-inspired coffee bar
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Marquise da Mobler
Concept store, cafe, and bakery
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Seagull Method
Intimate, delicious brunch destination
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Cotidiano
Thoughtful spot for leisurely brunch
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Folks
A modern and minimal space for mornings
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Curva
A casual cafe with filling breakfast dishes
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Koa Lisboa
Bright spot for fresh juice and smoothies
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Breakfast Lovers
Playful spot for colorful breakfast plates
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Dear Breakfast
Always packed, but delicious for brunch
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Ludo’s
Sunny cafe with colorful breakfast plates
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Dinner & drinks
Holy Wine
A cozy spot for natural wine
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Magnolia Bistrot & Wine Bar
Cheerful cafe for wine and snacks
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SEM
Delicious spot for sustainably-focused dishes
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Prado
Gorgeous space for leisurely lunches
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Bar Boca
Natural wine and vegan tapas
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Comida Independente
Bright wine bar with a bit of local produce as well
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Taberna sal Grosso
Reservation-only, casual place for dinner
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Shops
A Vida Portuguesa
A local chain featuring goods from around Portugal
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Depozito
A handmade-focused outpost of A Vida Portuguesa
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Plus 351
Modern spot for Portuguese design and apparel
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Ceramica na Linha
The spot for reasonably priced Portuguese ceramics
instagram / google map
Companhia Portugueza do Chá
An otherworldly tea shop featuring teas from around the world
instagram / google map
Wishlist / places I didn’t have a chance to visit
For coffee & brunch
O Botanista
Dramatico
The Mill
Break Se
Augusto Lisboa
BLOOM Restaurante
COMOBA
Mila
Ela Ela
Buna Speciality Coffee
Cafe Janis
Helm Cafe
Hello, Kristoff
Fabrica Coffee Roasters
The Bakery Cafe
For dinner & drinks:
Bom Bom Bom
Leonetta
Liberty: speciality coffee, wine, & books
Miss Can
Bovista Social Club
Tricky’s
Toca da Raposa
Black Sheep Lisboa
Ippolito & Maciste
Tati
Bichomau
Churrasquiera da Paz
Amago
Java
Taberna da Rua das Flores
Cervejaria Ramiro
Rocco
Other shops, sights, and places to stay:
Casa das Velas Loreto
MAAT - museum
Castelo de S. Jorge
The Ivens - Hotel
Baixa House - Apartment rental
LX Factory
Banema Studio
Recommended experiences
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Day trip to Sintra
Sintra is a legendary city just 30 minutes away from Lisbon. The tour that I booked was intimate and fun, and we covered a lot of ground in a short period of time! We visited the historic core of Sintra, saw the coast and enjoy freshly caught fish by the water, and visited Pena Palace, a colorful castle overlooking Portugal.
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Dinner party with a wine expert
This evening was certainly a highlight from my entire time abroad! We gathered with 16 or so other guests for a leisurely evening of food and wine in a stylish apartment, right in the center of Lisbon. The host taught us about Portuguese wine and cuisine, and over the course of a few hours, it felt like you were right at home in Lisbon.
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Baking class
Most people who visit Portugal are obsessed with the Pastel de Nata, a locally loved flakey treat filled with a sweet custard. They weren’t my necessarily my favorite treat, but it was fun to spend a morning learning how to make them! This class I took was intimate and gave me the confidence I would need to make these at home.
Scenic Views
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FAQs
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This is a frequently asked question?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
This is a frequently asked question?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
This is a frequently asked question?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.