4 great small restaurants in Lisbon

There’s a constant line of people waiting outside this restaurant, and here’s why: they don’t take reservations here, the restaurant is small, the food is delicious and very good value. Owned by self-taught chef André Magalhães, this tiny temple of traditional cuisine mirrors the old tabernas of Lisbon in both the décor and the food served.

At Local, some of the city’s younger chefs cook side by side in an 18-square-metre one table (seats 10 people) restaurant. Food is prepared as you look on. The restaurant is tucked away on a quiet street in Príncipe Real. Rua on the opposite side of the street is also a good spot.

Japanese Chef Tomoaki Kanazawa, who also ownes the celebrated restaurant Tomo, opened this small, exclusive, eightseat restaurant in Algés. He then moved back to Japan and handed the reigns over to Paulo Morais, Portugal’s leading Asian food chef. The set menu takes you on a journey through the kaizeki cuisine, with dozens of highly creative, dazzling dishes.

Owner and chef Kiko of Cevicheria is one of the new stars of the local food scene. His ceviches and tartares are so amazing that every day you will find people lining up on the street in front of his restaurant, hoping to get a highly coveted table inside, while drinking their killer Pisco Sours.