As Lisbon tumbled down the path of rapid evolution, Atlas correspondents continued exploring in 2025, finding new places we hope are here to stay and re-discovering old haunts, sometimes re-imagined and polished, sometimes pleasantly forgotten. Here are the places we love to support, in alphabetical order, because why not.
EATING
…Açai Bowl: Ziggy in Costa da Caparica has expanded its menu to include a scrumptious and sizable açaí bowl topped with all your favorite fixings. Sit in the sun-drenched front patio out front or at the back in their green-house-like garden. P.S.: All ages will definitely appreciate the playground nextdoor. – Ellis Dixon
…Bifana: The wait is worth it at this hole in the wall in Cais do Sodre. O Triangulo da Ribeira is the place to go for a traditional bifana squeezed out the window with sides of piri piri, mustard, and all the waxed napkins one could want ripe for the taking. Mr. Vítor is a gem, and so is his joint. Honorable Mention: If you’d prefer a place to (try) to sit down, try hoofing it up to O Trevo. It’s the not-so-secret spot where Anthony Bourdain rated his bifana with 5-star profanity. – Ellis
…Breakfast: Mila has us coming back time and time again in search of their Salmon & Poachies and bacon, egg, and cheese brioche. The expertly made coffees, attentive and welcoming staff, and general cozy ambiance have set them above the rest in Santos — a neighborhood spilling over with brunch and breakfast spots. I can’t wait to try the other location in Intendente! Honorable Mention: Boulangerie– newly revamped, reorganized, and ready for croissant aficionados everywhere. – Ellis
…Bruschetta: Ristorante Pizzaria Come Prima has us scratching our heads at exactly how they make their tomatoes melt in your mouth and transport you to a table in Tuscany, a restaurant in Rome, and a Florentine fairytale all at once. Crispy, melty, sweet, and savory. What manner of sorcery is this? – Ellis
…Cardamom Bun: DoBeco. Addictive. Problematic. Life changing? Go to the Rua São João da Mata location and swing by early, before they sell out and ruin your day. – Patricia
…Date Night Restaurant: Canalha in Belém takes it this year. Never has my palette been so amazed by attention to culinary detail. This charming restaurant has caught on, and adventurous foodies seeking something out of the ordinary are flocking to book a table. One word of advice: take your server’s recommendations. On everything. These guys know what they’re doing. – Ellis
…Sweet Healthy Snack: Forest Bites is this year’s discovery that stole our hearts. Gluten-free, organic, vegan, adaptogenic treats that taste incredibly indulgent and make you feel good. We’re obsessed. – Patricia
…Japanese: Dozo does it this year. It’s the perfect mix of accessibility and fancy-pants. The starters are inventive enough to write down on a napkin and attempt to replicate at home, the sushi is top quality and made with heart, and the service is equal parts unpretentious and gracious. – Ellis
…Korean Table Barbecue: Han Table BBQ (the one in Anjos, right above Campo Martires de Patria) is, of the now literally dozens, the very first — and still the best — in town. – Bogdan Kamuta
…New Taco Spot: Paloma Negra. When I heard it opened, I immediately dropped everything and went. #NoRegrets. The crunchy tacos are chef’s kiss, the hot sauces deliver, and the dessert surprised me (in a wonderful way). Bonus points for the red plastic chairs and the pigeon theme… which is objectively hilarious and strangely charming. Paloma = pigeon. Ask them about it! – Patricia
…New Vegan Joint off the Beaten Path: Opened during the summer of 2025 under a bridge in Penha de França by an expat Irish and Guatemalan master-chef duo, CHATO has since proven to be anything but its literal deepl.com translations — i.e., “boring,” “flat,” “annoying,” and/or “a pain in the neck.” And that’s both people- and food-wise. Come for the sustenance, stay for the smiles, vibes, chats, and chess.*
*HEADS-UP: Play chess with the Guatemalan… and lose. – Bogdan
…OG Tacos: Duro de Matar does it for me every time, and I’ve been a fan since day one. I’ve tried every new taco spot in town like my life depended on it (for research, obviously), and yet… I always come crawling back. Biggest flex: I once ate three full meals here in the same day. Yes, still one of the best days of my life. The nachos? Elite. The hot sauces? Dangerous. The music? Always on point. My forever love is the tacos de frijol. – Patricia
…Picturesque Café Unknown to Tourists: Most definitely Panificação São Roque (pictured above). This compact cathedral-like café is neatly hidden behind tiny green swing-in doors on the line between Bairro Alto and Principe Real. Despite the heavy foot traffic outside, this place is generally empty, serves all the traditional Portuguese café fare, and always has yummy soup of the day bubbling away in the back. An inexpensive showstopper, perfect for a light lunch and a coffee paired with a good book or a couple of friends. – Ellis
…Place to Impress: Touta, between Campo de Ourique and Lapa, is a study in luxurious restraint. Everything here is classy, from the clearly personal decor and the confident staff to the traditional Lebanese dishes using seasonal local ingredients. The prices are reflective of the upward trends in this part of town, but here they are perfectly justified. – O Vadio
…Quiosque: Quiosque Alegria. Bring the kids (or don’t), let them run loose on the playground, and relax with oysters and a bottle of wine with your friends. Good music, good vibes, and decently priced for the whole experience. – Ellis
…Restaurant for a Hush Hush Meeting: Suzana Restaurant in São Sebastão has just the right balance between refined and cozy, and a menu to match. The light is dim enough to make all sorts of plots, but light enough to ogle your cocktail and lamb croquettes in all their splendor. But plot early on because the entree will undoubtedly leave you speechless. – Ellis
…Restaurant in the Middle of Nowhere: O Abocanhado in Brufe, Gerês. Fancy restaurant, amazing food, beautiful view over the valley. Located between stages 10 and 11 of the Gerês hiking trail GR 50. – Martha B. Crocker
…Seafood Restaurant for Families: Restaurante a Maritime de Xabregas. Sure, it’s not the same calibre of Ramiro (which is admittedly incredible in so many ways), but this establishment isn’t afraid of large groups, low waiting times, or charm out the matchbook ship wazoo. Forget the high price tag and the long wait times and enjoy yourself, for once! – Ellis
…Spot for a Quick Lunch: Pizzeria Jezzus in Santa Marta. We love everything about this place: the bread, the pastries, the pizzas. But let’s be real, the burrata pizza is the clear winner. It’s absolutely to die for. – Patricia
…Vegan Burger: Plant Base. Juicy, smoky, and cooked to absolute perfection. We do not tolerate half-assed vegan burgers, so we searched high and low and Plant Base reigns supreme. A true veteran of Lisbon’s vegan scene and the living proof that quality ingredients and consistency are where it’s truly ever at. – Patricia
…Vegan Sushi: Legumisushi. Do yourself a favour: bring your bestie (and your elasticated waist trousers), order the boat and prepare to be amazed. Every single piece is unexpected, creative, and super delicious. This is not “good for vegans sushi,” this is just reallllllllllyyyyyyy good sushi. The owners are lovely too! – Patricia
…Vietnamese: For the second year in a row, Tré Bambu (off Ave. Liberdade) has come out on top. Grab a table in the back bamboo garden and bring your pickiest, most ingredient-intolerant friends. Everyone is guaranteed a meal that will leave them wanting to return, and maybe splurge for one more appetizer platter. Pronto. – Ellis
DRINKING (AND NOT)
…Bartending Therapist: Alan Gollo, the general manager of Crafty Corner is the old-school beer-slinging behind-the-bar buddy you never knew you needed. Always smiling, always welcoming, always making an already great place to hang out even better than before. Keep up the good work, man! Cheers! – Ellis
…Bottle Shop: Garrafeira Estado d’Alma, which recently moved across the street to a new, larger premises, offers a great selection of wines and spirits at a decent price. Not the place to go if you’re after a carton of Dom Simon, but for party treats or fancy dinners, it’s the best option. That doesn’t mean you can’t grab a bargain — you can easily get a higher-quality and more interesting wine for the same money you’d spend on a decent bottle at the supermarket. They also have (as yet untested by Atlas) pay-by-the-glass machines to try some specialty spirits in store. – Eden Flaherty
An example of the wide range at Garrafeira Estado d’Alma.
…Listening Bar: The Kissaten (pictured above) is one for the books. This is a listening room that’s every bit as relaxed, intimate, and carefully considered as the originals in Japan. Low lighting, serious sound, and a focus on listening over spectacle set the tone. Apparently, this is Lisbon’s largest whisky collection, with more than 100 bottles lining the bar, while records from across eras and genres get the treatment they deserve. Tucked inside the Locke Santa Joana — a former 17th-century convent — it’s a place to slow down, sink in, and stay longer than planned. – Ellis
…Margarita: Imprensa serves a spicy, smoky margarita that always hits the spot. Great music, buzzing atmosphere, and the friendliest bartenders and mothershuckers. Fair warning: it gets packed on weekend evenings with cocktail and oyster-hungry couples, so arrive early or be prepared to queue! – Patricia
...Midnight Hot Chocolate: Pavilhão Chinês. This well-worn Loja Com História lounge is a classic for a reason. Come on a weeknight, play some pool, eat a ridiculous amount of popcorn, and order a hot chocolate as a nightcap. Honestly, what could possibly go wrong? – Patricia
…New Cocktail Bar: Gardenias Lisboa gets it right: experienced mixmasters who don’t need extra instructions when you ask for a classic but can offer you a wonderful twist on them if you’re open to one (our favorite is their take on the margarita), plus a no-fuss, solid selection of wines. And they’ll bring you little treats from the kitchen to make sure you don’t come stumbling out. If you want to be taken care of with little fuss, this is that place. – O Vadio
…Organic/Small Producer Wine Shop: While Rui and Fátima’s Wineclick in Alcântara isn’t big on size, it is on welcome, as well as on variety and winery knowledge (in nuanced English, too, if your Portuguese is lacking). An excellent spot for when you want to try something new and out of the ordinary, or to track down that perfectly crisp non-floral white or full nosy red — they’re spot-on with their recommendations across Portuguese varietals. – O Vadio
…Place to Play Pool (i.e., a type of billiards that isn’t Snooker), With Zero Pretense, and Overall Joy:
We wish the name said it all… And while it does say most of it, Tropical Time — although not a pub (however, advertised on Instagram for some reason as @tropicaltimepub) — definitely has it all… Palm trees, octopi, and pirate ships on the walls. Black light minigolf (and plenty of non-minigolf blacklight too). Darts, pinball, a claw machine, and an old-school arcade that includes the classic “Street Fighter II” (thus far only in theory, though). At least six pool tables (which means at least one is usually available). Affordable beer, snacks, cocktails, and shisha. Friendly, helpful staff. Plenty of sitting and standing room. A sign that says “Don’t do cocaine in the bathroom” above its bathroom. Toddlers, teenagers, old folks, and everyone in between. And, therefore — and perhaps most importantly — class (without being classist, mind you). And all this makes it both one of the safest and most inclusive spaces on one of Lisbon’s most inclusive but shadier streets (i.e., Almirante Reis) and the perfect pre-party, party, or after-party joint for one and all — no matter your age, race, gender, class, nationality, creed, face tattoo, or other. In other words, if ever in doubt as to roughly what time it is — “Tropical Time” is definitely a safe bet. – Bogdan
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
…Live Concert Venu (for, like, the big names…well, except one): If a musical act you’ve admired for months, years, and/or decades* — local or other — is in town for a gig and that gig is at Lisoba Ao Vivo (aka LAV), then chances are said gig is well worth both the journey and the ticket price. *Unless, of course, said act is Manu Chao’s hellish, semi-acoustic, never-ending, cocaine-induced, spirit-crushing, and overall-dream-trampling loop of the same three-four hits (punctuated, without fail, by a “Mais uma, Lisboa!” literally every five minutes — for at least a literal non-stop four hours straight, like… at which point — well, come on now, enough is enough, you know…?) of roughly a year ago.. anyhoo… LAV is a great venue. – Bogdan
…New Cultural Center: It was with heavy hearts that we learned of the closure of the original Musicbox, a staple of Lisbon’s cultural scene for almost two decades and the jewel of Cais do Sodré’s late-night venues. At a time when this downtown neighborhood was more shank than chic, Musicbox hosted thousands of incredible bands and DJs at the center of what is now known as Pink Street. The team behind it, however, has not been resting on its laurels, and from the ashes has created an incredible music/culture/nightlife/bit-of-everything project: Casa Capitão. Located in the “Beato Innovation District,” the name may ring a bell to music-heads as the project actually started life several years ago as a pandemic-era terrace. However, in 2025, Casa Capitão officially opened its newly-renovated doors with three floors, several terraces, and brilliant sound systems. Not only is Casa Capitão the best new cultural center of 2025, it looks set to be the new heart of Lisbon’s music and nightlife in the years to come. — Eden
…New Museum: Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins (MACAM) arrived on Lisbon’s art scene ready to duke it out with the heavyweights, with an extensive permanent collection replete with Portuguese greats, bold temporary exhibits showcasing local and international artists, a beautifully designed campus (which includes a hotel, in fact), and a schedule of intriguing events in its imposing café, áCapella (regardless of how unthrilled we are with the name for this “former deconsecrated chapel” — do you get it?!). The first few weeks seemed to attract the kind of clientele who inexplicably expect people to know who they are, but they’ve since found new venues to be seen, thank heavens. – O Vadio
…Permanent Art Collection: The Centro Cultural de Belem’s Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC/CCB) has a hell of a history, but like many enterprises involving large amounts of money, the ones involved here produced a world-class collection of modern masterpieces. It’s refreshingly free of crowds, unlike its rival off Praça de Espanha these days, and its bookshop is a marvel to browse through, especially now that it also has a little cafe. – O Vadio
…Place for Traditional Irish Trad, Guinness, Nachos, and more: Lisbon-born-and-bred The Melting Pot celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025. But that has not only not hindered but, in fact, only enhanced their ability to still be seen, heard, and felt going strong, kicking some major musical ass, and spreading glorious full-house cheer, for hours on end, every Thursday and Saturday night. Where? Well, where else but in the very Irish heart of Lisbon — aka their home away from home, aka O’Gilin’s, aka the very first Irish pub in this particular dirty old town (which, in turn, turned 30 in 2025!). – Bogdan
OUTDOORS AND SPORTS
…Hostel in the Costa Vicentina: For hikers or surfers, Hostel do Mar in Carrapateira is top notch. Surfboards and hiking poles at the door, it feels like home after a long day. It has a wonderful kitchen/living room and terrace on the top floor with a great view. I’ve stayed in both the dormitories and also in the studio apartment. Great place. – Martha
…Lisbon Park: Tapadas das Necessidades is always first on our list, and has been since day one. Check out Atlas’ initial impressions of this park and you’ll be glad to know that nothing has changed. They still don’t ask for money, but they totally could. Shh. – Ellis
…Overnight Walk to Do with a Resilient Youngster: The coastal trail from Cabo da Roca to Praia do Magoito — both accessible via public transit from/to Lisbon — offers a proper adventure for young and old of around 12-18 km, depending on how often you veer off route, which we recommend doing frequently. Easily done on capable legs in a speedy half-day, or spread out over two days with an overnight at one of the many hotels along the way, which are all embarrassingly cheap in the off-season. Waves, wind, mountains, steep trails, dangerously slippery if it’s been raining, bush-covered magic tunnels, surfer-infested beach bars, the occasional rock covered in mussels, and more. – O Vadio
…Place to Get High: Escala25 will send you 12 meters in the air…if you can climb it on a rope of course. As Lisbon’s only outdoor roped climbing center, this is the one place you can go to train in the city where the whiff of stinky climbing shoes doesn’t turn your stomach. Also, the staff are the kindest, most supportive folks you could ever imagine— and we don’t even work there! Full disclosure: Atlas helped getting the place off the ground, so we’re kind of its biggest cheerleaders. – Ellis
…Rock in the Middle of the Sea: At this rock just off Santa Helena Beach, you can pick mussels and percebes for free. If you are picking your own mussels and percebes, do not forget to beforehand: clear the toxicity levels with the IPMA website, make sure you pick under two kilos of adult specimens with no tools, or get a fishing license at the ATM, check out the low tide at IPMA or Borda d’Agua, and of course, stay away in the defeso season. [FYI: The closed season for barnacles in Portugal varies by region, but generally occurs between September and December. This is a period when harvesting is prohibited to protect reproduction.] – Martha
SHOPPING
…Gift Shop: Novo Bobo Real has something for just about everyone from spoiled kids and fussy adults to quirky collectors, minimalists, and everyone in between. Go easy on filling up your basket, as things start to add up. And just remember: you’re not there to shop for yourself. Except maybe for a new pair of sunglasses. And those salt and pepper shakers. And that cute little salad bowl. – Ellis
…Glass Shop: Depósito da Marinha Grande on Rua São Bento is a wonderland of cut glass tumblers, jam jars, vases, infusion jars, plates, pitchers, spaghetti vessels, crystal bits and bobs, and more. FYI: There’s an overstock location just a few doors down from the main location (of same name) so it’s well worth it to peek in both if you’re looking for something specific. Word to the wise: don’t bring the kids. It’s wall to wall in there, and one false move could spell disaster. – Ellis
…Moto Gear Shop: One of the best ways to get about the city is on two wheels, but with tram tracks or tourists crossing every street, you need to protect yourself from slips and slides. WearMoto is a small, unassuming store that stands out for its incredible staff and endeavor to stock more women-specific gear. Horonable Mentions: For better-known brands, a wider selection, and a much gruffer reception, IBA Megastore is a good option. Keep an eye on their online sales (and say as much when you go in store) as their prices vary. Motocard sits a little further outside the city and is the supermarket of moto-gear stores. That means a large selection, but a less knowledgeable staff and a heavy focus on their own-brand goods. – Eden
…Place to Get Rid of Stuff: Kid2Kid Picoas is every OCD parent’s dream: A place that will give you cash or store credit for gently-worn and well-cleaned kids clothes and toys — up to age 12. Bag up all the crap that makes noise or offends your aesthetics and sell them or trade them for an item you actually need. If you’re sentimental about everything your child ever touched, this place is not for you (and I hope you have a storage unit). – Ellis
…Reason to Go Inside TimeOut Market: Livraria Martins. Split about evenly between Portuguese- and English-language editions, with other languages represented as well, the selection here is big on the classics, the award winners, the well-illustrated, and the beautifully-bound, so in our mind it makes for an ideal shop to buy a present if you’re looking for a new book, especially since it’s right next to the metro. For used books, we continue to stand by Bivar! – O Vadio
…Shop to Get Your Creative On: If “creative” for your project means something you can touch and use to draw or paint or sculpt with or on, regardless of your “project,” Papelaria Fernandes shops are unbeatable. Our favorite is in Rato, but they’re all wonderful. Good for shopping for pencil and watercolor sets for the child who probably already has too much tortured-artist stuff anyway, but so much better if you have a wilder idea, like, say, making your own quills — because here, you can find nibs, and we mean a variety of them. – O Vadio
…Small Record Shop: Palmela Records in Misericórdia. In a city where so many LP stores seem to think selling the same reissued stock as FNAC but for a few euros more is a business model, Dima’s new shop stands out, particularly when it comes to rock. Small space that’s lovely to browse, and with prices and attitude that signal a love of music and music fans. – O Vadio
…Toy Store: Petit Love in LX Factory embraces sustainable materials over hot pink plastics. The staff is helpful, the products are well-curated, and the price points range from high to low-ish. If you have no clue what to get that snot-nosed kid in your life…here might be a good place to get inspired. Or, ya know, go to Flying Tiger and wing it. – Ellis
