Lisbon Guide — Rue Rodier

I don't know if it's because the city is by the water, the ice-cream coloured buildings, the tiles that reflect the sun or that there are more blue skies (probably the latter), but the light seems somehow purer and more brilliant in Lisbon. It is still one of the most beautiful cities I've visited and I always come back with a camera full of photos. When we received an invitation to a wedding in Sintra last week, I knew we couldn't go to Portugal without staying a couple of nights in Lisbon. We probably had around 24 hours in total, but I managed to make my way to a few places that had been on my wishlist and stumble on others that are definitely worth a visit! I think this was my third time staying in Lisbon. My boyfriend is Portuguese so I'm starting to get a little confused about how many times I've been to Portugal's capital as we usually stay with his family in Porto (where he's from), but we've driven down a few times now on various trips.

You can see my previous posts here, here & here, but below is my updated guide to Lisbon. It's by no means a definitive one, but I've included all the addresses that I've tried as well as a few I've been recommended. Enjoy!

LISBON ADDRESS BOOK:

EAT:

A Cervicheria - great ceviche. Go for lunch so you can see the giant octopus that hangs from the ceiling in the daylight. See what I’m talking about in my post her
Cervejaria Ramiro – tasty local fish restaurant, if you're like me and love seafood!
1300 Taberna - very good, but pricier modern Portuguese restaurant in LX Factory with industrial interior and vintage furniture. Good date night venue!
A Taberna da Rua das Flores – great tapas style restaurant go early (around 6pm) and put your name down for dinner as there’s always a queue
Cantinho do Bem-Estar – traditional Portuguese restaurant with great local dishes and wine (try the alvarinho)
If money is no object, dine at Belcanto – I had one of the best (as well as the most weird and wonderful) meals of my life at this 2 Michelin Star restaurant run by famed Portuguese chef, José Avillez
Mercado da Ribeira aka the Time Out Market

COFFEE:

Hello Kristof – also great for breakfast (the avocado toast is delicious)
Copenhagen Coffee Lab - as you might imagine it has a Scandi-style interior
Fábrica Coffee Roasters
Wish Slow Coffee House

SWEET TREATS:

Pastelaria Balcão do Marques: awarded the best pasteis de natas in Lisbon. They are indeed very good.
Ice-cream at Santini
I've also been recommended Nannarella

DO:

Walk (or get the number 28 tram) up to the Miradoura Das Portas Do Sol - Lisbon's most famous viewpoint
Explore the back streets of Lisbon: have a vague direction of where you want to go and allow yourself to get lost!
Visit LX Factory – old warehouses down by the water that have been revamped into restaurants, cafés and bars
Climb the stairs to the top of the Rua Augusta Arch for views of the main commercial square: Praça do Comércio & city
And of course ride a tram!

SHOP:

Espaço Mínimo – as you might expect from the name, minimal & scandi-style furniture
Veronique – a high-end women's boutique owned by a lovely French woman who has now been in Lisbon for 7 years. She sells mainly French & British designers - but it's a great selection.
A Vida Portuguesa – Portuguese lifestyle shop selling Portugal made products i.e. ceramics & textiles etc..
Cutipol – beautifully-designed Portuguese cutlery
TP – ceramics studio and shop by ceramicist Teresa Pavão

STAY:

Airbnb is the obvious option - we stayed in the Chiado neighbourhood, which I'd recommend as it's really central and walking distance to most places.
Baixa House - a group of well-designed apartments
Mi Casa en Lisboa – cosy home away from home we tried to stay here but it was full...
Santa Clara 1728 – a minimalist’s dream. Where I hope to stay next time.
If you’re feeling plush and are craving luxury, stay at the Pestana Palace – see my photos here