The best places to eat outdoors in Lisbon

The most instagrammable

The Portas do Sol kiosk is good for watching the sunrise, the sunset and pretty much everything that happens between one and the other. The menu has everything you need to survive the heatwave: sangria, beer, cocktails and bottles of water. Yes, we are actually highlighting water bottles, we are responsible like that - and, also, don’t want you getting all dehydrated with such a pretty view in front of you, do we?

Perfect for: Instagram-like-hunting while maintaining those hydration levels steady.

The healthiest

The cafeteria at Lx Factory’s non-conventional therapy space has evolved into a therapeutic restaurant, with a menu catering to different needs – the brown menu aims to nourish the mind; the pink has protein and healthy fats aplenty; the yellow is intended as an immunity-booster; and the green a detoxifier for the body. From targeted savoury and sweet bowls to pancakes, you can enjoy it all at any time of the day, in their spacious outside seating area.

Perfect for: restoring your health.

The worldliest

A world divided into four distinct areas: cocktail bar, restaurant, sushi bar and terrace. The latter is straight out of the lively streets of Tokyo, Bangkok and Hong Kong, and perfect for warmer days. On the menu, you’ll find many Asian specialties, from sushi to robata, tandoori and, for dessert, the chef’s creations, like the goats’ cheese cheesecake with a cinnamon and ginger biscuit or the Chinese sponge cake (both €10). In the evening, the scene changes. Lights dim, the atmosphere gets buzzier and the DJ table at the bar area comes alive, keeping spirits high until 2am.

Perfect for: taking a taste tour of Asia without leaving your seat.

The most central

Every year, the coming of spring brings the much-anticipated reopening of Sky Bar, on the rooftop of the Tivoli hotel. It’s one of the most popular terrace bars and, every year, it revamps the decor, as well as the snacks and cocktails menus. The only constant, and also its greatest feature, is the view over the Tagus River and Castelo de São Jorge.

Perfect for: relaxing after an afternoon spent shopping on Avenida da Liberdade.

The most unusual

The most famous parking lot in Lisbon, mainly the sixth floor. This rooftop bar is where half of Lisbon parks in order to take in the best views in town. Cocktails, snacks and DJs liven up the early evenings of locals and the crowds of tourists that drop by every day. Park is located on Calçada do Combro and it beats the winter with blankets, heaters and a sheltered seating area, so it remains a good spot for a late-afternoon drink, even in the colder days. Their musical offer is increasingly more established and rooted in urban music, from hip-hop to more tropical discourses, which is why they even founded a label called Parkbeat Records.

Perfect for: dancing through the sunset.

The most refreshing

The heat is smothering. Temperatures linger in the high 30s (we’re talking Celsius here) and we suddenly get the impression that we’re in a western movie – evocative soundtrack and rolling brittlebush and all. Where to escape? Atira-te ao Rio (which translates to “Throw Yourself Into the River”), in neighbouring Cacilhas, might seem a less than obvious choice, but the astonishing location, right atop the river, and the grilled octopus salad (€8), are well worth the small pilgrimage.

Perfect for: cooling down.

The busiest

This kiosk offers the blessing of a fantastic location, right on the Tagus, an ample terrace, lounge chairs and sunshades in the summer, and a bronze sculpture in honour of Almada Negreiros framing the river. Besides cold and hot drinks, they also serve good cocktails, jugs of sangria, pizzas, croissants and sandwiches for when hunger strikes. To make your esplanada experience even better, Assemble Music brings DJs and producers for electronic music evenings. Code of conduct: eyes on the river, drink in hand, dancy feet.

Perfect for: sitting back on lounge chairs and watching the sunset.

The biggest

Elevador de Santa Just nearby, the ruins as a backdrop, the views... There are plenty of reasons to check out Topo Chiado. If you do, you’ll find an extensive cocktail selection and just the right measure of quiet – somewhere among city sounds, tourist camera clicks and shakers hard at work. Don’t let it get to you, this really is a good place to unwind, so go, even if just for the spacious terrace.

Perfect for: resting your legs (and eyes) upon a terrace (and beautiful views).

The most hidden

This pizza restaurant has one of the best and most unexpected inner terraces in town – quiet and overlooking Jardim Botânico, you’ll forget you’re in the lively heart of Príncipe Real. And fret not, there’s a tiled roof over most of the seating area, so you won’t get sunburnt. Stay for just a draught beer or take a walk on the wild side and try one of their prosecco cocktails. But make sure you line your stomach. Their pizza dough is made with 00 flour and cooked in a wood-fired oven (oak-fired, to be precise) – try the one with salsiccia and provola affumicata.

Perfect for: a romantic evening.

This one quickly became a rooftop hallmark, with its now-known tropical style, wicker tables and lamp shades, cushions, greenery- covered bar counters and stage backdrop - often used for open-air cinema sessions and live gigs. Their schedule brightens up afternoons and evenings in the city (check out their Facebook page). And guess who the house star is? The terrace, with 500m2. There is also a whole range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, pastas, pizzas, hamburgers and pregos, as well as a weekend brunch.

Here, the weekend’s magic words are: bottomless brunch. If you are not familiar with the concept, this means that there’s a fixed price menu that includes unlimited food and cocktails. That’s right, un-li-mi-ted. This means a non-stop flow of Mimosas, Aperol Spritz, Bloody Mary and Margaritas coming your way. Besides the cocktails, the menu includes croissants, toast, butter and jam, a choice of eggs or pancakes and a hot drink. It will cost you €20 per person – you can snag this great deal, while getting a tan on the terrace - and, on the weekdays, there’s a different menu full of options for any time of the day.

With 30 terrace seats, this Lisbon kiosk turned a new leaf, thanks to the folks from Taberna da Rua das Flores, where everything is made. Here, you will find Portuguese tapas, very well-known to Lisbonners, but many of them forgotten through time. They start breakfast at 9am, with galões (lattes), garotos (coffee with milk served in a small cup), caldinhos (coffee with a dash of brandy to start the day right), rice cakes and brioche bread with marmalade. The menu changes at 11.30am and remains the same until the evening, with several sandwiches, such as the pork scratchings one from Casa Cid. The delicacies continue with green eggs, meat pastries (pastéis de massa tenra), cod cake (bolinhos de bacalhau) and small salads to snack on.