As Bifanas do Afonso ★ 4.5
As Bifanas do Afonso on Lisbon's Rua da Madalena: bifanas at 2.50 euros, stand-up counter, beer in a sleeve, no chairs, lunch in five minutes flat.
Try: Bifana, marinated pork sandwich
Eat well in Lisbon for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
O Trevo ★ 4.4
O Trevo on Lisbon's Praca Luis de Camoes: 2.80-euro bifanas with cheese, a stand-up beer with each, the local consensus for cheap Lisbon eats.
Try: Bifana with cheese
Ze dos Cornos ★ 4.5
Ze dos Cornos in Lisbon's Mouraria: a tile-walled tasca on Beco dos Surradores, charcoal-grilled pork ribs for 12 euros, cash only, no bookings.
Try: Garlic pork ribs and rice
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau ★ 3.6
Casa Portuguesa on Lisbon's Rua Augusta: a 4-euro cod cake stuffed with melted Serra da Estrela, paired with a glass of port, snack-sized on a wood plate.
Try: Pastel de bacalhau with Serra cheese
Taste of Pakistan ★ 4.2
Taste of Pakistan on Lisbon's Rua do Benformoso: a halal Pakistani curry house in Little Bangladesh, chicken karahi with rice for 10 euros, generous plate.
Try: Chicken karahi with rice
Manteigaria ★ 4.7
Manteigaria on Lisbon's Rua do Loreto: pastel de nata at 1.50 euros, baked every 20 minutes, eaten at the marble counter with a bica espresso.
Try: Pastel de nata at the counter
Casa do Alentejo prato do dia ★ 4.1
Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon's Restauradores: the daily prato do dia at 12 to 16 euros, served in a 17th-century palace patio, surprising value lunch.
Try: Daily Alentejano plate
Sol e Pesca conservas ★ 4.4
Sol e Pesca on Lisbon's pink street: tinned-fish boards from 6 to 10 euros, walls stacked with conservas, beer in a sleeve, outdoor seating until 02:00.
Try: Tinned fish on bread with butter
Budget Eats in Lisbon, FAQ
When is the best time to eat in Lisbon?
Peak food season in Lisbon is year-round.
What time do people eat in Lisbon?
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
How does tipping work in Lisbon?
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
What is the one dish to try in Lisbon?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Lisbon rewards trust.