Whole sardines salted, charcoal-grilled until the skin blackens, served on a thick slice of country bread that catches the dripping oil and juice.
The sardine has been Lisbon's summer fish since at least the 16th century, but the city-wide grill-out is tied to the festas dos Santos Populares each June, when neighbourhoods set up charcoal pits on every corner for the 12 to 13 June peak of the Santo Antonio celebrations.
3 editor picks for Sardinhas assadas in Lisbon, ranked by editorial score. All Lisbon signature dishes · Sardinhas assadas across every city.
Cervejaria Ramiro ★ 4.7
Intendente · Avenida Almirante Reis 1-H, 1150-007 Lisboa
Cervejaria Ramiro in Lisbon: a 1950s seafood hall on Avenida Almirante Reis where goose barnacles, tiger prawns and clams come straight off the boat.
Solar dos Presuntos ★ 4.5
Restauradores · Rua Portas de Santo Antao 150, 1150-269 Lisboa
Solar dos Presuntos in Restauradores, Lisbon: a family seafood institution open since 1974, famous for cured ham, Minho cuisine and a celebrity wall.
Cervejaria Pinoquio ★ 4.2
Restauradores · Praca dos Restauradores 79, 1250-188 Lisboa
Cervejaria Pinoquio on Lisbon's Praca dos Restauradores: a no-fuss Portuguese seafood room serving from morning to late night, clams and arroz de marisco.