Restaurants in Belem Portugal (Best of)
Last updated on October 14, 2025 at 01:10:51
Looking for restaurants in Belem Portugal that aren’t complete tourist traps? Right so Belém’s proper tricky because it’s absolutely rammed with tourists every single day like mental levels which means loads of restaurants just taking the piss honestly, charging stupid money for mediocre food banking on people eating there once then leaving. But there are brilliant spots if you know where to look. Here’s where to actually eat with real prices not whatever made-up nonsense TripAdvisor says.
Been dragging my family to Belem constantly since moving Lisbon it’s where Lena insists on going for her birthday every year because she’s weirdly obsessed with the monastery cats and obviously the pastéis de nata. Figured out pretty quick which restaurants are worth your time and which are absolute robbery.
Things About Eating Restaurants in Belem Portugal
Belém’s weird for restaurants honestly. It’s this massive tourist area everyone comes for Jerónimos Monastery, that tower thing, the monument so loads of restaurants are purely tourist traps with inflated prices and food that’s just mediocre at best.
But it’s also a proper neighborhood where actual Portuguese families live which people forget. Which means there are brilliant local spots if you walk five minutes away from where all the coach parties get dumped.
Main mistake literally everyone makes is eating whatever’s closest to the monuments because they’re knackered. Walk literally anywhere else and it gets better and cheaper immediately.
The Actual Best Restaurants in Belem Portugal
1. Pastéis de Belém (Obviously You Have To)
Where: Rua de Belém, 84-92
Look you have to go here it’s basically illegal not to. This is THE place that invented pastéis de nata back in 1837. Queue’s always mental but moves dead fast.
What to order:
- Pastéis de nata obviously €1.50 each
- Get them warm with cinnamon and sugar
- Coffee €1
Money: €5-8 per person
Booking: Can’t. Queue outside moves fast though. Or go to takeaway section.
Theo’s rated probably fifty pastéis de nata across Lisbon these still get 9.8 out of 10 which is basically unheard of from him.
Go early morning before 10am or late afternoon after 4pm to avoid worst queues. We went at 9am last month, walked straight in, cost us €12 for whole family.
2. Floresta de Belém (Actual Hidden Gem)
Where: Praça Afonso de Albuquerque, 1
Tiny family-run place tucked behind the monastery. Locals go here constantly. Stumbled on it three years ago, been back twenty times maybe more.
What to order:
- Daily specials on the board €8-10
- Arroz de marisco (seafood rice) €12
- Grilled sardines when in season €9
- House wine €4 bottle
Money: €12-18 per person with wine
Booking: Probably fine without but ring if weekend (+351 213 636 307)
Absolutely zero tourists somehow despite being 200 meters from Jerónimos. All Portuguese families and old blokes reading newspapers. Food’s proper home cooking. Portions massive. Staff are sound.
3. Enoteca de Belém (Wine Bar)
Where: Travessa Marta Pinto, 12-14
Portuguese wine bar doing excellent petiscos. Bit pricier but quality’s genuinely good.
What to order:
- Cheese and charcuterie boards €12-15
- Octopus carpaccio €14
- Croquettes €8
- Let staff recommend wine
Money: €25-35 per person with wine
Booking: Yeah book ahead (+351 213 631 511)
More sophisticated than most Belém spots without being pretentious about it. Wine selection’s excellent.
4. Nosolo Italia (Italian But Hear Me Out)
Where: Avenida de Brasília, Pavilhão Poente
Italian place right on waterfront. I know going Italian in Portugal seems mental but stay with me.
What to order:
- Any pizzas €12-16
- Fresh pasta €14-18
- Tiramisu €6
- Kids love it
Money: €20-30 per person
Booking: Yeah definitely weekends (+351 213 621 499)
Sometimes after eating Portuguese food constantly you want something different. Pizza’s genuinely good, kids always eat without complaining, views over river are brilliant.
We go once a month when I cannot face another plate of bacalhau.
5. Taberna Económica de Belém (Proper Cheap)
Where: Travessa de Marta Pinto, 1
Proper cheap local spot. Nothing fancy, just solid Portuguese food for not much money.
What to order:
- Menu do dia (daily menu) €8-10 including wine
- Whatever they’re cooking that day
Money: €10-12 per person
Booking: Nah just show up, lunch only closes 3pm
Cheapest proper meal in Belém that’s not tourist garbage. Full of Portuguese builders and office workers which is always good sign.
How to Eat in Belém Without Getting Ripped Off
Start early morning. Hit Pastéis de Belém around 9-10am before massive queues. Get tart fix sorted while warm.
Walk away from monuments for lunch. Five minutes any direction restaurants get immediately better and cheaper.
Avoid anywhere facing the monastery or tower. They’re charging location tax. Mediocre food, inflated prices.
Look for Portuguese families. If it’s all tourists taking photos of food, walk away.
Do lunch as main meal. Lunch menus way cheaper than dinner for same food.
Quick Reference
Massive Mistakes Everyone Makes
Eating opposite the monuments. Always overpriced always mediocre. Walk five minutes any direction.
Only going to Pastéis de Belém then leaving. Yeah get tarts but there’s brilliant restaurants too if you look.
Going at peak times. Belém gets insane 11am-4pm. Go early morning or later afternoon.
Not bringing cash. Best local spots still cash only. Bring some saves hassle.
Eating on Avenida de Brasília near monument. Everything along there is pure tourist trap. They’re not even trying.
Useful Tips
Getting there: Tram 15 from Praça da Figueira or Cais do Sodré. €3 ticket.
Timing: Belém works best as morning trip. Go early, proper lunch at local spot, head back early afternoon.
With kids: Loads of space near river for them to run about. Bring ball. They won’t sit still in restaurants ages so factor that in.
Right So The Best Restaurants in Belem Portugal
Best restaurants in Belem Portugal aren’t the obvious ones facing monuments charging tourist prices. They’re tucked down side streets where locals eat, or famous spots genuinely deserving hype like Pastéis de Belém, or unexpected finds like that Italian place.
Main thing is walk away from main tourist drag. Five minutes any direction you’re suddenly in actual Belém where Portuguese families live and eat.
Some dirt cheap like Taberna Económica €10 for full lunch. Some pricier like Enoteca but worth it. All better than tourist traps lining Avenida de Brasília charging €18 for mediocre fish.
Subscribe to Lisbonly for more honest Lisbon neighborhood food guides actual places locals eat not just whatever’s closest to monuments.
Your turn what’s your experience eating in Belém been? Found hidden gems I’ve missed? Or got caught in tourist trap hell? Drop comment share your Belém restaurant experiences. And if you’ve been to Pastéis de Belém what did you think of the tarts worth the hype or overrated? Properly curious because opinions divide people weirdly. Also if you took kids which restaurants worked for your family without complete meltdown because mine are quite difficult and I’m always looking for new spots.
FAQs Restaurants in belem portugal
What are the local favorite restaurants?
For traditional food, try a classic tasca like Restaurante Belém 2a8 or grab a suckling pig sandwich (leitão) at Afonso dos Leitões. You must also visit Pastéis de Belém for the original custard tart.
2. Places to visit near Belém?
The three main sites are the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries. For art, check out the nearby MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology).
3. Where should I eat in Lisbon?
Head to the Time Out Market for a variety of top chef stalls, or go to Cervejaria Ramiro for the best high-end seafood. For a classic, authentic meal, try a local favorite like O Velho Eurico.
