Lisbon in Top 10 for ‘world’s best cities for food’

Lisbon has clinched yet another ‘top ranking’, this time for the quality of its food.

The Portuguese capital has been named one of the world’s best cities for food in 2026, according to a Time Out ranking based on the opinions of more than 24,000 residents and industry experts.

Setting Lisbon apart is not just the quality of its cuisine, but its business’s commitment to preserving tradition, and investment in new concepts inspired by national flavors.

The ranking considered factors including quality, affordability, and the importance of food culture in each destination. The final score combines residents’ opinions, which account for 70% of the result, with expert assessments, which make up the remaining 30%.

Lisbon is actually in 10th position of the 20-cities’ line-up, with Lima, in Peru taking first place, with its specialities ceviche and ‘causa limeña’ riding high.

What Lima has over Lisbon, particularly, is ‘affordability’. It is the most affordable city for dining out, in the ranking.

Lisbon, sadly, is no longer as affordable (certainly to locals) as it used to be – with many people who gave ‘highly positive reviews’ to Time Out still saying that they see ‘eating out in Lisbon’ as ‘expensive’. Coffee continues to be an affordable option for much of the population, says Time Out, highlighting the growth of ‘tascas’—traditional eateries which are now reinventing Portuguese culinary traditions through creative concepts while maintaining strong ties to the roots of the country’s gastronomy.

Among the establishments mentioned in the ranking are O Velho Eurico, Polémico, Vida de Tasca, and Gancho.

Meanwhile, the bifana (pork sandwich) continues to hold a prominent place in Lisbon’s food culture. Examples cited include Bifanas do Afonso, in the Baixa district, an establishment with more than 50 years of history known for its pork loin sandwiches cooked in white wine, lard, and garlic.

Time Out’s review stresses that “if you are going to eat only one thing” in Lisbon, make it ‘clams à bulhão pato’ “They never fail to feature on the menus of the city’s best seafood restaurants. With a mouthwatering sauce of olive oil, garlic, coriander and lemon—where dipping your bread is absolutely mandatory—they evoke the Atlantic, so close to the city”.

How Lisbon ranked otherwise: “The vibes are high in Portugal, where 58% of respondents said the city is welcoming and friendly. 86% of locals said the restaurant scene is amazing, though only 37% would say it’s affordable. Looking for a cheaper alternative? Grab a coffee, which 94% of locals said was actually affordable”.

As for the cities “known for their ingredients, iconic cuisines and deeply rooted food stories that have influenced how people eat around the world”, they are:

1. Lima, Peru

2. Bangkok, Thailand

3. Mexico City, Mexico

4. London, United Kingdom

5. Barcelona, Spain

6. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

7. Melbourne, Australia

8. Beijing, China

9. Athens, Greece

10. Lisbon, Portugal

11. Cape Town, South Africa

12. Osaka, Japan

13. Bengaluru, India

14. Naples, Italy

15. New York City, United States

16. Hong Kong

17. Buenos Aires, Argentina

18. Marseille, France

19. Copenhagen, Denmark

20. Medellín, Colombia

Source: SIC Notícias/ Time Out