Lisbon is a city that captures your heart through your eyes and your stomach. Between the pastel-colored buildings and the sound of Fado echoing through Alfama, there’s a culinary world waiting to be explored. But let’s be real: traveling can get expensive, and food is often the biggest drain on the wallet.
If you’re like me, or Edin Chavez, the CEO here at Photoguides, you know that the best travel experiences don't have to cost a fortune. You can eat like a king in the Portuguese capital without spending like one. Whether you're a pro photographer looking for the perfect shot or a backpacker on a shoestring, finding the best cheap eats is part of the adventure.
At Photoguides, we’re all about helping you capture the world, but we also want to make sure you’re well-fed while doing it. Here are 25 creative budget travel food ideas for your next trip to Lisbon.
1. The Legendary €2 Bifana
The Bifana is the king of Portuguese street food. It’s a simple pork sandwich marinated in garlic, wine, and spices, served on a crusty roll. You can find these at places like Cafe Beira Gare for around €2 to €3. It’s the ultimate budget travel food: filling, delicious, and incredibly cheap.
2. Hunt for the "Prato do Dia"
Most local tascas (traditional taverns) offer a "Prato do Dia" (Plate of the Day). For €7 to €10, you usually get a massive plate of food, a drink, and sometimes even a coffee. Look for the handwritten menus taped to the windows; that’s where the locals eat.
3. Miradouro Picnics
Lisbon is famous for its miradouros (viewpoints). Instead of paying for a pricey rooftop bar, head to a local Pingo Doce or Continente supermarket. Grab some Portuguese cheese (Queijo de Azeitao is a must), a bottle of Vinho Verde, and some fresh bread. Watching the sunset with a DIY picnic is one of the best things to do in the city.
4. Pastel de Nata for Breakfast
Skip the fancy hotel breakfast. A Pastel de Nata costs about €1.10 to €1.30. While everyone flocks to Belém, try Manteigaria in Chiado or the Time Out Market. It’s a cheap, sugary way to kickstart your morning of photography. If you're looking to improve your food photography while you're at it, check out our educational guides.
5. Ginjinha in a Chocolate Cup
In the Rossio district, you’ll see small stalls selling Ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur. It costs about €1.50 a shot. For an extra fifty cents, you can get it in a small chocolate cup that you eat afterward. It’s a snack and a drink in one!
6. Sopa do Dia (Soup of the Day)
Almost every restaurant in Lisbon serves a soup of the day, often Caldo Verde (kale and potato soup with a slice of chorizo). It’s usually less than €2.50 and is surprisingly filling. It’s a staple for anyone looking for the best cheap eats.
7. The "Imperial" and Tremoços
When you order a small beer (an Imperial), many local bars will give you a small dish of tremoços (lupin beans) for free or for a few cents. They are the perfect salty snack to accompany a cold drink after a long day of shooting.
8. Chouriço Assado
This is pure dinner theater. You’ll be served a clay dish with a whole chorizo sausage, which is then doused in high-proof alcohol and lit on fire at your table. It’s interactive, delicious, and usually very affordable when shared among friends.
9. Canned Seafood (Conserveiras)
Don't turn your nose up at "canned food." In Portugal, tinned fish is a gourmet art form. While shops like Sol e Pesca are popular, you can buy the same high-quality brands at local grocery stores for a fraction of the price. Pair it with crackers for a creative, budget-friendly meal.
10. Frango no Churrasco (Piri-Piri Chicken)
Lisbon’s version of fast food is succulent, flame-grilled chicken. A half-chicken with fries and salad will rarely cost more than €8-€10 and can often feed two people. It’s healthy, fast, and light on the pocketbook.
11. Eat at the Mercado de Arroios
While the Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira) is iconic, it can be pricey. For a more authentic and cheaper experience, head to Mercado de Arroios. You'll find fresh produce and small stalls serving incredible food to locals at "real world" prices.
12. Pão com Chouriço from Street Ovens
If you find yourself walking around at night, look for small bakeries or street carts with wood-fired ovens. They sell Pão com Chouriço: hot bread with chorizo baked inside. It’s usually around €2 and is the ultimate comfort food.
13. Prego: The "Dessert" Sandwich
In Portuguese steak houses (cervejarias), it is a tradition to eat a Prego (steak sandwich) for dessert after a seafood meal. It sounds crazy, but a Prego on a garlic roll is cheap, satisfying, and very "Lisbon."
14. Alheira: The Bread Sausage
Alheira is a unique sausage made from bread and poultry (traditionally created by Jews during the Inquisition to hide their faith). It’s usually served with a fried egg and fries. It’s incredibly savory and one of the most budget-friendly meat dishes on any menu.
15. Padaria Portuguesa for Quick Fixes
Think of this as the Portuguese version of a high-end bakery chain. Their breakfast deals: usually a coffee, fresh orange juice, and a sandwich or pastry: are consistently under €5. It’s a reliable spot when you’re in a rush to catch the morning light for photos.
16. Share an Arroz de Marisco
Seafood can be expensive, but Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) is almost always served in a large pot meant for two people. Splitting the cost makes it a very affordable way to enjoy fresh prawns, clams, and crab.
17. The "Illegal" Chinese Restaurants
In the Martim Moniz area, there are several "secret" Chinese restaurants located in apartment buildings. They aren't actually illegal anymore, but they feel like it. They offer massive portions of authentic food for very low prices. Look for the nondescript buzzers!
18. Salgado Snacks
Step into any pastelaria and look for the glass case of "salgados." These are savory fried snacks like Rissóis de Camarão (shrimp turnovers) or Pastéis de Bacalhau (codfish cakes). At around €1 to €1.50 each, two or three make a perfect lunch.
19. Bitoque: The Workman’s Steak
A Bitoque is a thin steak topped with a fried egg, served with fries, rice, and a small salad. It’s the quintessential Portuguese lunch. It’s fast, consistent, and always easy on the budget.
20. Feijoada at Lunch
This hearty bean stew with various cuts of pork is a powerhouse of a meal. Because it’s so heavy, it’s usually a lunch dish. Finding a small neighborhood spot serving Feijoada is a great way to experience authentic culture for under €8.
21. Tosta Mista (The Giant Toast)
This isn't just any ham and cheese toast. In Lisbon, a Tosta Mista is often made with huge slices of farmhouse bread and smothered in butter. One of these can easily serve as a full meal for a traveler on the go.
22. Free Samples at the Markets
If you visit the Mercado de Alvalade or Mercado da Ribeira (the traditional side), vendors will often give you samples of cheese, olives, or fruit. It’s a great way to taste the local produce for free before deciding what to buy for your picnic.
23. Roasted Chestnuts in Winter
If you’re visiting in the colder months, the streets of Baixa will be filled with the smoke of roasting chestnuts (castanhas). For a few euros, you get a paper cone full of warm, salty goodness.
24. Happy Hour at Cervejarias
Many beer houses have happy hour deals where you can get a "caneca" (large beer) for a discount. Pair this with a plate of olives or some local ham for a cheap, light dinner.
25. Community Dining at Associations
Lisbon is full of "Associações" (community clubs). These are often tucked away in old buildings and serve home-cooked meals to members and visitors. The prices are incredibly low because they are non-profit community hubs. It’s a great place to meet locals and hear stories you won't find in guidebooks.
Photography Tip for Foodies
When you're out exploring these hidden gems, don't forget to document your journey! Food photography in dimly lit tascas can be tricky. I always recommend bringing a fast prime lens. You can check out our list of essential photography gear to see what Edin carries in his bag.
If your food photos look a bit flat due to the fluorescent lighting often found in cheap eats spots, you can always use some sky overlays or light room presets to bring that Lisbon warmth back into your shots.
Why We Love Lisbon
Lisbon is more than just a destination; it's a feeling. From the historic trams to the modern art scene, there’s always something new to see. For more travel inspiration, check out Edin Chavez’s blog or browse through his fine art gallery to see how he captures the spirit of places like Portugal.
Whether you're visiting for a cheap weekend getaway or a long-term photography project, eating well shouldn't be a source of stress. Stick to the tascas, follow the locals, and don't be afraid to try something that isn't on a tourist menu.
For more tips on travel and photography, stay tuned to the Photoguides blog. Happy eating!
