The brunch culture had an explosion in Lisbon in the past three years, with many places opening specifically to serve this blend between breakfast and lunch. It became so popular that you can now find several restaurants where you can enjoy brunch, often all day long.
By the way, did you know that the brunch originated in England in the late 19th century? It was used to refer to the Sunday meal after a Saturday night spent drinking, therefore sleeping in the next day. It then became quite famous in the United States in the 1930s.
I personally love brunch and I find it a great invention. You get to enjoy both breakfast and lunch food, at the same time. How awesome is that? And since I usually have this meal quite late in the morning, I can indulge in all the tasty varieties of sweet and savory dishes. All accompanied by coffee, what else could one wish for?
Anyway, I actually became a big fan of this meal when I was living in Portugal, where I discovered all these trendy little places which served colorful inviting dishes from pancakes with fruits to eggs and avocado plates. Although you now have a huge choice for brunch in Lisbon, I wanted to gather here just seven of them that I think are great options for delicious meals in a nice and friendly atmosphere.
Zenith Brunch & Cocktails
Zenith is a cozy and chic place near Avenida da Liberdade with a great variety of sweet or savory brunch dishes. It’s open every day from 9 am to 7 pm so you can have your brunch at any time.
Choose between pancakes, eggs, smoothie bowls, tapioca pancakes, shakshuka. For selected dishes, vegan options are also available so there is really a great choice for every taste. You can also customize your selected dish by adding extras, choosing gluten-free bread or sweet potato “toast”.
If you are familiar and you like the typical Francesinha, there is even a pancake version of this. It comes with bacon, chicken breast, cheddar cheese, fried egg, special francesinha sauce, and chives.
Fauna & Flora
The name of this fancy little place is quite accurate given the variety of plants that cover the walls, tables, and bar. The decor gives the place a cozy, bright atmosphere and the dishes are colorful and inviting.
There’s no actual brunch option but different breakfast dishes are available all day long. Sweet and salty options are available, to satisfy every taste. You can choose different varieties of tasty pancakes, healthy granola, and smoothie bowls if you are craving something sweet. As for the salty options, you can have toasts with eggs, avocado, hummus and much more. Smoothies also come in different varieties and they are fresh and tasty.
If you are planning to go on a weekend, especially on Sunday, make sure to arrive early as there is usually a queue. You can find Fauna & Flora in the neighborhood of Santos, not far from Cais do Sodré.
The mill
It might sound like an unusual mix but this place is an encounter between Portuguese and Australian cuisine. The place was opened around three years ago when there weren’t still many options for a brunch in Lisbon. Located in the lively neighborhood of Bairro Alto, the place has soon become popular, mostly among foreigners.
You can enjoy an all-day brunch menu, with different dishes from toasts, porridge, eggs or various brunch plates. You can even try the typical Australian spread, vegemite, though it might not be for all tastes.
A really good reason to visit The mill is the coffee, hand-roasted just down the road at a local roaster and from specially sourced arabica beans. You will find a great variety to chose from. Order a typically Portuguese pingado or an Australian style flat white. And if you love the coffee, you can even purchase the house blend or single origin coffees.
O Ninho – café brunch
O Ninho is not your usual fancy brunch place, rather a casual, vintage little restaurant with a more Portuguese feel. I love this place specifically for this, because it’s inviting and warm, with a friendly and courteous staff.
The place is a little hidden in a small street of Alfama, Lisbon’s historical neighborhood. It’s a very characteristic area of the city so that’s already a good reason to go there. The food is delicious, everything is fresh and homemade. There are three breakfast options available from 9 to 11 am and three brunch ones available from 9 am to 3 pm.
If you’re lucky you can even get a seat on the hidden little terrace and enjoy your meal with a view over Lisbon’s rooftops. Absolutely recommended for the good vibes and a more Portuguese approach to brunch.
Brick Cafe Lisboa
If you’re looking for a less fancy place, away from the crowds of tourists in the city center but with delicious food, this place is for you. Near metro station Anjos, Brick Café is a chilled, hidden place that serves great breakfast (or brunch) options. Dishes might not look as fancy as some other places I mentioned but the food is good, the environment is friendly and prices affordable.
You can choose from different types of omelets or scrambled eggs, toasts and desserts. On a sunny day, you can also enjoy your brunch on the small terrace outside.
Boutik
Boutik is a family-run café and shop, clearly made with passion and love. As the owners state on the website, it’s a place to chill, eat healthy food and shop for unique clothes, accessories, skate, and surfboards. It was brought to life by ocean lovers, therefore, everything is environmentally friendly.
The laid back atmosphere and ocean-inspired decor create an ideal environment to relax as you’re sipping your smoothie. The mascot of the place is Kite, a sweet golden retriever casually strolling around the place or chilling in the sun at the front door. Customers are also encouraged to bring their pets with them.
The menu contains all homemade dishes, from sweet pancakes to egg and avocado toasts, accompanied by fresh juices. Brunch is served all day, every day.
Heim
In the neighborhood of Santos, not far from Cais do Sodré, Heim opened in 2017 and quickly became a meeting point in Lisbon for the Sunday brunch and not only. With a minimalist, chic style, it is now one of the favorite places in town to enjoy brunch food all day.
You can choose one of the full brunch dishes, pancakes, waffles, toasts or salads. To drink you have a variety of coffee options, smoothies, juices, lemonades, and even a few cocktails.
As for most of the newly opened brunch places in Lisbon, Heim can get quite crowded. Also, the place is small so it’s very likely that you will have to queue to get a table, especially during weekends. Heim is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, except for Mondays when it closes at 3 pm.
Now, after all this food, it’s probably a good idea to have a walk around and discover some more of Lisbon. And what could help you digest faster than climbing a few hills? Check my article on Lisbon’s miradouros for a collection of the best views in town.
Happy travels and enjoy your brunch!
