Jun 16, 2025

Cantina das Freiras Lisbon

Secret Spot #1

""Cantina das Freiras" in Lisbon is a truly secret cantina/restaurant, with a stunning view and amazing prices. You must promise not to tell. I'm serious."

First time I went there, it was packed with locals catching sun and chatting while having lunch. The place is not difficult to find, but you can hardly imagine there's a restaurant worth a visit inside this building. Once I checked the amazing rooftop view, this became my favourite place in town.

I wasn't sure if I should share this or not: the place is quite small and it gets packed around 13:00 (Tip:get there earlier!). Also I was afraid I would "destroy" it. Later I realized that no one can change it. There will never be trendy gins, gourmet burgers, organic salads and kefir... So, usually there's only three main courses to choose from (besides the usual snacks). It's just a canteen (it used to be a canteen for the nuns!), and well... sometimes they might serve squid (most people can't even imagine having that for lunch right?).

The food is modest, tasty and homemade. The prices are inviting and as for the view, let's be honest: there's no place in Europe where you can have a meal with a view for anything close to that price!

Here it goes, so make sure you follow the rules or I'll take the article offline.

1st rule about this place is: You don't talk about this place.

2nd rule about this place is: You don't talk about this place.

3rd rule about this place is: You'll never upload a photo for Instagram and you'll never review it on Tripadvisor or anywhere else.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

About this spot

Travessa do Ferragial 1

Whole meal:

6.50

213240910

Find your way with 208 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Lisbon guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Lisbon

Elisabeth'Nails

Nail salon

"Elisabeth'Nails" in Lisbon is a reminder that you don't need to neglect feeling pretty & confident when you're away from home! It's an experience...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sara

Trigo

Jul 10, 2025

31 d'Armada

Bar and restaurant

"31 d'Armada" in Lisbon is a

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sara

Trigo

Jul 10, 2025

La Villa

Italian restaurant - wood oven

I've been on a quest for the best truffle pizza in Lisbon and I feel like "La Villa" at Campo dos Mártires da Pátria is on its own quest to earn the first place...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sara

Trigo

Jul 10, 2025

O Caco da Marquesa

Traditional pottery store

"O Caco da Marquesa" in Lisbon is an ideal pottery shop for beautiful gifts. It will definitely help you better appreciate what Portugal has to offer...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Sara

Trigo

Jul 10, 2025

Ink & Wheels

Tattoo and piercing store

"Ink & Wheels" in Lisbon is a cheerful, picturesque, cool tattoo studio with a unique aesthetic that's the best place to get your new or first tattoo!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sara

Trigo

Jul 10, 2025

Tasquinha da Linha

Typical restaurant

"Tasquinha da Linha" in Lisbon offers affordable full lunch & dinner menus. You can go there every day of the week and never eat the same thing twice!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sara

Trigo

Jul 10, 2025

Alcântara 50

Sophisticated typical food

"Alcântara 50" is a very cosy Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon where you will feel like you're in a typical home of someone's grandparents...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sara

Trigo

Jul 10, 2025

Choupana Caffe

Brunch café

"Choupana Caffe" in Lisbon makes some amazing brunch - in my opinion, the best in town. My favorites are the scones, the croissants & the fresh juices...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sara

Trigo

Jun 25, 2025

Linha d'Água

Get a deep breath

"Linha d'Água" is a perfect park in Lisbon to relax, enjoy a book, sit in peace next to the fountain... Just be careful: the birds might steal your food!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sandra

Lopes

Jun 25, 2025

Royal Café

Healthy lunch & brunch

"Royal Café" is a nice, almost hidden place to have breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack in Lisbon. Their main specialties are natural, organic products.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Erik

Lassche

Jun 24, 2025

Village Underground

Alternative Lisbon

"Village Underground" Lisbon is a creative incubator space, a co-working community & an events destination. I just love the progressive vibe of the place.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Jun 24, 2025

RD's Restaurante

Nepalese food

"RD's Restaurante" is THE Nepalese restaurant in the city. I love their momos in every version. Very tasty and great if you're on a budget!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ana Carolina

Boldrini

Jun 23, 2025

Heading to Lisbon?

208 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

208 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Coffee & tea

Our team loves Lisbon

Get to know our other Spotters from Lisbon

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
22
Filters