Mondego Lisbon

A breath of fresh air

Sara from Lisbon

About me I am a writer swimming in the IT ocean and rolling through life on my roller skates. You can also find me with a photo camera in one hand and creating pictorial scenes with the other. Despite that, I'm really not good at multitasking, but I'm always thinking about what to do next, how to reinvent myself. That is what brought me to Lisbon in 2016 to start a brand new life. ...
""Mondego" is a restaurant in Lisbon in a hidden corner behind Rossio that's a true breath of fresh air, despite being wholly traditional & Portuguese..."

The quest for a restaurant in downtown Lisbon seems to be reduced to one of two results: posh/gourmet trendy places where you can never get a place unless you make a reservation two months in advance and fast food and American franchises where you eat something other than real food - also crowded.

However, rising from a very hidden corner behind Rossio and pleased to give us a breath of fresh air from these two narrow choices, there’s Restaurante Mondego, where you can walk in on a Friday night and have some genuine Portuguese food cooked by a traditional cook and served to you by a real waiter who's happy to have you.

At Mondego, there won’t be any trendy dishes or decoration. In fact, you will be immersed in a truly Portuguese experience, filled with flavors, good wine and a wide range of traditional homemade desserts. If you're lucky, you might even have some Portuguese-speaking country's food, such as cachupa.

I was very glad – and a bit surprised, I must add – that Mondego survived the pandemic, amongst all these international Instagram-oriented places, but I believe that it was its authenticity that kept (and hopefully will keep) it going.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

Lisbon Spotter Sara

About me I am a writer swimming in the IT ocean and rolling through life on my roller skates. You can also find me with a photo camera in one hand and creating pictorial scenes with the other. Despite that, I'm really not good at multitasking, but I'm always thinking about what to do next, how to reinvent myself. That is what brought me to Lisbon in 2016 to start a brand new life. Why Lisbon Lisbon is the place where it all happens, so every day you have something interesting to do, whether it is a music concert, an art exhibition or an outdoor festival. Plus, Lisbon i...

About this spot

Tv. do Forno 4

Main course:

7

+351

213468160

Nov 13, 2025

Our Lisbon City Guide

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.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

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

Discover all other hidden gems in Lisbon

Dalí Cozinha Surreal

World cuisine

"Dalí Cozinha Surreal" in Lisbon is a restaurant whose whole concept is serving surreally creative, good food, also inspired by world cuisine!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ana Carolina

Boldrini

Dec 10, 2025

Livraria Ler Devagar

Industrial bookstore

"Livraria Ler Devagar" Lisbon is inside a giant factory that was once abandoned. What I love about the bookstore/cafe? The 'Gepeto meets industrial' vibe.

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

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Museu do Oriente

Lisbon's best brunch

"Museu do Oriente" Lisbon has the best brunch in town. I like to book the 14:30 - 17:00 slot and skip lunch....

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Mercearia do Páteo Alfacinha

Portuguese gourmet

"Mercearia do Páteo Alfacinha" Lisbon is a old restaurant that's been around since 1981 which has a piece of history attached to it and a delicious menu!

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Hub New Lisbon

Ball pit - Just having fun!!

"Hub New Lisbon" is a hostel with a nice view and other attractions, but what does it for me is their ball pit - just bring your socks and lots of energy!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sandra

Lopes

Dec 10, 2025

Café Império

Steak & football empire

"Café Império" Lisbon was restored 10 years ago, bringing back the glamour from the 50's. The Cinema was closed, but the café and the restaurant re-opened.

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

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Loja Açores

Atlantic culture in Lisbon

"Loja Açores" Lisbon is the closest you can get to Azores islands without leaving the city. I love having their 'Bolo Lêvedo' for breakfast...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Valmor Prize Buildings

Architecture lovers!

Lisbon has some wonderful buildings designed by Fausto Queirós Guedes (1837-1898) - Viscount of Valmor. I'm sure you won't miss them :)

002-building
Art & culture

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Casa do Lago

A boat trip inside the city

"Casa do Lago" is a bar/restaurant in Lisbon in Jardin do Campo Grande. I love combining a boat trip with a passage from the terrace and having a coffee!

017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sandra

Lopes

Dec 10, 2025

Trobadores - Taberna Medieval

Anno 1147

"Trobadores - Taberna Medieval" Lisbon is a medieval tavern located in the heart of the town. I love being take back to 1147...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Restaurante Nau do Restelo

The best Chamuças

"Restaurante Nau do Restelo" Lisbon is a snack bar that serves my favorite chamuças. And Goan specialties like "Suquém" and "Cheque Cheque"...

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

by

Nuno

Lopes de Paula

Dec 10, 2025

Aquele Lugar Que Não Existe

Home :)

"Aquele Lugar Que Não Existe" in Lisbon, or 'the spot that exists now' has a great concept. This restaurant restricts phone use and wants to remain hidden.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sandra

Lopes

Dec 10, 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

Lisbon app Home
Lisbon app Home
Lisbon app Map
Lisbon app Home

Heading to Lisbon?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

208 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

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

Our Locals' Favorite Lisbon

Our team loves Lisbon

Get to know our other Spotters from Lisbon

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
22
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters