Lisbon, Portugal’s beautiful hilly capital, offers moderate halal food options. While traditional Portuguese cuisine often includes pork and wine, the city’s multicultural neighborhoods and excellent seafood make it manageable for Muslim visitors. For more guides, see our halal food hub.
Halal Food Overview in Lisbon
Lisbon provides moderate halal accessibility with good seafood alternatives.
| Aspect | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Halal Restaurants | ⭐⭐⭐ | 40+ options |
| Seafood Options | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent |
| Martim Moniz | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good concentration |
| Tourist Areas | ⭐⭐⭐ | Some options |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate city |
Best Areas for Halal Food
Martim Moniz / Mouraria
Lisbon’s multicultural heart:
- Indian/Bangladeshi restaurants: Strong presence
- Chinese halal: Several options
- African cuisine: Mozambican, Cape Verdean
- Halal butchers: Available
- Walking distance: From Rossio
Arroios
Growing diverse neighborhood:
- Avenida Almirante Reis: Food options
- Indian restaurants: Multiple choices
- African food: Some options
- Local feel: Less touristy
Rossio / Baixa
Tourist center:
- Kebab shops: Scattered around
- Some Middle Eastern: Limited
- Seafood restaurants: Natural halal option
- Higher prices: Tourist area
Alfama
Historic district:
- Seafood focus: Grilled fish
- Limited halal meat: But fish available
- Traditional tascas: Check ingredients
Types of Halal Food Available
Seafood (Naturally Halal)
Lisbon’s best halal option:
- Bacalhau: Salt cod (365 recipes!)
- Grilled sardines: Lisbon specialty
- Arroz de marisco: Seafood rice
- Caldeirada: Fish stew
- Fresh fish: Robalo, dourada
Indian/South Asian
Martim Moniz specialty:
- Curry dishes: Traditional
- Biryani: Popular
- Tandoori: Grilled meats
- Vegetarian: Many options
Chinese Halal
- Martim Moniz area: Several restaurants
- Muslim Chinese: Halal certified
- Dim sum: Some options
African Cuisine
- Mozambican: Peri-peri chicken
- Cape Verdean: Cachupa
- Angolan: Some options
Middle Eastern
- Kebab shops: City centre
- Lebanese: Limited but available
- Falafel: Some options
Popular Halal Restaurants
Martim Moniz Area
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Indian restaurants | South Asian | ££ |
| Chinese halal | Asian | ££ |
| African options | Various | £-££ |
City Centre
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Kebab shops | Turkish | £ |
| Seafood restaurants | Portuguese | ££-£££ |
| Some Middle Eastern | Various | ££ |
Seafood Guide
Safe Portuguese Dishes
Always Halal (when no pork/wine):
- Sardinhas assadas: Grilled sardines
- Bacalhau à brás: Cod with potatoes, eggs
- Polvo à lagareiro: Octopus
- Amêijoas à bulhão pato: Clams (check for wine)
Things to Check
- Wine in cooking: Common in Portuguese cuisine
- Chouriço/presunto: Pork sausage/ham - avoid
- Alheira: Traditional sausage (often pork)
- Feijoada: Bean stew (usually has pork)
Safe Bets
- Grilled fish: Ask “sem vinho” (without wine)
- Seafood rice: Ask about ingredients
- Fresh fish: Simply grilled
Halal Shopping
Halal Butchers
Martim Moniz Area:
- Some halal butchers
- Limited selection
- Indian/Bangladeshi shops
Supermarkets
- Pingo Doce/Continente: Very limited halal
- Ethnic shops: Better for halal meat
- Martim Moniz stores: Halal products
Lisbon for Muslim Visitors
Tourist Attractions & Food
Belém Tower & Monastery:
- Famous landmarks
- Pastéis de Belém (custard tarts - halal)
- Limited halal meals nearby
Alfama:
- Historic quarter
- Seafood restaurants
- Grilled fish options
São Jorge Castle:
- City views
- Cafe on site
- Limited halal
Time Out Market:
- Food hall
- Some seafood options
- Check individual stalls
Sintra (Day Trip):
- Beautiful palaces
- Very limited halal
- Eat in Lisbon before
Tram 28
Famous tram route:
- Scenic journey
- Pack snacks
- Alfama seafood after
Prayer Facilities
Lisbon has a few mosques:
- Lisbon Central Mosque: Praça de Espanha
- Islamic Community Centre: Main congregation
- Limited options: Plan ahead
Practical Tips
- Seafood is key: Best halal option in Lisbon
- Martim Moniz hub: Main halal area
- “Sem porco, sem vinho”: “Without pork, without wine”
- Pastéis de nata: Custard tarts are halal
- Check sauces: Wine often used
- Chouriço warning: Appears in many dishes
- Grilled fish safe: Simple preparation best
- Language barrier: Use translation apps
- Sintra day trip: Eat before going
- Coffee culture: Cafes everywhere, safe