Lisbon’s sunny climate, outdoorsy vibe and laid back attitude makes it a great city to visit with kids, and there’s no shortage of spots to kick back and relax with a drink and a bite to eat while the kids burn off energy in playgrounds, parks, and picnic spots with views to die for.
The Portuguese are big on family dining, preferring to bring the kids along to dinner rather than opting for a babysitter, so you won’t struggle to find child-friendly spots for your evening meal (just note that most places don’t open for dinner before around 7pm).
With the exception of a few fine dining restaurants and a handful of too-cool-for-school hipster hangouts, kids of all ages are made to feel very welcome at Lisbon’s many restaurants, kiosks, taverns and rooftop cafes. Which is a good job because, let’s face it: navigating the steep cobbled streets with kids is hungry (and thirsty) work.
Whether you’re looking for easy eats like burgers and ice cream, wholesome vegan treats, traditional Portuguese feasts or just cocktails, mocktails, and a few petiscos (small sharing plates, similar to tapas), Lisbon’s vibrant drinking and dining scene has you covered.
So, where should you eat and drink in Lisbon with kids?
Hungry for some Lisbon dining inspo? Read on for our pick of the best spots to eat and drink with kids in Lisbon.
Mercado do Campo de Ourique many first time visitors to Lisbon make a beeline for the vast covered dining hall at Time Out Market in Cais do Sodre (and with good reason, it’s a handy, kid-friendly place to try dishes from across Portugal), but you’ll find fewer tourists and more elbow room at the jazzed-up historical market in leafy Campo do Ourique. Like Time Out Market, It’s a great option for families with fussy eaters, as visitors can wander between stalls selling everything from fish and seafood to vegan falafel or super-sweet desserts, and then take a seat in the communal dining hall. Unlike Time Out Market, it’s not super well-known, so you won’t have to jostle tourist hordes to order a vinho or use the toilets.
Lisbon Zoo Gardens
Animal-loving kids are going to love a visit here, and you don’t even need to stump up the price of a ticket to the zoo (although it’s well worth the entrance fee if budget and time constraints allow). Before you reach the turnstiles to the zoo, you’ll stroll through a pleasant park filled with inquisitive peacocks, cascading water features, and a whole host of well-priced spots to enjoy outdoor eating and drinking. As well as esplanade cafes serving pizzas, Portuguese snacks, and vegan burgers, you’ll find a branch of McDonalds where peacock families laze in the sunshine on the patio (and try to steal your fries).
Gulbenkian Museum Cafe
Art lovers flock to the excellent Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon’s business district, and you can reward kids for their cultural pursuits with a visit to the museum’s pleasant patio cafe. All manner of ducks and water birds waddle around the patio and the expansive gardens that surround it (the gardens are free to visit, and are popular with picnicking families) and the selection of main meals, sweet and savoury snacks, and wines by the glass or bottle should keep adults and kids equally happy.
Related: Top 10 Things to do in Lisbon with Kids
Quiosque da Ribeira das Naus
As close as you can get to beach vibes in the middle of the city, the waterfront spanning out from the elegant downtown plaza Praça do Comércio is a great place for chilled late-afternoon drinks and snacks. You can grab a picnic from the nearby supermarket, pick up cocktails and light bites from the wooden stalls facing the water, or head to Quiosque da Ribeira das Naus to sink into sun loungers as you scan the menu. Toasted sandwiches, pizzas and other kid-friendly eats keep hunger at bay, while the DJ sets and tangy mojitos make sunsets here extra special as the sun dips over the Tagus river and the 25 de Abril bridge.
LX Factory
A former factory complex (hence the name), cool kid hangout LX Factory is a colourful collection of bars, cafes, shops and artist studios occupying an extremely Instagrammable semi- pedestrianised strip in Lisbon’s Alcantara neighbourhood. Take your pick from sit-down burgers, cheesecakes, vegan wraps, Brazilian snacks and Mexican meals, or climb the stairs to a hostel rooftop for cocktails, craft beers and sprawling out on sun loungers.
A.P.F
In Lisbon with young kids and dying for a chance to actually finish a meal and/or drink for once? Head to this French-owned spot a little off the tourist track in the smart residential Lapa-Estrela neighborhood. The initials stand for ‘A partilhar com a familia’ (‘To share with the family’) and this family-friendly space has a staffed playroom where kids can keep busy while parents linger over food and drinks. It’s cute without being twee, and there’s a nice terrace out the back for lazy afternoons in the sun.
Jardim da Estrela
Speaking of Estrela, the expansive gardens facing the impressive Basilica da Estrela come complete with duck-filled ponds and well-equipped playgrounds, and make a great spot for a picnic. Cafes in the grounds tend to open and close pretty frequently, but there’s always a chance to grab an ice cream, cold drink (whether soft or boozy), and light meals on sunny esplanades.
Take a Kiosk Hop
Strategically placed at viewpoints, parks, plazas, and other scenic spots, Lisbon’s iconic kiosks are always at hand to satisfy hunger pangs and cool drink cravings during a day’s sightseeing. Stroll around, stopping at each and every kiosk that grabs your attention, to try al-fresco petiscos and drinks as you make your way around the sunny city.
So, there you have it, these are our top places to eat and drink in Lisbon with kids.
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