From the pastries in every pastelaria window to the roasted chestnuts being sold on every other street corner, I discovered a plethora of traditional Portuguese dishes to tempt me during my quest to find the best food and drink in Lisbon. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Lisbon has a fascinating history and its prominence as a great trading city is reflected in its culinary traditions with influences being drawn from around the world.

My top ten Lisbon food and drink highlights

Here are my favourite Lisbon food and drink finds, some hidden away in unexpected places, some a little more obvious. To help you find them they are all marked on this map, starting in the north of the Alfama district. I found many great places where you can connect with local people and discover traditional food and wine, so live like a local and join me on an edible tour of Lisbon.

1. Doce Mila Pastelaria

This great little pastelaria is tucked down a narrow alley off Rua Cavaleiros. Venture down said alley, and you’ll find a tiny courtyard with a few tables and chairs in front of the shopfront. With a selection of savoury and sweet treats on offer, including the scrumptious pastel de nata pictured below, be sure to also take a glimpse into the kitchen to the left of the counter to see what’s fresh out of the oven. When I visited, a colourful tray of Bolo Rei (King Cake) was cooling, also pictured below. This is a lovely little place to stop for a coffee, and the pastel de nata (custard tarts) were superb. Mind you, I’ve yet to have one that wasn’t. When it comes to Lisbon food, pastel de nata, has to be top of the list!

Don’t forget your travel adaptor

Worldwide travel adaptors are perfect no matter where you are travelling from or to. Buy this one from the US or this one from the UK. It’s pretty much the only one you’ll ever need.

2. Casa do Alentejo

With an unassuming exterior, I’m sure many visitors pass this by every day without realising what a fabulous treat they are missing out on. But step through the green door at 58 Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, and you are transported to another time and place.

While I didn’t get a chance to eat at the restaurant, it is reputed to serve excellent, authentic food from the Alentejo region of Portugal.

In addition, if you turn right at the entrance hall (pictured above) and walk through a small open courtyard, you’ll find a bar serving snacks such as this delectable chorizo and a selection of cheeses and some very drinkable red wine. I really loved the atmosphere here, and when I visited it was bursting at the seams with locals – there was barely a tourist in sight.

3. Ginjinha

Something not so hidden, but a treat you must not miss, is a glass of ginjinha at this little bar just around the corner from the National Theatre. Ginja or ginjinha is a sticky, bitter-sweet liqueur made from ginja berries, a kind of cherry. The traditional way to drink it is with a berry floating on top, ‘com Ginja’, but you could also have it without the berry, ‘sem Ginja’. Down the liqueur, then suck on the berry and spit the pip out onto the often sticky pavement or, somewhat untraditionally, just pop it in the bin.

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4. Confeitaria Nacional

Known for selling the best Bolo Rei each Christmas, this elegant pastelaria opened in 1829, and it’s well worth popping inside to admire the interior and sample one of their glazed pastries. You’ll find Confeitaria Nacional on Rua da Betesga, between Rossio and Figueira Square.