Time Out Market Lisbon: Tips and What to Eat

The Time Out Market in Lisbon’s historic Mercado da Ribeira is one of the city’s most popular places to eat. It’s a big food hall where you can try dishes from well-known chefs and classic local names under one roof. Here’s how to make the most of it, and what to order.

Quick answer: the market is at Cais do Sodré, opposite the station. It’s busiest at lunch and dinner, so go at 11:30am or mid-afternoon to get a table. Order from several stalls and share. Try a bifana or prego, seafood, and a pastel de nata. The traditional fresh market in the other half of the building is best in the morning.

How it works

• Stalls around a central hall: order and pay at each stall, then find a seat at the shared tables.
• Food: petiscos, sandwiches, seafood, steak, burgers, sushi, desserts and more.
• Drinks: wine, beer and cocktail bars.
• Prices: higher than a local tasca, but good for trying lots of things.

What to try

• Prego or bifana: steak or pork sandwiches.
• Seafood: clams, prawns or octopus.
• Croquettes and other petiscos.
• Pastel de nata for dessert. See the best pastel de nata.
• Portuguese wine by the glass. See Portugal’s wine regions.

The traditional market

The Mercado da Ribeira has been Lisbon’s main market for over a century. The fresh produce and fish section still operates, mainly in the mornings. See Lisbon food markets.

Tips

• Avoid peak hours: 1pm and 8pm are packed.
• Split up: one person holds the table while others order.
• Nearby: Pink Street and the Cais do Sodré bars. See Lisbon nightlife.
• Want a local guide? See Lisbon food tours.

More: food tours in Portugal and what to eat in Portugal.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars). If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.