Lisbon is famous for its rich culture, stunning architecture, hilly cityscapeand, yes, food. If you've ever visited the Portuguese capital, you know that its streets start to smell of sweet vanilla early in the morning as bakers prepare batches of pastries, including the famous pastel de nata. Today, the city enjoys the culinary recognition it rightly deserves, having recently been awarded Europe's Best Culinary Destination at the annual festival World Culinary Awardswhich was held in Dubai.
Lisbon beat out other notable food cities like Paris, London, Barcelona, Florence, Vienna and Copenhagen. Winners are chosen by the culinary community, industry experts and consumers based on the official rules of the organization.
“It (the award) is a recognition of the quality of gastronomy for which Lisbon is so well known and an award that encourages all the professionals who bring it to life. The local economy is increasingly a distinctive factor for the city of Lisbon, and gastronomy contributes greatly to the quality of Lisbon's tourism,” said Carlos Moedas, the mayor of Lisbon, in a press release, shared with Travel + Leisure.
Lisbon's gastronomic scene stands out for its diversity, covering not only the types and origins of cuisine, but also the quality of the food. The city has seventeen one- and two-star restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide, including world-renowned establishments like Alma and Belcanto, recently included among the world's 50 best restaurants. Lisbon's cafes and bakeries were also recognized by Gastronomy and wine at its Global Tastemakers Awards 2024, a testament to the city’s culinary prowess.
You don't have to look hard to enjoy a great meal in Lisbon. It's a lot cervéjaries, Neighborhood restaurants serving fresh seafood and seafood along with an extensive beer list are always a great – and affordable – choice for a quick meal, also popular with locals. (Beer lovers should visit the Beer Museum in the heart of the city's Praça do Comércio.)
Another Portuguese city has won the award for Europe's best emerging culinary destination. Port. Portugal's second-largest city, located on the banks of the Douro River, is famous for its exceptional wine scene and distinctive culinary heritage, where visitors can enjoy Michelin-approved dining experiences as well as authentic plates like the hearty Francesinha sandwich and the Cachorrinho, a hot dog-style snack.
Winners in North America include Le Bernardin de New York from chef Éric Ripertvoted best restaurant, and Los Angeles, voted best culinary destination.
You can see the full list of winners at worldculinaryawards.com.
