As we told you in Spending Christmas in Lisbon During the holiday season, the city streets come alive with decorative lights, outdoor concerts, markets, and fairs.
The New Year's Eve is an important celebration in Lisbon and one of the events that draws the most people to its streets.
Where to ring in the New Year in Lisbon
New Year's Eve events are held at several spots around the city, but the most popular is always the one at Praça do Comércio. Here, throughout the square along the banks of the Tagus, locals and visitors gather to toast the arrival of the New Year.
There are fireworks displays, and in recent years also Video Mapping.
The square in front of Belém Tower and the green spaces along the riverbank in the Parque das Nações also draw large crowds of Portuguese people. In the Parque das Nações area you'll find the Casino de Lisboa, which often hosts free concerts for the occasion.
New Year's Eve traditions in Lisbon – Grapes, raisins, wine, or Champagne
Eating grapes is not part of the Réveillon tradition — as the Portuguese call New Year's Eve — of eating grapes. Here things vary slightly, and people eat 12 raisins instead..
What's never missing, though, is wine, beer, and champagne.
Christmas Eve is a family affair. New Year's Eve is a time for celebration with friends. Thousands of Portuguese people plan this event at hotels, clubs and restaurants. If you want to make a reservation, be sure to do so well in advance.
And of course, there's always someone who keeps up the tradition of taking a bracing dip in the sea every year.
New Year's Eve Dinner in Lisbon
The food can range from traditional fare to international specialties. In Portuguese homes, people eat salt cod, turkey, lamb, and octopus. In restaurants, depending on their category, the menu can be more elaborate.
As we mentioned above, it's a good idea to book ahead. Here are a few options for New Year's Eve dinner in Lisbon:
Casa do Alentejo (Rossio / Restauradores)
Address: Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 58, Lisboa
A celebration of the Alentejo region and its traditional cuisine, right in the heart of the capital. On the first floor you'll find the restaurant, set in a classic palace-style space that is truly one of a kind in Lisbon. If you're looking to spend less, you can stay on the ground floor: there's a more modestly priced bar/restaurant that is just as good in terms of food quality. It's more of a tapas-style setting (cheeses, cured meats, etc.) and soups, but of excellent quality.
Getting there: It's in the city center, just a short walk from Rossio. Metro: Restauradores (blue line)
or Rossio (green line).
Hours: Open daily, 12:00–15:00 and 19:00–23:00. Open December 31st for the
Réveillon celebration (22:00–04:00) with traditional Alentejo dancing.
Price: From €15 (the special New Year's Eve set menu is around €50)
Contact: (00351) 213 405 140
Tips: The empanadas and tomato soup are delicious
Bacalhau de Molho Restaurant – Casa de Linhares (Alfama / Sé)
Address: Beco dos Armazéns do Linho 2, Lisbon
The "Bacalhau de Molho" restaurant is located in the Casa de Linhares. Its name means 'cod in sauce', which is the basis for cooking this classic Portuguese dish. If you're looking for the combination of a fantastic, traditional Portuguese meal with a great fado show, this is probably a great spot for you.
Getting there: Walking distance from the city center, or take the metro to Terreiro do Paço (blue line).
Hours: Every day, 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM. Open on December 31, reception from
9:00 PM. Dinner includes cocktails, wines, tapas and appetizers, hot and cold dishes (meat and
fish, etc.), desserts, etc. New Year's Eve price approx. €150 per person.
Phone: (00351) 21 886 5088
Price: 50 €
Rossio Restaurant – Altis Avenida (Rossio / Restauradores)
Address: Rua 1º Dezembro, 120, 1200-360
The Rossio Restaurant, is part of the most centrally located hotel in the Altis chain (whose Feitoria restaurant in Belém holds 1 Michelin Star). A peaceful space whose terrace offers an incredible view of Lisbon. It can be an excellent option in terms of value for money (as it is a top-category hotel).
Getting there: At the Altis Avenida Hotel, on Restauradores square (steps from the
metro exit, blue line). Rossio metro (green line), Avenida (blue line) and/or Baixa-Chiado (blue
and green lines).
Hours: Every day, 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM. Breakfast, 7:00 – 10:30 AM. Lunch, 12:30 – 3:00 PM. Dinner,
7:30 – 10:30 PM. Snacks, 11:30 AM – midnight. Open on December 24, 25 and 31.
December.
Phone: (00351) 210 440 008
Price: Lunch €18, Dinner €30, New Year's menu approx. €120 per person.
Tips: Reservations by phone or at reservationsavenida [at] altishotels.com.
Feitoria & Wine Bar (Belém)
Address: Altis Belem Hotel & Spa, Doca do Bom Sucesso, 1400-038, Lisbon
A gourmet restaurant attached to the Altis Belém design hotel. It has views over the Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge. Creative dishes — in 2014 they retained their Michelin Star for the fourth consecutive year (Chef João Rodrigues).
Getting there: Located in Belém. Train from Cais do Sodré (or Cascais), tram 15
from Praça da Figueira (or Cais do Sodré).
Hours: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12:30 – 3:30 PM and 7:30 – 11:00 PM. Open on December 24,
25 and 31 (please check).
Price: €40–€50. Special New Year's menu to be confirmed.
Contact: (00351) 210 400 200
Casa do Leão – (Inside the St. George's Castle)
Address: Castelo de São Jorge, 1100-129 Lisbon
A restaurant located within the grounds of St. George's Castle. The food is of excellent quality (traditional Portuguese cuisine). Professional service and a wonderful view.
How to get there: Located inside St. George's Castle. Bus 737, Tram 28 or 12. On foot from Baixa, about 20-30 minutes.
Hours: Daily, 12:30 – 15:00 and 20:00 – 22:30. Open on December 31st.
Phone: (00351) 21 887 59 62
Price: 25 / 40€
Tips: Please note, there is no combined ticket offering castle entry with your meal at the restaurant, so we recommend coming here to eat when you visit the monument (if you have a Lisboa Card, even better!).
