The best places to eat and drink outdoors in Lisbon

Life in Benfica was never the same after the restoration of Palácio Baldaya. The neighbourhood gained an eclectic and vibrant cultural agenda, as well as a meeting spot with a terrace to match. Tables are scattered throughout the garden, under plentiful shade. It’s an oasis which is perfect for those hot days when the kids are begging for ice cream and parents need some cold beers. There’s plenty of space for the little ones to play and run around, too.

There aren’t many terraces in the city quite as good as Musa de Marvila: it’s spacious and full of charm, has great food, good beer, and even a playground for the little ones – and when the heat kicks in, the tank can even turn into a sort of pool. In the kitchen, Pedro Abril always impresses with his unexpected creations. To drink, there are more than a dozen craft beer options since this is also Musa’s brewery. At night, the terrace is perfect for those breaks between dance steps on the floor.

Following a recent culinary revolution by Hugo Candeias, A Lota has a new location and a new name. Fish and seafood are still the focus, but the menu is now bolder, as the new name, A Lota Sea & Fire, suggests. The aim is for the restaurant to be a bit more like Ofício in Chiado. At the new site, they’ve even added a bar, where oysters and wine are served in the late afternoon. Sit out on the terrace and just go with the flow.

Hidden in Palácio Galveias, this kiosk is perfect for those who enjoy a quiet yet spacious terrace. There are plenty of seats and even more lawn space at Acaso Galveias, ideal for kids to play freely without parents having to worry about cars or other hazards. The flexible opening hours and a menu to match are major advantages. You can have breakfast or a snack, enjoy a quick lunch (there’s soup and salads), or sip a drink at the end of the day.

If you don’t know Graça well, you would never guess that Maria Piolas is here. At the Maria Pia Sport Club, one basketball court has been turned into a terrace, where parents can relax and enjoy snacks like pica-pau or padron peppers while their kids play on the other half, which is still in use as a basketball court. For more substantial meals, there’s no shortage of options, but if you just want to have a drink, that’s quite alright, too.

If you’re put off by the thought of another bland hotel restaurant, don’t worry – Allora, an Italian restaurant within the Hotel Epic Sana Marqués, offers something distinctive. With chef Nuno Costa newly in charge of the kitchen, the focus is now on fresh pasta, which is made on-site every day and can be enjoyed as part of the daily menu executivo (an elevated set menu), which comes in at €29. At the weekend, it’s all about the £30 sharing menu, designed to encourage locals as well as visitors to stop by and enjoy the top-quality fare. It’s worth mentioning that beyond the restaurant lies a beautiful and tranquil terrace, which can also be covered on greyer days.

It probably has one of the best terraces in the city, yet it’s not crowded – partly because many people don’t know that the Goethe-Institut's garden is open to the general public. The space hosts various events, but it’s lovely and peaceful on days when nothing is going on, especially under the shade of the imposing 100-year-old dragon tree. It’s worth exploring the many nooks and crannies, where you’ll want to linger. At the café, you can try one or two German specialities.

If, at the end of the day, you notice a large gathering at the Jardim da Amnistia Internacional in Campolide, don’t be surprised – Quisoque Verde Lima has long been a popular spot for an after-work drink for people working in the area’s many offices. There are a lot of tables, but when they get full, people spread out onto the grass. On some days, there’s live music and during the day, at weekends, it’s also a favourite spot for families. You can also grab something to eat here, including poke and açai bowls and sushi.

The name says it all – the Secret Garden truly is a hidden gem located at the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. It’s one of those places where, once you discover it, you wonder how you hadn’t found it sooner. It’s spread across different levels, which offer varied experiences, but no matter where you are, you’re guaranteed a great vibe and lively atmosphere – especially with its diverse musical programme, featuring musicians, bands, and DJs. The menu is simple, offering focaccia and appetisers and there’s also a micro art gallery. Just bear in mind that entry is free until 5pm, but after that, you need to become a member (€5, valid for a year).

The terrace, which is covered in bougainvillaea and has views over the Botanical Garden, remains one of our favourites in the city. When this pizzeria opened in Príncipe Real in 2015, artisan pizzas and slow fermentation weren’t as talked about as they are now, but Zero Zero soon became known for this style of pizza-making, as well as for the Italian charcuterie counter at the entrance and a wood-fired oven at the back, which uses only holm oak wood. There are around 20 pizza options, but there’s more to Zero Zero than just pizza: there are also salads, pasta, and risottos, and the desserts are not to be overlooked (the salted caramel mille-feuille is a bestseller). Over the past ten years, the brand has expanded to Parque das Nações and the Time Out Market, and its thin-crust pizzas remain some of the best in the city.