Lisbon once again put Portugal on the international gastronomy map. The Portuguese capital appears in 10th place on the list of the best cities in the world to eat in 2026, published by Time Out, an international media and entertainment brand, in a ranking led by Lima, Peru, and based on the opinion of more than 24 thousand residents of 150 cities, in addition to the evaluation of more than 100 editors and local experts.
Lisbon enters the top 10 world gastronomy rankings
According to , Lisbon was considered one of the best cities in the world for eating, ranking 10th on the global list. The Portuguese capital is one of four European cities in the top 10, along with London, Barcelona and Athens, in a gastronomy ranking that places Lima, Bangkok and Mexico City in the top three places.
Lisbon’s presence in the ranking is supported by a positive assessment from the residents themselves. According to the same source, 86% of Lisbon residents rated the city’s gastronomic scene well and 63% considered that eating out remains accessible, two data that helped the Portuguese capital to stand out among very competitive international destinations.
Neo-tascas help Lisbon stand out
One of the points most valued by Time Out was the growth of so-called neo-tascas in Lisbon, spaces that have contributed to renewing the capital’s gastronomy. The publication describes these restaurants as authentic and welcoming neighborhood spots, but with technical precision and creative menus inspired by Portuguese tradition.
Examples cited by the source include O Velho Eurico, Controversy, Vida de Tasca and Gancho by Louise Bourrat. For the publication, these spaces show how traditional Portuguese cuisine can be creatively reinterpreted, without losing connection with the original flavors.
In the case of Gancho, Time Out highlights proposals such as cabidela arancini and beef tartar à Brás, examples of dishes in which Portuguese recipes and references appear combined with contemporary technique.
Lisbon gastronomy is also known for its pastries and sandwiches
In addition to the neo-tascas, the importance of pastry shops and spaces dedicated to desserts in the way Lisboners experience the city is highlighted. According to the publication, these places were highlighted as some of the highlights of the capital’s gastronomic offerings.
The publication also cites a more casual trend within Lisbon gastronomy: the growth of spaces specializing in sandwiches, such as Tosta and Bibs. For Time Out, Lisbon residents have shown enthusiasm for this type of proposal, which combines informality, creativity and speed without taking the city away from its gastronomic identity.
How the international gastronomy ranking was created
The list of the best cities in the world to eat in 2026 was created from a survey of more than 24 thousand residents in 150 cities, complemented by the evaluation of more than 100 editors and experts from Time Out. The final ranking resulted from a weighting in which 70% of the score came from the opinion of locals and 30% from the evaluation of experts.
Among the criteria evaluated were the quality of the restaurants, affordability, the quality of the food supply, the way residents describe the city and the expert assessment of the gastronomic scene in 2026. To ensure greater geographic diversity, only the best-ranked city in each country made the final list.
The 10 best cities in the world to eat in 2026
The gastronomy ranking is led by Lima, in Peru, followed by Bangkok, in Thailand, and Mexico City, in Mexico. London comes in fourth place, Barcelona in fifth, Ho Chi Minh City in sixth, Melbourne in seventh, Beijing in eighth, Athens in ninth and Lisbon rounds out the top 10.
Time Out travel editor Grace Beard said kitchens “from Lima to Lisbon” are having fun with food in 2026, experimenting with unexpected flavor combinations and elevating classic dishes.
The same person highlighted that the list shows options for different types of consumers, from those looking for more affordable meals to those who favor more elaborate gastronomic experiences.
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