Lisbon's top 10 sushi restaurants
If a couple years ago, back when sushi restaurants used to pop up like mushrooms, people referred to them as just a fad we'd soon get over, it is safe to say that they've actually come to stay. After years of having good and bad Japanese food all over town, our team has finally reached an agreement regarding which should feature our top 10 list.
These are Lisbon's best sushi restaurants:
1. Midori
Midori restaurant is integrated into the Hotel Penha Longa in Sintra, and the beautiful landscape adds a lot to its magic. There's a wide variety of Japanese specialties and the menu comprises of signature dishes by chef Pedro Almeida. All the dishes are prepared in front of the customers. In 2018, it was awarded one Michelin star.
Where: Estrada da Lagoa Azul, Linhó Sintra, 2714-511 Lisbon
2. Kanazawa
Kanazawa was founded in 2015 by Japanese celebrity chef Tomo Kanazawa. The chef decided to leave for Japan in 2017 and left chef Paulo Morais in charge of the exclusive restaurant. Here, you sit right in front of the chef while your food is being prepared.
Where: R. Damião de Góis 3, 1400-291 Lisboa
3. Yakuza First Floor
Yakuza First Floor restaurant is one of the famous Portuguese chef Olivier's restaurants. It is located in Rato and it is dedicated to Japanese fusion cuisine. Here, you can enjoy high-quality sushi and sashimi in an exquisite and simultaneously relaxed atmosphere.
Where: R. da Escola Politécnica 231, 1250-096 Lisboa
4. Tasca Come
Tasca Kome restaurant is located in Rua da Madalena, in the heart of Baixa Pombalina, and its motto is "Japanese food is not just sushi". The menu is run by Japanese chef Yuko Yamamoto, who prepares not only sushi and sashimi but other unusual Japanese delicacies such as fried chicken and breaded pork.
Where: R. da Madalena 57, 1100-016 Lisboa
5. SushiCafé Avenida
A classic of the capital, the restaurant SushiCafé Avenida in Avenida da Liberdade specializes in the traditional cuisine of Japan. In this elegant and contemporary space, there isn't just sushi, but also sashimi and Temakis, as well as other less known, traditional Japanese dishes.
Where: R. Barata Salgueiro 28, 1250-044 Lisboa
6. Sushi Design
Sushi Design is located in Farol Hotel, Cascais, and combines excellent sushi with a beautiful view of the sea. The ingredients are very fresh and there is a wide variety of sushi rolls on offer, merging more traditional dishes with fusion, modern ones.
Where: Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália 7, 2750-341 Cascais
7. Bonsai
Bonsai in Bairro Alto is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Lisbon, having opened in 1986. It remains one of the city's favourites. You can either choose to watch chef Ricardo Komori prepare the pieces in front of you, or sit in a private room while you enjoy your meal.
Where: R. da Rosa 244, 1200-348 Lisboa
8. Miss Jappa
Miss Jappa restaurant, located in PrÃncipe Real, is the capital's trendiest sushi restaurant. With the signature of chef Anna Lins, the first Portuguese woman to be certified by the leading Japanese sushi association, Miss Jappa's menu captivates any sushi lover. Taste the fun of Russian roulette gunkans and the starter "quantos queres."
Where: Praça do PrÃncipe Real 5, 1250-096 Lisboa
9. Confraria LX
Confraria Lx followed the opening of the successful A Confraria in Cascais. You can find this already mythical restaurant in Lx Boutique Hotel, in Cais do Sodré. The dining area is spacious and well-decorated. There's plenty to choose from, options ranging from sushi, salads, gyosas, but also fish carpaccio and breaded tuna that are sure to make you come back.
Where: Portugal, R. do Alecrim 12A, 1200-161 Lisboa
10. Go Juu
Last but not least, the proof that this list is not organized in any specific order. Go Juu only opens at lunchtime except for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. These days, though, are exclusive to Go Juu Club members. On Wednesday, everybody is welcome.
Where: R. Marquês Sá da Bandeira 46A, 1050-149 Lisboa