The Best Wine Bars in Príncipe Real, Lisbon

If you’re looking for that one cozy place where it’s easy to be a regular, the Carinho do Vinho may be the spot for you. Opened by an expat couple a few years ago, it still has all the charm and comfort of a traditional Portuguese wine bar offering shelves lined with bottles of many blends and varietals. As for food, there is no fixed menu, so you never really know what you’ll get, but tell the staff what your preferences are and let them surprise you. On average, customers usually spend between €15-20 (sometimes a bit more at dinnertime).

Set inside a historic pharmacy and showcasing the original store-like interior, The Old Pharmacy is now a beautiful wine cellar with 200+ Portuguese varieties, many displayed within the cupboards that maybe once stored medicines. Visit for the wine, and stay to enjoy some Portuguese-style tapas called petiscos, including ham and cheese platters that are perfect for sharing.

Sommelier Mike Taylor is an expert in Portuguese wines and the owner of Bottega Montucci, a wine bar in Príncipe Real, located around the corner from the University of Lisbon’s botanical garden (called Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa). There is no doubt that this is a special place, as each bottle, from Portugal’s different wine regions, was hand-picked by the owner. Try wines for €6 per glass or sweet wines by the glass (including cheese and chocolate accompaniments) for €10.

Another favorite location of the local wine-lovers is Chafariz do Vinho, a charming wine bar and restaurant housed inside a 300-year-old building that was once the local water supply building. Expect an extensive list of Portuguese wines in addition to a nice variety of international choices. Are you looking for a place where you can enjoy a nice fine dining experience? The robust menu at Chafariz do Vinho includes specially made dégustation options. Perhaps not a spot for budget-seekers, it is an excellent location for visitors seeking out great wine and delicious food without minding a little splurge.

Art Deco design, vintage style, and a fireplace add to the Foxtrot‘s appeal and ambiance. Serving Príncipe Real’s thirsty crowd for the last 30+ years, this venue is a neighborhood icon, and the long wine list, in addition to whiskey and gin, makes it one of the most sought-after spots for a fun night out.

Located near the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, The Decadente is a sophisticated venue on the border of Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto. Expect 100% Portuguese wines and food when you visit this location, set inside a historic building that was once home to a Swiss ambassador.

For wine alongside some Spanish-style tapas, consider Tapas Bar 52. Energetic and colorful, it is one of the area’s popular venues and a nice spot where you will find national and Spanish bottles.

Finally, the Garrafeira Alfaia is another cozy and traditional wine bar and one more fantastic spot for enjoying a wide variety of Portuguese wines in addition to snacking on traditional petiscos. Once or twice a month the menu changes, giving regulars more of the region’s best flavors to try. It also has an ambiance that gives first-time visitors a feeling of entering the home of a new friend rather than a venue.