Lisbon is home to a wide variety of cultural institutions, but nothing immerses you in the local atmosphere quite like visiting a fado house. A fado house is a type of restaurant that's typically small in size, but not always, where you'll find traditional Portuguese food and occasionally live music.
The atmosphere in a fado house is always welcoming, but the overall feel can vary. You'll find small, intimate experiences in what are known as tascas, or you can opt for a full-on restaurant at an adega. Find the best experience among the best fado houses in Lisbon.
- 1
Casa de Linhares
Get dressed up for a fancy fado
- Food
- Luxury
- Nightlife
Casa de Linhares is a refined and sophisticated fado house where you can enjoy an atmosphere of glamour and romance with big-name artists. When you walk into the place, you'll find exposed wooden beams and original brick archways that not only show off the historical architecture but also provide nice acoustics.
The stage here is often graced by some of the biggest names in the Lisbon fado scene, with singers like Silvana Peres and Fábia Rebordão making appearances. Even the guitarists tend to be popular professionals like Bruno Chaveiro. See it all in southern Alfama near the coast.
Location: Beco dos Armazéns do Linho 2, 1100-037 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Daily from 8 pm to midnight
Phone: +351 910 188 118
Mapphoto by Javier Lastras (CC BY 2.0) modified
- 2
A Baiuca
Take in a modest family vibe
- Food
- Nightlife
A Baiuca is a laid-back fado house built for families with a modest atmosphere designed for intimate experiences over gaudy sophistication. When you visit, you'll find fado performances that are notably vadio, meaning they're performed by non-professionals.
This fado house has about 6 tables in total, so you'll want to reserve your spot in advance to ensure that you get a seat. Once you're here, you'll find that virtually everyone tends to get in on the fun, with patrons and staff alike getting up to sing. You'll find it in Alfama southeast of downtown.
Location: R. de São Miguel nr 20, 1100-544 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Daily from 7 pm to midnight
Phone: +351 939 457 098
Map - 3
Clube de Fado
Visit a fado house near the cathedral
- Food
- Nightlife
Clube de Fado is a renowned fado house in the shadow of the Lisbon Cathedral where you'll find a warm and romantic environment with quality voices and food. Traditional Portuguese cooking is available in excess here, with all the food you could ever want.
When it comes to the music, you'll find some of the best voices singing here along with professional guitarists. Even with occasional big names, the atmosphere remains warm and welcoming while still creating a mystical ambience. Experience it for yourself in the heart of Alfama.
Location: R. de São João da Praça 86, 1100-135 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Daily from 7.30 pm to 1 am
Phone: +351 21 885 2704
Mapphoto by 69joehawkins (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 4
Tasca do Chico
Visit a legendary fado venue
- Food
- Nightlife
Tasca do Chico is a fado house that has made a name for itself in town with intimate shows on a small stage and some bites to eat as well. This venue dates back to 1993, and it showcases both professional and amateur fado musical performances. Fado vadio, or fado performed by non-professionals, occurs every week.
When you visit this venue, you'll find traditional Portuguese items available on the menu, but it's not a full-on restaurant experience. Additionally, you'll want to keep the volume of your conversations low when fado music is playing to avoid upsetting other patrons. You'll find it in Bairro Alto south of downtown.
Location: R. do Diário de Notícias 39, 1200-141 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Daily from 7 pm to 2 am
Phone: +351 961 339 696
Map - 5
O Corrido – Casa de Fado
Relax in a calm fado house
- Food
- Nightlife
O Corrido – Casa de Fado is a relaxing fado house with a laid-back atmosphere that offers delicious food and live music. The food here is some of the best traditional Portuguese cuisine available, especially if you order the prawns or the duck. Plus, you'll find a large selection of wine and sangria.
Live music is played here virtually every evening, and considering that the place doesn't open until 8 pm, you never have to worry about missing out on a show. It's located a short distance southeast of downtown near the Santa Apolónia metro station.
Location: Campo de Santa Clara 49, 1100-471 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Thursday–Sunday, Tuesday from 8 pm to midnight (closed Monday and Wednesday)
Phone: +351 918 762 495
Map - 6
Sr. Fado
Check out a hole-in-the-wall fado house
- Couples
- Food
- Nightlife
Sr. Fado is a modest yet incredible fado house that offers a romantic and intimate atmosphere alongside traditional food and performances. There are only 9 tables here, so you'll have to book in advance if you want to get one.
When you order food here, the owners of the place will bring it out to you personally, but that's just the beginning. The owners, in addition to serving, will also perform fado music, while an array of local performers put on shows here as well. You can visit Sr. Fado for yourself southeast of downtown in Alfama.
Location: R. dos Remédios 176, 1100-304 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 11 pm
Phone: +351 914 431 971
Map - 7
Clube Lisboa Amigos do Fado
Visit one of the oldest fado houses in town
- Food
- Nightlife
Clube Lisboa Amigos do Fado is a historic fado house where you'll find a charming non-professional fado experience held only on Sundays. The performers here come in all shapes and sizes, but they all share the fact that they're local amateurs.
When you visit for the singers and their accompanying musicians, you'll be able to choose from a selection of drinks, snacks and desserts. Don't expect to be able to find an entire dinner here, however, as this establishment is notably small and intimate. That being the case, you'll need to reserve a spot for the show in advance. It's located in Bairro das Amendoeiras northeast of downtown.
Location: R. Dr. José Espírito Santo 49c, 1950-094 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Sunday from 4 pm to 8 pm (closed Monday–Saturday)
Map - 8
Parreirinha de Alfama
Enjoy fado in a cosy environment
- Food
- History
- Nightlife
Parreirinha de Alfama is a legendary fado house and restaurant where you can enjoy a welcoming and cosy atmosphere alongside traditional fado food and music. This fado house was opened in the 1950s by Argentina Santos, who was one of the most popular fado singers of all time.
The food here is traditional, and it has something special to offer every night, so you don't have to plan a particular time of the week to visit. This is one of the best spots if you're prioritising tradition over everything else in your fado experience. Try it out in Alfama southeast of downtown.
Location: Beco do Espírito Santo 1, 1100-222 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 8 pm to 1 am, Sunday from 8 pm to 12.01 am (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +351 21 886 8209
Map - 9
Maria da Mouraria - Casa de Fados
Find late-night fun
- Food
- Nightlife
Maria da Mouraria - Casa de Fados is a historic fado house that offers a traditional experience where the singing typically starts relatively late. This fado house dates back decades, yet it has maintained its commitment to tradition in the years since it first opened.
When you're booking a table here, you'll want to make sure that your reservation is later than 9 pm. While the place opens earlier, the singing typically starts around that time. You can find this fado house in the Mouraria neighbourhood just south of downtown.
Location: Rua do Capelão 1B, Largo Severa 2, 1100-341 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 8 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 8 pm to midnight (closed Monday–Tuesday)
Phone: +351 934 450 130
Map - 10
Mesa de Frades
Step back in time
- Food
- History
- Nightlife
Mesa de Frades is a fado house with a historic atmosphere that makes you feel as if you're in the 19th century with intimate tables in an old building. The fado house is located in a centuries-old chapel that's decorated with intricate Portuguese tiles.
There are only a few tables available at this fado house, so you'll need to book in advance. Most of the locals who frequent this place come in after midnight, so expect a late night if you want to experience the vibe at the busiest time. It's located in eastern Alfama.
Location: R. dos Remédios 139, 1100-304 Lisboa, Portugal
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 pm to 1 am (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +351 917 029 436
Map