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Ze dos Cornos in Lisbon

See what it’s like to eat at Ze dos Cornos, a traditional Portuguese tasca in Lisbon’s Mouraria neighborhood.

Tasca Ze dos Cornos in Lisbon

Located near Praça da Figueira where Alfama ends and Mouraria begins, Zé dos Cornos feels local despite its prime location near Castelo São Jorge. The restaurant’s space is compact with communal seating at long tables and a rustic tasca decor.

But the space’s simplicity doesn’t matter one iota. It’s a Lisbon institution.

Alheira at Tasca Ze dos Cornos in Lisbon
As is typical in Portugal, Zé dos Cornos serves both potatoes and rice on the same plate.

Zé dos Cornos attracts a mixed crowd of locals and tourists. They appreciate the tasca’s efficient service as well as its fairly priced dishes.

Pro Tip
Plan your visit wisely. Zé dos Cornos doesn’t accept credit cards, is only open for dinner two nights a week (Friday and Saturday) and is closed on Sunday.

Food at Ze dos Cornos

Costeletas de Porco at Tasca Ze dos Cornos in Lisbon
The spare ribs at Ze dos Cornos are big enough to share. The restaurant also serves a half-rack option.

Zé dos Cornos serves a selection of Portuguese food favorites to crowds who arrive early for lunch or dinner depending on the time of day. Those who arrive later need to wait for a table.

Popular dishes include bacalhau (salt cod) and pork sercretos (a secret cut of black pork – shhh!). But plates topped with spare ribs and fried potatoes fly out of the kitchen for two good reasons – the tasty ribs are both generously sized and tender.

Alheira with an Egg at Tasca Ze dos Cornos in Lisbon

Consider ordering the tasca‘s version of alheira.

Portugal’s grilled non-pork sausage has a history that dates back to the 16th century. Jews invented the farce during the days of the Inquisition and would hang the ‘sausage’ from their balconies to ward off potential inquisitors. At Zé dos Cornos, the historic dish comes topped with a fried egg.

Zé dos Cornos is located at Beco dos Surradores 5, 1100-591 Lisboa, Portugal.

Ze dos Cornos FAQs

What’s the best way to secure a table at Ze dos Cornos?

Since Ze dos Cornos doesn’t take reservations, be prepared to wait for a table unless you get lucky or arrive when the restaurant opens.

How many plates should I order?

Most diners will be satisfied with a starter and main dish at Ze dos Cornos while others will want to add a couvert and dessert. It all depends on your appetite and budget.

How much does a meal at Ze dos Cornos cost?

Expect to spend around 20€ for a two-course meal at Ze dos Cornos. However, you could spend more or less depending on how much you order.

Is tipping necessary at Ze dos Cornos?

No. Tipping is optional in Portugal.

What’s the dress code at Ze dos Cornos?

Ze dos Cornos doesn’t have a dress code. We recommend causal attire.

What’s the best way to get to Ze dos Cornos?

Ze dos Cornos is a three-minute walk from the Martim Moniz metro station. Other Lisbon transit options include walking, buses, trams, taxis and car share services.

Lisbon Planning Checklist

Hungry for More in Lisbon?

Eating in Portugal is fun! Check out our picks for Lisbon’s best restaurants, brunch spots, pizzerias, pastel de nata bakeries, specialty coffee cafes and ice cream shops. Then check our our restaurant reviews of Belcanto, Café de São Bento, Cervejaria Ramiro, Petisco Saloio, Ponto Final, Prado, Tasca Baldracca and Zunzum Gastrobar. If you’re limited in time, consider sampling a range of Lisbon food favorites at the Time Out Market.

Learn European Portuguese

Are you thinking about visiting or moving to Portugal?

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We were thrilled to discover Practice Portuguese, an inexpensive system that makes learning European Portuguese fun.

About the Authors

About the Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website and YouTube. The married Food and Travel content creators live in Lisbon, Portugal.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We self-funded our multiple meals at Ze dos Cornos.

Original Publication Date: April 11, 2023