Zazah — Restaurant in Lisbon

What a great restaurant gem in Lisbon!

We are a family of 2 adults and 2 very small kids wandering around in this busy street in Lisbon, looking for a place to eat. After trying to go into many restaurants nearby, they were all fully booked. We passed the sign of this resto and I didn't have high hope at all if we would get a table. But the manager did come to say that they could have a table for us but we needed to leave by 10 pm. That was perfect for us. From the ambiance, I was looking forward to seeing the menu.

With small kids, I always prefer a sofa seating type and that was what we got. The restaurant looks modern, chic, and very busy. We were not super hungry so we ordered 5 appetizers to share. And honestly, the food offering is so creative and yummy!!! A bit spicy though for small kids, unexpectedly as I didn't remember seeing it on the menu card. The menu for their cocktails was also so lengthy. I chose 2 just randomly and they were so good and refreshing! ( I'm breastfeeding, so they told me they could make all the drinks non-alcoholic, and the two I got were so good! I even felt one was slightly spicy!) I find the fish dish as an appetizer is slightly too raw for me. The grilled cauliflowers, oh my god, what a taste! So crunchy, spicy, and tasty! Even how they served bread and butter, we just had to finish all the bits!

I couldn't help but finish with the caramel dessert. Freshly taken out from the big bowl in front of us, sprinkled with roasted peanuts and a pinch of salt. Yum!

And most importantly, all the staff who came to serve us were very kind, smiling, professional, and accommodating. Then when I read the positive reviews, I felt thankful we were eating there! This restaurant has made such a great souvenir memory when I think back about our Lisbon trip. We will try to book in advance next time we'll be back so that we won't miss a chance to be there again! Thank you to the staff on that 16th August...

Came here for dinner. While we waited we had the rye bread & butter… it was okay. We got the cauliflower wings & burrata salad to start. While extremely tasty, it was not “cauliflower wings” which are served as individual florets to mimic chicken wings, it was simply the entire head of a small cauliflower. My boyfriend enjoyed the salad. We got the pastel de bacalhau with egg, it was mostly potato with little cod & the egg was too underdone for my taste. We had the prawns too… they had soggy texture like they had been frozen, thawed & refrozen. For dessert we got the orange chocolate mousse, it was delicious… 10/10! We had a Portuguese brut espumante to drink which was quite pleasant. The space is so beautiful with sleek & chic decor. But we were disappointed by the service. Staff were cold & rigid. Standing around staring at either us or the wall… yawning loudly. Only when we were choosing our dessert did they suddenly become very overzealous… we were approached by the same waitress 5 different times within just 5 minutes while I had the menu in my hand & was clearly still choosing… then when the bill came “service not included” was hand-written in large letters at the bottom. I think they forgot this is Portugal & if they wanted a generous tip then their service should have reflected that. We received the bare minimum with no pleasantries or even checking if we were enjoying our meal. & the place was empty, only one other...

I found Zazah in Príncipe Real on a Friday evening, drawn in by the warm glow of its modern, artful interior. The vibe is relaxed and inviting, like a stylish living room with a bar—plenty of cozy corners, soft lighting, and a polished yet informal feel.

I went alone first and ordered a few small plates: tuna tartare, crab cones, and truffle-infused potatoes. Everything tasted creatively executed—bright, clean flavors, well-balanced seasoning—and the staff were genuinely friendly and attentive. It felt like a relaxed dinner in a friend’s home, but elevated.

A week later, I returned with a friend who’s vegetarian. We discovered they have great plant-based options—mushroom ceviche and veggie croquettes that surprised us with their depth and quality. Midway through, we ordered a fish-of-the-day dish that came beautifully plated and tasted fresh and satisfying.

Most guests seem to agree that Zazah nails the atmosphere and service—it consistently feels comfy, relaxed, and welcoming. But some do point out that the portions can feel small for the price—more tapas-style than full plates—and the bill can creep toward €30–35 each if you're ordering multiple courses .

For me, Zazah is a gem when you want smartly designed space, solid friendly service, and inventive small dishes to share. It’s not a spot for a hearty meal on a budget, but perfect for evenings when ambiance, taste, and atmosphere...