Braga pulses with ancient cathedrals, baroque staircases, and a vibrant culinary scene simmering with Cantonese mastery. Portugal’s historic heart doesn’t falter when it comes to the Iberian tradition of weaving piri-piri into nearly every dish: noodles, rice, or dumplings, take your pick.
You’ll find classic prawn-stuffed har gow alongside daring delights like Iberico pork xiaolongbao, custard tarts perfected over centuries, and the most extensive selection of Portuguese vinho verde within the city walls.
LISAN
LISAN is spacious, but it’s the top choice for dinner in Braga. Head in for a group meal at a table with the Sunday buffet, a steaming pot of jasmine tea, and a view of the kitchen preparing fresh sushi rolls and crispy spring rolls. After a plate of dumplings or two, take a glance at the takeout options like their house chili oil or plum sauce that pairs wonderfully with noodles from the Asian market nearby.
And it’s worth visiting LISAN’s sister location a few blocks away, for all the ingredients you’ll need for stir-fry or hot pot at home.
Sushi King
Though located in Portugal, Sushi King isn’t Portuguese by any stretch of the imagination, unless you’re sitting down to a plate of fresh salmon nigiri, spicy tuna rolls, and vegetable tempura at their cozy establishment. The restaurant has a clean, warmly lit dining area, but you can sit anywhere in the welcoming space—which feels like a modern eatery playing it safe—to enjoy their variety of options including vegetarian dishes and kid-friendly accommodations with high chairs and plastic cups.
Many folks come here on a mission to try the sushi described as the best in the city, but you’ll be just as content with their accommodating service even for late arrivals. If you’re planning on dining here on a weekend, be prepared for service that may take a while as everything is made to order.
Restaurante O Norte da China
Restaurante O Norte da China serves up soulful Asian cuisine, including fried rice, seafood rice, octopus rice, and Shin Ramyun for Korean guests, all from the confines of a fairly small storefront. But your focus should be on the velvety seafood rice simmered in its own broth or the saucy fried rice, a Chinese classic made with a variety of vegetables, spices, and herbs. If you want to go peak Braga, order the octopus rice topped with tender seafood and fresh herbs.
The service moves fast even during the dinner rush—take your plate and a drink to go, or eat at one of the clean tables in the wheelchair-accessible ground floor room.
Jardim Bambú
Jardim Bambú is reliable for a quick bite or group gathering, but we lean toward visiting for a relaxed solo dinner. That’s an experience best enjoyed with the mixed sushi and salad board piled high and a couple of refreshing beers. If you come with company, share one of the massive portions out on the breezy terrace when the evening’s pleasant.
Meanwhile, the interior feels like a blend of a bustling Asian canteen and a cozy neighborhood spot, due to the straightforward menu, simple decor throughout, and diners chatting away at their tables.
Mikadinho
The tasty bowls at Mikadinho might just be Braga’s best. While there are plenty of restaurants in town offering Chinese cuisine, the variety here is stellar. So go ahead and order fried rice or sushi for a one-two punch. The fresh ingredients are an underrated highlight that swaps ordinary for quality floating alongside the pleasant atmosphere. There can be a long wait for a table on weekend evenings, so put your name in and stroll over to the joint outdoor area with other restaurants.
Asiático Restaurante Buffet
$$ | WEBSITE
For a satisfying meal with plenty of variety, make plans for Asiático Restaurante Buffet. We love catching up with family while enjoying this mall restaurant’s all-you-can-eat concept. Standouts include the fresh sushi rolls and the hot pasta dishes. You’ll find other families in the pleasant dining area enjoying the included dessert and kid-friendly amenities. People might think buffets lack quality, but the experience here proves otherwise.
Restaurante A Moçambicana
$$ | 253 262 260 | WEBSITE
You could take a trip to Lisbon just to experience this spectacular restaurant with its dreamy dining atmosphere. But even if you skip the sights, this is still a destination worth visiting for delicious and well-seasoned traditional Mozambican food. They do things you wouldn’t normally find at a typical restaurant, like perfectly seasoned empanadas and generous portions of fried shrimp with rice and chips.
Servers here are ready to tell you what makes their attentive service different from the rest (it feels genuinely warm and personal) or why their traditional dishes stand out (they’re full of flavor and served with care).
Braga 999
Yes, you can do the sushi at Braga 999, a family-friendly Chinese and Japanese buffet. But focusing on the Chinese dishes is the smarter move because it lets you play flavor matchmaker. If your heart is set on something grilled, pair it with some warmth from the traditional Chinese offerings, which are praised as the stronger part of the menu. The varied selection has a good balance of quality and price, which complements the hearty grilled items.
Meanwhile, the vegetarian options, including more vegan pieces upon request, taste fresh and go nicely alongside the other choices. Just don’t get too lost in the (ample) options that you forget it’s a buffet, with everything from Japanese cuisine to those delicious Chinese foods. The service here is just as excellent—we like the humble and attentive staff, which isn’t as common the further you get from a welcoming dining experience.
Top Wok
The kitchen at this Braga Chinese spot deserves recognition for mastering the art of variety without sacrificing quality. Their extensive menu can be daunting, so here are the highlights: sushi that consistently surprises with its freshness and balance, well-executed main dishes that deliver solid flavor, and desserts like chocolate mousse that offer a sweet finish.
There’s spacious seating and a pleasant atmosphere for a relaxed dinner with friends or family, but keep in mind parking isn’t available. Visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds, sample a range of dishes to share, and don’t overlook their vegetarian salads for a lighter option.
Wok To Walk
Wok To Walk is a standout destination for Asian cuisine in Lisbon. Along with being a quick-service spot where all the meals are custom-made in a wok, the restaurant offers superb build-your-own bowls with fresh ingredients. The noodles are perfectly chewy and a little savory, while the inside of these generous portions are packed with vegetables and protein. They’re cooked right in front of you and then finished with a drizzle of soy-ginger sauce or spicy sriracha.
Take your order over to the counter seating inside the restaurant or outside where there are a few sidewalk tables. Yes, you’ll have to budget accordingly since the prices can be a bit steep for casual dining. But a lively evening spent securing these flavorful bowls and choosing from the extensive ingredient options is an essential, satisfying Lisbon experience.
Mikado
$$ | 912 503 308 | WEBSITE
The best sushi in Braga is served with passion fruit lemonade at Mikado. Tucked away in a pleasant neighborhood, it’s a delightful restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends over carvery and cocktails. The dishes are the typical Chinese standards—we’re convinced the phrase ‘made to order’ was invented with guiosas in mind, and the ones here are textbook fresh.
The best bang for your buffet is to hit up Mikado early in the evening, though you’ll be tempted to stay later to order seconds and thirds of sushi while enjoying the cozy ambiance. At least stay long enough to try their carvery—we love their variety, though be mindful that selected dishes stop after a certain point and leftovers incur a small charge. The food quality is excellent, with highlights that make it worth the occasional wait.