Weekend Dining
Friday Lunch in Lisbon, 15 August 2026: The Best Start to Your Weekend
Friday, 15 August in Lisbon — the weekend starts now, not at 19:00. Most restaurants don't do Friday lunch. Downunder by Justin Jennings serves Saturday lunch (12:00-14:30), with two MICHELIN Guide Selected tasting menus.
Book Saturday Lunch
Friday, 15 August 2026. The calendar says it's still a weekday. Your body knows better — the weekend starts the moment Friday begins. Most restaurants in Lisbon aren't open for Friday lunch. That's the reality.
At Downunder by Justin Jennings in Santos, we serve Saturday lunch only (12:00-14:30). Friday is dinner service (19:00-23:00). But here's what you need to know about finding the best Friday lunch in Lisbon this August, and why Saturday lunch might be the better move.
The Reality of Friday Lunch in Lisbon
Most fine dining restaurants in Lisbon don't do weekday lunch service. It's a volume game — not enough demand to justify staffing a full kitchen for 2.5 hours of service.
Your Friday lunch options in Lisbon fall into three categories:
- ▸Casual spots — Cafés, bistros, and petiscos bars in Chiado, Príncipe Real, or Santos. Good food, no drama.
- ▸Tourist traps near Baixa — Skip these. Mediocre food at inflated prices.
- ▸Saturday lunch at a MICHELIN Guide restaurant — Wait one day, get the full experience.
If you're in Lisbon on Friday, 15 August and want a proper meal, you have two smart choices: book Friday dinner somewhere good (19:00-23:00), or wait until Saturday lunch and do it properly.
Saturday Lunch at Downunder — Why It's Worth the Wait
Downunder by Justin Jennings serves Saturday lunch from 12:00-14:30. It's the only lunch service we do each week, and it's the same level of execution as dinner — same tasting menus, same kitchen standards, same MICHELIN Guide Selected quality.
Two tasting menus:
- ▸5 courses — €70 (wine pairing +€45)
- ▸7 courses — €85 (wine pairing +€55)
Australian-Asian fusion. Techniques learned over 20+ years in professional kitchens. Ingredients sourced from Portuguese suppliers who understand quality. Dishes like seared duck with pea purée, corvina (Portuguese mulloway) with Asian spices, and sticky date pudding with toffee sauce.
MICHELIN Guide Selected · 4.8★ TripAdvisor · 717+ Reviews
Saturday lunch at Downunder by Justin Jennings: Australian-Asian tasting menus from the inaugural World Cook Champion. 12:00-14:30.
Book Saturday LunchWhat Makes Saturday Lunch Different
Saturday lunch has a different energy than dinner service. It's relaxed, but still sharp. The same dishes, the same precision, but without the formality of evening fine dining. Natural light through the windows. A glass of wine at 13:00 that doesn't feel indulgent — it feels right.
You're not rushing to make it somewhere else. You're not checking the time wondering when the next course will arrive. You have the whole afternoon. That's the point.
In the kitchen, we treat Saturday lunch with the same level of focus as any dinner service. Same prep standards. Same plating. Same attention to timing. The only difference is the daylight — and the fact that people leave smiling, with the rest of their weekend ahead of them.
Where Downunder Sits in Lisbon
Rua dos Industriais 21, Santos. Central Lisbon, between Estrela and Cais do Sodré. A neighbourhood where locals live, not just tourists passing through.
MICHELIN Guide Selected 2024, 2025, and 2026. Rated 4.8 stars on TripAdvisor with over 717 reviews. Ranked #107 out of 5,381 restaurants in Lisbon. These numbers matter because they reflect consistency — not one-off experiences, but a standard that holds week after week.
Chef Justin Jennings is the inaugural World Cook Champion (Season 1, Amazon Prime). Twenty-plus years in professional kitchens across Australia and Europe. The food at Downunder reflects that time — it's confident, precise, and built on technique, not trends.
How to Book
Saturday lunch books fast, especially in August. Don't wait until Friday afternoon and hope for a table.
Book online via TheFork or call +351 21 401 2967. The restaurant is closed Sunday. Dinner service runs Monday to Saturday, 19:00-23:00. Saturday lunch is 12:00-14:30.
If you're in Lisbon on Friday, 15 August and want lunch — you'll need to find a casual spot or wait one day. If you're willing to wait, Saturday lunch at Downunder by Justin Jennings is the table that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downunder open for lunch on Friday, 15 August?
What time is Saturday lunch at Downunder on 16 August?
Where is the best Friday lunch in Lisbon in August?
What are the tasting menu prices at Downunder?
What is Downunder by Justin Jennings known for?
How do I book a table at Downunder in Lisbon?
Saturday lunch at Downunder by Justin Jennings: Australian-Asian tasting menus from a MICHELIN Guide Selected restaurant. 5 courses €70, 7 courses €85. 12:00-14:30.
+351 21 401 2967