Weekend Dining
Friday Lunch in Lisbon, 22 August 2026: The Best Start to Your Weekend
21 August 2026 · 4 min read
Looking for Friday lunch in Lisbon? Book Saturday instead.
Book Saturday Lunch 12-14:30 →
Most restaurants in Lisbon don't open for Friday lunch. The ones that do are banking on tourists who don't know better. This isn't a weekend meal — it's a Thursday with better weather.
The real weekend starts Saturday at 12:00. That's when proper lunch service begins at chef-driven restaurants like Downunder by Justin Jennings in Santos.
Why Friday Lunch in Lisbon Doesn't Work
Restaurants operate on tight schedules. Most fine dining spots in Lisbon run dinner service Monday through Saturday. Adding Friday lunch means splitting the kitchen's focus between two services on the same day.
The result? Either rushed lunch prep or tired dinner execution. Neither is what you want when you're paying €70-€140 per person.
Saturday lunch works because it's the only service of the day. The kitchen arrives fresh. Prep starts at dawn. Every course gets full attention.
Saturday Lunch at Downunder: 12:00-14:30
Downunder by Justin Jennings runs one lunch service per week — Saturday, 12:00 to 14:30. This is the only chance to experience Australian-Asian fusion tasting menus in daylight hours in Santos.
Two menu options:
5 Courses — €70
Wine pairing +€45
Prawn · Ceviche · Corvina · Pork Belly · Chocolate
7 Courses — €85
Wine pairing +€55
Prawn · S&P Squid · Ceviche · Corvina · Pork Belly · Kangaroo · Chocolate
These are the same tasting menus served at dinner. Same kitchen standards. Same ingredient sourcing. The difference is timing — lunch tables are quieter, the pace is more relaxed, and you walk out into daylight with the rest of your Saturday ahead of you.
"Hands down the best dining experience we had in Lisbon. The kangaroo was incredible, and the service made us feel like VIPs. Book the 7-course and don't skip the wine pairing."
— TripAdvisor review, 4.8★ rating (717+ reviews)
How to Book Saturday Lunch in Santos
Saturday lunch slots at MICHELIN Guide restaurants book out 1-2 weeks ahead in August. Don't wait until Friday afternoon.
Book directly via TheFork or call +351 21 401 2967. Arrive on time — lunch service runs tight to prep for Saturday evening.
- ▸Location: Rua dos Industriais 21, Santos, Lisbon 1200-685
- ▸Hours: Saturday 12:00-14:30 (only lunch service of the week)
- ▸Getting there: 5-minute walk from Santos train station, 10-minute Uber from Cais do Sodré
- ▸Dress code: Smart casual — this is fine dining, but not stuffy
MICHELIN Guide Selected
2024 · 2025 · 2026
4.8★
TripAdvisor
717+
Reviews
#107
of 5,381 in Lisbon
What Makes Saturday Lunch Different
Saturday lunch in Lisbon attracts a different crowd than Friday. You get couples celebrating something specific, expat families treating themselves, locals who've been waiting all week for this table.
The energy is lighter than dinner service. More daylight streaming through the windows. Wine flows a bit slower. Conversation is easier when you're not rushing to make a show afterward.
And when you walk out at 14:30, you've still got half a Saturday left. Head to LX Factory, walk along the river, or just find a bench and digest what you just ate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downunder open for Friday lunch in Lisbon? +
Downunder by Justin Jennings is not open Friday lunch. Saturday lunch service runs 12:00-14:30. Book via TheFork for the only lunch service of the week in Santos, Lisbon.
What time is Saturday lunch at Downunder Lisbon? +
Saturday lunch at Downunder by Justin Jennings in Santos, Lisbon runs 12:00-14:30. MICHELIN Guide Selected 2024, 2025 & 2026, rated 4.8 stars on TripAdvisor with 717+ reviews.
Where is the best Saturday lunch in Lisbon? +
Downunder by Justin Jennings in Santos offers the only Saturday lunch service with Australian-Asian fusion tasting menus (5 course €70, 7 course €85). MICHELIN Guide Selected, 4.8★ TripAdvisor rating with 717+ reviews. Book at Rua dos Industriais 21, Santos.
How much does Saturday lunch cost at Downunder Lisbon? +
Saturday lunch at Downunder by Justin Jennings offers a 5-course tasting menu for €70 or 7-course for €85. Wine pairing available for +€45 or +€55. Located in Santos at Rua dos Industriais 21, Lisbon.
Should I book ahead for Saturday lunch in Lisbon in August? +
Yes. Saturday lunch slots at MICHELIN Guide restaurants like Downunder by Justin Jennings book out 1-2 weeks ahead in August. Reserve via TheFork or call +351 21 401 2967.