What to Expect at Downunder by Justin Jennings

So you've heard about Downunder — maybe from TripAdvisor (where 717+ guests have rated it 4.8 out of 5), maybe from the MICHELIN Guide (selected three years running: 2024, 2025, and 2026), or maybe someone simply told you it's the most unique dinner they've had in Lisbon.

Here's what you're walking into.

The Cuisine: Australian Fusion Like Nothing Else in Lisbon

Downunder serves modern Australian cuisine with strong Asian influences — a style born from Australia's multicultural food scene. Think kangaroo tartar with truffled caviar, 36-hour pork belly with lime caramel, and tom yum chicken with lemongrass risotto. These aren't dishes you'll find at any other restaurant in Portugal.

Chef Justin Jennings sources the best Portuguese produce and applies techniques and flavour combinations drawn from his 20+ years cooking across Australia, Hong Kong, and Europe. The result is something entirely its own — familiar enough to feel comfortable, different enough to stick with you.

The Tasting Menu: The Best Way to Experience It

While you can order à la carte, the tasting menu is the real experience. Choose between five courses (€70 per person) or seven courses (€85 per person). Both can be paired with wines selected to complement each dish — the five-course pairing is €115 and the seven-course is €140.

For a MICHELIN-selected restaurant in central Lisbon, these prices are genuinely competitive. You'll struggle to find this quality at this price point elsewhere in the city.

The menu changes regularly, so each visit offers something new. Recent highlights include the signature kangaroo tartar, corvina fillet with truffled mushrooms, and the Australian pavlova with passionfruit curd.

The Atmosphere: Fine Dining Without the Fuss

Downunder is intentionally unpretentious. The dining room is dark and intimate — think moody lighting, warm tones, and a space that feels relaxed from the moment you walk in. It's the kind of place where couples linger over wine and conversation flows easily.

No dress code. No stuffiness. Just excellent food in a space that makes you feel comfortable. It's exactly the kind of evening most people are looking for but rarely find: world-class quality with a laid-back atmosphere.

The Chef: An Inaugural World Champion

Justin Jennings is the inaugural World Cook Champion — winner of Season 1 of the international TV cooking competition that aired on Amazon Prime in 2022. He competed against 15 chefs from around the globe across the UK, Europe, and Mexico before taking the title.

Originally from Australia, Justin was named Young Chef of the Year at age 23 before spending two decades leading kitchens across Australia and Hong Kong (where he opened five restaurants in three months). He settled in Lisbon in 2015 and opened Downunder in February 2017.

Practical Details

Location: Rua dos Industriais 21, in Lisbon's Santos/Estrela neighbourhood — a short walk from the waterfront and well-connected by public transport.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 19:00–23:00. Saturday lunch 12:00–14:30. Closed Sunday.

Reservations: Strongly recommended, especially on weekends. You can book directly through our website or via TheFork.

Dietary needs: The kitchen accommodates allergies and intolerances — just let them know when booking or on arrival.

Price range: Starters €8–€12, mains €17–€33, tasting menus €70–€140 with wine pairing. All prices include VAT.

Book Your Table

Tables fill up fast, particularly Thursday through Saturday. If you're in Lisbon and want something other than grilled fish (good as it is), this is the place.