Best Lunch 2025: O Passarinho is the best restaurant for lunch in Portugal
19 de December, 2025
Restaurante O Passarinho, in Moita dos Ferreiros (Lourinhã), was the big winner of the first edition of Best Lunch 2025 – The best restaurant for lunch, an initiative promoted by Edenred that highlights the best places for lunch throughout the country.
In this competition, which received more than 22, 000 votes, the restaurant O Passarinho, which specializes in traditional Portuguese cuisine, stood out among more than 7,000 establishments voted for.
“This award is proof that our work is valued and gives us even more motivation to continue offering the best to our customers,” says Filipa Perdigão, owner of O Passarinho, while stressing that this distinction will attract more customers to the space. The businesswoman stresses the importance of teamwork: “This restaurant is what it is thanks to our employees. The award isn’t just ours, it’s theirs too.”
The story behind this first place is curious. Telma Perdigão, the owner’s cook and mother, found out about the competition through a social network a few days before voting closed. She immediately started a “word of mouth” strategy that involved her team and customers. One of her customers, a nutrition influencer, was a key player in helping Passarinho reach the top spot, by echoing the restaurant’s attributes and calling for votes on his own networks.
The delicacies of the best restaurant for lunch in Portugal
The winner of Best Lunch 2025 is known for its traditional dishes, including specialties such as Portuguese stew, bochechas and sarrabulho, a typical version of the region that uses potatoes. “We have a diverse offer and we create special dishes during the gastronomic fortnights, which my mother devises. Some of these snacks become permanent due to their popularity,” says Filipa. To meet the demands of its customers, O Passarinho also offers vegetarian dishes and options that fit in with the paleo diet.
Regarding the partnership with Edenred, Pedro Costa, manager of O Passarinho and father of the owner, says that it has brought numerous advantages, such as facilitating payments and increasing the customer base. “Our customers choose O Passarinho not only because of the quality of the food, but also because they know they can use their Edenred cards here, which helps to increase our sales and retain our customers,” explains Pedro.
Support for the restaurant sector in Portugal
Filipa Martins, CEO of Edenred Portugal, points out that the first edition of Best Lunch – which already exists in other countries where the Edenred group is present – fulfilled its main goals with distinction: bringing people closer to restaurants, boosting the sector, and promoting a nutritious lunch during the working day. “As specialists in social benefits, including meal allowances, we ensure that employees have a decent meal during working hours. This initiative improves consumption and boosts the restaurant market,” says the CEO.
The prize of 4,000 euros, awarded to Passarinho for first place in Best Lunch 2025 – 1,500 euros in purchases at Recheio1 500 euros in fuel and energy Repsol and 1,000 euros in 100-euro Edenred Gift cards for employees – will be used to relieve day-to-day expenses.
Looking to the future, Filipa Perdigão is thinking of expansion. “Our ambition is to keep growing and, who knows, increase the space, because it’s often limited in relation to demand.” Next year, O Passarinho is determined to take part in the 2026 edition of Best Lunch, with the hope of maintaining its position as the best restaurant for lunch in Portugal.
Here are the top 10 restaurants voted Best Lunch 2025:
- Restaurant O Passarinho, Moita dos Ferreiros
- Yohoshiro Lisboa- Korean Hot Dog&Wagashi, Lisbon
- Marco Restaurant, Corroios
- Vela Porto – Yotel Restaurant, Porto
- DUOO Gastro Theatre, Portimão
- O Santos, Santa Iria de Azoia
- Honest Greens, Parque das Nações
- Hilarious Burger, Porto
- Restaurant Estaladiço, Valadares
- Prima Caju, Funchal
You can also check out the news and video available on the NiT website about the winner of Best Lunch 2025.