Restaurants & dining – All our local tips

This is a very fancy bar and, incredibly, most of the times that I have been there it was very easy for me and my friends to find a comfortable sofa to sit, and most of all, to feel good. I am not a fancy person, but I do love fancy places that make you feel fine.

The bar belongs to the Belem Altis Hotel & Spa, and as usual nowadays in Lisbon, the old fashioned and heavy furnished hotel bars are becoming history, and 38º41′ is a proof of it. It’s a very trendy space to relax, with good ambient music and a wonderful and huge view to the Tagus River, as well to the bridge “25 de Abril”.

38º41′ , the name of the bar, is the coordinate of its location. So one can always use your GPS to get there. if you don’t have one, like me, don’t worry. The bar is located between two of the most famous Lisbon landmarks: The Belem Tower and the Monument of the Discoveries. Yes, I always keep my eyes on them from the bar, a perfect luxury!

They have very good cocktails, different types of good toasts, and also a book of choices to order, and I am not kidding, it’s really a book. I enjoy going there to watch the sunset having a margarita, or follow the boats sailing along the Tagus river, which goes well with wine. They have good natural juices and smoothies, since I am not always in the mood of drinking alcohol.

All in all, this is the perfect place, for me, to be with friends or with a book, and a lot of spare time, because, by the river, time really goes slow.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
38º41′ | Bars, Restaurants (Intern.) | Average € 15
Doca do Bom Sucesso | Riverside | +351210400200
Daily

The Tagus River is one of this city’s great draws and at this café/restaurant/bar it’s undoubtedly the focal point. Situated just across the train tracks from the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) and a stone’s throw from the water, it’s perfect for a drink, a nibble, a chat or a read.

The kitchen serves up casual meals including toasted sandwiches, carpaccio, a cheese platter and a choice of robust salads. Apart from coffees and teas aplenty, fresh-squeezed juices and shakes, there’s a lengthy list of wines, liquors and mixed drinks.

The architecture of the place deserves a round of applause (and indeed several adverts and photo shoots have been set here). It’s basically a glass “box” within an iron frame, sleek and streamlined in white-on-white, making the most of natural light and the view.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
À Margem | Bars, Relaxing, Restaurants (Intern.) | Salads from € 10
Doca do Bom Sucesso | Riverside | +351918225548
Sun – Thu 10:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

If my memory serves, 20 years back there was one Japanese restaurant in the Lisbon area, and the main draw was watching the chef’s acrobatic grilling techniques which included doing dangerous-looking things with big knives. I’m not even sure if they had sushi, and I suspect most customers would have approached the raw fish with trepidation.

But times have certainly changed, and the Portuguese have since taken to sushi like – you guessed it – fish to water. Japanese restaurants of all sorts are scattered all around the city and, after years of exhaustively acquainting myself with them, Assuka gets my vote as offering the best value for money.

You won’t find any Michelin stars here, but the ingredients are fresh, the sushi is yummy and most times I’ll drop no more than 20 Euros if I’m in a group, sharing different dishes, and we opt for green tea over wine. Luckily, it’s close to where I work, so I come here regularly for lunch and it’s always full. I’ve spotted Japanese customers here on a number of occasions, too, which is always a good sign.

Some of my mouth-watering favourites: Gyoza (grilled dumplings; €6.50), Sushi to Sashimi platter (26 pieces; €22.80), and Futomaki Especial (lightly battered and fried roll with salmon; €15.00). If tempted by dessert, the green tea ice cream is delicious, particularly when enveloped in a crêpe.

Grab your chopsticks and dig in!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Assuka | Restaurants (Sushi) | Meal with drinks from € 20
Rua São Sebastião da Pedreira 150 | Avenidas | +351213149345
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 15:00 & 19:00 – 23:00, Sun 19:00 – 23:00

I had dinner here for the first time several years ago. The delicious food, warm atmosphere and tango music had me hooked, and I’ve been coming here regularly ever since. That first visit actually prompted one of several trips to Argentina, but that’s another story.

Tucked away on a cobbled stairway near Chiado (but off the beaten track), this little restaurant is a journey in itself. Lined with old postcards and newspaper clippings, posters of Evita and Argentine crooner Carlos Gardel, peeling paint, it could almost be mistaken for a bistro in Buenos Aires’ bohemian district, San Telmo. Graciously, a photograph of Portuguese fado grand dame Amália is also pegged to the wall, a little reminder that this is Lisbon, after all.

The flower salad with chèvre is almost too beautiful to eat, and the endive, pear and roquefort salad is divine. Follow that with a succulent Argentine steak or one of various tartines. An extensive wine menu lists several Argie labels but mostly local varieties, as well as some excellent sangrias. Last but certainly not least, the chocolate cake with dulce de leche is to die for! Think that scene with Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally, except she wouldn’t be faking it. It’s that good.

For as long as the weather permits, seating spills out onto the landing, where you can sit at wobbly wrought-iron tables with the St. George’s castle glowing in the distance. In a word: Charm!

Reservations are indoor-only; outdoor seating is first-come-first-served.
No ATM or credit cards – cash only

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cafe Buenos Aires | Restaurants (Argentine) | Dinner & wine € 25
Calçada Escadinhas do Duque 31B | Chiado & Baixa | +351213420739
Mon – Sat 18:00 – 01:00

Portugal has long maintained a connection with the orient, ever since Vasco da Gama set sail to discover the sea route to India in the 15th century, in search of spices and other treasures. It seems fitting, then, that this Asian restaurant has taken up residence in none other than the naval club of Lisbon.

But the references to seafaring and the spice trade don’t end there. Exposed wooden beams give the feeling of being in the underbelly of a caravel, richly coloured Asian fabrics and ornaments season the décor and an actual boat’s hull serves as the bar, leaving no doubt as to where Café Malaca takes its inspiration. Peering out the picture window at the river immediately below, you might even begin to feel the place rock to and fro.

Malaca’s owner Yoon Chin Lai is Malay, but the cuisine doesn’t limit itself to her culinary heritage. Rather, the menu – painted on a chalkboard – reads like an Asian best of, with flavours culled equally from Malaysia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and India. I heartily recommend the spicy soft-shelled crabs (imported from Thailand and eaten whole), whilst the Hong Kong duck and green curry wrestle for second place on my palate. As for something sweet to top it off, the white chocolate mousse with chestnut sauce is my current favourite.

Wish you could carry some of the exotic away with you? You can! Asian textiles, spices, and other trinkets are for sale in mini-boutique in a corner near the bar.

A little tip on how to get there: Café Malaca is located inside the Clube Naval de Lisboa – remember that, because it’s the only visual reference – about 200 metres west of the Cais do Sodré train station. Enter from the river side, through the metal door and head up the stairs on the left.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cafe Malaca | Restaurants (Asian) | Meal & wine € 25.00
Cais do Gás, Armazém H, 1st floor | Riverside | +351213477082
Mon 19:30 – 23:30 , Tue – Sun 13:00 – 15:00 & 19:30 – 23:30 daily (kitchen hours)

Chiado is definitely one of the most charming areas of Lisbon. The main street is has some nice historical cafés, but they tend to be very touristic. A great alternative is Café no Chiado.

The location is excellent: smack in the middle of Chiado, with tram-line 28 passing right in front of you! The place has been renovated in 2006. It nowadays has a very cool interior and a great terrace.

Come here to have a cup of coffee or lunch, read a book on the terrace or just to enjoy the setting. Try the salads, they are great!

At night it’s a great place to dine, especially after visiting one of the nearby theatres, since they serve dinner until 2AM.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café no Chiado | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Portuguese) | Great salad € 8.00
Largo do Picadeiro 10-12 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213460501
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

This place must be hiding beneath a cloak of invisibility since it’s been open a whole year and has still barely registered a beep on the city’s radar of sleek go-to spots. Then again, if city buzz is what you’re after, then you won’t find it here.

Housed in the recently renovated São Roque Museum, home to all things Arte Sacra (Sacred Art), Cafetaria is cool, calm and collected. Having left bustling Chiado and Bairro Alto at its doorstep, the space is a fresh blend of old meets new, in an introspective setting that faces a beautiful courtyard with bamboo trees and a gurgling fountain, to be enjoyed from inside and out. And not a honking car to be heard.

Cafetaria is owned by one of Lisbon’s most elegant restaurants, Casa da Comida, so the food – mainly light lunches, appetizers and snacks – gets its stamp of approval. Brunches are also served on weekends.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cafetaria Museu São Roque | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Intern.) | Sandwich € 3.00
Largo Trindade Coelho | Chiado & Baixa | +351213235446
Tue – Wed & Fri – Sun 10:00 – 18:00, Thu 14:00 – 21:00 (Closed holidays)

Located in the wonderful complex of Lx Factory, down by the old bridge, I think this restaurant deserves its own entry because in my opinion it is one of the best in Lisbon.

In keeping with the general feel of Lx Factory there is a definite air of the reclaimed and retro about Cantina, but not in the cheesy, chintzy way that it can be done, but rather this feels almost like Lisbon’s first steam punk restaurant.

The walls are filled with ancient ephmera, from old signs for Bacalhau to tools and tins.  Dominating the room is a large domed oven from which delicious smells of baking bread and roasting chouriço come.

The food is based on typical Portuguese fare but with a slight twist and is done very very well.  Last time I went I had slow cooked cheek of pork with asparagus migas (a thick vegetable and bread puré) which was one of the best meals I have had in Lisbon.  Other dishes that night included roast duck with caramelised onions and loin of bacalhau with tomato and prawn rice.

The restaurant is on the more expensive side for Lisbon but what you get is an experience that you will want to repeat again and again.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cantina | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Meal & drinks € 20.00
Rua Rodrigues Faria, 103 | Santos & Alcântara | +351912292105
Mon 09:00 – 15:00, Tue – Fri 09:00 – 00:00, Sat 19:00 – 00:00.

Since most restaurants in Bairro Alto are small and the demand for a table is high in the weekends, you can normally spot a good restaurant by the line in front of it.

Judging by this measure o Cantinho de Bem-Estar (”Little corner of well-being”, more nor less..) is one of the top dogs. And it is!

I have to admit that in my 8 years in Lisbon I finally managed to go there last November! Like I said, they are always full and they don’t take reservations.

The place is really small and you would walk by it in a sec. But please turn around and wait in line, it’s worth your while!

The food is typical Portuguese, served in generous dosages. One dosage suffice for 2, but I normally can’t resist and order one just for me!

Don’t expect fancy service, tables or menus! Basic menu, friendly (but busy) service and great food. Try to go during weekdays, in order to get a table.

The last 2 times I ordered the veal (Lombinhos de Vitela), great!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cantinho do Bem-Estar | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Average meal € 19.00
Rua do Norte 46 | Bairro Alto | +351213464265
Tue – Sun 12:00 – 14:30 & 19:15 – 23:30

Since I am not Portuguese, I usually would not care about visiting a foreign country association in Lisbon, other than my own (Brazilian). But out of the blue my friends invited me to have lunch in this Cape Verdean restaurant and I accepted,  and thank God I did, because only now I found out this treasure in the heart of Lisbon!

The place is located on the top of a commercial building, so if you don’t know exactly where it is, you cannot even notice. Once you get there, by elevator, you enter in a wide room, with really nice views over the city.

The place is rather simple, but, believe me, quite packed. So it’s better to make a reservation beforehand. The food is gorgeous and very tasty. The staff is very kind and efficient. Try the famous “Cachupa” (low cooked stew of corn, beans, and meat), or a tempting chicken creole or, like I did, a wonderful onion tuna steak, along with rice and beans.

If you dare, go there on a Thursday, and you will witness good live Cape Verdean music, the famous “Morna“, and a lot of people dancing happily while you have your delicious lunch. I know, sounds very strange, but it’s a perfect unique experience!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cape Verdean Association | Art & culture, Restaurants (Cape-verdean) | Meal,wine & coffee € 10
Rua Duque de Palmela N º 2 – 8º | Liberdade | +351213531932
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 14:30

Casanova is an Italian restaurant located near St. Apolónia, in the riverside. It opened in 2000 and since then it has given itself the award for the best wood oven pizzas.

It has a very simple and clean look, in a canteen style, where you can be seated next to a stranger.

Casanova has a very particular way of calling the waiters. You don’t get to shout and wait for someone to come to the table. All you have to do is light up the red light on top of the table and the first available waiter will come.

Casanova does not accept reservations, all you have to do is wait in line. First come first served!

In addition on having pizzas made with authentic Italian products, has also a good selection of pastas, antipasti as well as crostinis or bruschettas. Everything is to die for. Don’t forget to ask for Casanova’s trade secret – Lemon iced tea.

For dessert? Ask for one of the fruit Cremolatti (typical Italian ice-cream), panna cota or tiramisu.

Vee’s favourites – Pizza Sfillaci, Passionfruit and Raspberry Cremolatti

Rita’s favourites – Spaghetti Aglio, Oglio e Pepperoncino, Tiramisú

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Casanova | Restaurants (Italian) | Bruschetta € 2.50
Av. Infante D. Henrique, Cais da Pedra 7 | Riverside | +351218877532
Daily 12:30 – 01:30

It may seem ironic that a Portuguese (that would be Paulo) travelled to Japan to learn to make a cake that the Japanese had learned from the Portuguese in the first place, but that’s exactly what happened.

To backtrack a bit: the Portuguese arrived in Japan in 1543, bringing with them many culinary customs that have since blended into Japan’s gastronomy. Such is the case with tempura (from tempero, or “seasoning”), bread (pan in Japanese, “pão” here), and pão-de-ló, a popular, semi-sweet sponge cake. In Japan, this cake soon adopted the name castella.

Whilst similar to the local dessert, castella is slightly denser and slightly sweeter, which suits my sweet tooth just fine. Plus it’s served in dainty rectangular slices, unlike pão-de-ló that’s large with a hole in the middle. Oh and did I mention it’s just delicious? The original recipe tastes like vanilla, but Paulo also makes green tea and chocolate flavoured varieties (I prefer the green tea one for its slight tartness). Between 17.00 and 19.00 is “happy hour” when you can get a slice of each and a cup of green tea for €2.00.

That cake is of course the principal selling point at Castella do Paulo, along with a long list of teas, but its other cakes and sweets are well worth a try also, from the brioches and multicoloured macaroons to the wide range of traditional Portuguese pastries. And if that weren’t enough, there are also a good range of inexpensive lunches which bridge both cultures, including stews, stir-fries, tempura and stuffed peppers. I’ve had a filling bowl rice and sashimi for only €7.00.

Yum-mee!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Castella do Paulo | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Japanese/Portuguese)
Rua da Alfandega 120 | Castelo | +351218880019
Mon – Fri 07:30 – 19:30, Sat 12:00 – 19:30

Portugal in general, and Lisbon specifically, is rightly famed for its food. It is a country of excellent produce but that said sometimes the endless menus of grilled meats and fish (obviously with generous helpings of rice and fried potatoes) can get a little tiring. So when you fancy a change, or perhaps you’re watching your weight, or even, and this is perhaps when it’s most important, you want to try some Portuguese specialities but don’t eat meat then Celeiro provides the answer.

This is a chain of health food shops located all over the city. Most will sell vegetarian snacks and light lunches for you to take away but some have larger canteens. The large shop in Chiado even has a separate restaurant attached to it where you can find favourites such as croquetes and rissois but rather than the typical meat and prawn they are more likely to be soya or vegetable. They also hot meals and a wonderful selection of organic drinks.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Celeiro | Snacks, Restaurants (Vegetarian) | Snacks € 3.00
Rua 1º Decembro | Chiado & Baixa
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 18:00, Sat 09:00 – 17:00

Problem: Most visitors think that a “cervejaria” is a place to drink beer (derived from “cerveja”, the Portuguese word for beer). In reality, however, “cervejaria” are actually restaurants specialized in either meat (”bifes”) or sea-food (also called “marisqueiras”).

Cervejaria Ramiro is THE place to eat sea-food. There are better (and much more expensive!) places for sure, but few are as authentic as this one. The seafood is fantastic and always fresh.

Just observing the frantic pace of the waiters as they try to serve the waiting crowd is a spectacle on its own. Great place for a Sunday lunch. Don’t be afraid by the queue, the quick service results in a high rotation.

The only downside of this place is its location: very downtown but not the best neighborhood.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cervejaria Ramiro | Restaurants (Seafood) | Snack & beer € 15.00
Avenida Almirante Reis 1 | Liberdade | +351218851024
Wed – Mon 12:00 – 00:00

This surprising enoteca is located in one of the former buildings of the ancient Lisbon watersupply-system. The huge aquaduct with the enormous arches that you see when you drive into Lisbon from the direction of Cascais is also part of the same system.

In Chafariz da Mãe de Água the water is literally passing by your table. A great location. Here you can enjoy a glass of wine from their huge wine collection. Or stay a bit longer and try a bottle! They serve dinner as well.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Chafariz da Mãe de Água | Bars, Restaurants (Portuguese) | Bottle of wine from € 17.00
Rua da Mãe d’Água | Príncipe Real | +351213422079
Tue – Sun 18:00 – 02:00, kitchen closed 01:00

Delidelux is the place to find a wide choice of international products (good Italian and French selection) as well as the finest national specialties (excellent for Portuguese wine, cheese and seafood preserves).

We also have to mention that the fruit and vegetables on display are always fresh and most importantly, they taste like old times !

Apart from being a Delicatessen and Gourmet Store, Delidelux has also a Bistrô area. Depending on the weather, you can choose to stay inside or enjoy the river view and sun in the terrace.

If you go there on a weekend or a national holiday, you must taste the Brunch (served from 10:00 until 16:00). Otherwise, the menu includes a lot of options from a simple snack to a complete meal.

The cuisine is mostly fusion (with marked Italian and French influences), but they make an effort to mix it with some traditional Portuguese ingredients.

Overall it’s a superb place to chill after work or in the weekends (albeit a bit crowded sometimes)!

P.S.: It’s useful to know that all the ingredients used in the menu are available in store, so if you leave the Bistrô craving for more, you can always try and cook it yourself!

Rita’s favourites – Bistrô: cheese and charcuterie plates, yogurt with fruits and honey. Store: sesame bagels, cumin gouda cheese, Italian products selection.

Vee’s favourites – Bistrô: Sunday Brunch – to die for. Store: Kumin teas, Cantucinni biscottis.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Delidelux | Shopping, Restaurants (Fusion) | Complete Sunday brunch from € 9.50
Av. Infante D. Henrique Armazém B Loja 8 | Riverside
Tue – Fri 12:00 – 22:00, Sat 10:00 – 22:00, Sun 10:00 – 20:00

A friend of mine refers to Esperança as his local canteen, despite living some 15 km away. But to many Lisboners, Bairro Alto, the neighborhood with most bars per capita, is a favourite meeting point, even if it’s not quite “home” by definition. Given this sense of familiarity, my friend’s remark is spot on.

This restaurant is a winner by virtue of location alone, but that would be selling it short. The décor and layout – dark wood tables centered around a bar – is nice and unpretentious, managing to comfortably accommodate larger groups of up to, say, eight, whilst being intimate enough for a cozy dinner for two (dim lighting and candles – check).

The fact that it serves Italian food almost seems to have come as an afterthought, but it does get my nod of approval. You’ll find the obligatory antipasti, salads, risottos, pastas and thin-crust pizzas (28 to be exact, I counted), and I am particularly fond of the beef carpaccio and a pizza that’s drizzled in truffle oil. The staff is friendly and the bill is too, leaving you with plenty of cash to spend at the innumerous watering holes a stone’s throw away.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Esperança | Restaurants (Italian) | € 20
Rua do Norte, 95 | Bairro Alto | +351213432027
Mon – Fri 19:30 – 00:30, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 16:00 & 19:30 – 00:30

After a hard day’s shopping in Chiado or after coming down from Bairro Alto there is now the most perfect place to relax, have a drink and a bite to eat.

Fábulos Café is tucked away from the main streets, approachable either from the direction of Chiado, through an excellent esplanade tucked away from the hustle and bustle, or else from the direction of the School of Fine Arts.

The menu is simple but inventive, comprising delicious sandwiches, salads and wraps but there are also more substantial burritos, crepes and omelets for those more hungry.

The food is delicious, my favourite being the goats cheese, caper and spinach sandwich, and the atmosphere relaxed and cosy, especially if you manage to bag one of the many old sofas spread throughout the place.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fábulas Cafe | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Sandwiches) | From € 5.00
Calçada Nova de São Francisco, 14 | Chiado & Baixa
Mon – Wed 10:00 – 00:00, Thur – Sat 10:00 – 01:00, closed Sun

Galeto is something of a Lisbon institution. If you mention the restaurant to anyone over 40 they will recount to you tales of late nights out which were finished off with a quick steak in Galeto early in the morning.

Offering a menu full of the most typical of Portuguese dishes (here grilled meats and fish feature heavily), you are served from behind the intricate twisting balcony which extends throughout the inside of the restaurant, seemingly trapping several waiters to a lifetime of service.

Sitting at the bar to eat, likely flanked by swarthy mustachioed businessmen is a Portuguese right of passage that every visitor should enjoy at least once and there are few places in Lisbon with the quality of Galeto in which to experience it.

One of the great draws of Galeto is that it is open until 03:30 meaning that it’s the perfect place to stop by after the theatre/a concert/your friends have left you to go to Lux (check the Lux Fragil article).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Galeto | Bars, Restaurants (Portuguese) | From € 10.00
Avenida Republica, 14 | Avenidas
07:00 – 03:30 daily

Hokkaido is a smart and quiet Japanese restaurant, located in the neighbourhood of Campo de Ourique.

The menu is composed mainly by sushi. But you also have a selection of raw ingredients you can mix and bring to the chef who will cook it in a huge grilling plate in front of you and then bring it to the table.

The décor is simple and slightly oriental, and the staff is attentive and polite. The restaurant is mainly frequented by a young crowd in their 20’s-30’s.

One of the best things about this spot, for young sushi lovers like us, is that it’s a good quality all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant.

So if you enjoy Japanese food but don’t like to have a massive bill to pay in the end of the meal, Hokkaido is a great option.

PS: Derishasu Miru is Japanese for delicious meal!

Vee’s favourites – Pick and mix your own Teppanyaki

Rita’s favourites – Tuna and Salmon Sashimi, Gyosas, house Green Tea

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hokkaido | Restaurants (Japanese) | Lunch menu € 10.00
Rua Saraiva de Carvalho 184/a | Estrela | +351213968127
12:00 – 15:00 & 19:00 – 23:00 daily

Problem: how to choose a restaurant in Bairro Alto among the huge offer of over-prized tourist trap serving” fado and traditional food” and more modern, but often disappointing, new offerings?

That’s an easy one! Go to Império dos Sentidos. Trendy setting. Monthly rotating art-exhibitions on the walls. Right in the middle of Bairro Alto, the ideal launch-platform for a great night out. One of the few good restaurants in BA that will serve you after midnight.

The food is a mixture of Portuguese and Italian cuisine. Ah, and don’t forget the champagne sangria…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Império dos Sentidos | Restaurants (Port. & Italian) | Dinner € 25.00
Rua da Atalaia 35-37 | Bairro Alto | +351213431822
Tue – Sun 19:30 – 02:00

Kaffeehaus is located in the middle of Chiado, just next to one of Lisbon’s most famous theatres, São Carlos. It fits in the old, and almost lost, tradition of literary cafés that were the trademark of Chiado. Kaffeehaus, however, does it in her own, Viennese style.

The place is hard to classify since you can go here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink at night. A better way to describe it would be its style: a great place to get up to date on what is happening in Lisbon, read a newspaper, have a coffee or a drink.

Besides the setting, the food helps! Try great Austrian pastry in the middle of Lisbon! Amazing Apfelstrüdel and a lot of other surprising dishes. There is something different written on the chalkboard every day, so you can always come back for something new!

Great place for a pit-stop on your Saturday-shopping in Chiado or a more prolonged break on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Be patient though, it is becoming and awful popular place!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kaffeehaus | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (European/Austrian) | Main € 8.00
Rua Anchieta 3 | Chiado & Baixa | +351210956828
Tue – Thu 11:00 – 0:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 20:00

We recently stumbled upon this great new spot – a little japanese restaurant inside Amoreiras Plaza, just in front of Amoreiras Shopping Center (the oldest shopping mall in Portugal, which has grown to be an architectonical symbol of the city).

Located on the business district, this spot is the ideal place for a healthy lunch between meetings or for a relaxing dinner after a day of work.

Before you order, they offer a little amuse-bouche: a salmon and lettuce roll which is simply divine! From there on, you’re only up for good things. They really do have a good assortment of dishes, from hot and cold appetizers to Japanese sobas and the traditional sushi pieces.

We decided to innovate a little, and instead of ordering the regular sesame chicken skewers, we tried the spicy filet mignon ones. There aren’t enough words to describe it… pure yumi-ness! It’s better not to reveal a lot more of the stunning dishes they have, but let’s just finish with this: leave room for the dessert!!

Rita’s favorites – Green tea tiramisu and spicy filet mignon skewers.

Vee’s favorites – Salmon Philadelphia huramakis and sesame petit gateau with green tea ice-cream.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kanji | Restaurants (Japanese) | Meal & dessert € 25.00
Rua Maria Ulrich, n.º 1, loja 1 | Avenidas | +351213888147
Mon – Sat 12:30 – 15:00 & 19:30 – 22:00

La Brasserie de l’entrecôte it’s a classic French-style restaurant in the heart of the city, with a very unprecedented feature: there isn’t a menu for you to choose from!

The meal always consists on a starter (a fresh salad with nuts and sweet and sour sauce) followed by the entrecôte (a delicious sliced piece of entrecôte steak with a secret sauce and French fries that will make you beg for more).

After this, if you still wish to comfort your stomach, you can choose something sweet from the dessert trolley.

The elegant (but still cosy) atmosphere, make it an ideal place to go for a date or to gather around the table and chat for hours with friends.

Vee’s favourites – The uber confidential sauce is the pièce de resistance!

Rita’s favourites – The delicious French fries and the strawberry purée with vanilla ice-cream and cinnamon.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La brasserie de l’entrecôte | Restaurants (Entrecôte) | Dinner & wine € 22.50
Rua do Alecrim 117 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213473616
Mon – Sat 12:30 – 15:00 & 20:00 – 00:00, Sun 12:30 – 15:00 & 20:00 – 23:00

When I have foreign guests to entertain, I often opt for this restaurant. The reasons are plentiful. Located in the middle of Bairro Alto, the restaurant is housed in a beautifully restored wine-cellar.

The food is typical Portuguese and of high quality. Try the fish and seafood. Find out why Portuguese have fetish for codfish. Service is great.

They serve food until late in the evening, so it’s a nice place for night owls.

If you plan to go here in the weekend, your patience will be tested every now and then. It has happened that I had to wait quit long for my table, although I had a reservation. Fortunately the restaurant has a nice bar to have a drink while you wait.

And wait for the dessert trolley. Yum!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Lisboa à Noite | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Main dish € 15.00
Rua das Gáveas 69/71 | Bairro Alto | +351213468557
Mon – Sat 19:30 – 01:00

Maritaca could be just another Italian restaurant, except for some particularly interesting features: besides the unusually sophisticated decor for a “Pizzeria”, they mix Italian recipes with ingredients from Bahia/Brazil, which results in surprising but nevertheless tasty combinations.

This restaurant is nowadays our hangout place, where we go almost on a weekly basis. They have a menu with plenty of Italian-style options, from pizzas (if you don’t like the selection they have, you can just make up your own), to risottos or pastas – I’m a die hard fan of risottos – which combine into a very affordable lunch menu.

Another funny thing about this place is that the crowd varies a lot depending on the hour you visit: at lunch, you will find a lot of busy workers from companies located nearby, but at dinner it’s a completely different scenario – the whole mood changes and specially on Fridays and Saturdays it gets pretty hectic and cool. Therefore, if you want to drop by around the weekend, it’s safer to make a reservation!

Vee’s Favorite – Try the Spaguetti Carbonara or the Risotto Funghi Porcinni, it will melt in your mouth!

Rita’s Favorite – Try for starters the Catupyri rolls and afterwards the Calzone number 7!

We both agree on the dessert: if they happen to have the passion fruit mousse listed that day, you must absolutely try it!

Tip for smokers: The place is divided in smoking and non-smoking sections, a feature not a lot of restaurants are able to offer now-a-days in Lisbon, thus avoiding the uncomfortable walks outside!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Maritaca | Restaurants (Italian-Brazilian) | For lunch menu € 11.00
Av. 24 de Julho 68 F | Santos & Alcântara | +351213939400
Mon – Tue & Thu 12:30 – 15:00 & 20:00 – 00:00 (Thu 01:00), Fri 12:30 – 15:30 & 20:00 – 01:00, Sat – 13:00 – 15:30 & 20:00 – 01:00, Sun 13:00 – 15:30 & 20:00 – 00:00

Sitting comfortably in a cozy corner just off the Santa Catarina/Adamastor lookout, Noo Bai is an understatedly cool place for brunching, lunching or a lazy afternoon bite, but popular on warm evenings too.

With a nice view over rooftops and the river beyond, tables on the terrace fill up fast. Indoors isn’t too shabby either, and with a colourful, 50s retro/thrift-shop/living-room look, it’s a homey and relaxed area to hole up in, especially on a rainy day.

The oversized menus display a great selection of light dishes, from salads, sandwiches and bruschettas to savoury nibbles, fruit plates and desserts. Wash those down with healthy fresh-squeezed juices, milkshakes, coffee or tea or, if you’re into something stronger, flip over the menu for a full page of options that include sangria, caipirinhas and mojitos among the lot (indeed, when it comes to drinks of the brewed, fermented and distilled variety, this place doesn’t mess around).

On Sundays in August and September, Noo Bai turns its cool up a notch with guest DJs spinning awesome urban beats (check the website for schedules).

Kids are not only welcome, they have their own toy-filled play corner to keep them entertained while mums and dads enjoy down time.

Wi-Fi 3€/hr, or a free hour for each 5€ consumed.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Noo Bai Cafe | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (International) | Salads € 6.50
R. de Santa Catarina | Bairro Alto | +351213465014
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 21:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 00:00, Sun 12:00 – 20:00

Nood is the city’s spot where East meets West and you can find excellent Asian fusion food. The restaurant is based in a modern canteen layout and all dishes are created with different types of Asian ingredients.

The motto here is “Food for your soul” – they claim one can not leave the restaurant without a smile on the face.

You can choose from a wide selection of appetizers – don’t forget to try out the duck gyosas or tori kare age (marinated chicken on a stick). The classic sushi and sashimi are also on the menu, as well as a wide choice of yakisobas (Japanese pasta). They come with a lot of ingredients, so you can take out whatever you don’t want – just ask the waiter.

The juices are freshly squeezed and mix traditional fruits with uncommon ingredients, like mint, ginger or lime. The dessert department is constantly changing – new flavors and recipes are added on a regular basis (do ask what the day specials are).

If you are just up for a cocktail or a long drink, Nood has a cosy lounge area with great couches to relax after work or start a night out with friends! (Happy hour from 18:00 to 20:00)

Vee’s favorites: Chicken Yakisoba, Apple Crumble.

Rita’s favorites: Minto Juice, Gyosas, Nood Vanilla Ice cream (with Chocolate topping and wasabi)

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Nood | Restaurants (Asian) | Yakisoba € 8.50
Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro 20 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213474141
12:00 – 00:00

You know the feeling. It starts with a little twinge, builds up to a nagging desire – should I or shouldn’t I? – and eventually escalates to a craving you just can’t shake. You want it, and fast. No doubt, most pleasure is had from taking things slow and savouring each morsel of the moment. But let’s face it; sometimes all you want is a quickie.

Well, search no further because Noori is just the place …for a good sushi quickie, that is (whatever else?). And cheap too. The no-frills menu offers a pretty good variety of nooris (cone-shaped temaki rolls) or rools (slender maki rolls). Whilst the choice of fish is limited to salmon, tuna and little else, portions are generous, making for an even split on the fish:rice ratio. They’re available separately or as part of a “menu” (e.g.: 1 or 2 noori + a drink).

This place is tiny and although there’s seating at the counter, you’re better off getting your food to go and finding a bench in a nearby square before digging in.

I hope it’s as good for you as it was for me

NB: A second Noori has also just opened in the food court at Monumental shopping mall in Saldanha square.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Noori | Snacks, Restaurants (Japanese) | Menus from € 4.50
Rua do Crucifixo 87 | Chiado & Baixa | +351918639287
11:00 – 22:00 daily

David is the typical Marisqueira (Portuguese seafood restaurant): simple, unpretentious and with the best traditional food you can taste!

The restaurant’s décor is as kitsch as one can imagine, with a Michelangelo David replica printed in some serious ugly wall tiles, plain tableware and paper tablecloths and napkins.

There is nothing charming about it, but at the same time, this will definitely add a touch of authenticity to the whole experience!

This is the place where old men go to watch football games and drink beer, but you will also find all sort of different crowds hanging there just for the food.

We recommend going here with a local, who’ll explain you the different options available on menu, otherwise, if you’re not comfortable with the language, going to David can be rather challenging!

Vee’s favourites – “Bulhão Pato” Clams (typical Portuguese dish of clams with garlic and coriander), Octopus Rice and “Panachê” (Tap Beer with Sprite).

Rita’s favourites – “Caracóis” (it’s a very special snails stew that you eat with the help of a toothpick), Clams and the classic “Tremoços and Imperial” (White lupin seeds and Tap Beer).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
O David | Restaurants (Seafood) | Arroz de Polvo € 9.00
R Prior Crato 132/4 | Santos & Alcântara | +351213906307
Tue – Sun 12:00 – 02:00

Outro Tempo Bar is that type of restaurant that you walk by and do not really notice. It’s a classic type of restaurant where kids don’t normally go, and it has the advantage of being close to a very popular garden – Jardim da Estrela (see this article).

Its main specialty are the hamburgers. They are big, made of real beef, with homemade French fries as well as cream spinach. Outro Tempo offers a variety of things to mix with the hamburger – from caramelized onions to mushrooms or even a very typical Portuguese cheese – Queijo da Serra. Either way they are always perfect.

As opposed to a lot of restaurants in Lisbon, this one stays open until 2 am. If you are in a large group, this restaurant is not a good option but if you are a couple this is just perfect. And if you’re not in the mood for a hamburguer try the Tornedó or Prego do lombo no prato. Both just great.

When talking about desserts don’t hesitate to ask for the “Bávaro de Nóz” (nut Bavaroise)!

Rita’s Favourites: Croquettes (appetizers – small fried meat balls) and Hamburger with caramel-onions.

Vee’s Favourites: Hamburguer with mushrooms and cream sauce.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Outro Tempo Bar | Restaurants (Confort food) | Dinner € 16.00
Rua João Anastácio Rosa 2 | Estrela | +351213978219
Mon – Sat 18:00 – 02:00

One could say the place has nothing to do with zen. Its an ordinary restaurant, well decorated, smoke-free and with some giant flower pictures on the wall. But a restaurant is about paladar, right? And if the restaurant is vegetarian, and serves some delicious food, then we could talk about our paladar being zen!

And best of all, it’s an “all you can eat” buffet, meaning I will always eat until I can’t anymore. And believe me, even with vegetarian food this may happen, because the food is so good and I always want to try everything. The menu varies every day and they hardly repeat. I have been there a lot of times and never got an repeat. And normally they have, available for you, one kind of soup, many salads and many juicy and tasty hot plates. On their website it’s possible to check the meals they are serving that day.

Only the food is included in the price. If you want to drink their weird and good natural juices or eat their wonderful desserts, which are not diet at all, you have to pay apart.

I am not vegetarian, and I love eating meat, but I never miss it when I go to Paladar Zen.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Paladar Zen | Restaurants (Vegetarian) | All you can eat buffet € 5.90
Avenida Barbosa du Bocage 107 C | Avenidas | +351217950009
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 15:30 & 19:30 – 00:00

With its laid-back atmosphere, semi-Asian decor and tasty Indian-inspired eats, PSI (pronounced Psee) is little bit of nirvana in the midst of the urban grind.

This veggie restaurant rests in the corner of a luxuriant garden and pond – inaugurated by the Dalai Lama himself, I kid you not – nearly obscured by, what else, green! The glassed-in tent is a popular dining spot, with the main restaurant – a ground level and mezzanine – nestled in the recess behind it. Best of all, weather permitting, is grabbing a table outdoors beneath the canopy of trees, with the frogs-in-residence clearly within earshot. Bliss!

The food is fuss-free and delicious. I always go for the mini samosas before moving on to heartier fare – curry, seitan dishes with fruit or veg, variously filled rotis (flatbread)… And if you’re sweet-toothed, make sure to leave space for dessert (I have a hard time deciding between the chocolate salami with figs and the psimisú). The house tea is my nectar, hot or cold, but there are numerous others to choose from including fresh-squeezed juices and lassis (nope, no booze).

Ommm…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
PSI | Restaurants (Vegetarian) | A 3-course meal from € 15.00
Alameda St António dos Capuchos | Liberdade | +351213590573
Kitchen Mon – Sat 12:00 – 22:30

This restaurant is definitely one of my favorites and one of those places that will even surprise my Lisbon friends. It is hidden away in the heart of Principe Real, close to the lovely little square of Praça das Flores.

The food is Portuguese, but Chef Manuel Pessoa gives a special twist to most of the traditional dishes. There is no fixed menu, the daily offer is told to you by the Chef himself. This makes every visit to the restaurant a nice surprise, since you will always discover some new dish.

A fixed price is paid for all of the main courses. The best price vs quality ratio of all of Lisbon! The setting is cozy and intimate.

The restaurant recently started offering valet parking. Not a bad idea since parking in this area is a NIGHTMARE.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Restaurant Charcuteria Francesa | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Main course € 12.50
Rua Manuel Bernardes 5A | Príncipe Real | +351917588281
Tue – Sun 20:00 – 00:00

Lisbon is chock full of excellent traditional Portuguese restaurants which are favourites of tourists and locals alike. Portuguese food to the typical Portugeezer is a point of extreme national pride. Somehow managing to peacefully coexist with the culinary nationalism is a fine selection of Indian restaurants many of which are owned by a large population of Goan immigrants, a remnant of the Portuguese empire.

Of the Indian restaurants I have tried my personal favourite is Palácio Indiana, located just off the top end of Praça Martim Moniz (check the Praça Martim Moniz article). It is easily recognizable as the restaurant with a replica of one of Lisbon’s famous trams serving as a bar inside.

The dishes served should be familiar to anyone with a basic knowledge of Indian food but it would take a braver palate than mine to try the Bacalhau (codfish) curry -perhaps a fusion food too far.

The restaurant offers excellent value thalis (plates consisting of a number of small dishes) for lunch and their naan bread is excellent.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Restaurante Índia Palace | Restaurants (Indian) | Per person from € 15.00
Rua da Palma 208A | Liberdade
12:00 – 15:15 & 19:00 – 23:30 daily

Should you go to a fado restaurant when visiting Lisbon? And if so, which? Unfortunately there are a lot of so-called fado restaurants where the quality of the music is rather poor. (They normally compensate by intimacy however).

If you want a great night of quality fado in a beautiful setting, go to Marquês da Sé. This fado restaurant is located in a beautifully restored, 18th century building. Your host is Alexandra, one of Portugal’s most famous fado singers. (She played the role of “Amália” in the musical with the same name.)

Make reservations and get a cab, it’s not that easy to find.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Restaurante Marquês da Sé | Music, Restaurants (Portugese) | Diner & Fado € 45.00
Largo Marquês do Lavradio 1 | Castelo | +351218880234
Mon – Sat 20:00 – 02:00

This is Chefe Olivier da Costa’s 3rd restaurant (the other 2 are Olivier (closed in 2009) and Olivier Café, both located in downtown Lisbon). The restaurant is located inside the Tivoli Jardim Hotel, just 50 meters off Avenida da Liberdade.

The interior is very stylish and modern. It feels more like New York or Paris then Lisbon to be honest. Visited by the local high-society, it’s a place to see and to be see.

I had dinner here once and the food was excellent. Kobé Beef picanha-style, gratinated scallops, octopus carpaccio, the list goes on and on. All very yummie indeed. The menu has some interesting mixtures that you might not expect from such an upscale place, such as American mini-hamburgers. The wine list is excellent, as one can expect from a place like this.

If you want to have a great culinary evening in an impressive setting and if you don’t mind spending some dosh, please do visit. The place is already considered one of Lisbon’s best, in spite of its short history.

And in order to avoid getting to snobbish, visit Maxim located almost next door. The perfect mix!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Restaurante Olivier Avenida | Restaurants (Upscale) | Meal + wine € 60.00
Rua Júlio César Machado 7 | Liberdade | +351213174105
Mon – Sat 13:00 – 15:30 & 20:00 – 01:00

Now this is a really nice place to eat! If you want a little bit more style and great food, this your ideal starting point for a night out in Bairro Alto! Or during a normal weekday if you want.

Rosa de Rua has some great arguments in its favour. First of all, the decoration is great. The mixture between modern and old makes you feel right at home. The service is great and the people are really friendly. And last but not least: the food.

The menu features traditional Portuguese dishes and dishes inspired by former Portuguese colonies, especially Goa (India). Try the chicken breast with Farinheira or the squid. It is better to make a reservation, especially during the weekend.

I heard that they also serve a great Lunch during the week, a fixed-price buffet. Haven’t tried it myself. If you do, let me know what you think!

Note from the author: it seems that the owners have changed concept a bit: they now only serve a fixed buffet at night for just €10. A bit strange, since ti does not match the setting and is attracting  a different kind of crowd. Maybe it’s the recession kicking in, let’s see if this phase will pass..

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Restaurante Rua da Rosa | Restaurants (Portuguese / Indian) | Meal € 25.00
Rua da Rosa 265 | Bairro Alto | +351213432195
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 23:30

You won’t find any tourists here! The reason: it is (almost) impossible to find. The restaurant is located between Largo do Rato and Jardim de Estrela. A little bit out of the normal tourist route, but still close enough to get there easily.

Spainata is Italian for terrace and that seems a proper way to describe the place: the restaurant has a huge terrace with a nice view on the city. A great place to dine on a hot summer-night. The owner and manager is one of the co-founders of one of Lisbon’s Italian classics: Mezzaluna.

It seems that not only the owner has moved to Spianata, the food is also of the same high level. You can find here great Italian dishes, ranging from pastas to pizza. Somehow the Sangria is the first things that comes to my mind when recollecting my last dinner-experience at Spianata .

The place is quite new (just a few months old) but it is already pretty crowded, so it might be wise to book. The crowd is a bit more upscale and senior. Another novelty for downtown Lisbon: the place has a huge parking lot!

They recently covered part of the huge terrace with a tent, so know you can sit “outside” even in the Portuguese winter!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Restaurante Spianata | Restaurants (Italian) | Meal & wine € 25.00
Travessa de Santa Quitéria 38 | Estrela | +351213881892
Mon – Fri 12:30 – 15:30 & 19:30 – 23:30, Sat – Sun 19:30 – 23:30

What can I say about any Pizzeria which is actually necessary to be said? Not much. But if this little makes all the difference, that’s another story.

So Finestra is one of the best pizzerias in town. And I can testify that their pizzas are absolutely yummy. Most pizzas are named after an Italian city, like Modena, Parma, Padova, Ferrara… My favourite one is “Venezia”,which obviously is the most non-diet pizza they serve. To begin with, It has an poached egg on the top! It may seem gross, but believe me, it’s delicious!

Another thing that I always order there is their “Sangria“. They don’t serve that simple and boring, although good, normal sangria. They serve pineapple sangria, mango sangria, melon sangria, and others I cannot remember, probably for drinking them too much. I also use to drink their delicious non-alcoholic cinnamon Italian tea, which is not to be missed!

The desserts are another highlight. I usually go for the Panna Cota, a classic, or the chocolate cake with ice-cream. And what a creamy chocolate cake! As you can see, I am a perfect glutton when I go there.

A good advice is to reserve a table before going there. A good restaurant is always crowded.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Ristorante Pizzeria La Finestra | Restaurants (Italian) | 3-course meal € 20
Avenida Conde de Valbom Nº52-A | Avenidas | +351217613580
12:00 – 15:30 & 19:00 – 01:00 daily

Located right in the middle of Alfama, at the lovely little square of São Miguel. In the summer you can sit at on the terrace, below the vine grapes. The place has an original interior decoration consisting of hundreds of black and white photos of famous people.

It’s a great place to enjoy Alfama on a hot summer night. Because let´s face it: it is not that easy to find a good restaurant in this charming neighborhood. The food is good. But I normally don’t order a main course.

Tip: stick to the starters. Order a whole bunch and share them. You’ll see it’s worth it!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Santo António de Alfama | Restaurants (International) | Dinner € 25.00
Beco de São Miguel 7 | Alfama & Graça | +351218881328
Wed – Mon 12:30 – 19:00 & 20:00 – 02:00

If you’re keen on savouring some good old home-style Portuguese cooking the way grandma used to make, this is where you’ll find it. Taberna Ideal is right up there on my list of favourite restaurants for the great food, the relaxed ambiance and the familial service.

Set up like a ’40s or ’50s eatery, there’s a definite nod to days of yore, with heavy wooden tables and marble countertops, tired velvet sofas and a myriad of kitschy knick knacks that you’d expect to find in a dusty old attic. Your Portuguese grandmother’s attic, that is. It’s all a bit of a hodgepodge, and that’s the charm.

The menu is scribbled on a big chalkboard, and divided into tibornas (toasts basted in olive oil), petiscos (nibbles), salads and entrees. All very rich; all very Portuguese, right down to the last ingredient (the owners are committed to supporting only small, national producers). Portions are generous so if there are enough of you I suggest ordering different dishes and sharing. Just as you would, well, at home!

The wine list is jotted down in pencil in an old-fashioned notebook, and includes a huge selection by the glass.

And don’t get me started on desserts…

This place always seems to be full, so booking ahead is recommended. For this reason, reservations are given a 15-minute grace period.

Cash only (yes, whether by coincidence or design, even payment is antiquated).

Smoking allowed.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Taberna Ideal | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Full meal € 25
Rua da Esperança 112-114 | Santos & Alcântara | +351213962744
Tue – Sat 19:00 – 02:00, Sun 13:30 – 00:30

First, a warning: this is not a restaurant for those who are on diet. Second warning: expect to eat more than you actually can, because it is humanly impossible, especially for me, to hold myself back from trying every delicious recipe they serve at this restaurant.

The recipes are mostly from a specific region from Brazil, called Minas Gerais. It’s food is mainly known for its exquisite flavoring, which uses a lot of onions, garlic, green pepper and parsley. You will also find black beans, meat, chicken, fish and vegetables, one more enticing than the other. And when you think you have had the most delicious meal, and have eaten more than you could possibly bear, you still have to face the dessert buffet, which combines all the good sins of gluttony.

What I mean, with all this enthusiastic exaggeration, is that everything you eat there is not good, but delicious, and because of that you will probably feel guilty for eating too much and satisfied for eating such a banquet.

And then, of course, you can taste the famous “caipirinhas”, the tropical Brazilian juices and enjoy the good mood and service of the restaurant staff and owners, always asking you if you want anything else. And I will say no more.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tempero de Minas | Restaurants (Brazilian) | Buffet € 10
Av. Luis Bivar, 83 | Avenidas | +351213555038
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 23:00 , Sun 08:00 – 16:00

This is the first restaurant I would suggest for someone who wants to try original Portuguese food. It’s a regional restaurant; most of the food they serve is typical from the biggest Portugal region, Alentejo (which can be translated as “Beyond the Tagus”).

I have travelled around Alentejo a lot, and their food is really great. But every time I tried something I have eaten previously in Trempe, I get both disappointed and glad. Disappointed because the original Alentejo local food is not as good as Trempe’s. And glad because Trempe is in Lisbon, so it’s much closer and better!

Everything in the restaurant is nice, from the rustic decoration, passing by the tasty food and the great selection of wine. But the most important quality of Trempe is the kind and humorous staff, which are all from the same adorable family.

When I go there, my personal and favorite meals are “sopa alentejana” (soup from Alentejo), Dog fish soup, Black Pork fillets, Fried pork with clams and potatoes and for dessert the “Sericaia cake” or the “rice pudim”. I never get tired of any of those.

During summer, day or night, I will probably sit at one of the two tables they have outside, where you can have a nice meal facing “Casa Fernando Pessoa“. But whether inside or outside, it’s granted that I always have a great and fun time there.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Trempe | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Average € 20.00
Rua Coelho da Rocha 11/13 | Estrela | +351213909118
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 15:00 & 19:00 – 01:00

As soon as you go in, you feel very welcomed. It’s very cosy and rustic. It’s the type of restaurant where low key is the perfect set. A good restaurant doesn’t need a very fancy décor to prove how great it is. This applies perfectly to XL.

Once you’ve been seated and get a feel of what XL has to offer, then you’ll need some time to think about what you want to order. The appetizer part has a very wide selection, from their great potato skins with a delightful yogurt sauce to their perfect foie, just take your pick. When you finally get to the part of the entrees, they have as well a good choice of amazing dishes.

Never forget that the concept behind XL is that it’s comfort food done within an international style. If you are not a meat person, then just pick one of their delicious souflées or in case you do like a good steak just pick one with a good sauce to go with.

XL is also known for the amazing wine selection, being considered of the best wine cellars in the country. If you are considering going there, it is better to make a reservation as it is always busy.

Vee’s Favourites:Ham and Cheese Souffle

Rita’s Favourites: Potato skins

Details about this spot (Show on map)
XL | Restaurants (International) | Regular meal price € 40.00
Calçada da Estrela 57 | Estrela | +351213956118
Mon – Wed 20:00 – 00:00, Thu – Sat 20:00 – 02:00