Image by Erik Lassche

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! So popular in fact that they increased their capacity. No more waiting (almost )

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by erik lassche

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 02:00. Try the steak with mustard sauce. I did for a dozen times already

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by lisbon.theperfecthotels.com

Besides having rather nice (and pricy) rooms, the hotel hosts a terrace with a breathtaking view of Baixa and the castle. A great place to have a drink.

Bring your wallet, because each beer will cost you around €4.00.

The entrance is right next to the Armazens de Chiado. Just step into the lobby and head for the elevator.

This terrace has a different view from the Hotel Bairro Alto terrace. So visit both while you are in Lisbon! In case of lack of time, stick to Hotel Bairro Alto, since it is less windy and heated in the winter.

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Hotel do Chiado | Bars | Beer & view € 4.00
Rua Nova do Almada 114 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213256100
12:00 – 23:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Nuno Lopes de Paula

Lisbon was conquered in the year 1147 by King Afonso I with the help of northern-European crusaders, who left Darthmouth in England and set sail to the Holy Land. The crusaders decided to help the Portuguese king and his army attacking Lisbon, with an agreement that the king would offer the crusaders the pillage of city’s goods. Some were fighting for honor, some for money, and many ended up here after a three month siege before defeating the moorish troops. Thirsty and tired, they decided to settle in the conquered town.

Trobadores, the first medieval bar in Lisbon, pays tribute to those times – The Middle Ages. Grab a cup of Hydromel, a horn full of beer or cider, or a small glass of liquor and celebrate your own achievements as a knight. The place is decorated according to theme and it could be noisy sometimes… afterall, it’s a Medieval tavern.

The place is perfect for Medieval Ages knights and princess - From Game of Thrones fans to Goth Subculture, here, there’s also room for the Bards – Expect some good old celtic live music performed by local bands – There’s a jam every monday.

Trobadores is a nice place really well located in the downtown of Lisbon, two steps from the Sé - Lisbon Cathedral. It’s a great place to bring your friends, drink some paints and make some noise. Be carefull with your manners though, foreigner! The castle is up the hill and king’s knights are watching all your steps.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Trobadores – Taberna Medieval | Bars, Snacks | Cider € 2.00
Travessa de São Julião, 25-27 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213593100
Mon – Sat 17:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

Lisbon is known as the city of Seven hills. With so many hills, it would be impossible to go around the city without a car or an elevator. That’s right, Lisbon has many elevators which are a huge help for the city residents, and the Santa Justa lift is one of them.

Besides being a huge help, this lift is a one of the greatest example of Portuguese architecture, and a landmark of the city. The lift was designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, a Portuguese apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, the same guy from Eiffel Tower. The iron tower is fabulous from outside and to ride it you only need a normal bus service ticket. The elevator is huge, with lots of wood in its interior and kind of victorian, which would be enough for me, but there is more.

I always go insane once I get to the top, thanks to the great panoramic view of the most beautiful part of the city. There are nice stairs to go to the very top, which has also an Italian restaurant, the “Bella Lisa Elevador“, which becomes the “Lift Bar”, a mix of bar and disco, on Thursday and Weekend nights.

When I get tired of the view, something that normally never happens, I leave the elevator through the upper exit, which goes straight to the Carmo Archaeological Museum (check the Carmo Archaeological Museum article), my other favourite spot!

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Santa Justa Lift | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing, Restaurants | Elevator ride € 3
Rua do Carmo 70 | Chiado & Baixa | +3513613000
Mon – Sat 07:00 – 23:00, Sun 09:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

It took me some time to give this restaurant a chance. At first, it seemed much too fancy even for me. But then I desperately needed a nice place for a brunch, and spot saved my life. Since then, I have been a regular on their weekend divine brunch, and sometimes for lunch and dinner too.

The decoration is very clean and modern, with some Shakespearean citations abounding, the ambient music is something you would listen yourself and the staff is very attentive.

The food is done very carefully and very pleasant to the eye. And the taste, which is obviously the most important factor, is right! No matter what you order, that will be good. I almost always tend to go for the “Tuga” Burger, which only demonstrates my incapacity to be more sophisticated. But that’s me, because any other person can have salads, vegetarian food, or pasta and meat/fish wonderful plates. For dessert the Banana Strudel is the right choice!

But my highlight, as I mentioned before, is the brunch. After having a late night and waking up late, this is the best bet for having a peaceful, nice and wonderful weekend brunch.

The restaurant is connected to one of the most important Lisbon Theaters, Teatro São Luiz and is located above another one, Teatro Estudio Mario Viegas. So you can enjoy a wonderful play after a wonderful meal. Or the other way round.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Restaurante Spot São Luiz | Bars, Restaurants (Portuguese) | Average meal € 20
Rua António Maria Cardoso, 58 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213430253
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 01:30, Sun 11:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon