Image by Claudio Carneiro

Home made ice-cream have been the latest trend in Lisbon lately, Artisani is one of them, and a very good one. This shop is also the factory shop, where you can watch their delicious ice-creams being made. They only use milk “vigor”, the best Portuguese milk ever, and water “luso”, so its all Portuguese.

The flavours go from “caipirinha” to lemon with basil, cinnamon and honey to orange with cardamom and a lot more. They do sound strange, but also taste delicious! Every two weeks there is a special and different favour to try on. I love most of them, but my favourite is the light chocolate, because it really taste like chocolate! They also have lollipop and sandwich ice-creams. And for variety, they serve huge toasts and many types of cakes.

The shop is clean white, and the fun part is that some tables have swings as chairs. The bad side is that this is an invitation to children and noise… But Estrela’s Garden is meters away if I want to eat my ice-cream peacefully and surrounded by green.

When in doubt which flavour to choose, a symptom I have very often, ask to try as many as you wish, they are really cool about that.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Artisane Home made Ice-cream | Coffee & tea, Snacks | 1 Scoop two flavours € 2.90
Av. Alvares Cabral, 65 B | Estrela | +351213976453
10:00 – 23:00 daily

Image by Veronica

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 02:00. If you are with 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 hamburger 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: Hamburger with mushrooms and cream sauce.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Outro Tempo Bar | Restaurants (Intern.) | Dinner & wine € 25.00
Rua João Anastácio Rosa 2 | Estrela | +351213978219
Mon – Sat 18:00 – 02:00

Image by Tiago S. Ferreira

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

Image by Veronica

By now you must know that we are sushi freaks. So every time a new spot opens, we are always checking them out. And Peisheirada just swoop us away. They have their own take on sushi, such as the salmon carpaccio, and everything is done in such a way that it shows that all is made with great dedication.

In true fairness we believe the less we say about a truly great spot, the less expectations you go with and then just prepare to be amazed.

It’s a really cool vibe, the staff are really nice and the walls… you just have to find out for yourselves.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Peisheirada | Restaurants (Sushi) | Full meal € 15
Calçada Bento Rocha Cabral 4 | Estrela | +351211538251
Mon – Sat: 12:00 - 15:00 & 19:30 – 23:00

Image by Claudio Carneiro

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 traveled 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) | Meal & drinks € 20.00
Rua Coelho da Rocha 11/13 | Estrela | +351213909118
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 15:00 & 19:00 – 01:00