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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

We, Portuguese people, even those not originally Portuguese like me, love eating out. But what a foreigner may not know is that we love even eating breakfast out, all week days included. So, if you are a tourist and you have to eat your breakfast out, don’t be surprised if you see a lot of Lisboners sharing the table with you.

This long introduction is only to justify why I am a breakfast hunter spot. I just love to find out nice and good places to have my breakfast. And “Botica do Café” is my “top of the pops” place for breakfast right now.

From outside, it looks like your grandmother’s house. That’s what caught my attention the first time I saw it. Then I entered and I saw a hundred delicious pastries. This bakery is very cozy. The interior is wood decorated, and with lots of plastic flowers and porcelain stuff around. Reading my last sentence makes the place looks creepy, but actually, it’s lovely.

I always have a hard time choosing something to eat, considering all the delicious possibilities. I always order their “mini-quiches”, and their mini poultry pie is also tempting. You have to order and then take your tray (mine is always full) with you to your table. They also serve lunch, but I confess I have never tried. There is a nice small esplanade outside, but for no special reason I always prefer inside. Go there and then enjoy your breakfast happily ever after!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Botica do Café | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Breakfast € 5.00
Rua Sampaio Bruno, 26 | Estrela | +351213853868
07:00 – 20:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

It’s been a long time that I wanted to write about one of my favorite Lisbon bars. Procopio is the perfect bar to go if all you want to have is a drink and chat with your friends.

The mood of the bar is different, maybe for the lack of natural light, or it’s Art Nouveau decoration, the bossa nova music style playing on the background, the super gracious service and the tons of imagery information you collect while having a nice glass of Port Wine or a beer, all along with some hot popcorn. The customers age range is what most surprises me there. You can meet people from twenties to sixties, all having fun.

The bar is located very close to the Amoreira’s Garden (check the Amoreira’s Garden article), and it’s kind of hidden in a very charming and old alley. As you find the bar, you have to ring to be let in, but don’t worry, the bar door will be opened and you will be received in the best of ways!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bar Procópio | Bars | Glass of Port’s Wine € 3
Rua João Penha 21 A | Estrela | +351213852851
Mon – Fri 18:00 – 03:00, Sat 21:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

One of the things that impressed me when I visited some Arab countries was, undoubtedly, their pastry. Mainly the candies! There are so many, and they’re so tiny and yet so delicious, that it is impossible to resist them.

That’s why I was so happy when I found out about “Mel das Arabias”, which means, literally, Arab honey. They have candies from most of all Arab countries. Each day they have a different selection of them, which makes the place even more special. The baklawa is my pick of the candy selection.

And a perfect Arab place couldn’t do without tea. The Mint Leaf Tea is served as it is supposed to be served: in a silver teapot, poured from above. And for those who don’t favor mint tea: they have almost twenty different choices of tea.

Recently, they started serving a lunch and an Arab dinner buffet, which I have tried and I must say it’s delicious! On Friday and Saturday nights they have Arab dances, so it’s recommended to make a reservation.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mel das Arábias | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Arab) | Candies € 2.00
Calçada da Estrela, 187 – 189 | Estrela | +351213904251
Tue – Fri 10:00 – 22:00, Sat 10:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

Mãe D’Água Amoreiras Reservoir is in front of Amoreiras’ Garden, or Amoreiras’ Garden is in front of it. It doesn’t matter. What is worth knowing is that, yet small, this reservoir, called “Mãe D’Água”, translated “Mother of the Water”, is a jewel unknown to tourists. It’s the old city reservoir, not in use anymore. Nowadays it’s open for visitors and for special occasions, such as private parties or an art exhibitions.

The interior is composed of a huge marble squared room, with for central columns and a also huge pool with clear and transparent water. On hot days I almost feel like jumping in the water. I just wished they would let me!

There is also a beautiful ancient fountain from where the aqueduct water arrives. You can go up the fountain and have a gorgeous view to the reservoir. And continuing on the stairs you can reach the roof, where the view is as gorgeous as inside. You can have a wonderful view around the city and witness the aqueduct from a different angle.

It’s a Water Temple, for meditation, for dazzle and for fun!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mãe D’Água Amoreiras Reservoir | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance € 2.50
Praça das Amoreiras 10 | Estrela | +351213251644
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

It was inaugurated on August, 25th, with the specific goal of making bio-products reachable for anyone. Everyone knows that there is only one and huge problem with biological products: they are insanely expensive! But Brio supermarket arrived to change the rules, making good bio-products available for much fair prices.

It feels good to know you are buying a reliable product and helping to increase this kind of market, which I know it’s the best thing for the environment. It takes from nature without damaging it. I love their huge offer of cereals, where you can fill your bag with the quantity you need. I confess it’s even hard for me to describe everything they sell there, since they always surprise me with the variety of bio-products that exists up to date.

What I can tell you is that Brio, apart from providing bio-products, it is nothing different from an ordinary supermarket. I buy anything I need there, even good imported products. All bio, off course!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Brio Biological Supermarket | Shopping, Snacks
Rua Azedo Gneco, 30-A | Estrela | +351213866406
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon