Image by Erik Lassche

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. If you are interested you can visit the old bassin (entrance in the middle of Jardim Príncipe Real).

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.

They also offer winetasting activities and other special offers such as Happy Hours. Check out their site.

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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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Erik Lassche

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.

They currently serve a buffet for a fixed (and rarther cheap) price, €9.50. Or you can order à la carte. 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.

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Restaurant Charcuteria Francesa | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Main course € 12.50
Rua Manuel Bernardes 5A | Príncipe Real | +351917588281
Tue – Sun 20:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Erik Lassche

Esplanada do Principe Real is a nice terrace in one of Lisbon’s nicest parks. It’s a great place to have breakfast or just a coffee.

The place has changed owner several times in the past, with mixed results. But it seems that this time they’ve got it right. Each Saturday morning you can visit the Principe Real Organic Market, right next to the terrace.

Although I normally come here during the day to catch some sun and read a magazine, they are open until 2 in the morning.

The whole area around the park has become increasingly interesting, with a lot of shops and cafés opening. A nice place to stroll around a bit.

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Esplanada do Principe Real | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Meia de Leite € 1.40
Jardim do Príncipe Real | Príncipe Real | +351962524513
Thu – Sat 09:00 – 02:00, Sun – Wed 09:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Erik Lassche

Well, that was a nice surprise when I walked in Poison D´Amour for the first time. Just looking at the delicious pastry on display is worth the visit. Everything looks and tastes perfect: from mouth-watering tartelettes to almost-perfect macarons!

The owner spent 30 years in Paris and it shows. Everything reminds you of France. The interior is a mixture of classical and modern. The place has an almost hidden outside garden. A great place to escape from the busy streets and sit among the trees.

Poison d´Amour is located a hundred meters from the park of Principe Real. A great place for coffee or tea. Or just to drop by and take-away some great pastry for later.

Prizes are rather high for Lisbon standards, but still nowhere near the level of Pierre Hermé!

Worth a visit.

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Poison D’Amour | Coffee & tea | 6 macarons € 7.00
Rua da Escola Politécnica | Príncipe Real | +351213476032
Mon – Sun 08:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita

Since it opened in 1986, Pavilhão Chinês has increased its popularity. Named after a grocery that existed in that same place, it is a very unique spot in Lisbon, with 5 different rooms and all over-decorated.

Here you can find all types of objects lying around from mugs, caricatures, flags, medals, little lead soldiers, Majolica pieces from the artist Bordalo Pinheiro, mixed with a very big sense of an almost organized chaos.

You can just relax, enjoy a little conversation and listen to music (if not overcrowded), or play some pool if the tables are available.

They have over 100 cocktails and all are done perfectly. Also do not hesitate to try their sandwiches and tapas. If you’re in the mood for a tea, they have a wide selection to choose from.

This spot has a completely different atmosphere from the overcrowded streets of Bairro alto and the commotion it brings.

Don’t miss out on anything here. Even the menu is a work of art, designed by the owner.

If you are in the mood for a tea, go early and enjoy the company of other tourists, it can get sometimes a bit crowded with some tour-buses (not always though – mostly during the week), however if you want a real local feel, the later the better! Fridays and Saturdays are the best, from 23:00 until they close you can’t go wrong!

Vee’s Favourites: Hot dog with Dijon mustard.

Rita’s Favourites: The crazy décor is just so rad!

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Pavilhão Chinês | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cocktails € 7.50
R. D. Pedro V 89 | Príncipe Real | +351213424729
Mon – Sat 18:00 – 02:00, Sun 21:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Veronica

This is definitely my local spot. Rita makes fun of me all the time, saying I spend more time here than I do at home. But I can’t help myself. Everything here is really good.

We tend to come here more for afternoon snacks than for lunches or dinners, but if the weather is right, it’s just amazing!

Do try out their home-made lemonade and their scones. To die for.

It’s really the neighbourhood cafe with a gourmet twist.

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Pão de Canela | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Afternoon Snack € 5.00
Praça das Flores 25-29 | Príncipe Real | +351213972220
Mon 07:30 – 20:00, Tue – Sun: 07:30 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita Esgalhado

This particular store has a very unique slogan: “In nature nothing repeats itself, there aren’t two identical trees, two birds alike, two rain drops alike, two kisses alike. In this Fabrico Infinito also everything is unique and doesn’t repeat itself. It doesn’t come back. Enjoy. And be happy.” (by José Trabucho).

In Fabrico Infinito different types of original and peculiar things come together. You have an area of designer products from books, cd’s, jewelery, great chandeliers and also a wide selection of Brazilian artsy products such as bags, bathing suits or even plastic shoes that smell like strawberries.

In the back of the store you have a sort of delicatessen with divine cakes, which is a perfect place to just chill and enjoy the view. If you are in a working mood, just bring your laptop because here you have wireless internet.

Most of the products are biological (and really tasty!), and even the tea is served in a beautiful golden china set – this place is all about the details, you definitely shouldn’t miss it!

Vee’s favourites: Melissa Shoes.

Rita’s favourites: Great music selection.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fabrico Infinito | Coffee & tea, Shopping | Lemonade € 2
Rua D. Pedro V 74 | Príncipe Real | +351212467629
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Veronica Leitao

Solar is the reference shop for traditional Azulejos (Portuguese Tiles). Being in the same place for more than 50 years, Solar breathes history by itself.

The store is divided in several sections that separate the tiles by time periods (here you can even find tiles from the 15th century!). This is the most up close and personal way of seeing and feeling history without being in a museum.

It is a family business, so you will feel welcomed like you were a part of the family. You must definitely have a chat with the owner, who’s always happy to share his passion for tiles. He’ll explain everything you wish to know and will also add some interesting historical facts about the pieces shown for sale.

Once you enter the store, try to discover as much as you can and prepare yourself to be here for quite a while, because it will be a morning or an afternoon that you won’t regret.

Probably, the first feeling you will get will be “I want to buy a big panel”, but lets be modest – if you buy just one tile, it will also be history you are taking home.

Vee’s favorites: Bird tiles, the view at the back.

Rita’s favorites: Some of the big tile panels, wish I could afford it though!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Solar | Shopping
Rua | Príncipe Real | +351213465522
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 13:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Veronica Leitao

As long as I can remember this is one of the oldest restaurants in my neighbourhood. It’s supposed to be an “adults” restaurant, and as a child I remember the owner telling my parents not to bring us there because we were kids (despite the fact that we were behaving perfectly!).

So this is what we define as a “classic” Portuguese restaurant, with the particularity of resembling a brasserie from the early 1900s. All sorts of people frequent this place (it’s a special favourite of the political class, since it’s next to the Parliament). That said, I have to warn that, being rather small, it’s usually crowded, specially at the lunch and dinner rush hour.

Their specialty is the steak, done in all sorts of ways, but for me “la piéce de resistance” are the french fries! There isn’t a combo of steak and fries that can beat this!

The good thing is that now they accept reservations, so there’s no excuse not to go!

Rita’s Favorite – Marrare steak and the delicious couvert toasts!

Vee’s Favorite – The Steak with pepper!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café de São Bento | Restaurants (Restaurant) | Main meal € 30
Rua de São Bento 212 | Príncipe Real | +351213952911
Mon – Fri 12:30 – 14:30 & 19:00 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 19:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Claudio Carneiro

Although LOSTin is the continuation of the LOSTin India shop, the Bar and restaurant is a star itself, an oasis inside one of the hippest neighbourhoods in Lisbon, along with the best view possible over the city.

LOSTin is an Indian snack-like restaurant. And what does that mean? It means it serves meals like toasts, wraps and sandwiches, but with a Indian flavour in it. It’s all exquisitely delicious. I have tasted the scrambled eggs with farinheira (a peculiar Portuguese sausage), the ham toast with cheese and onion jam and the Portobello mushrooms. They were all delicious with that indian-oriental taste which is perfect for my palate. I was also told that their vegetarian hamburger is a must, which I haven’t tried yet. For drinking I suggest their lemonade, a perfect specimen of this drink.

Still the best of LOSTin is the a gorgeous view over downtown and Lisbon castle, under the shadows of beautiful trees. It’s a perfect place to hide away from all the city stress, for a gathering with friends and just to have a time on your own.

On weekends nights there is always a gig or performance to make things even more spicy. For rainy and cold days they have prepared a nice Indian decorated interior room, with the same great view and mood.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
LOSTin – Esplanada Bar | Bars, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (Indian/Port.) | Meal € 20
Rua D.Pedro V, 56 | Príncipe Real
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon