Santos & Alcântara Lisbon – All our local tips

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.

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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.

After a good day of visiting museums, there’s nothing better than this hidden gem. It’s not a very big Patisserie, but the décor and the people are lovely, and invite you to a very well spent afternoon.

Everything they offer is made there, so it has this grandmother’s food vibe. If you just came from Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, stop here to have some lunch. Try their perfect fried meatballs – it’s impossible to stop at the first.

Shall it be tea time, the best thing ever are the scones: they come with butter and jam and they are still hot, so just mix everything and see how brilliant it is. They also carry a great assortment of teas.

In case you have a sweet tooth, then this is also the perfect place: They have the best desserts ever, from the éclairs, to the chocolate cake without missing out the cheesecake or the blattertart.

I’ve been coming to this place since I was in middle school. It never gets old, it never gets boring. Like a fine wine, it just gets better with time.

Rita’s favorites: The chocolate éclairs. Delish!!

Vee’s favorites: without a doubt the scones.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Chá da Lapa | Coffee & tea | Meat fried Ball € 2.30
Rua do Olival 8 | Santos & Alcântara | +351213900888
09:00 – 19:30 daily

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

There’s been a buzz about this store since it opened last September, but I had mixed notions of what to find. Clothing? Toiletries? Artwork? Books? Furniture? Jewelry? Booze? Try all of the above…and then some. Bearing in mind we all have – surprise – moods, this place specializes in diversity and houses such an array of cool stuff that you’re bound to find something to satisfy yours.

Whether it’s for the beautifully-wrapped soaps, the funky lingerie or the Indian silks, this store is really fun to peruse and I find it hard to come away empty-handed as there is always something unexpected or that I’ve just got to have.

There are quirky items of all sorts: a golden deer head to hang on the wall, limited-edition bottles of Absolut and Chivas, a pet wear section, “Bridal” vs. “Fetish” kits, to mention just a few. There are even Smeg refrigerators (why not?!), one of which opens to display an assortment of…uh…”toys”…wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

As for the rollerblading cow that greets you at the entrance, all I have to say is MOO!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
MOOD | Shopping
Largo Vitorino Damásio 2A | Santos & Alcântara | +351918609760
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 20:00 (December 11:00 – 21:00 daily)

Lisbon has never been famous for its museums. Fortunately things are changing for the better.

Besides the Galeria Berardo (contemporary art), Museu de Oriente has opened its doors last year. It hosts a permanent collection on the Portuguese presence in the Orient and various temporary museum.

The building itself is worth looking at. Pleasant way to spend a few hours and escape the heat and confusion. Located on walking distance from Docas and Alcantara Station.

On Friday from 18:00 entrance is free.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Museu do Oriente | Art & culture | Entrance € 4.00
Avenida de Brasília | Santos & Alcântara | +351213585200
Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 10:00 – 23:00, Fri 10:00 – 22:00. Closed on Mon

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

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