Nuno from Lisbon
Café Império Lisbon
Steak & football empire
Café Império was restored 10 years ago, bringing back the glamour from the 50's. Admire the façade and, while inside, don't forget to also check the ceramic tiles from Jorge Barradas and the 48m2 wall painting by Louis Dourdil. The building was designed by Cassiano Branco in 1947 and inside, besides the Restaurant there was also a Cinema.
Unfortunately the Cinema was closed, but the Café and the Restaurant opened again in 2006, bringing back the 50's. The place, decorated with black and white photos of Divas, famous actors and cinematic objects, was restored and pays homage to Cinema's golden age - One can almost smell it!
Not far from the town center, the "new" quarters of Alvalade and Areeiro were projected in the 40's. The minister and also mayor of Lisbon, Duarte Pacheco, was one of the main figures responsible for the project. The design in "Soft Portuguese Style" from the 50's, common in these quarters, is visible in the façade but also inside the building. The old but still imposing Cinema Império, was once one of the finest places in town for a romantic matinee at the movies. Nowadays it still stands as a landmark for the late 40's architecture.
The Restaurant serves great steaks and inside the majestic dining room, there's a gigantic-huge screen. Be prepared, for it changes from romantic to the noisiest place you've ever been when it's... football match day! Go for a steak and grab a beer - Also try the Chocolate cupcake... to die for :).
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