A Taste of Lisbon
A Taste of Lisbon
It’s so hard sometimes to find a nice place to eat when away on holidays. I’m normally the person who finds the good restaurant on the last night!
I’ve been to Lisbon before so I’ve found a few hot spots and a few not so hot!
I normally stay in the Chadio area so its pretty central and the eatery’s are all within walking distance.
Cervejaria Ramiro’s
This is a three floor seafood eatery established in the 1950’s and is held in very high regard in the local area. So much so when I was chatting to my taxi driver on the way to my accommodation it was one of his top tips.
Ramiros is equally renowned for its queues outside as it is for its seafood so booking in advance is recommended.
I ate there on a Wednesday night in January and when I rocked up there was one couple waiting outside and when I stepped inside the main floor was a full with customers. I was seated at a communal table which was a great way to see what other people were eating.
I ordered the garlic clams, followed by the giant shrimp and on recommendation finished with there signature steak sandwich. The portions are a bit bigger than a tapas portion so I was nicely full on leaving, this with a 1/2 bottle of Vinho Verde and a coffee was €55.
The restaurant is loud and service is fast and almost frantic at times as the waiters are very vocal with the open kitchen but in saying that it has a nice neighborhood family vibe. When I was leaving about 10 people were waiting outside or maybe that was the vinho verde kicking in!
A return trip for sure for the garlic clams and warm buttered toasted bread alone.
http://www.cervejariaramiro.pt/
Av. Almirante Reis nº1 – H, 1150-007 Lisboa, 1150-007 Lisboa, Portugal
Restaurant Alma
Next on my hit list came recommended to me by a Portuguese chef whom I worked with in Dublin, Restaurant Alma by Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa holds a coveted 1 Michelin Star and is an absolute treat if you are into fine dining. I went for lunch and chose the 6 course Alma menu with matching wines.
All in all there were 4 pre starters, the 6 courses I ordered from the menu, a pre dessert and petit fours so it finished up being a 12 course culinary masterpiece celebrating local Portuguese food. The tasting menu was €100 and matching wines (six) was an additional €50. For me well worth it as I was just expecting the basic six courses and the added surprise courses along with the service was out of this world. It was a real treat!
R. Anchieta 15, 1200-224 Lisboa, Portugal
Mercantina
I know go all the way to Lisbon to eat Eeeeetalian food, I stumbled across this restaurant the last time I was in Lisbon by default, I had no dinner reservations made and we managed to squeeze in for a quick bite.
Its a typical Italian menu, plenty of choice and very reasonably priced. I had a pizza called ‘Dalla Terra’ a thin crust pizza topped with white truffle cream, bresaola, mozzarella, mushroom, rocket and Parmesan and I went back to the restaurant this time for it again and it was just as delicious as I remembered. Booking recommended.
Rua da Misericórdia nº114 1200-273 Lisboa
Restaurant Monte Mar
This restaurant wins for its Al fresco dining and stunning views of the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Christ statue. I went for their specialty of Clams (which were delicious but a tad overpriced) and followed by sole on the bone pan fried and served with beurre noisette. The food was so good and the sole was de-boned at the table for added effect. A beautiful room but again might be a special occasion restaurant. If you just want a light nibble and a glass of Vinho Verde and lap up the views, its well worth the short walk from TimeOut market.
Rua da Cintura, Arm.65, Gas Station, Lisbon
Bairro Do Avillez
This was a really special find for me, Its located in Chadio and is a stunning building with different allocated eating areas inside. The Mercearia is like a small store selling, cheese, meats, dry goods etc. This leads you to Taberna, here is a selection of vibrant fun Portuguese food served in a relaxed neighborhood environment, almost like you’re in someones house. Great for a casual lunch!
This room leads to the most beautiful Páteo area, here you’ll find a tasty upmarket menu specialising in Seafood but there are also meat dishes. Its a really fun room, full of multicultural conversations all there for the amazing cuisine.
I dined on giant red shrimp to start followed by a moorish ‘Acorda de gambas’, a local prawn dish with a chili bread sauce and fresh egg yolk stirred through it before its served. I finished proceedings with a stunning dessert, a Pastel de nata-mille fueille, lets just say it was a highlight!
There’s another area called Beco, where you can dine on an international menu and watch a cabaret show and Cantania Peruana and Pisco bar, I didn’t get the chance to try these last three but there on my list for when I return.
https://www.joseavillez.pt/en/bairro-do-avillez
R. Nova da Trindade 18, 1200-466 Lisboa, Portugal
TimeOut Market, Lisboa
This truly is a must if you visit Lisbon, its located opposite the train station and is a hub of activity morning, noon and night. To break it down, its a fruit, veg, fish, meat and flower market from first light supplying many restaurants in the local area. You can get lost wandering from stall to stall admiring the freshness of all the local produce. At 10am the real fun starts, if you head into the center of the market, you will be greeted with over 50 local restaurants and eateries selling the best of local cuisine, the outer perimeter walls are where all the vendors are located and the center of the room is a giant communal dining area. You can wander around and choose a little bit of everything so you can spend as much or as little as you choose. At night time its almost like the heart of Lisbon with hundreds of people meeting in one area to eat amazing food and drink great wine and beer.
Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa, Portugal
Pastéis de Belém
These infamous Portuguese egg tarts need little to no introduction. You’ll see them on sale in every coffee shop window around the city. Flakey pastry with a creamy egg yolk custard center!
If you have time its worth taking the short bus ride to Belém, where the original Pastéis de Belém were made in 1837. There not to be confused with their close cousin the Pastel de nata as the Pastéis de Belém is the original and said to be superior in flavour.
It’s estimated that every day 20,000 Belém Pastries are sold and during certain weekends, this number may double. Goes without saying the recipe is a closely guarded secret.
Rua de Belém nº 84 a 92, 1300 – 085 Lisboa Portugal
I hope my food trails help in someway if you are heading to lovely Lisbon.
As I mentioned before I’ve been there in off peak season and the restaurants have all been busy so a little tip, try and book in advance to avoid disappointment and then all you need to worry about is fitting in the afternoon naps!