Lisbon, Portugal — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal
Restaurants
Expensive
Alcântara Café
A firm favorite with the local beautiful people, this handsomely decorated restaurant, converted from a derelict printworks, is a winner. With cocktails and drinks served until 0200 at weekends, when an array of locals who would not look out of place in a fashion shoot descend en masse, the food sometimes struggles to remain the main attraction.
Rua Maria Luisa Holstein 15
Tel: (021) 362 1226.
Website: www.alcantaracafe.com
Bica do Sapato
Housed in a revamped warehouse on the waterfront, this lounge bar-cum-restaurant-cum-sushi bar attracts the local smart set with a number of different dining areas. One of the owners is rumoured to be John Malkovich. Seafood is a strong point, and can be enjoyed on the outdoor terrace in summer. The only criticism remains that style can sometimes be at the expense of substance.
Avenida Infante D Henrique
Tel: (021) 881 0320.
Website: www.bicadosapato.com
Concha D'Ouro
Seafood is the specialty at Concha D'Ouro, with bacalhau (salted cod) the highlight, presented in a number of different ways. As this is the Portuguese national dish, you at least owe it a try.
Rua Augusta 238
Tel: (021) 342 8369.
Restaurant Eleven
This ultra-chic modern establishment is a favorite with the city's movers and shakers and boasts a Michelin star. The international menu caters for all tastes. The views over Lisbon are to savour, especially at night, when the restaurant caresses its clients with smooth music and candle light. The wine cellar is one of the best in the city.
Rua Marquês de Fronteira
Tel: (021) 386 2211.
Website: www.restauranteleven.com
Panorama
Revamped and now supremely stylish, this hotel restaurant boasts remarkable views of the city and delivers thrills on the plate too. Head chef Henrique Sá Pessoa is using his considerable skills, honed in France and the USA, to create a fusion menu that plays with the various cuisines of the world; think the likes of prime Aberdeen Angus married with mango and a rich sesame soy reduction. The extravagant degustation menu offers a choice of five or seven courses.
Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa, Rua Latino Coelho 1
Tel: (021) 321 0000.
Website: www.sheraton.com/lisboa
York House
York House is a boutique hotel converted from a 17th-century convent and the restaurant setting is charming: in an open courtyard in summer and tucked into a cosy room in the cooler months. The menu focuses heavily on seafood. To finish there is a choice of Portuguese cheese and a selection of excellent port wines.
York House, Rua das Janelas 32
Tel: (021) 396 2435.
Website: www.yorkhouselisboa.com
Moderate
Cervejaria da Trindade
The setting is grand, in a tiled old monastery building, claimed to be Portugal’s oldest beer house, but the menu is simple. They dish up pleasingly large portions of seafood and meat and also have their own microbrewery on site. In summer they open their outdoor terrace.
Rua Nova da Trinidade 20
Tel: (021) 342 3506.
Website: www.cervejariatrindade.pt
Patio 13
The time to come to this great place in the historic Alfama district below the castle is during the summer. Diners are coaxed in by the aromas emanating from an outdoor grill. Fresh fish are cooked with a minimum of fuss and served straight up.
Calcadinha Santo Estevao 13
Tel: (021) 888 2325.
Ponto Final
Something of a local secret and a real must for seafood lovers. Located a 10-minute ferry ride from Lisbon, and then a 10-minute walk west, the effort is worth it for the fresh food and stunning views of the city. On warm days tables spill out on to the quay and diners can feast on the first-class seafood while watching the local anglers attempt to land their own catch. The wine list is small, but impressively good value.
Rua do Ginjal 72
Tel: (021) 276 0743.
Cheap
Picanha
A carnivore's heaven with only one main dish - picanha. This tile-lined eatery is a favorite of local families who come to enjoy the all-you-can-eat portions of the eponymous Brazilian beef dish including, rice, roast potatoes, black-eyed beans and salad. The tender beef is cut into thin strips and grilled, with staff always on hand to cook another plate to your preference. It may not be haute cuisine, but for an unpretentious and filling meal in a relaxed environment, this is a good option.
Rua das Janelas Verdes 96
Tel: (21) 397 5401.
Nightlife
With whole areas of the city being turned over to the pursuit of pleasure and traffic jams from 0400-0500 at the weekend (and increasingly during the week as well), it is obvious that Lisbon is a city that takes its nightlife seriously.
Traditionally, the Lisbon nightlife center has been Bairro Alto, with its fado clubs, traditional, canteen-style bars and upscale discos. The bars are often open as late as 0400. Much of the action has moved on to the Docas (Docks) district, situated just to the east of Ponte 25 de Abril. One bar after another occupies a row of converted warehouses at the Doca de Santo Amaro. Back towards the city, the Doca de Alcântara is another favorite with Lisbon's 'in' crowd.
Bars
Celtas Iberos Irish Bar
Along the row of buildings east of Ponte 25 de Abril, you can take your pick of the competing bars, including the popular Celtas Iberos Irish Bar, which boasts great views of the river and bridge.
Doca de Santo Amaro
Tel: (021) 397 6037.
A Margem
A funky new Lisbon nightlife venue in Belém is A Margem, a steel and glass bar/cafe creation right on the water's edge between the Monument to the Discoveries and the Torre de Belém.
Doca do Bom Sucesso
Website: www.amargem.com
Portas Largas
Rua da Atalaia is one of the more lively streets and the welcoming Portas Largas, (popular with both gays and straights) is a good place to start your exploration of Lisbon's nightlife scene.
Rua da Atalaia 105
Tel: (021) 346 6379.
Bedroom
One new contender for the Bairro Alto's hippest spot is Bedroom, a gorgeous new style bar/club with smooth sofas, chairs and, yes, beds. Go early to avoid one of the most restrictive door policies in Lisbon.
Rua do Norte 86
Clubs
Kremlin
Is popular and attracts a mixed crowds, including a large gay following.
Rua Escadinhas da Praia 5
Tel: (021) 395 7101.
Website: www.grupo-k.pt
LuxFrágil
The city's hottest nightlife spot is still the ultra-stylish LuxFrágil, with Hollywood actor John Malkovich said to be among those behind the funky mega-club. A welcome new addition is the rooftop wine bar with its funky giant shoe installation.
Rua Gustavo Matos Sequeira 42
Tel: (021) 882 0890.
Website: www.luxfragil.com
Live Music
Adega Machado
Fado is a form of music that developed in Lisbon's sailor bars during the late 18th century. It is a mournful, romantic singing style that fits somewhere between blues and flamenco and bemoans the death of Portugal's great Golden Age. These traditional sounds are best heard at one of the casas de fado, with performances usually from about 2100 onward. Other fado houses include Adega Mesquita, Rua Diàrio de Noctícias 107, A Severa, Rua das Gàveas 51-61, and Clube de Fado, Rua Sao João da Praça 92-94.
Rua Norte 91
Tel: (021) 322 4640.
Website: www.adegamachado.web.pt
Pavilhão Atlântico
Big name acts can be seen at the Pavilhão Atlântico in the Parque das Nações.
Rossio dos Olivais
Tel: (021) 891 8409.
Website: www.pavilhaoatlantico.pt
Lontra
For African and Brazilian music, try Lontra in Bairro Alto.
Rua de São Bento 157
