Lisbon trip: useful topics about food and drinks

Here go some tips courtesy of Pintofcarlingplease to enjoy Lisbon... my favourite places to drink/eat over there:

Pavilhao Chines
89 Rua Dom Pedro

Very likely one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. This is an ancient cocktails bar, of the likes of Chicote in Madrid, but as opposite it maintains intact its incredible atmosphere. Decorated with hundreds of different elements (small statues, quirky atrezzo, etc.), everything smells old here: the barmen, with their old fashioned suits and their educated manners, the pool table (one of those antiques with a net in each pot to grab the ball and ivory balls), the music, etc etc etc. The drinks menu is amazing, with plenty of cocktails and also good single malts. Prices are expensive to be Lisbon, but don’t expect to pay more than 6-7 € per cocktail, which is not too bad if you think about the quality of the stuff served. Also ham&cheese ‘tostas’ for those who feel for a quick snack. Only flaw, there are quite a lot of tourists there. But it is always like that, the same old tale of the tourist who complains about other tourists… quite lame.

Chapito
Rua do Castelo, 7

Incredible place, one of the best I’ve been in Lisbon. Situated in an incredible terrace quite close to the castle, the views are big time. This is a nice blend of a student place, a hippy place and a trendy place, incredible for having some drinks at late evening or early night on summer. While from the outside the place looks a bit dodgy, inside it is a really nice place, with art exhibitions, sometimes live music and even really nice barmaids. Don’t miss it in summer.

Café Taborda
Costa do Castelo, 75

In the basement of Teatro Taborda (Taborda Theatre), this is an incredible restaurant. Consistently cheap, the main room is located in a covered terrace with incredible views from Alfama. Food is mostly veggie, so if you are for steaks, roasts or stews, this is not your place, as they have some meat but it is not at all the best deal you can get here. A very nice place for having lunch and enjoy a long after lunch. Maybe the most romantic restaurant I’ve been in Lisbon.

Beer Terraces

All around Lisbon: in Santa Justa Elevator, in Alfama, in Chiado… everywhere. The best views of the city, for about 1.5€ per 30cl of Portuguese beer. I am a Sagres supporter, but if you feel more like a Superbock, it is equally good stuff for you buddy. Also great for having a snack, even in winter if you are lucky, while you are discovering this incredible city.

CCB- Belem Cultural Center
Praça do Império

A really horrible modern building, just climb the stairs and enjoy a quite hidden terrace on the first floor. With a small garden, the views of the river are really nice from here, and also the atmosphere and general mood is very good. Food and drinks are served inside, in a bar that resembles a Spanish university (cans of beer, trays, bad food, etc.). If you want to have a break while visiting Belem area, this is your place. Otherwise, if you are looking for a place to have food, avoid it as it is quite bad (and quite cheap, to be honest).

Pastais of Belem Café
Rua de Belém 8

A classic in Belem, where they sell their cream pies. It is in all the guides, and obviously packed with tourists all the time, but if it is not too stuffed it still deserves a visit.

Small restaurant in Alfama

Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the place, not even where it was located exactly. It was in Alfama, before arriving to the castle, close to Rua do Limoneiro. It is in a corner, and it has a small terrace with sunshades on it. It looks very dodgy, and inside there are a couple of tables on the left and a small dinning room on the right. There are only (or mainly) locals there. And the quality of cod (bacalao) is impressive, I deeply recommend the ‘Bacalao con natas’ (Cod with cream), really very very good. By the way, just an insider tip about small restaurants in Portugal/Lisbon. They offer you always some appetizers in the table, and you will pay for them just if you try them. As those appetizers are always included in the menu, it is a much better idea to wait until you have a look at it and you decide which of them you prefer to have, if any. They usually table you the most expensive ones, and if you don’t know how it works you may feel a bit conned when the bill comes. Advised you are!

Rio Coura
Rua de Augusto Rosa 30

Another small restaurant in Alfama, but as opposite to the previous one, quite famous and full of tourists, most of them Spanish (this place has a lot of good reviews on Ciao, that is very likely the reason). Food is cheap and good: sardines for two (5 medium sized ones each) + a green whine bottle 12€. Maybe not the best place in town, but a quite safe bet.

Cantinho da Paz
Rua da Paz 4

One of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever eaten in. This places honors the cuisine of Goa, a former Portuguese and currently Indian colony, and it is a great option as an alternative to Portuguese food. Very good Tikka Masala (what I had there) but almost everything looked really tasty. Very full, with queue to go in, and plenty of Indian people inside, which is always a good sign. We paid 29€ for a two people dinner, including quite a lot of beer, which is a fairly good price if you think of the quality of the food.

A little coffe shop very close to the Castle entrance

Again, cannot remember the name or the exact location. It is not farther away than 5 minutes walking, and it is a lovely tiny coffe shop. I loved it.

Jazz Bar, Lisbon

A lovely place devoted to Jazz lovers in Barrio Alto. Really beautiful decoration, brilliant music, really cheap (2€ a Heineken bottle) and… empty! I suppose the reason for that is we were there too early, as it looks more like the sort of place people who likes late opening places go. Even if you are not a jazz fan, this place well deserves a drink or two.

Small trendy mojito bars in barrio alto.

Just all of them are lovely!!! And the quality of Mojitos… yummmmm!!!

Any other tip, just comment it!!!