Archive for the 'Eating & drinking' Category

Leitão assado a lenha: suckling pig, popular by locals and tourists

Suckling pig has been a delicacy since ancient times. In many European countries it’s a traditional Christmas entrée; the dish is usually reserved for special occasions. Traditionally it is roasted. A real speciality in Portugal, known as leitão assado a lenha.
 
Suckling pig is a young pig that has only fed on its mother’s milk. The piglets are slaughtered between [...]

Confeitaria Nacional: Lisbon’s oldest Confectionary, once supplier of the Royal Family

This traditional teahouse opened in 1829 by Baltazar Ruiz Castanheiro, when Portugal was divided by the liberal struggles. It still remains in the hands of the same family today and has won recognition in various international exhibitions both for its traditional Portuguese cakes and pastries, and for its creative innovation over the years.

Very creative, very sweet, but [...]

Tea and lunchroom Pastelaria Versailles: elegant atmosphere, outstanding service & quality

If you like visit one museum make it the Gulbenkian. It’s the collection of the Armenian oil billionaire who made Lisbon his home. It covers everything from Egyptian to 20th Century art
After visiting the Gulbenkian Museum a must-do is to go to the nearby and wonderful old tea and lunchroom Versailles (1922) at [...]

Cheap traditional restaurants in Lisbon at Praça da Figueira & Portuguese soup (sopa)

The Praça da Figueira (Square of the Fig Tree) is a large square in the centre of Lisbon. Around 1885, a large covered market of 8,000 m² was built. This market existed until 1949, when it was demolished. Since then the square has been an open space, with four-storey buildings, occupied by hotels, cafés/small restaurants [...]

Lisbon people: Cláudio Silva’s deli ‘Meio da Praça’, traditional Portuguese specialties

Quality food and great wine are a passion for Portuguese people. In case you also fall in love with it, visit ‘Meio da Praça’ . This shop just moved to Rua da Prata, nº 78, Lisbon. You can pull a chair and take your time to discover old Lusitânia products at reasonable prices like the [...]

Lovely place, relaxed atmosphere: Lisbons’ Restaurant ‘Merca Tudo’ & the story of Fidel Castro

A little bit hidden in a typical narrow Portuguese street you will find restaurant/bar ‘Merca Tudo’, located Rua do Merca-Tudo 4, near Largo Conde-Barão, in an historical building decorated with original azulejos (tiles). A popular place by actors and artists.

Soft background music like French chansons or jazz, create an atmosphere like being in a French bistro in the 70s.

Traditional [...]

Lisbon & autumn: the unmistakeable smell of roasted chestnuts (castanhas) ‘quente e boas!’ (’get’em hot!)

The unmistakeable smell of roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas) is announcing autumn’ s arrival in Portugal. ‘Quentes e boas’! ‘(Get’ em hot!). This cry goes out on the Lisbon streets.

‘Hot and good, a dozen for € 2“. Much to the chagrin of many, the traditional paper cone made out of the Yellow Papers has been replaced by soulless [...]

Aldeio do Meco: Restaurant/bar ‘Tropical do Meco’ excellent local gastronomy

Aldeio do Meco is a small rural village, about 1 km away from the fabulous and famous sandy Meco beaches, ca. 40 km from Lisbon. In Meco village you can find a few trendy bars and a number of restaurants offering the best local gastronomy, in particular seafood and fish dishes, but in case you love [...]

Walking around: Rua Barros Queiróz near Rossio Square, a real Portuguese atmosphere

Close to the famous Rossio Square, just off Largo de São Domingos, you will notice a lively street called Rua Barros Queiróz, where the locals as well as the tourists meet.

Largo de São Domingos: ‘Lisbon, City of Tolerance’. What you’ll find here is a real Portuguese atmosphere: a variety of little shops, a typical Portuguese [...]

Cheap restaurants: ‘A Tasquinha’ near St George’s Castle

Restaurant ‘A Tasquinha’ (Little Tavern) is located in a beautiful neighborhood in the historic district of Lisbon just down the hill from Castelo de São Jorge.

The taverns are the most typical and traditional restaurants in Portugal: tasty appetisers, irresistible cheeses, olives, salt cod rissoles with red pepper rice, sardines,  fried lamb chops, bean stew, beef with sauce.  [...]