Famous Praça do Comércio  , one of the most majestic squares in Lisbon

Terreiro do Paço (or Praça do Comerçio, Palace Square) is a favorite tourist place and one of the largest historical squares in Europe. Now this monumental riverside square also offers a combination of cultural and culinary enjoyment, here you’ll find the Portuguese Tourist Office and besides it’s a wonderful location for events and exhibitions.

Lounge area restaurant Aura, square Praça do Comerçio Lisbon

Integrated in Pátio da Galé, restaurant & lounge cafe Aura with it’s open air terrace is a very attractive place surrounded by the ‘ Palace Square’ in Lisbon. It has a glamorous inside dining room, and a lounge area to enjoy a cocktail or a tasty gourmet snack (tapas Portuguesas).

Restaurant Aura Lisbon outside dining Praça do Comerçio, June 2011

The Portuguese cuisine is prepared by Chef Matias Duarte and gourmet stylist Fabrice Marescaux. The menu is inspired by favorite dishes of the Portuguese people.

A lot of Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon are closed on Sundays, but restaurant Aura is open 7 days a week from 7:30 AM to 02:00 AM. Website restaurant Aura

Our small table outside: Restaurant Aura Lisbon, June 2011

Our choice: salmão croustade de camarão (salmon crusted shrimp), pato (duck), salad, a small bottle of good Portuguese white wine, bread, 2 bicas (strong coffee) and 2 bottles of water. The bill came to around € 60.

Restaurant Aura Lisbon glamourous dining room

The inside dining room of restaurant Aura has an ‘aura of glamour’ . Most Portuguese people prefer to enjoy their lunch or dinner inside while the majority of tourists like to enjoy their dinner outside. In case it’s too cold outside, this place is really worth a visit: delicious food in an elegant surrounding.

Restaurant Aura June 2011 ‘ Apéritif à la française’, June 8, 2011

In June 2011, the ‘Apéritif à la française’ in Portugal (Lisbon and Porto), teamed up with Portuguese wines to toast just how well the two countries’ culinary traditions go together. Journalists, industry professionals and opinion leaders enjoyed samplings of French products paired with a range of Portuguese wines in a lounge-style atmosphere.

Entrance Restaurant Aura  - ‘Apéritif à la française’ June 2011

Apéritif à la française’  is a multi-country event, where lovers of French-style ‘art de vivre’ and those curious to learn more about it come together . Delicious French snacks were served.  Unfortunately, also ‘foie gras’…..

ViniPortugal, Maria João Menezes – Managing Director Lisbon: free Portuguese wine tasting & tourist information Praça do Comerçio, Lisbon

Are you a wine lover? Just three minutes walk from restaurant  Aura there’s ViniPortugal, where you can taste a few wines for free. A very pleasant and interesting way to learn more about history and culture of Portuguese wines! Some wines available for tasting can also be purchased and the very friendly and professional staff is always on hand to provide information of the wines currently available.

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Lisbon, December 7, 2010, Pastelaria Suíça, Rossio, a cafe/restaurant very popular with tourists

But this afternoon the city center was filled with blue skirts and blue jackets, just arrived in Lisbon, waiting for the match. The football supporters kill the time by drinking Cola   . FC Schalke vs Benfica, Uefa Champions League.

The Lisbon football clubs  ‘Benfica‘ and ‘Sporting Clube de Portugal’, have many sports teams in the highest Portuguese divisions and European competitions. Football fans from all over Europe visit Lisbon when their favorite football team play here. Football lovers in Lisbon WK 2010

Restaurant Cervejaria ’Adega de São Roque’ , Rua da Misericordia, 120, Lisbon

Football lovers: this your place to be! Near the heart of the Bairro Alto area, undoubtedly one of the landmarks of gastronomy in Lisbon’s historical city center, there’s an excellent (seafood) and unique decorated restaurant. The walls and the ceiling are covered with European football team scarves and with a mix of remarkable photos of public figures who are passing through there over time. 

The ceiling in this restaurant is totally covered with European football scarves….

Here you will find not only an excellent restaurant but also a nice pub and the most diverse and traditional Portuguese snacks. The seafood cataplana and the grilled fish plate are delicious, but if you prefer pork or a steak, it’s also on the menu. To accompany your meal, they have an elaborate wine list, or if you prefer beer, there are several options available.

Restaurant/Cervejaria ’Adega (Cellar) de São Roque’ Lisbon in the afternoon. They are open every day from 12:00 – 24:00, so if you like to come in at 17:00 you’re welcome!

Cervejaria means ‘beerhouse’, where beer is produced (or used to be produced) and where you can eat as well. There are many Cervejaria’s in Lisbon. Most Cervejaria’s have restaurant and a bar where you can stand and drink beer and eat snacks like a ‘prego’ which is a steak sandwich. The steak is grilled on the plate and comes with garlic in a white roll. The Portuguese eat the prego’s (literally: nails, referring to the full stomach after eating one) with mustard or piri-piri. A popular snack as well is a small plate of cooked shrimps (camarão) served with sea salt and a part of lemon. You can ask for camarão grande (big ones), camarão medio (medium) or camarão pequeno (baby shrimps).

Carne de porco à Alentejana, 11,50 euro, glass of wine 1.50, bread 0,50

Pork stew with clams, potatoes, coriander and garlic is a traditional Portuguese dish, particularly near the Atlantic coast, where clams are easily found. It is called alentejana as being in the manner of the Alentejo, a province of Portugal. Delicious! Recipe YouTube

Senhor Albano Matos (l). Nice people, excellent food and good service.

Restaurant/Cervejaria ’Adega (Cellar) de São Roque’ Lisbon, Rua da Misericordia, 120, Lisbon, tel. (+351) 213 432 167

The toilet in the restaurant: Um de nós é gay (one of us is gay….)

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Riverfront terrace restaurant ‘Ponto Final’, Cacilhas, September 2009

As you get off the ferry,  it takes about 15 minutes to walk along the river to Restaurant ‘Ponto Final’, after passing lots of ruinous warehouses.

Abandoned and ruinous warehouses, Cacilhas (Almada), Lisbon

Cacilhas used to be a bustling area for a long long time when shipping and fishing were still major economic activities in Portugal.

Restaurant Ponto Final’s terrace at lunchtime in June

You will love the typical Portuguese menu. Fish, meat and great Portuguese wine. €20/25 a person incl. wine. Quite reasonable prices if you consider the view! If you’re not in the mood for food, just relax, order a coffee or a bottle of wine (from € 7.50) and enjoy the scenery.

‘Ponto Final’, Cacilhas Cais Ginjal 72, Cacilhas , Almada, (00351) 212 732 108. Mail:  pontofinalrest@gmail.com. Closed: Tuesday and December 21 to January 21.

Very good Portuguese cuisine. Especialidade da Casa (specialty of the house): arroz de Tamboril (rice with monkfish), Entrecosto Assado no Forno (roasted ribs) and Peixe Fresco Grelhado (grilled fresh fish). The wine list has a quality assortment of Portuguese wines. Seats: 60.

View 25 April Bridge

It can be rather windy along the river Tagus, so don’t forget a sweater in case you like to have dinner here. Or, order a bottle of wine and a starter, enjoy it outside for at least a glass, then move inside for the main dish.

A warm summer evening while the sun is fading….whow!

Restaurant ‘Ponto Final’ is a perfect romantic location for a great dinner overlooking Lisbon by night. Make sure that you book a table outside in advance.

The nearby restaurant ‘Atira-te ao Rio’, (Portuguese, Brasilian and international cuisine), is also a great place to enjoy your lunch or dinner! Closed: Monday.

Cacilhas and the famous Cristo Rei statue

Both restaurants are nearby the elevator to reach the Cristo Rei monument.

Ferry from Cacilhas to downtown Lisbon

During winter season in Lisbon this place is also worth a visit! But it can be rather cold and windy. (sunset video)

Authentic holiday apartment with patio in the historical part of Lisbon

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Restaurant ‘Zé da Mouraria’, Rua João do Outeiro 34, Lisbon

In the month of June, all the streets in the historical center are decorated with garlands and lights: parades, sardines and party time! (Festas de Lisboa in Mouraria).

The restaurant’s open kitchen: Marisa, Rui, Laurinda, Paula and Virgilio, the cook, preparing my lunch

Delicious almoço (lunch)! Bifinhos ao alinho (garlic steak), 4 pieces (meio dose!) € 11, 50. If you are not too hungry ask for ‘meio dose’ (half serving). Small bottle of water (agua) € 1, 50, a glass of good wine € 1.00, half bottle of red wine ( jarro) € 4, cafe € 0.75, desert (sobremesa) from €  2.50

Together with Alfama, the Mouraria area is a muddle of very narrow streets and small squares, which gives the visitor a glimpse of a forgotten age. Nowadays renovation of houses, which are threatened with falling into ruins, and an improvement in the living standards of the inhabitants of Mouraria, has only begun recently.

A nice 3-bedroom authentic holiday apartment with patio & internet in this area

Also delicious: Picanha (pick-ahn-yeh, for 2 persons, € 14. 50), a Brazilian cut of beef, generally considered to be the number one cut, even better than beef fillet. There’s much more on the menu, like Bacalhau na Brasa (codfish) or Caldeirada de peixe (Portuguese fish stew).

The cobblestoned former Moorish quarter, roughly between the Castle of Saint George (São Jorge) and Rossio square , is a friendly and super-central neighborhood where Fado was born and which today presents a mix of long-time residents and a multicultural community, complemented by artists, students and other young people.

Mouraria, Largo da Severa, named after the first Fado singer in Lisbon

No neighborhood in Lisbon is praised more in Fado music than Mouraria. It is said that the melancholic sounds of the music and singing of the Moorish people was at the base of Fado (meaning fate) music, often described as the Portuguese blues. Amália Rodrigues, (‘queen of Fado’) was born near Mouraria. Maria Severa is regarded as the first fado singer to have risen to fame, attaining a near-mythical status after her death: Maria had a passionate liaison with a nobleman, Conde de Vimioso. The affair ended badly.

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March 2010. Fábulas is showing the latest wonderful works by a Polish artist, Joanna Latka (r), currently living in Portugal, actively integrated in the Lisbon art scene with a Masters in Fine Art.

The stone arches give this space a unique characteristic. Antique furniture where some tables are old sewing machines.

Our choice: Cuzcus Prince (€ 7), soup (€ 2,60), glass of wine (€ 2,40). The atmosphere is very relaxed, it’s also a great place for lunch or just lounging.

The menu honors the fables (Fábulas means fables in Portuguese), like Cinderela, a delicious warm pumpkin salad, spinach and chevre foam…or Figaro, (chickpea, pumpkin, eggplant, cherry tomato and goat cheese….)

The exhibitions are organized by Galeria das Salgadeiras 

Joanna Latka, fine art printmaking – illustration – drawing

Continually producing for exhibitions, presently incorporating unique variations of contemporary ink techniques in illustration and etching – inspired from personal life-experience and autobiographical interpretations.

Fábulas, Calçada Nova de São Francisco, 14, (00351) 213 476 323, open from 10:00 – 24:00, Saturday from 10:00 – 01:00, Sunday from 11:00 – 19:00. Highly recommended!

In summertime it has a pleasant terrace on the sidewalk.

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 November 11, 2009, what a wonderful sunny day! Lunch in restaurant ‘Peixenalinha‘,  Bafureira beach, Av. Marginal.

In summertime São Pedro do Estoril beach is very crowded and this region is also a popular surf spot .

On the background: Cascais, one of the favourite tourist destinations in Portugal, easy to reach by train from Lisbon

Our choice: 2 Couvert Bafureira (bread, butter, olives and paté) € 4.00; Risotto al Funghi (mushrooms)  € 15.50; Taglioninni Nero Gambas (shrimps) € 14.00; small bottle of wine (Vinho da Casa) € 7.50.

By car this beach is about twenty minutes to thirty minutes away from the center of Lisbon. You go along the “Marginal” (the name of the road), in direction to “Cascais” . About half way across the “marginal” you get signs of  “S. Pedro do Estoril’. Free parking for approximately 200 cars.

Restaurant Peixenalinha, Praia da Bafureira,  São Pedro do Estoril. Email: peixenalinha@gmail.com. Tel. (00351) 214685389. Highly recommended!

Outside or inside dining, Open: every day from 12:30 – 15:30/19:30 – 00:30; there’s also a dining area open to smokers and a Sushi restaurant. 

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A Friday afternoon, around 16:00. Ramiro is open from 12:00 till midnight, so if you like to come in at 17:00 you’re welcome!

Portuguese love there seafood with beer (or with ice cold vinho verde , young wine). You can order big shrimps (gambas or camarão tigre), scampi (lagostim) and crab (sapateira). Cooked fresh seafood tastes fantastic with mayonaise, grilled seafood goes very well with ‘molho de limão’. This is a sauce of butter, lemon and a bit of piri-piri.

Pedro Miguel P. Gonçalves, manager restaurant ‘Ramiro’ : “You may start by tasting the delicious dark smoked ham “Pata Negra 5, J Sanchez Romero Carvajal”.

Gamba Cozido (€10.85),  Pao Manteiga (hot buttered bread €2.55), agua (S. Pellegrino (€1.50), Carne Lombo (steak sandwich € 3,60), small bottle of white wine (Plenalto €5.50), coffee (€0.90).

My favorite dish: Camarão à Guilho (garlic shrimp). If you’re only in the mood for a snack, try a ‘prego’ , a steak sandwich. The steak is grilled on the plate. The Portuguese eat the prego’s (literally: nails, referring to the full stomach after eating one) with mustard or piri-piri.

History : The Ramiro Beer house was founded on the 7th of April of 1956, by the hand of Ramiro’s father, being a small “pasture house”. With the passing of the years Mr. Ramiro, having a main role within the business, slowly introduced seafood. This concept aroused a great interest creating a beer house (Cervejaria). Joined by his wife they amplified and improved the space focusing uniquely on the concept of seafood house: the selling of seafood, ham and “steak sandwich” . Today it is known nationally and abroad for its excellent quality of raw-materials, for its level of service and for the price-quality relationship. More….website restaurant Ramiro

I can sincerely recommend this place! If you are more in the mood for a restaurant with red candles and soft music, you might be disappointed, but upstairs you can make a reservation for a romantic ‘table for 2′.

‘RAMIRO‘, Avenida Almirante Reis 1 G-H, Intendente, Lisbon. OPEN on Sundays!

TAKE AWAY. Call at +351218851024 and order a seafood meal. Order before (24 Hours). The restaurant is closed at Mondays.

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Cook Jesus Lee (Goan origin) and owner Maria dos Angus (Maria of the Angels) are really nice people. The genuine Goan family food is created with Jesus’ love !

Jesus Lee: “I was born in Goa in 1979. My mother expected a Christmas baby, but I finally arrived January 5. She is a fan of Jesus and my father admires Bruce Lee. I learned cooking from my mother, she really is a talented cook and I love it too. After finishing school, at the age of 14, I came to Portugal. In 1996 I met Maria, the owner of this restaurant and then we started to work together”. “I’m still a bachelor, looking for a nice woman

The atmosphere is very cosy and informal. I like the local cuisine very much, but the taste of the dishes (hot or medium hot) of the former Portuguese colony is delicious!  Lisbon has many immigrants from all the former colonies – amongst them the folks from Goa.

Camarão rechado (Prawn Massala 13,50 euro), small bottle of white wine 7.50, Chetni of coriander (sauce), Goan curry sauce, Chapati (Goan bread). Whow! From now, I am a fan of Jesus

Francisco Torres, Antonio Policarpo and José Pedro Torres

Tentações de Goa”, Rua S. Pedro Mártir, nº 23. Open for lunch from 12:00, dinner from 19:00 – 00:00. Closed on Sundays and Holidays. It is advised to make reservations! Vegetarian friendly. Call (00351) 218875824, Tlm: (00351) 914 814 043.

History: Goa, visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year, is India’s smallest state, located on the west coast of India. Vasco da Gama is the largest city, named after the Portuguese explorer. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the influence of Portuguese culture, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants, and conquered it soon thereafter. The Portuguese overseas territory existed for about 450 years, until it was annexed by India in 1961.

The tiny street in the afternoon.

Holiday apartment in this area, 3 bedrooms, patio & internet

Jesus & Maria are taking a break….

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Restaurant ‘O Fogareiro’ (The Stove) is located Rua da Atalaia 92, Lisbon

Try the traditional Portuguese gastronomy like their house specialties Bacalhau à Minhota (cod fish), Polvo á Lagareiro (grilled octopus), Arroz de Marisco (Portuguese seafood risotto), or ‘Bife A Fogareiro’.

Owner Francisco Barros preparing ‘Lombinho de Porco grelhados’ (porc), € 7,70

Rua Atalaia, Bairro Alto more…..

My choice for dinner: espetada con carne (delicious grilled meat on a stick, served with french-fried potatoes and dry rice) € 7.20, salade de tomates € 4.50, (tomato salad), copo de vinho branco (glass of white wine) € 1,80 , small bottle of water (agua) € 0,70.

Bottle of ‘house’ wine (vinho da casa): € 5.50 (really good): ‘Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Vinho Regional Beira

Owner Manuel Dias: “Together with my friend Francisco Barros and his wife Maria we opened this restaurant 16 years ago; we still like it! You are very welcome, except on Sundays”.

At work in the small kitchen: Maria Barros (owner) and Alice Cerqueira

Rua da Atalaia in June 2009, more…….

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The Press Club’s restaurant is set in a very charming 18th century building with a lovely inner-garden. The kitchen offers creative Mediterranean food (vegetarian friendly) and the wine cellar is representative of the portuguese winemaking tradition. Located in the centre of Lapa, Rua das Trinas 129.

The inner-garden

‘Clube de Jornalistas’ is a perfect venue for group gathering or a celebration. Journalists and eating out go hand in hand, so Lisbon’s ‘Clube’ was a natural progression for local chef and Co-owner André Magalhães with his years of media experience.

The excellent wine list is also served by André Magalhães, a leading light in the slow food movement and a talented food & wine journalist, writing for Wine Passion magazine, Beer Passion, Lisbon Golden Guide, Slowfood and others.

We enjoyed outside dining in the wonderful quiet inner-garden, surrounded by trees and flowers. Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ is a mixture of old Portuguese architecture and modern cuisine with an exotic touch.

One of the dining rooms inside

‘The Club’ was founded in 1986. During the Salazar period (Salazar was a dictator who ruled Portugal from 1931 to 1970), the Casa da Imprensa in Chiado was a secret meeting place. After the revolution, some of the members went on to found the ‘Clube de Jornalistas’.

Tuna “escabeche” with fried portuguese polenta and clam sauce (14.50 €)

Clube de Jornalistas, Lapa/Estrela
Rua das Trinas 129
1200-857 Lisbon
+(351) 213 977 138/ 21 396 57 74. Mail: cj@clubedejornalistas.pt
Open: Monday through Saturday 12.00-02.00

Carpaccio of Tuna from the Azores, wild rocket and S. Jorge cheese (10.00 €) house-smoked duck breast and sauted Pears (12.00 €)

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