Category: cafe

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Lost In Lisbon Restaurant & shop: magical Indian-style, great views & shrimp curry

Restaurant/cafe Lost In is one of the most magical places in Lisbon: fantastic city views and an inviting hangout Indian-style decoration.

In the same building: shop Lost in India, selling a.o. beautiful typically Indian style clothes with Arab influences.   🙂

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon & lovely outside space May 2023

A while ago I bought a beautiful Indian-style coat in the imposant Lost In  clothing store, Rua dom Pedro V no. 58. The nice saleswoman asked: ‘Did you already visit  the restaurant behind the store? No? From here it is possible to enter the restaurant’. What a surprise!  🙂

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon & terrace June 2018

Peace & tranquility

The view over the city is wonderful, even when it’s a cloudy day.

Lost In  is a chill-out ambiance. When you enter this space, you immediately feel the peace and tranquility it conveys.

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon June 2018 & Loesje Broere

Shanti (inner peace)
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It is said to be the “shanti place of Lisbon”. I am not religious nor interested in esotericism, but for those looking for relaxation after a busy day this is a great place.
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Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon June 2018: waiters Samuel & Patrik

Caril de gambas com arroz basmati, legumes salteados e papadam (Shrimp curry with basmati rice, sauteed vegetables and papadam), delicious!

Bill for 2 persons  € 64,80 (May 2023) ( shrimps, tuna, wine (5 euro a glass), water and coffee).

Ben Weijers & Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon , May 18, 2023

The staff is friendly and chatty, speaking a variety of languages. The 2 lovely young waiters gave 2 older ladies like us the idea being young again  😉  😉

We had a great afternoon amongst Indian couches and sofas, candles, colored comfortable chairs, statues, paintings & Indian shoes hanging on the walls.

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon June 2018

The music is calm, with a strong focus on jazz  🙂 (the day we’ve been there). Restaurant Lost In VIDEO 

Restaurant Lost In Lisbon December 6, 2018 & Lilja Plews

Music:  every Thursday evening or on Sunday in the afternoon there’re live jazz sessions/music events. Besides frequent oriental dance events or DJ’s.

Restaurant/cafe Lost In Lisbon & very friendly manager Rita Teixeira

Lost In
Rua dom Pedro V no. 58
Príncipe Real Lisbon

 Website (& how to make a reservation)

Lost In India Shop :  clothes from India & Mica & Leonor

Clothing store, typically Indian style with Arab influences.

Lost In India Lisbon Shop March 21  & owner Leonor

Preparing the shop for reopening after 3 months of lockdown in Portugal January – April 2021

WEBSITE

Lost In India Shop: clothes from India & much more beautiful stuff!

Update March 2021: It is possible to order online more….

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Asian food court Mercado Oriental Lisbon: 7 food stalls & taberna Macau

In 2017 the space above the Amanhecer Oriental supermarket has turned into the Oriental Market, a  restaurant area with 7 food stalls dedicated to different Asian streetfood. Friendly priced. Worth a visit! 🙂

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon & my favorite stall: taberna Macau

Mercado Oriental & André Magalhães

The Oriental Market is located in front of Square Martim Moniz in Lisbon, with 7 different food stalls, 3 of them created by André Magalhães, also owner of tiny & trendy bistro ‘Taberna Rua das Flores in Lisbon.

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon & Macanese minchi

Taberna Macau & minchi

Taberno Macau serves dishes like pato cabidela (duck head), sopa de lacassá ( €7), recipe and Macanese minchi (beef and potatoe chips), € 8, small bottle of water € 1.

Recipe minchi (YouTube)

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon & gua bao (Japanese pork belly buns), popular street food in Taiwan

Macau was formerly a colony of the Portuguese Empire .

Macanese cuisine is unique, and consists of a blend of southern Chinese (especially Cantonese) and Portuguese cuisines.

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon. Delicious 🙂

Between 1557 and 1887, Macau was governed by the Portuguese under Chinese sovereignty and authority. The colony remained under Portuguese rule until 1999, when it was transferred to China.

Mercado Oriental, Lisbon & Bao Bar: delicious oriental food, cocktails and beers

Foodstall Kamakura & Japanese sandwiches

Typical Japanese sandwiches, like katsu sando, a Japanese breaded specialty, available in different varieties. How to prepare katsu sando: Youtube

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon & Kamakura 2018

Sushi House

Traditional sushi and other fusion proposals. It has take-away.  Sushi combinations from 8 €, niguiris, sashimi, temakis and maki rolls.

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon & Mint House

Mint House

Here you can taste Vietnamese dishes such as Vietnamese spring rolls (3 €), Pho soup, thinly sliced beef with rice(6 €), sauteed rice pasta with shrimp or chicken (6 €).

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon, Bao Bar & Sara Pezzini

K-Bob

Korean-inspired dishes, such as sundubu-jjigae, obibimbap (rice with meat and vegetables) or yangnyeom (fried spicy chicken). Also ramen and vegetable pancakes.

Mercado Oriental, square Martim Moniz Lisbon & Castle of Saint George

The Mercado Oriental is open every day from 12h00 to 23h00. Very  popular, especially the weekends

Where: R. da Palma, 41
Square Martim Moniz, Mouraria Lisbon   facebook

Very friendly staff 🙂

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Quality Restaurant Café Martinho da Arcada Lisbon & poet Pessoa’s table

Opening in 1782, Restaurant Café Martinho da Arcada, located in the corner of the Praça do Comércio 37 near the Tagus river, is one of the oldest restaurants /cafés in Lisbon.

Lisbon Restaurante da Arcada Praca do Comercio 37

The restaurant’s terrace under the beautiful arcades, Praça do Comércio

YouTube about this square Praca do Comercio. Situated downtown, this cafe was once the ideal setting for the so called ‘tertúlia’s‘ (café talks). Well known names from Portuguese life, such as Bocage, Amalia Rodrigues and Portugal’s most famous 20th C. poet Fernando Pessoa, were some of its usual customers.

Lisbon Restaurante Martinho da Arcada Antonio Barbosa de Sousa

Owner of café/restaurant ‘Martinho da Arcada’, senhor Antônio Barbosa de Sousa.

Portugal’s famous poet and writer Pessoa

Pessoa (1888-1935), worked and lived in the Baixa area in Lisbon, he wrote pieces of his work in this restaurant after closing time.

Lisbon Restaurante Martinho da Arcada table Pessoa

Restaurant Martinho da Arcade Lisbon: Pessoa’s table is still there…

Fernando Pessoa’s favorite dish: juliana soup, cod and fried eggs with cheese. Until the autumn of 1989 the cafe was retained in the style in which Pessoa enjoyed it. Meeting him for coffee….

Lisbon Restaurante Martinho da Arcada interior1

The inside dining room

These days mainly employees of the surrounding ministries and business people meet here for lunch. The staff is very friendly. Prices: not cheap, but the quality is excellent.

Lisbon Restaurante Martinho da Arcada staff

Café/restaurant ‘Martinho da Arcada Lisbon

Beautiful antique tiles (azulejos)

Café/restaurant ‘Martinho da Arcada’Lisbon 2016, senhor Antônio Barbosa de Sousa & my good friend Margarethe de Vrieze

In the afternoon this wonderful traditonal Portuguese place is worth a visit for tea and applepie ( 7.50 euro).

Clam stew 17.00 euro, veal medallions 18.50 euro, small bottle of Rimor  white wine euro 9.00.

The menu lists regional Portuguese cuisine; try a amijoa cataplana (clam stew)!

More about Fernando Pessoa on this website

restaurant Martinho da Arcada friendly waiter

Café/restaurant ‘Martinho da Arcada Lisbon & very friendly waiters 🙂

Restaurant Café Martinho da Arcada, located in the corner of the Praça do Comércio 37 near the Tagus river .     Website 

Open: Monday to Saturday 7am – 11pm (not open on Sundays)

Lisbon Praça do Comércio Feb 2011

Lisbon Praça do Comércio , February 2011

Are you a wine lover? You can taste a selection of fine Portuguese wines for free at Sala Ogival, also located at Praça do Comércio, Lisbon

 

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Restaurant ‘O Gambuzino’ Lisbon: delicious vegan plates & vibrant area

A little bit tucked away in Lisbon’s trendy Intendente area there’s   cafe/restaurant ‘O Gambuzino’, Rua dos Anjos 5 B and I love it! Not only the delicious food, but also the super friendly staff make this place really enjoyable.

Marie-Odile Coudert Antonelli & partner Gary Nairn, August 2020. Owners of nearby Bar/bistro Josephine

Cafe/Restaurant ‘O Gambuzino’Lisbon & petiscos (Portuguese tapas)

Delicious petiscos ! (Portuguese tapas): peixinhos da horta (lit. little fishes from the garden)  € 4.50, sweet potato chips € 5.50.

Vibrant Lisbon area Intendente

Nowadays there’s a great atmosphere in this part of Lisbon: Intendente is a vibrant city area, with a multicultural mix of young and old, and a cool arts scene attract young people.

Restaurant/café  ‘O Gambuzino’  Lisbon Intendente area, September 2020

This restaurant serves healthy and homemade food. Everything is prepared fresh. Relaxed atmosphere with good service in an alternative spot of Lisbon.

Restaurant/café ‘Sabor K Intende‘ (nowadays ‘O Gambuzino’) Lisbon Intendente area

Our lunch: petiscos, salade with goat cheese, pasta bolognese.

Restaurant/café ‘Sabor K Intende in 2014 (nowadays ‘O Gambuzino’ ) Lisbon

Intendente area & lunch with Erika Reusens

Delicious vegan dish

The space looks fantastic with a cosy vintage decoration. Vegetables and fruits are from local producers. All snacks and dishes are homemade.

Restaurant/café ‘Sabor K Intende ‘ (nowadays ‘O Gambuzino’ ) & dinner with Felipe and Rob, 2015

Largo Intendente & historical area Mouraria

This restaurant is located next to the beautiful square Largo Intendente, in the historical area Mouraria. For several years a place to avoid, in recent years this area is grown into a trendy place with many new cafe’s, bars and restaurants.

Healthy & delicious!

Restaurant ‘O Gambuzino’ , Rua dos Anjoa 5 B, Intendente area, Lisbon

Facebook              Metro: Intendente

Terrace Restaurant ‘Sabor K Intende’ Lisbon, 2014

Nearby square Intendente Lisbon; Joana Vasconcelos designed the small ‘park’ with ‘ love seats’

Much more about area Intendente….

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TOPO rooftop Martim Moniz Lisbon: open air bar/restaurant & WOW! city views

There ‘s a gem in Lisbon with spectacular city views from the top of a shopping center: rooftop restaurant/ open air bar ‘Topo’ (Top) overlooking popular square Martim Moniz.

View from restaurant/bar ‘Topo’ : square Martim Moniz Lisbon &  Castle of São Jorge

Located on the top floor of the shopping center at square Martim Moniz, this space was once a retail warehouse of Chinese products now being a modern restaurant / bar. Perfect place for  a lunch or a late afternoon with cocktails, snacks and good music.

Mafalda Malafaya, Managing Director ‘Topo’ restaurant/bar Lisbon

The staff is wonderful, every time I return I am greeted with a big smile!

Being there for the first time, coming out of the elevator entering ‘Topo’ s space, the views are overwhelming! Everybody is making pictures before sitting down, just like I did 🙂 🙂

Restaurant/bar ‘Topo’ near Mouraria area Lisbon: lunch with friend Erika Reusens

Also the menu is surprising: we started our lunch with Tosta Gambas alioli (toast with garlic prawns): € 6, Tártaro de novilho (calf beef tartare) € 14.00, Tártaro de atum (tuna tartare) € 12.00, bottle of white wine (Pinta Negra) € 15, small bottle of water € 1.50, coffee (bica) € 1.50. Our bill for 2 persons: € 50:00.

A small remark: I also tasted the Prego (a popular sandwich in Portugal) with tuna (€  11:00), but the bread was baked too hard and (for my taste) the french fries are too salty.

Restaurant/ bar ‘Topo’  near Mouraria area Lisbon & open air rooftop bar

Open air rooftop bar & restaurant area with glazed walls

The restaurant area is surrounded by walls of glass, and also a part of the open air rooftop bar is covered with sheets of transparent plastic.

Mouraria Lisbon rooftop Bar Topo February 2015

Rooftop bar ‘Topo’, Mouraria Lisbon. Picture: Marcel van Paridon

A wonderful space if you’re not scared of heights!  I am .. 🙁

Bar / restaurant ‘Topo’ Lisbon: rooftop bar & wonderful city skyline

Starting point touristic tram 28

The square you see from above in the restaurant is Praça Martim Moniz, near the starting point of tram 28, the popular touristic tram. 

Mouraria roofbar Topo Sander Offenberg

Bar / restaurant ‘Topo’ Lisbon: rooftop bar.

Sander Offenberg from Holland loves the city skyline 🙂 picture: Marcel van Paridon

View from bar/ restaurant ‘Topo’ Lisbon: historic area Mouraria and the hills of Graça

From here it’s around 15 minutes to walk up the hill to visit the legendary St. George’s castle.

Bar/ restaurant ‘Topo’ Lisbon. Picture: Marcel van Paridon

‘Topo’ is located quite close to my apartment in area Mouraria (where the Moors lived), the birthplace of Fado music.

Bar/ restaurant ‘Topo’ Lisbon: tastefully decorated restaurant

Dining bar

In the tastefully decorated restaurant there’s a huge dining bar from where you can admire the wonderful views.  This is one of those places where you long for to go there again!

‘TOPO’
Centro Comercial Martim Moniz, 6º floor, Lisbon
Getting there: Bus: 708, 734, 740 | Electric: 12, 28 | Metro: Martim Moniz (green line)
Tuesday to Thursday – 12:00 to 24:00. Closed on Monday.
Friday & Saturday – 12:00 to 02:00 (DJ set/live music)
Sunday – 12:00 to 24:00

E-mail: geral@topo-lisboa.pt

Facebook

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Café Belga Lisbon: moules-frites, McChouffe & sexy bathroom decor

Café Belga, specializing in Belgian-inspired food and a variety of fine Belgian beers, is an inviting place 🙂

Café Belga Lisbon: Kany Sissoko and Miguel Avelar

Lisbon’s most authentic neighbourhood: Mouraria

Miguel Avelar, Belgian architect, opened Café Belga on the ground floor of a renovated building in Mouraria, Lisbon’s most authentic neighbourhood. (Moors resided here after conquering Lisbon in 1147, until being expelled in the 15th century. Few traces of that time remain).

Café Belga, historic area Mouraria Lisbon

Reasonable priced typical Belgian dishes

Popular typical Belgian dish: moules-Frites (mussels & Belgian fries)  (Portuguese: mexilhões) € 11,50, Belgian beer on tap (Imperial) McChouffe  4.30 €,  wine (um copo do vinho da casa) € 3,50. Cafe € 1,20.

Some Belgian beers in Café Belga, historic area Mouraria Lisbon

Belgium, famous for many things (and besides ‘Manneken Pis‘, Little Piddler” 😉  ), is regarded as the world capital of beer. The country offers one of the largest selections of beers in the world.

Café Belga, historic area Mouraria Lisbon: Pedro Rita loves McChouffe

There’s a large selection of Belgian beers, some imported directly from Belgium. Wall decorations of beer marks scatter across the walls of the restaurant , along with a friend’s illustrations .

Café Belga, historic area Mouraria Lisbon

Brussels-style Steak Tartare (€ 11.50), slow-cooked beef stew with beer (Carbonnade Flamande € 9.50)

Tasty Belgian frites (fries)

The fries (€ 3) are baked according to Belgian rules . Born in Holland I recognize the taste. They are not fried in oil but with cow lard.

Café Belga, historic area Mouraria Lisbon & ceiling lamps

The ceiling lamps made of Philips Gramophone vinyl disks are lovely!

Vegetarian dishes 

Vegetarian hamburger made with broccoli and tofu (7,50 €), or vegetable pie (7 €) . (March 2017)

Every Saturday is moules-frites (mussels with fries) day.  For dessert there’s f.i. Belgian chocolate mousse.

Café Belga, historic area Mouraria Lisbon

Traditional Belgian bathroom?  😉 😉

Café Belga Lisboa, Largo das Olarias, 37 Mouraria Lisbon. 10 minutes walk from starting point tram 28, Martim Moniz

Closed Monday.  Sunday & Tuesday – Thursday from 11:00-22:00, Friday – Saturday 11.00-00.00.

info@cafebelga.pt         Facebook

Café Belga Lisbon

Street, Largo das Olarias, 37 Mouraria Lisbon

Street artist Vhils

In front of Café Belga there’s a small terrace near a wall with amazing work of the Portuguese street artist Vhils (creation via destruction).

Website artsy & artist Vhils

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Noobai rooftop bar restaurant Lisbon, nightlife & amazing Tagus river views

What a view! One of the favorite places of many Lisbon locals and visitors.  Cafe Noobai is located on Miradouro (viewpoint) de Santa Catarina, also known as Adamastor.

Renewed Cafe Noobai, overlooking the Tagus River, March 2018

Relaxed ambiance & nice people

Cafe /restaurant Noobai is certainly worth a visit because of the wonderful view over the Tagus (Tejo) river side, the relaxed ambience and the nice people. One of my favorite places!

Cafe Noobai, 2015

Noobai Rooftop Bar Restaurant is located at the trendy Santa Catarina Belvedere , Lisbon

Cafe Noobai, 2010

Situated on a Lisbon hilltop Noobai has a panoramic view over the old town houses, the modern buildings, the Tagus river, the harbor, the “25 de Abril” bridge and the amazing sunset .

Rooftop Cafe Restaurant Noobai Lisbon:  delicious tuna: € 7, march 2018

Salades, sandwiches and soups, special teas and fresh juices. And of course caipirinha’s 🙂

Noobai cafe bar Adamastor

Noobai, 2010

In wintertime there’ re fleece blankets available on the terrace. There’s also an indoor room 

dede-noobai

Noobai ,  2005

‘We go’

The name Noobai comes from ‘Nu bai’ which means ‘we go’ in the creole dialect from Cabo Verde, a former colony of Portugal.

dj-noobai

Sometimes on Sundays there are DJ’s playing relaxed tunes

Nightlife

Noobai is good fur a lunch or to get things started before moving on to nearby bars in Bica or Bairro Alto

Lisbon Noobai hotspot Adamastor great Tagus River views

Cafe Noobai, area Santa Catarina Lisbon

 Sunset Video 

Near Adamastor Lisbon & view Tagus river March 2018

Monday – Sunday 10 AM > 12 AM

Website 

Location: ‘Noobai, Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Adamastor) Lisboa‘ 

Café Noobai, Lisbon. April 16, 2016

A lovely place in Lisbon 🙂 Cecile Joyce and Cristine van Haalen

Cafe Noobai Lisbon in February, near Adamastor, popular gathering place

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Lisbon Rossio Square: history cafe Suíça, shoeshine boys & begging hands

The beautiful and very popular tourist attraction Rossio Square, the popular name of the Pedro IV Square (Praça de D. Pedro IV), has been the setting of popular revolts and celebrations, bullfights and executions.

Rossio Lisbon Shoe shine boy

Rossio square 

Nowadays Rossio square is a preferred meeting place of Lisbon natives and tourists alike and the most congested area for traffic in the city center.

Lisbon Rossio Square

Rossio Square Lisbon

This square has been a meeting place for people of Lisbon for centuries. Some of the cafés and shops of the square date from the 18th century, like the Café Nicola, where Barbosa du Bocage , a Portuguese poet, used to meet friends.

Lisbon cafe Nicola Rossio Square

Famous Café Nicola, Praça Dom Pedro IV 26 (founded in 1929).

It was here that the first Portuguese women dared to break the male stranglehold on cafe-going.  Rossio’s cafes are popular for sitting and watching the world go by.

Lisbon Rossio Pastelaria Suica inside

Pastelaria Suíça, Praça Dom Pedro IV 101

UPDATE September 1, 2018

On August 31, 2018 Pastelaria Suiça – a veritable symbol of Rossio – closed its doors forever. It is said a 5  star hotel will be built here ..

Pastelaria Suíça was a traditional Portuguese cafe/restaurant, famous for its huge variety of delicious cakes and pastries.

Lisbon Pastelaria Suica delicious cakes

Pastelaria Suíça, Praça Dom Pedro IV 101

During World War II this place (Suíça means Switzerland) was the meeting point where those in exile negotiated their tickets to freedom.

Lisbon Patelaria Suica Rossio

Pastelaria Suíça terrace, Praça D. Pedro IV 96/101.

Be aware of pickpockets

Locals appreciate this cafe/restaurant just as much as tourists. The waiters are not always very nice. Being a tourist, be aware of pickpockets: while enjoying a delicious cálice de vinho do Porto (a glass of Port Wine), somebody tried to steel my friend’s bag from under her chair. Happily a friendly waiter warned us just in time! Be aware when you visit touristical attractions and terraces.

Nearby you can taste a Ginjinha, a liqueur made of a cherry-like berry, a typical Lisbon spirit.

Kisbon Praca da Figueria view from terrace Suica

From cafe/restaurant Pastelaria Suica ‘s terrace at the back a view of the square Praça da Figueira (English: Square of the Fig Tree) and the São Jorge Castle.

Lisbon Suica Pastelaria street performance living statue

Street performances (‘living statue’), newspaper vendors, street traders (offering cheap watches or ‘jewellery’), lottery ticket sellers, ‘psssst drugs’ sellers and begging hands……….also some lovely shops, like the unique hatmakers shop Chapelaria Azevedo Rua (opened in 1886)

And, of course, in wintertime, the unmistakeable smell of roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas)

Lisbon Rossio lottery ticket sellers

Lisbon Rossio lottery ticket seller 

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Lisbon’s Tagus river terrace Portas do Sol, exceptional location & viewpoint Santa Luzia

Terrace ‘Portas do Sol’ (Gates to the Sun) is located in Lisbon’s historical center, close to the famous viewpoint (miradouro) with the same name, at Largo das Portas do Sol.  A coffee , cocktail bar and restaurant, and an exceptional location.

Portas do Sol terrace Lisbon Tagus view 5 lounge sofas

The lounge area of Portas do Sol, September 2010

Amazing views overlooking the Alfama rooftops and the river Tagus! After visiting the nearby  São Jorge Castle (the Castle of St. Jorge),  this is a place where you can sit down, chill out and enjoy the beauty of Lisbon.

Portas do Sol terrace Lisbon 2

Entrance Porta do Sol cafe, bar/cafe and restaurant, 1000 m2 terrace

This cafe/bar and restaurant is very easy to reach. It has direct access on the tram 28 which is the more touristic of the Lisbon trams.

Portas do Sol terrace Lisbon Alfama Tagus view 4 lounge sofas

The lounge area of Portas do Sol Lisbon

Portas do Sol is  a lovely spot to sit down and relax with sofas and soft lounge-music, a place during the day where you can hang out and have coffee and snacks.

The lounge area of Portas do Sol Lisbon, in love! 🙂

They serve wines, cocktails, champagne and menu’s.

Live music with a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays. Beautiful bar with crystal chandlers and chairs in art deco and romantic style (250m2).

Portas do Sol terrace Lisbon 1

Open daily from 10am to 12pm. Fridays, Saturdays and nights before a public holiday until 2am.

Website Portas do Sol.  Address: Largo das Portas do Sol, Beco de Santa Helena, Lisbon

Portas do Sol terrace Alfama Lisbon 4 view

Portas do Sol ‘s  terrace/lounge area

Seen from the nearby famous viewpoint with the same name, a very popular place for locals and a famous tourist attraction. One of the most beautiful places in Lisbon!

Lisbon viewpoint Portas do Sol by night

Viewpoint (Miradouro) Portas do Sol Alfama Lisbon, by night

The Belvedere Portas do Sol is a balcony space that all people of Lisbon are proud to have at their disposal. Magnificent view of Lisbon and the typical Alfama district that spans several narrow, winding streets to the river Tagus.

Portas so SOl viewpoint miradouro Alfama Lisbon cruise ship

View from the nearby small terrace

Located in between several highlights of Lisbon (like the viewpoint of Santa Luzia) , the Portas do Sol miradouro is the terrace that every person living in Lisabon would like to have at home…..

Portas so SOl viewpoint miradouro Alfama Lisbon statue Saint Vincent

Statue of São (Saint) Vincent, Portas do Sol

There is also a statue of Saint Vincent holding a boat with two ravens, the symbols of Lisbon. Saint Vincent of Saragossa, better known locally as Saint Vincent of Fora, is the patron saint of Lisbon.

Largo das Portas dol Sol Lisbon Museum of decorative arts

Largo das Porta do Sol, and the former city palace, Museum of Decorative Arts

In this wonderful 17th C. former city palace, currently houses the Museum of Decorative Arts. Anyone interested in decorative arts in general and the Portuguese Empire in particular will find this collection fascinating. Beautiful azulejos (tiles)!

Largo do Portas do Sol Lisbon tram 28

The popular tram 28 (video) stops near the Museum and the viewpoints

If you like to have a good impression of the historical city of Lisbon, a very good idea is taking this typical little trolley, ‘eléctrico 28′. This legendary tram 28 is a tourist attraction in itself. It goes all around town. Of course you can hop on and hop off.

Miradouro Santa Luzia Alfama ancient tiles and viewpoint

The nearby viewpoint Miradouro of Santa Luzia

Various small gardens along the edge of the walkway are filled with beautiful local flowers during the spring and summer months.

Lisbon Miradouro Santa Luzia by night view roofs Alfama and river Tejo

Viewpoint Miradouro de Santa Luzia by night

This is a very popular look-out point from the Alfama area of Lisbon, next to the Santa Luzia Church.

Lisbon viewpoint Santa Luzia tiles2

Viewpoint (miradouro) Santa Luzia – church

On the wall of the church are two beautiful tile panels (azulejos): one of Lisbon’s majestic Square Praça do Comércio before the earthquake in 1775, and another one showing the Christians attacking (the nearby) Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle) in 1147.

Miradouro Santa Luzia Lisbon Alfama azulejos

Miradouro Santa Luzia

Azulejos (tiles) have become a typical aspect of Portuguese culture. This place is a wonderful tile treasure!

Lisbon Restaurant Miradouro Sta Luzia Alfama

Restaurant ‘Miradouro Sta Luzia’ near the viewpoint, a very popular tourist place.

 

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Elegant tea- and lunchroom ‘Versailles’ Lisbon: old-fashioned service & funny pastries

If you like to visit one museum during your stay in Lisbon 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.

Tea- and lunchroom (Pastelaria, Pâtisserie) Versailles Lisbon september 2017

Elegant tea- and lunchroom Versailles (from 1922)

After visiting the Gulbekian Museum, a must-do is to go to the nearby and wonderful old tea and lunchroom Versailles (1922) at Avenida da República, which has it’s own bakery. The homemade cakes and pastries are delicious, like the famous Portuguese Pasteis de natas.

Tea- and lunchroom (Pastelaria) Versailles Lisbon & delicious funny ‘bird’ pastries 😉

Elegant setting in informal and friendly atmosphere

The decor is rich, with chandeliers, gilt mirrors, stained-glass windows, tall stucco ceilings, and black-and-white marble floors. It looks like it could be straight of Paris…!

Mostly elderly people and greats of the Lisbon cafe scene enjoy their bica (espresso) here.

Tea- and lunchroom (Pastelaria) Versailles Lisbon, February 2017 : NV Lissabon

History

When lunchroom Pastelaria Versailles was inaugurated on November 25 in the year 1922, the objective was to turn into a symbol of the fashionable Avenidas Novas, an elegant and new neighborhood in Lisbon.

Construction fury first halve of 20th century

The construction fury replaced many of the beautiful small palaces and stylish houses of the first halve of the 20th century by today’s unattractive buildings at Avenida da República, but happily Pastelaria ‘Versailles’ is still there!  🙂 🙂

Tea- and lunchroom (Pastelaria) Versailles Lisbon, February 2017 & NV Lissabon

Silver-plated tea sets

The wide variety of snacks includes codfish balls and toasted ham-and-cheese sandwiches. They are also famous for their confectioneries served in a glass.

As an old-fashioned and formal touch, immaculately attired waiters serve customers from silver-plated tea sets. In addition to coffee and tea, the house specialty is hot chocolate.

Tea- and lunchroom (Pastelaria) Versailles Lisbon , February 2017 & NV Lissabon

‘Grande dame‘ of Lisbon’ & part of national heritage

Pastelaria Versailles, long known as the ‘grande dame‘ of Lisbon’ was recently declared a part of the national heritage. It still serves the famous Mozambique black tea that was introduced in 1662.

Lunch, served in a back room, is of such Portuguese specialties as codfish with almonds. Most visitors come here for tea or coffee, served with sandwiches and snacks. Desserts, including duchesses (whipped-cream cakes) are justifiably famous.

Pastelaria Versailles street 2

Entrance tea- and lunchroom Versailles in Lisbon

Tea and lunchroom Versailles Lisbon
Avenida da Republica 15a
Open: daily from 7:30 till 22:00 
Metro: Saldanha.
.

Versailles 3 window dressing

Window dressing Pastelaria Versailles representing Portugal and former colonies  🙁     🙁

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