Roasted chestnuts Lisbon, November 11 St. Martin’s Day traditions & liqueur Jeropiga
The unmistakable 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Much to the chagrin of many, the traditional paper cone made out of the Yellow Papers has been replaced by soulless paper packages, which takes something away from the ritual of chestnuts.
Baixa area, the commercial heart of Lisbon
St. Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11
It’s called Magusto. This day is the peak of three days, often with very good weather, known as Verão de São Martinho (Saint Martin’s summer).
St. Martin’s Day dinner at home with friends, November 2018
The Portuguese celebrate St. Martin’s Day with jeropiga (a traditional delicious sweet liqueur wine) and roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas).
Rossio, Lisbon in December
Traditions
On St. Martin’s Day traditions dictate that family and friends gather around a glowing hearth or bonfire.
How to roast chestnuts in the oven
Roasted chestnuts
Chestnuts are roasted, traditional alcoholic drinks are served, like água-pé (a watered kind of wine), jeropiga, vinho novo (young wine), or the slow smooth burn of aguardente (‘firewater’, alcoholic drinks between 29 and 60 percent).
Chestnuts and jeropiga
Because this pagan festival is a celebration of life, there is food and drink and plenty of fun: in some regions people smother themselves with ashes, black themselves up and sing around the fire.
Largo do Chiado, Lisbon
Portugal’s long history with codfish & recipe favorite Bacalhau á Gomes de Sá
The Portuguese have a very long history with codfish: shortly after Columbus (about 500 years ago) ‘discovered’ America, the Portuguese were fishing for cod (bacalhau) near NewFoundland. They were the first Europeans to do so. The nickname of bacalhau is ‘fiel amigo’ (faithful friend).
Lisbon luxury food shop Manteigaria Silva , Rua D. Antao de Almada 1 Lisbon
365 different ways to prepare codfish
When you stay in Lisbon or in the wonderful country Portugal, a must-try is bacalhau (dried and salted cod). The Portuguese adore it and it’s said that they know at least 365 different ways to cook it…one for each day of the year!
Lisbon luxury food shop Manteigaria Silva , Rua D. Antao de Almada 1 Lisbon
The smell of dried and salted bacalhau is odd and penetrating……pfffffff… but the taste is absolutely delicious when cooked!
Bacaolada, traditional Portuguese bacalhau dish.
Bacalhau deserves a good wine: green (Vinho Verde) or mature wines, from Alentejo, Dão or Douro.
History
For at least 500 years ago the Portuguese learned how to salt cod at sea and sun-dry it. It keeps for many months this way without refrigeration. And then it requires being soaked for 24 hours in changes of water before being used to prepare a dish. The soaking reconstitutes the fish and gets rid of the excessive salt also.
Lisbon luxury food shop Manteigaria Silva , Rua D. Antao de Almada 1 Lisbon
Even today, where refrigeration isn’t a problem, the Portuguese have not lost their love for bacalhau. Dishes based on this main ingredient are sure to be a part of most holiday and other celebrations.
Jose Maria & Paula & bacalhau à Brás, a very popular dish
One of the reasons for the popularity of bacalhau in Portugal and other catholic countries, was because of the many days on which the Church forbade the eating of meat.
Bacalhau á Gomes de Sá, cooked in a casserole with thinly sliced potatoes and onions, garnished with hard-boiled eggs and black olives.
This recipe was invented by Jose Luis Gomes de Sá Jr., the son of a rich nineteenth century merchant (apparently he dealt in cod) in Porto. The family fortune dwindled and the son had to find a job at the famous restaurant Lisbonense in downtown Porto. It was there that he created the now well known recipe.
Besides: Pastéis de Bacalhau (codfish pastry), croquetes.
A delicacy and a good idea with a cold glass of Portuguese white wine or beer on tap(imperial)!
Bar Bistro ‘Josephine’ Lisbon, historic square Intendente & lovely loveseat
If you love historic districts, visit this wonderful Largo (square) do Intendente, area Mouraria. Formerly a place of prostitution and drugs, nowadays very popular.
Bar & bistro ‘Josephine ‘ Lisbon, August 2020. Square Largo do Intendente 59
Trendy place & beautiful historic buildings
Square Largo do Intendente, located in the historical area Mouraria, was for several years a place to avoid. In recent years this square has really grown into a trendy place with new cafe’s, bars and restaurants. Beautiful historic buildings, f.i. the Pombaline style, a Portuguese architectural style of the 18th century.
Lisbon Square Largo Intendente, historic area Mouraria
‘Josephine: a Portuguese bistro with an international touch’
Gary Nairn: “Josephine Bar & Bistro was opened in June 2014. Set on a corner building at the opening of the square Intendente, it brings an ambience typical of a French bistro . But its owner Marie Odile Coudert, a French native, says it has influences from all over. Being well travelled , she has also lived in the Netherlands for nearly 10 years. She prefers to call ‘Josephine’ a Portuguese bistro with an international touch”.
Bar & bistro ‘Josephine’ , Square Intendente Lisbon 2015: owner Marie Odile Coudaert & partner Gary Nairn
Gary: ” In Bistro “Josephine’ you can find at lunchtime (till 18:00) all the local basics like the traditional Portuguese sandwich, the Prego or a Bifana (pork) as well as a sturdy “Melbourne Burger “, a choice of salads and not forgetting the daily menu. For evening a range of Quiches and all prepared as well by the French chef”.
Bar & bistro ‘Josephine’, Square Intendente Lisbon: burger, French fries and salade (11 euro). March 2017
The Prego is the most popular garlic steak sandwich in the Portuguese cuisine for many years. The Portuguese eat the prego’s (literally: nails, referring to the full stomach after eating one 
with mustard or piri-piri).
Wonderful historical buildings! Lisbon Largo Intendente & view from Cafe/Bar Josephine, 2015
Owner Marie Odile: “What we wanted, was to create an atmosphere that would complement what was in the surrounding area. A place where you could eat simple food, hamburgers, steaks, chef quality, service orientated but at a normal price. We moved to this area nearly 4 years ago and fell in love with it, there have been many changes. Starting ‘Josephine‘ was an opportunity to be part of it all to leave my own little mark in Largo do Intendente”.
Bar & Bistro ‘Josephine: Largo Do Intendente 59 Mouraria Lisbon. Metro: verde (green) stop Intendente. Facebook
Gary, Esther & Josephine, November 2014: bar & bistro ‘Josephine ‘ Lisbon
Square Largo do Intendente Lisbon
In wintertime it can be nice weather in Lisbon 🙂
Lisbon square Indentente area Mouraria ‘O das Joanas‘ Cafe
‘O das Joanas‘ Cafe sells breakfast, brunch and a great variety of soups, salads, quiches and cakes. More: Time Out
The Casa Independente is an artistic project idealized by Inês Valdez and Patrícia Craveiro Lopes.
Activities like concerts, exhibitions, ateliers, artistic residences, recitals and soirees. Casa Independente, Largo Intendente 45. Website, Facebook.
Square Intendente Lisbon & THE LOVESEAT created by local artist Joana Vasconcelos
Good friends & the hidden loveseat created by a famous Portuguese designer 🙂
Square Intendente 2018
YouTube movie about area Intendente – Mouraria, historical area of Lisbon
Famous vintage shop ‘A Vida Portuguesa’, Largo Intendente
Lovely loveseat hidden in the middle of the square 🙂
At the center of the square, there’s a wonderful wrought-iron sculpture created by local artist Joana Vasconcelos serving as a small garden, while the buildings surrounding it were renovated to house new residents and projects.
Top Ten most beautiful tiled façades of Lisbon
The building next to vintage shop ‘A Vida Portuguesa’ was covered with beautiful tile panels in 1865. The romantic images on the façade include potted plants and Asians recalling Portugal’s trade with the East.
Facebook area Bairro Intendente Lisbon
Square Largo do Intendente: wonderful street art!
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.
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 🙂
Popular Rua das Portas de Santo Antão Lisbon & avoid restaurant Torremolinos
Lisbon is probably the best place in Europe to enjoy seafood. There are a couple of very popular ‘tourist restaurant’ streets, such as Rua das Portas de Santo Antão where you will find a wide selection of options.
The lively street just behind the National Theater Doña Maria II at Largo de São Domingos, near Rossio Square and Restauradores, is a real mecca for seafood lovers, and a very popular tourist street.
Rua das Portas de Santo Antão: rather touristy and aggressive waiters
The street name dates from the 15th C. when a gate in the former town wall stood here. There’s also some very interesting buildings to be seen. The restaurants are well positioned for people-watching, prices are not really cheap, but the quality is good. In general, this street is rather touristy and the waiters are sometimes a bit aggressive in their approach to tourists.
One of the restaurant windows, with fresh lobsters and shrimps.
Rua das Portas de Santo Antão , just north of Rossio, is one of the few streets in Lisbon where you’ll be approached by waiters in the street trying to entice you to eat in their restaurant.
‘Free’ starters
Be prepared: in the more expensive and touristical restaurants in Lisbon you have to pay for starters like bread, cheese and often olives or shrimps (camarão). They are not a part of the meal! You won’t pay for them if you don’t eat them, and often the waiter will take them away (não, obrigado), ‘no thank you’. More ……
If you don’t speak Portuguese, make sure you’ve got your dictionary handy!
Restaurante Cervejaria Inhaca
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 (like the well known restaurant Portugalia).
Finger licking good, but expensive
Shrimp and lobster dishes for 2 persons, about € 55, except drinks. Restaurant Inhaca, R. das Portas de Santo Antão 8.
Avoid restaurant Torremolinos, a tourist trap, 🙁 read this
( 2020: the name Torremolinos on the facade has recently been removed)
In general: make sure you are aware of what you are being charged for. Most of the restaurants in this area are tourist traps.
A few great restaurants in this street: former palace Casa do Alentejo (a hidden gem!), or restaurant Gambrinus .
Restaurant Solar dos Presuntos, R. Portas de Santo Antão 150, YouTube
A good idea is to walk around and eat in a restaurant where there are no tourists in sight…….
For seafood lovers, go to one of Lisbon’s best seafood restaurants ‘RAMIRO’, also open on Sundays (Intendente).
Cafe/bakery ‘Fábrica Lisbon’: perfect croissants & ceramic penis tradition
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ is responsible for the delicious smell 🙂 wafting through the street Rua da Madalena in Lisbon..
Bakery (padaria)/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ : delicious handmade rustic bread and croissants
‘Fábrica Lisboa’ has its own production, which means that croissants, bread, pies or cakes are constantly coming out of the oven in front of the customers. Traditional portuguese soups, sandwiches made with rustic bread, pies and fresh salads are also served.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ Rua da Madalena 121, Lisbon
Funny Portuguese vintage decoration
When you pass through Rua da Madalena and you hear a bell it’s fresh bread/croissant time!
But this space really deserves a longer visit to appreciate the vintage decoration with delightful and funny details, like old scales, bottles, bread boxes, old phones or pornographic cassettes. Even the coffee machine is vintage…… !
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ & my favorite croissant with almonds spread (amêndoa)
Among the things of the past, take your time to enjoy a ‘late breakfast’ or a snack with salad or scrambled eggs with ham, accompanied by rustic bread.
Scrambled eggs with bread & presunto (ham) 6.90 euro
Croissants ‘old nunnery style’
There«s more than 10 different croissants, from simple (plain, € 1.20), old nunnery style (with sweet-soft egg cream, € 1.20, created by nuns who lived in monasteries with a lot of chickens in the garden... 🙂 to extra large: 2 fried eggs, tomato, cheese, ham, salad and chips ( € 7.00).
My favorite: a sweet croissant with almonds spread (amêndoa) € 2,20.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ : friend Margriet de Vrieze loves this place. Tea (chá) € 1.75
Cartoon character Zé Povinho – symbol of the Portuguese working-class
The cartoon character Zé Povinho was created by satirist and designer Bordalo Pinheiro in 1875, a symbol of the Portuguese working-class people, as a caricature for the protest against the politics and the high taxes for the simple population. Still nowadays every child in Portugal knows Zé Povinho. ‘Zé’ (José or Joseph in English), ‘Povinho’ is a diminutive for ‘Povo’, which means ‘people’.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’
Zé Povinho, symbol of the Portuguese working-class people
Ceramics from Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha, north of Lisbon, is well known for its wonderful ceramic pottery with a long tradition. The output includes large decorative pieces, crockery, tableware and decorative objects, famous all over the world for its unique (and sometimes funny) designs. Where to find in Lisbon: More…
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ , Wifi corner & vintage decoration
Phallus ceramics, a Portuguese tradition
Why is there a ceramic penis between the vintage decoration? Some centers of ceramic production in Caldas da Rainha has a tradition of phalluses and amusing phallic symbols. The tradition is said to have started in Caldas when King Dom Luis, who ruled from 1861 to 1889, suggested that local potters create something more interesting 😉 Penis-shaped ceramics
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ , Rua da Madalena 121, Lisbon
Penis-shaped ceramics are for sale in Portugal in all shapes and sizes: f.i. mugs, cups, and plates, or decorative pieces.
Bakery/cafe ‘Fábrica Lisboa’ , Rua da Madalena 121, Lisbon
‘Fábrica Lisboa’
Rua da Madalena 121 (Baixa) Lisbon, Portugal
Free WiFi. Facebook
Open from 08:00 – 20:00; closed on Monday
Weekend: 09:00 – 19:00.
Stylish Royale Café Lisbon: surprising patio, creative cuisine & elegant area Chiado
Entering Royale Café in Lisbon, we were pleasantly surprised by the stylish interior…. but the biggest surprise is the back patio: just lovely!
Royale Café Lisbon & lovely garden patio
Located in the elegant district Chiado in Lisbon, Royale Café offers creative cuisine with mediterranean ingredients (great vegetarian options) and fine wines.
Royale Café Chiado area, Lisbon
Quiet patio overgrown with lovely plants
Being a group of 10 people, we were lucky still enough space was available for us. We loved the food and the cute litte outside area, overgrown with lovely plants and with lots of shade.
Royale Café Lisbon & quiet patio July 2018
Our bill for 10 persons: 167 euro
Lunch including 2 bottles of fine wine (Quinta de S. Sebastião) and some beers. Homemade creative specialties (natural- and organic products) for a good price! 🙂 . Lovely spot for a brunch (on Sundays and bankholidays). Menu
Royale Café Lisbon
Royale Café’s design interior is inspired by Scandinavian cafés.
Highly recommended if you are looking for some place to go which is not just traditional Portuguese.
Royale Café Lisbon
Royale Café – very nice English speaking staff
Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
Nº29 Chiado, LISBON
Website & reservations Facebook
(00351) 93 861 13 70 Free WiFi, dog friendly
Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
Nº29 Chiado, LISBON
Website & reservations Facebook
(00351) 93 861 13 70 Free WiFi, dog friendly
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Royale Café Lisbon & streetside terrace, Square Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
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Open: Monday – Wednesday: 12am – 10:30pm
Thursday – Friday: 12am – 11:30pm
Saturday: 12am – 04pm
Sundays & Holidays: 12am – 10:30pm
Thursday – Friday: 12am – 11:30pm
Saturday: 12am – 04pm
Sundays & Holidays: 12am – 10:30pm
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Square Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Lisbon (Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro)
Azulejos: The Art of Lisbon’s Tiles
Nearby: one of the most photographed squares of Lisbon’s tiled buildings. Dating back to 1863 it is covered in pale orange and yellow tiles portraying mythological images. More…
Lisbon: how to recognize good cheap Portuguese restaurants & José & Laurinda
The Portuguese appreciate eating and drinking well. The influence of Portugal’s former colonial possessions is clear, especially in the wide variety of spices used, like piri piri (small, fiery chilli peppers), as well as cinnamon, vanilla and saffron.
Restaurant/cafe ‘A Vaidosa Terreirinho Ginginha’ & owner José Maria
CLOSED. UPDATE March 2019: due to eviction (despejos) after 34 years ( !!) this restaurant is closed. What a shame 🙁 🙁
Restaurant ‘A Catedral do Fado’:
5 minutes walk (also open on Sundays): restaurant ‘A Catedral do Fado’, good food, local prices :-). Rua Marquês Ponte de Lima 5, Mouraria, Lisbon
Discover 900 years old area Mouraria, shops fado, bars & restaurants
Owner José Maria & his wife Laurinda
Pataniscas de Bacalhau & rice, delicious!
The Portuguese cuisine is rich, filling and full-flavoured. There’s also Arab and Moorish influences, especially in the south.
Restaurant José Maria in Mouraria Lisbon January 2017
Lunch with Paula: delicious bacalhau à brás (salt cod): 6 euro pp
Portuguese breakfast
Traditionally just coffee and bread, often enjoyed in a cafe (pastelaria). Recommended: toast (tosta mista) with ham & cheese (queijo e presunto), or delicious sweet pastries like pastéis de nata, real calorie bombs! Coffee: strong (bica) with milk (galão – garoto), tea (chá) with or without sugar (açúcar). The pastalerias are often a part of the social life in the neighbourhood.
Historical area Mouraria Lisbon Restaurant José Maria & his wife Laurinda
Lunch with Dutch friends, February 4, 2015: Denise, Jolanda, Margriet and Feikje
Local priced restaurants and useful information about area Mouraria
February 2019: a city trip to Lisbon with 3 generations of the Kollmer family from the Netherlands 🙂 🙂
Good quality & local prices
In this tiny restaurant in Mouraria you can enjoy a 3 course meal (starter, like cheese/ham, soup, main course, dessert, water, coffee and wine) for only about 9-10 euros pp. Not open on Sundays.
Laurinda’s bitoque is the best of Lisbon!! 🙂 🙂
If you prefer meat, and don’t feel like experimenting, try a ‘bitoque’. It’s steak and fries, with a fried egg, garlic and rice (ca. 7 euro).
Typical Portugues & very popular: grilled sardines
Bill for 3 persons: around 30 euro
Grilled sardines recipe by Rochelle Ramos:
Restaurant owner Laurinda & delicious fresh fish
How to recognize cheap and really Portuguese restaurants?
A little bit disorderly, but very clean; a big TV screen, people like watching TV while eating (a lot of football, futebol), TL-tubes on the ceiling and paper table-covers. Prices (in Lisbon) between 8 and 15 euro (three courses and wine).
January 2016: what a wonderful surprise! 🙂 Erika, Loek, Luc & Ans
Football
In Portugal there’s a lot of seafood restaurants, many with very beautiful displays of lobsters, shrimp, oysters, and crabs, but a big TV-screen, football (futebol!) is also really important….!! 😉
Starters, typical Portuguese (not free in more expensive restaurants)
Be prepared: in the more expensive restaurants you have to pay for starters like bread, cheese and often olives or shrimps (camarao) (from 3 – 10 euro).
Restaurant Jose Maria & Laurinda November 2018
Unrequested starter dishes
You won’t pay for starters if you don’t eat them, the waiter will take them away (não, obrigado), ‘no thank you’. The waiter will probably bring you some unrequested starter dishes: as those are not free, feel free not to touch them and they will not be charged on your bill (but check it, especially in restaurants with lots of tourists!). NOT in this place 🙂
Or, they ‘offer’ you a glass of portwine (and charge 4-7 euro on the bill). Tips are not usual in Portugal, but a few euro is ok.
Espetada: a typical Portuguese dish: 6.90 €
The espetada is a typical Portuguese dish made usually of large chunks of beeff rubbed in garlic and salt, skewered onto a bay leaf stick cooked over hot coals or wood chips.
Roasted apple (sobremesa: dessert)
Lunch (almoçar): between 12:00 and 15:00. Dinner from 19:00
Like in all mediterranean countries lunch (almoçar), is a big affair for Portuguese, served between noon and 3 o’clock, often in a restaurant (and often paid by the employer).
Menu list with 2 price columns
When dining in Lisbon, you will notice that some restaurants have a menu list with 2 price columns. The cheaper list is for half-portions (meia dose), the higher priced list is for full-portions (dose)
Usually three courses, including soup (sopa) like f.i. caldo verde (a soup of cabbage and potatoes).
Caldo Verde, a popular soup of Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine.
Fish, like codfish (bacalhau) or charcoal-grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas) or meat (rabbit and pork are very popular), Coelho a caçador (rabbitstew, in red wine), accompanied with a small bottle of red or white wine (uma garaffa de vinho branco ou tinto) or Vinho Verde (a young sparkling ‘green’ wine, low-alcohol).
Chicken (frango) piri-piri (the African devil..), is also a very popular dish. Restaurant Casa da Índia, in Bairro Alto
Nun’s bellies & bacon from heaven 😉
Desserts (sobremesas): crême brulée (pudim flan), chocolate mousse and a big variety of almond cakes (amêndoa). Toucinho do céu (bacon from heaven) or barriga de freiras, (nun’s bellies), recipes originally created by nuns in the 17th and 18th Century. Often cheese (queijo), from sheep or goat’s milk. Very popular is ‘queijo da Serra” from the region of Serra da Estrela in the north.
Mouraria Lisbon, tiny restaurant Marie-Jose and Laurinda
Bill: no credit cards
In the smaller restaurants the bill is usually written on the paper table cloth…you can pay in cash only. Our bill for 2 persons? 20 euro, incl. a glass of home made Aguardente bagaceira……(litt. firewater)
Mouraria, Rua do Terreirinho 58 Lisbon near starting point starting point legendary tram 28 at square Martim Moniz.
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.
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).