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.
Entrance tea- and lunchroom Versailles in Lisbon
Window dressing Pastelaria Versailles representing Portugal and former colonies 🙁 🙁