Quality Restaurant | The Lisbon Connection

October 4, 2016May 17, 2021

Restaurant Bairro do Avillez Lisbon: suprising seating areas & tasty dishes

José Avillez’ new restaurant in Lisbon, Bairro do Avillez (Avillez’ ‘neighborhood’) is located in Chiado. A spacious and spectacular location, with 2 separated seating areas.

Patio Restaurant Bairro do Avillez decorated as a traditional downtown Lisbon neighborhood & ‘neighbor’ Erika Reusens 😉

2 Michelin stars

José Avillez is one of the most renowned chefs in Portugal. He currently owns six restaurants, five in Lisbon and one in Oporto. His cooking style, contemporary and of Portuguese inspiration, has earned him a Michelin star in 2012 (restaurant Belcanto in Lisbon) and, in 2014, it received a second one, making it the first restaurant in Lisbon to have this honour).

Restaurant Bairro do Avillez Lisbon & wonderful decorated spacious patio

Patio restaurant representing a traditional Lisbon neighborhood

The Patio restaurant is really surprising: a huge open kitchen and a wonderful creative decoration. A large skylight lets in plenty of natural light. There are different doors, typical Portuguese tiles and closed- or open windows to give you the idea of being in a traditional downtown Lisbon neighborhood, where people often hanging out of their windows. YouTube

Restaurant Bairro do Avillez Lisbon & our dinner end of August 2016

Our dinner: 2 couvert € 7.00, Bife de Lombo (tenderloin steak) € 18.00; Legumes Salteados (sautéed vegetables) € 4.00; French fries € 3.00; 1 Bife Tártaro (tartar steak) € 14.00; água Vitalis (bottle of water) € 3.00; Wine: Casa Passarella (bottle of white wine) € 16.00; (by the glass € 4.00). Desert: Avelã (hazelnut cream); Mil Folhas Pastel de Nata € 6.00 (litt. ‘thousand sheets’ Pastel de Nata (famous Portuguese egg tart pastry) € 6.00.

Bill for 2 persons: € 91.00.

Restaurant Bairro do Avillez Lisbon & delicious desserts

Bairro Avillez patio restaurant: tasty dishes & great ambiance

Once we were seated it took quite some time before a waiter came to our table. This restaurant just opened its doors, it’s understandable. The food was tasty, rather expensive in Lisbon (ca. € 45 p.p.), but the great ambiance was worth it! 🙂

Restaurant Bairro do Avillez Lisbon & Taberna (Tavern)

Three concepts in one space: restaurant, tavern & grocery/gift store

Once you enter number 18 of Rua Nova da Trindade there’s the Taberna (tavern), a good idea to enjoy lunch, dinner or an ‘in-between’ snack in the afternoon. In de Tavern it is not possible to make reservations.

Mercearia (grocery & gift store)

Not just cheeses, sausages and canned goods but also kitchen accessories, books and aprons. More…... (website José Avillez). The charcuterie specialties rely on the advice of the illustrious shop in Lisbon: ‘Manteigaria Silva’.

Restaurant ‘Bairro’ do Avillez Lisbon & the grocery store’s creative decoration

Bairro do Avillez, Rua Nova da Trindade 18. Lisbon

Opening hours: Taberna (tavern) & Mercearia (grocery/gift shop): daily from 12:00 pm till midnight.

Patio restaurant: daily, from 12:00 pm to 15:00 pm and from 19:00 pm till midnight. Closed on public holidays, December 24 (dinner) and 25. Phone: (351) 215 830 290 (reservations). Facebook

Patio Restaurant Bairro do Avillez Lisbon, Erika Reusens & the friendly waitress

September 9, 2015June 8, 2021

Restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: sunny terrace, petiscos & Fado Museum

Portugal is famous for its culinary richness! Highly recommended in Lisbon, also for groups: restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’, attached to the Fado Museum.

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa (traverse) do Fado’ Lisbon: sunny terrace in June

Fado Museum attached to the restaurant

Your first visit to Lisbon? Don’t think you can always enjoy traditional fado music in this restaurant during your lunch or dinner. The name is related to the Fado Museum, attached to the restaurant.

If you wish, the very nice manager António Moita can recommend a good fado-bar. The next-door Fado museum is open from 10:00-18:00 (closed Mondays)

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: small plate dishes (petiscos)

Sopa legumes (vegetable soup) € 4.00, Bochecha do Porco Preto (black pork cheeck) € 6.50, Tomatada (fried tomatoes) € 4.00, pão ( bread) € 1.00, copo do vinho branco (glass of white wine) € 4.00, agua (1/2 lit. water) € 1.50, café € 1.50.

Petiscos/tapas

Small plate dishes are called petiscos in Portugal, so basically the same as Spanish tapas. (More…. ). Don’t say this to the Portuguese, the Spanish invasion (1762) is still fresh in their memory…. 😉

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: manager António Moita

Famous restaurant ‘A Travessa’ in Lisbon, considered one of the best in the city, opened in July 2012 this new space, A Travessa do Fado’ , in another area: the heart of Alfama, the historical part of Lisbon.

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: Bacalhau (Cod) Zé do Pipo

Quality and sophisticated service .

In case you come here for a lunch experience, this restaurant is a good starting point to discover the narrow streets of Alfama, the historical part of Lisbon.

Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon, November 2012, a rainy day.

Also in wintertime this restaurant is worth a visit, inside it is beautifully decorated. Together with my friend Erika Reusens we spent an afternoon here enjoying some petiscos and a good red wine (Foral Reserva, bottle € 18,00).

Restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’: Peixinhos da Horta (fried green beans): € 3,00. I love it! 🙂

Peixinhos da horta (YouTube) is a traditional dish in Portuguese cuisine, literally translated as ‘little garden fish’, as it resembles small pieces of colorful fish.

On the wall there’s a chalky blackboard with suggestions: soups, salads, octopus, cuttlefish, shrimp or oysters. Desserts (sobremesa), like tarte de amendoas (almond tart) € 4.00, or bolo do chocolate (chocolate cake) € 4.00.

Terrace Restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon in summertime

Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, Alfama, Lisbon

Telephone: (+351) 218 870 144. Closed: Monday and Tuesday. Opening times: from 11:00 am till 01:00. Facebook

Fado Museum Lisbon, attached to restaurant ‘ A Travessa do Fado’

The Fado Museum in Lisbon is ‘a must do’ for those who love Fado music as well as those with an interest in Portuguese culture and history. The permanent exhibition is a tribute to Fado and its promoters, revealing its history since 19th century Lisbon. More…

Restaurant ‘A Travessa do Fado’ Lisbon: fado night September 2013

March 22, 2012August 11, 2020

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon: surprising menu, integrated museum & ‘LSD’ cocktail

Restaurant Pharmacia in Lisbon is integrated into the Pharmacy Museum just near Tagus river viewpoint (miradouro) Santa Catarina or Adamastor. The remarkable décor is inspired by pharmacies of the past, the menu is a surprise!

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon – the garden in summertime on a Sunday afternoon

Restaurant Pharmacia is integrated into the Museum of Pharmacy (Museu da Farmácia). In Portuguese farmácia literally means “Drug Store” and it truly holds onto its name, since it is located at the building of the Portuguese National Drug Store Association. The remarkable interior is inspired by classic old pharmacies.

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon – very nice waiters dressed in white lab coats

When you enter the restaurant, you are shown to your table by somebody wearing a white lab coat. The menu is mainly focused on Portuguese cuisine, and “petiscos” (small dishes), but the restaurant also has a bar, serving all kinds of drinks and light snacks. One of its fine features is the outside terrace. The restaurant does not close after lunch and ‘a la carte’ service throughout the day is available.

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon: long lunch with good friend Erika Reusens

We enjoyed a delicious lunch, coffee and wine included € 45,70 . For dinner you also have the choice of a special menu of several dishes (€ 28, without drinks).

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon, integrated into the Museum of Pharmacy

Inaugurated in June 1996, the Pharmacy Museum is the only museum of Universal History in Portugal and one of the most complete in the world. The collection is based on pieces that represent 5000 years of history of health in civilizations as diverse as Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome, Greece, Islam, South America, China, Tibet, Japan, Africa, and modern Europe. YouTube movie Pharmacy Museum of Lisbon

Museum open from Monday– Friday: 10am – 6pm. Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon

Inside the building you will find the wall of old medicine cabinets full of glass drug containers, medicine vials, and bottles of all kinds. Also the wallpaper is a tribute to the pharmacy. Your plain water will be served in an old ether bottle, the bottle holder is wearing a red cross logo…

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon: restaurant inside & vintage items

The remarkable interior uses almost exclusively vintage and antique items and some pieces that are on loan from the museum. The menu card is a pharmacy notebook and even your soup will be served in a small vial.

But the comparison with a pharmacy stops here: the food in a hospital is totally different.... 😉 😉

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon – bottle of wine served in a measuring cup

Even the bottle of wine is served in a plastic measuring cup…. And the cocktails here all have ‘drug’ names, like ‘LSD’ cocktail (whisky and ginjinha). How about a cocktail ‘ibuprofen’ ? (Cachaça licor and lemon juice), or try a paracetamol cocktail (honey, melon and ginger beer) 😉

Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon, Rua Marechal Saldanha 1, Lisbon.

Facebook

Restaurant Pharmacia is overlooking the Tagus river

Nearby: Miradouro (viewpoint) Adamastor.

More……..

……your coffee…….

BTW: famous artist Damien Hirst tried his hand at the restaurant business in 1998 when he opened the art-filled Pharmacy Restaurant + Bar in London. Filled with pseudo-scientific pharmacy-themed items, Hirst curated every design element from metallic pill-printed wallpaper and pill-shaped ashtrays.

August 2, 2011June 26, 2021

Aura Restaurant Lisbon: glamour, great terrace & Portuguese cuisine

Lisbon is well known for its good food and beautiful terraces. Praça do Comércio , facing the Tagus river and surrounded by the most stunning architecture, is a magical meeting place for both its population and visitors.

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 (petiscos Portuguesas).

Restaurant Aura Lisbon outside dining area Praça do Comerçio

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 Lisbon ‘ 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. 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.

July 27, 2009May 7, 2021

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon: gorgeous garden & André Magalhães

You don’t need to be a member of Lisbon’s ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ (‘the Press Club’) to visit this restaurant, and it’s really worth it! Among it’s habituées you can find diplomats, politicians and, of course, journalists.

Lisbon Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas Rua das Trinas

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon

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.

Lisbon Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas garden4

The wonderful inner-garden of Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’

‘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.

Lisbon Clube de Jornalistas garden dinner 11

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon, garden

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.

Lisbon Clube de Jornalistas Restaurant inner-garden

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon, inner-garden

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.

Lisbon Clube de Jornalistas Lapa dining inside

Restaurant ‘Clube de Jornalistas’ Lisbon: a 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’.

Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas garden creative cuisine dinner5

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

‘The Club’ is an inviting space to long conversations at lunch time and to cheerful gatherings at night’.

Clube de Jornalistas, Lapa/Estrela (facebook)
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

Restaurant Clube de Jornalistas Press club garden dinner1

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

July 8, 2009June 23, 2021

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ Lisbon, great lunch & Palace of Independence

There are a lot of high quality restaurants crowding the downtown streets of Lisbon, but if you like to enjoy a great Portuguese lunch located in the heart of Lisbon in a pleasant and historic environment, I can recommend ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’).

Independece Palace Lisbon Restaurant Chamines do Palacio chimneys

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

The restaurant’s entrance and the beautiful patio of the Palácio da Independência (Palace of Independence), located near Rossio Square on the north side of the Largo de São Domingos. The building’s foundation stone was laid in 1509 and some of Manueline details from this time can still be detected in the inner courtyard, for example the door decorations. The two conical kitchen chimneys are reminiscent of the royal palace at Sintra.

Restaurant Chemines do Palacio Lisbon Independence Palace 1

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

Paulo Saraiva de Reffóios (with sunglasses): “Recently I started (February 2009) this restaurant. I used to work as a hotel director for 20 years but besides I always had a real passion for Portuguese gastronomy and for many years I enjoyed cooking for friends”. “At the moment you are welcome to enjoy a (Portuguese) lunch here (June 2009), dining is possible on request from 12 persons”.

The other 2 gentlemen are José Cardoso (and daughter Filipa) and Henrique Santos, ‘Lucinda Tudo Bom’ wine producers. At the table a delicious bottle of Douro wine: Fraga Alta (High Crag) Douro Doc 2003.

Lisbon Restaurant Chamines do Palacio Independence Palace Rossio Paulo owner

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

My friend Erika Reusens and Paulo Saraiva de Reffóios, the very friendly and always joking restaurant owner. Our choice for lunch: salada de rucola com requeijao (salad with cream cheese) € 8; salmão fumada com boulgour (smoked salmon with bulgur) € 12; agua (water) € 2,50; um copo do vinho branco (glass of white wine) € 2,50; bread and delicious salted butter € 3.

Lisbon Restaurant Chamines do Palacio Independence Palace inside

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

Visit the Independece Palace: each Friday at 15:00

If you wish you can enjoy your lunch inside of this beautiful building.The name Palácio da Independência (‘Independence Palace’) recalls a curious event that occured in 1640: a conspiracy against the Spanish occupation. If you are in Lisbon you can visit the palace. More information…….

Independent Palace restaurant Chamines do Palacio azulejos ship

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon: beautiful tiles

The walls of this former palace are decorated with beautiful azulejos (Portuguese tiles). The azulejo is a form of Portuguese painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework. They have become a typical aspect of Portuguese culture. Azulejo comes from the Arabic word az-zulayj, meaning polished stone.

Independence Palace restaurant Chemanes do Palacio patio garden 1

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

Wherever you go in Portugal, azulejos are to be found inside and outside cafes, churches, palaces, ordinary houses and even ceilings, train- or subway stations. Many azulejos chronicle major historical and cultural aspects of Portuguese history.

Independence Palace Rossio 12 entrance restaurant Chamines do Palacio

Restaurant ‘Chaminés do Palácio’ (‘the chimneys of the Palace’) Lisbon

‘Chaminés do Palácio’, Largo de Sao Domingos 11. Mail: chaminesdopalacio@gmail.com

Tlm (0351) 919450754

May 14, 2009June 3, 2022

Famous tea/lunchroom Versailles Lisbon & surrounding areas

If you like to walk around outside of tourist areas go to Saldanha , the fashionable Avenidas Novas (a part of Lisbon built in the 1950s), with department stores, cinemas, museums, supermarkets and libraries.

Lisbon Versailles tearoom restaurant outside Avenida Republica

Avenida da República near Saldaña square. A must-do is to have breakfast or lunch in the wonderful old tea- and lunchroom Pastelaria Versailles (opened in 1922) which has it’s own bakery.

Saldana Lisbon statue Square Praça do Duque de Saldana

Praça Duque de Saldaña. Monument of the great liberal Marshal who gives the square its name. Designed by Thomaz Costa and Ventura Terra, unveiled in 1909. The base of the monument contains a bronze figure of victory. At Saldaña Square there’s the highly frequented cinema Monumental where many young Portuguese meet in the bar of the cinema, ‘Movies’ .

Saldana Restaurant Galeto Lisbon december 08

Famous restaurant Galeto, a classic spot. Avenida Da República, 14. Open from 07.30 am – 03.30 (!). Delicious food and quite cheap (dinner and snacks). Galeto (movie) is well known in Lisbon for its friendly and courteous service.

Lisbon market in Arroios fish

Market mercado de Arroios , fresh fish, flowers and fruit. Arroios is a very atmospheric working class neighborhood with great markets and very good prices in restaurants and shops.

Lisbon little shops Estefania neighborhoos

Estefania: a nice and very quiet area, with lots of typical Portuguese small business ‘mom and pop’ and food shops.

Lisbon cheap tradtional restaurants Estefania

Rua Ilha da Terceira, Estefania. To eat out, try the pastelerias (cheap small restaurants, great Portugese food). Not one tourist in sight…..Chiado, Baixia and Alfama are easily reached by public transport, and even at night a taxi isn’t more than 5 euros.

Lisbon Estefania Rua da Ilha Terceira restaurant owners

The bill? Grilled salmon 5,50 euro, soup 0,90. A glass of wine 0,75.

Lisbon Saldanha luxurous shopping center

Luxury shopping center Saldanha, quite near Avenida da Liberdade, (Liberty Avenue). This broad boulevard is the Portuguese equivalent of the Champs Elysees in Paris with lots of luxury boutiques selling international brands.

Lisbon Avenida da Liberdade Pombal statue

Marquis of Pombals’ statue , a despotic marquis….more…..The Rotunda, or, officially, Praça do Marqués de Pombal

November 7, 2008February 5, 2018

Restaurant/bar ‘Tropical do Meco’ in Aldeio do Meco (40 km from Lisbon): great 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 meat there’s plenty of choice.

Meco Village Restaurant Tropical do Meco terrace

Restaurant/bar “Tropical do Meco”, Meco village in September

During our stay in Meco village we ate in several restaurants in the previous days. Our favorite: Restaurant/bar “Tropical do Meco“. At night the weather is turning a bit colder in this time of the year (end of September and close to the Atlantic!), so we enjoyed our dinner at the veranda (smoking allowed).

Meco Restaurant Tropical do Meco smoking allowed veranda

Restaurant/bar “Tropical do Meco”

Restaurant’s specialties (especialidades): Mexilhões de cebolada (Mussels prepared with onions) ; Caldeirada de Peixe-espada com amêijoa (a fishstew of scabbard fish and small clams); Filetes de Peixe-espada preto fritos com arroz de tomate (Fried black scabbard fish fillets with tomato rice).

Aldeio do Meco restaurant Tropical do Meco fish espetada Restaurante Aldeio do Meco ‘Tropical do Meco’ picanha

Our choice: Espetada Tamboril Camarao, € 12,50 and Picanha Carvao (Grilled Picanha, € 11,00) .

The espetada is a typical Portuguese dish made of chunks of beef or fish rubbed in garlic and salt, skewered onto a bay leaf stick with vegetables such as onions and bell peppers and left to grill over smouldering wood chips.

Picanha (meat from Brazil) is generally considered to be the number one cut, even better than beef fillet. Picanha (pick-ahn-yeh) is much better than a steak, meltin-in-your mouth !

Meco restaurant Tropical do Meco owners Sergio Nuno and mother

The restaurant service was really great, professional and friendly.

‘Tropical do Meco’ owners Hugo, Sergio (brothers) and their mother Teresa. Besides being a great restaurant, Tropical de Meco is also thé place for the Meco beachcrowd for late night cocktails and other drinks (try a caipinrinha!).

Restaurante Tropical do Medo kitchen

Restaurant ‘Tropical do Meco’

We also got invited to a tour of the kitchen: Teresa, Isabel, Gladys, Clarice and Niso.

Restaurant ‘Tropical Meco’ Meco wine Montado and liqueur Moscatel Roxo

Restaurant ‘Tropical do Meco’

To accompany our food we enjoyed a bottle of Montado white wine from the Alentejo region (€ 5,50), a superb choice! While drinking our coffees a glass of a delicious liqueur was offered by the restaurant: ‘Moscatel Roxo’, a liqueurous wine from the Setúbal Peninsula.

Restaurant ‘Tropical do Meco’, Rua do Comércio 28, Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra, Setúbal Facebook. Closed Tuesday.

July 15, 2008August 18, 2015

Restaurant ‘A Travessa’, one of Lisbon’s best & unique location

We had heard great things about ‘A Travessa’, a trendy restaurant located in a former convent in Bairro da Madragoa, and one of Lisbon’s best: from food, service to location.

Restaurante A Travessa inside

Restaurant ‘A Travessa’ Lisbon

The building used to be a 17th century convent. Set in the very peaceful quarter in Santo (Lapa) this is one of the most atmospheric restaurants in Lisbon. There are at least three dining areas; the main room, a small side room and a terrace in the old courtyard. In the bar right next to the restaurant you can have an appetizer while waiting for your table. In winter, you can dine inside by the fireplace, and in summertime ‘al fresco’ in the wide courtyard.

Restaurant A Travessa dining outside

Restaurant ‘A Travessa’ Lisbon

The menu is Portuguese-Belgian, but international as well. Before you order they do provide you with some original hors d’oeuvres. The wine list includes many of Portugal’s best, including an extensive selection of Douro reds. The place is stunning, the people are really nice and the food is excellent!

There’s no parking area – so don’t go driving, instead use a taxi.

A Travessa (website including the history of the Convent and a virtual tour)
Travessa do Convento das Bernardas, 12
Bairro da Madragoa – Santo
1200-638 Lisbon
Tel: (+351) 21 390 20 34 / 21 394 08 00

Prices: more expensive than average. Open on 24, 25 & 31 December and 1st January.

Viviane Durieu owner A Travessa restaurant Lisbon

The creator of restaurant ‘A Travessa’ in Lisbon is Viviane Durieu (Belgian origine), read her story and Viviane’s favorite places in Lisbon

July 12, 2008April 16, 2021

Viviane Durieu, creator of ‘A Travessa’ Lisbon, famous restaurant & 17th-century convent

Viviane Durieu is creator of ‘A Travessa’, one of Lisbons best restaurants, set in a 17th-century convent, with a picturesque courty yard.

Lisbon people Viivane Durieu 3

“When I arrived in Lisbon in December 1969, two days before Christmas, I thought the climate and the light were fantastic. Especially because I had arrived from Belgium where it’s cloudy for nine months of the year and we only get a few months of blue sky. I remember being surprised to see the leaves still on the trees at that time of year.

I fell in love with the city, and still I’m fascinated by the humanism of the Portuguese and the beautiful light.

Viviane Durieu restaurant

My background is in photography, I worked in this field until we opened restaurant ‘A Travessa’, which only started as a bit of a joke between me, my husband and a friend.

We opened a small restaurant with good products: coffee that you couldn’t find in Portugal at that time, good bread and good wine, just round the corner from the current ‘A Travessa’, next to the Portuguese Parliament building and surrounded by embassies. Because we were French speakers we got lots of clients from the Belgian and French embassies. It was a hit. We just developed from there and it’s been 30 years this year since we opened. Time flies…..!”

‘A Travessa’ , Travessa do Convento das Bernardas, 12 Bairro da Madragoa – Santo, more details about the restaurant and the menu

“I live in the historic area near the Sao Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge), a delight for residents, with limited car access. The narrow streets of uneven cobbles make life in the centre of the city like living in a village”.

Lisbon entrance Castelo Sao Jorge

Castelo Sao Jorge, entrance

“When I arrived in Lisbon, I use to go to Sintra a lot. As it’s colder there, I felt closer to Belgium and I dreamt about having a house there. World Heritage Site, this historic town lies 40 km from Lisbon, a must for any visitor!”

Sintra Palacio Nacional da Pena

Sintra: National Palace da Pena, now a museum. The very old Palace stands on the top of a hill above the town of Sintra. On a clear day it can easily seen from Lisbon.

“In Lisbon, I like to shop in the Baixa and Chiado areas. I don’t like shopping centers, I prefer traditional shops, it’s much nicer to walk around the town”.

Lisbon shopping Rua do Carmo Ana Salazar

Lisbon, Rua do Carmo, Baixa

“i like going to Belém. The Jeronimus Monastery and the famous classic Belém custard tarts (Pasteis de Belém) , always warm, are real musts! And I like the shows at Centro Cultural de Belém, which has got the best concert hall in Lisbon.”

Belem Pasteis de Nata

Antiga Confeitaria, since 1837. The recepe of Lisbon’s most celebrated custard tarts is still a well-kept secret…open 7 days a week.

Lisbon Belem Pasteis de Belem
History: at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, in Belém, next to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (the Heironymite Monastery) there was a sugar cane refinery linked to a small general store. As a result of the liberal revolution of 1820, all convents and monasteries in Portugal were shut down in 1834, the clergy and labourers expelled.

In an attempt at survival, someone from the monastery offered sweet pastries for sale in the shop; pastries that rapidly became known as ‘Pasteis de Belém’.

Graças a Maria Ventura