Restaurant Ibo in Lisbon is a remarkable culinary experience! A sunny day, delicious food and a beautiful view over the river Tagus: what more do you want for lunch during a trip to Lisbon?
Restaurant ‘Ibo’ Lisbon facing the Tagus river: a surprising culinary experience
Lisbon is divided into 2 parts by the river Tagus, Portugal’s longest river. Restaurant ‘Ibo”, situated at the north bank, is housed in a former salt warehouse built in the beginning of the 20th century, next to Cais do Sodré ferry terminal.
Restaurant ‘Ibo’ Lisbon: my friend Erika Reusens likes dishes with flavours from Mozambique
The restaurant’s name refers to an island in the Indian Ocean north of Mozambique: Ibo. We ordered:
Caril de Camarão (shrimp curry) 19 €, Caril de Galinha à Mocambicana (chicken curry) 19 €, a bottle of white wine, Castello D’Alba 18 € (exclusively wines from the best Portuguese producers and winemakers), agua (water) 2 €.
If you are not curious for a different experience: restaurant ‘Ibo‘ also offers Portuguese gastronomy.
Restaurant ‘Ibo’ Lisbon & wonderful views from the terrace
Former colony of the Portuguese empire
Mozambique became independent in 1975, after over four centuries of Portuguese rule: famous explorer Vasco da Gama reportedly rested on the island in 1502. In the late eighteenth century, Portuguese colonialists built the Fort of São João, which still survives, and the town, as a slave port, became the second most important in the region. Nowadays the beautiful Ibo island is a popular tourist area.
Restaurant ‘Ibo’ Lisbon, a sunny day in November & one of the friendly waiters
Starters: in the more expensive Portuguese restaurants you have to pay for starters like bread, cheese and often olives or shrimps.
The waiter will 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 (não, obrigado). In this restaurant you pay 3 € for a starter (some bread, tapenade and humus) which is OK, because sometimes 10/15 € is added for a small starter you did not ask for.
Restaurant ‘Ibo’ Lisbon & flavours from former Portuguese colony Mozambique
Camarões selvagens à Laurentina (wild shrimps), € 19: really delicious! Glass of white wine (VB Crasto) € 5.50
Lovely ladies & Laurentina beer
The waiter told me that Laurentina is Mozambique’s oldest beer brand. The name is dedicated to lovely ladies: ‘laurentinas’ 😉 . Read more…
Restaurant ‘Ibo’ Lisbon: papaya dessert (sobremesa)….. whow!! 🙂 € 8
This restaurant specializes in the food of Mozambique but adds a few influences from another former Portuguese colony, India’s Goa. The freshness and quality of products is ensured, because the owner, João Pedrosa, daily visits the nearby old and Lisbon’s legendary market Mercado da Ribeira (really worth to go there , only 5 minutes walk).
Restaurant ‘Ibo‘ Lisbon: casa do banho (ladies’ room)
Don’t expect an interior decorated with all kinds of art from Africa. There’s a modern and bright decoration inside the restaurant. Until I visited the ladies’ room: a beautiful portrait, this African lady on the wall! But she doesn’t seem to be very happy….
Restaurant ‘Ibo‘ Lisbon & terrace view: ferry to the other side of the river Tagus
From here you can easily take the ferry (every 10 minutes) to Cacilhas (a part of Lisbon, the other side of the river), return ticket: cheap : more………….
Ibo Restaurante, Cais do Sodré, Lisbon, Armazem A – Compartimento 2. Phone (00351) 961 332 024. Also open for lunch on Sundays.
