Favorite Lisbon Sites and Restaurants
Sep 30th, 2024 | 03:58 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 10
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Favorite Lisbon Sites and Restaurants
We depart for Portugal next week. I've been reading guidebooks, googling, doing forum searches etc. - feeling a little overwhelmed!
Thought I'd ask some direct questions here:
We will have 4 nights in Lisbon (3.5 days)
One full day planned for Sintra
For the 2.5 days we have in the city, what are your top 3-5 favorite sites to visit?
We don't like to rush, as we'd rather stroll and take the 'long way' to places 'on the list'.
We also like to stop several times during the day for small bites and wine. Then we have a proper late dinner.
Favorite restaurants/cafes that would fit this bill? We don't mind a longer stroll to get to a hidden gem.
The .5 day is our arrival day. We have secured an early check in, so will be ready to head out around noon.
Thank you!
Thought I'd ask some direct questions here:
We will have 4 nights in Lisbon (3.5 days)
One full day planned for Sintra
For the 2.5 days we have in the city, what are your top 3-5 favorite sites to visit?
We don't like to rush, as we'd rather stroll and take the 'long way' to places 'on the list'.
We also like to stop several times during the day for small bites and wine. Then we have a proper late dinner.
Favorite restaurants/cafes that would fit this bill? We don't mind a longer stroll to get to a hidden gem.
The .5 day is our arrival day. We have secured an early check in, so will be ready to head out around noon.
Thank you!
Sep 30th, 2024 | 07:32 AM
#2
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,639
Likes: 21
Taberna Moderna. Loved it in 2022, and it still gets high ratings. Here is my little review.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/tab...sbon-portugal/
For things to see in Lisbon and Sintra, check out the first nine chapters of my 2022 trip report (plenty of photos, too) Love Portugal!
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/portugal-2022/
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/tab...sbon-portugal/
For things to see in Lisbon and Sintra, check out the first nine chapters of my 2022 trip report (plenty of photos, too) Love Portugal!
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/portugal-2022/
Sep 30th, 2024 | 10:05 AM
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,222
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Our favorites:
Jeronimos Monastery
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Take the elevator to the top of the Discoveries Monument in Belem - gorgeous views, no line
Explore the Alfama neighborhood - very hilly, narrow lanes, where people live
For restaurants, it looks like Cervejaria Ramiro is closed. So disappointing. It was our favorite restaurant.
We also enjoyed dining out at Time Our Market.
Jeronimos Monastery
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Take the elevator to the top of the Discoveries Monument in Belem - gorgeous views, no line
Explore the Alfama neighborhood - very hilly, narrow lanes, where people live
For restaurants, it looks like Cervejaria Ramiro is closed. So disappointing. It was our favorite restaurant.
We also enjoyed dining out at Time Our Market.
Sep 30th, 2024 | 11:34 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
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Cerverjaria Ramiro isn't closed except on Mondays, when seafood temples are normaly closed, since fishermen don't go out on Sundays.
And now, finally, one can book online.
https://www.cervejariaramiro.com/?lang=en
Just note that the Time Out Market can be incredibly crowded these days, in the days when Lisbon is experiencing "over tourism", especially during high season and when cruise ships are in port.
So at the Time Out Market enjoy a walk through preferably at an off time, look at the many options available, and these days, if there is no seating easily to be found, you can always go upstairs for a quieter and less hectic, sit down experience at the restaurant Pap' Açôrda.
And now, finally, one can book online.
https://www.cervejariaramiro.com/?lang=en
Just note that the Time Out Market can be incredibly crowded these days, in the days when Lisbon is experiencing "over tourism", especially during high season and when cruise ships are in port.
So at the Time Out Market enjoy a walk through preferably at an off time, look at the many options available, and these days, if there is no seating easily to be found, you can always go upstairs for a quieter and less hectic, sit down experience at the restaurant Pap' Açôrda.
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Sep 30th, 2024 | 01:40 PM
#8
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,695
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Last edited by kja; Sep 30th, 2024 at 02:01 PM.
Sep 30th, 2024 | 02:31 PM
#9
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 25,341
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RAMIRO was my favorite dinner in Lisbon. We enjoyed ourselves there more than we did at BELCANTO, ahtough that is not meant to be a knock on the latter.
They are opposites on the restaurant scale; RAMIRO casual, seafood based, fun, fun fun (especially in the ground floor dining room; upstairs, quieter dining room seemed to be reserved for foreigners, but that was just my impression.....perhaps the place the English-speaking waiters on that floor; its is almost two different experiences between the sound floor and upstairs....we liked the vitality of the ground floor).
BELCANTO wonderful for a special occasion....
I highly recommend both, depending on your budget and what type of dinner you prefer.
As I recall, RAMIRO offers but one sole meat dish, a beef sandwich that is fairly legendary among Lisbon dining.......
Service is excellent....the place pulses with energy.......waiters are so welcoming and friendly even to the extent of ushering me into the kitchen.....loved that spot!
I wrote this brief recap after our 2016 visit to Lisbon; I may have flagged during the writing and not sure if I even talked about BELCANTO....
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/lisbon-food-notes-fall-2016-a-1154939/
They are opposites on the restaurant scale; RAMIRO casual, seafood based, fun, fun fun (especially in the ground floor dining room; upstairs, quieter dining room seemed to be reserved for foreigners, but that was just my impression.....perhaps the place the English-speaking waiters on that floor; its is almost two different experiences between the sound floor and upstairs....we liked the vitality of the ground floor).
BELCANTO wonderful for a special occasion....
I highly recommend both, depending on your budget and what type of dinner you prefer.
As I recall, RAMIRO offers but one sole meat dish, a beef sandwich that is fairly legendary among Lisbon dining.......
Service is excellent....the place pulses with energy.......waiters are so welcoming and friendly even to the extent of ushering me into the kitchen.....loved that spot!
I wrote this brief recap after our 2016 visit to Lisbon; I may have flagged during the writing and not sure if I even talked about BELCANTO....
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/lisbon-food-notes-fall-2016-a-1154939/
Last edited by ekscrunchy; Sep 30th, 2024 at 02:35 PM.
Sep 30th, 2024 | 03:29 PM
#11
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,222
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Somehow I ended up using Microsoft Bing which I normally don't use. I misspoke when I said Cervejaria Ramiro's "website". I wasn't actually on their website. The righthand side of the search page had the name "Cervejaria Ramiro Lisbon" with a photo, and then in red "Permanently closed." And now I can't find it. Maybe an AI thing???
Anyways, good to know I am mistaken. We loved Cervejaria Ramiro. It was our favorite meal in Lisbon.
Anyways, good to know I am mistaken. We loved Cervejaria Ramiro. It was our favorite meal in Lisbon.
Oct 1st, 2024 | 02:21 AM
#15
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
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I actually went away with some mixed feelings about our most recent visit to Ramiro.
Like ekscrunchy, I did like very much what I ordered---the shrimp is garlic sauce, gambas al ajillo, were irresistible as well as the buttered bread served with it, păo torrado com manteiga, to mop up the sauce, the scarlet prawns, carabineiros, the clams in garlic, Amęijoa Bulhăo Pato.
Ramiro is a shellfish only restaurant, with one meat exception, the prego sandwich which locals at Ramiro order for dessert!
For wine we ordered a bottle of alvarinho from the Minho, from Quinta do Soalheiro, that our waiter remarked that was "the best white wine for the best price".
We were seated downstairs, not upstairs, on the now enclosed, heated terrace, and all tables there appeared to be occupied by tourists. Reservations can now be made online.
We didn't venture into the more atmospheric main dining room where apparently the locals are seated (?). This time we found Ramiro crowded, a bit frenetic, waiters in constant motion and noisy, its having become very, very popular with visitors due to its "Bourdain" fame.
The slightly discordant note came at the end, when our waiter handed us his tablet, saying that we could on it add a tip to our bill as "service isn't included". Service indeed is included in Portuguese restaurant bills, and tipping is completely optional.
We declined and left a modest tip in cash.
Our waiter spoke good English (as so many Portuguese do) and was friendly and pleasant. But informing non-Portuguese patrons that service is not included was a surprising note. Perhaps now the wait staff is given that instruction by management.
Just our experience...
On our next visit for our crustaceans experience we hope to try Nune's Real Marisqueira in Belém.
Like ekscrunchy, I did like very much what I ordered---the shrimp is garlic sauce, gambas al ajillo, were irresistible as well as the buttered bread served with it, păo torrado com manteiga, to mop up the sauce, the scarlet prawns, carabineiros, the clams in garlic, Amęijoa Bulhăo Pato.
Ramiro is a shellfish only restaurant, with one meat exception, the prego sandwich which locals at Ramiro order for dessert!
For wine we ordered a bottle of alvarinho from the Minho, from Quinta do Soalheiro, that our waiter remarked that was "the best white wine for the best price".
We were seated downstairs, not upstairs, on the now enclosed, heated terrace, and all tables there appeared to be occupied by tourists. Reservations can now be made online.
We didn't venture into the more atmospheric main dining room where apparently the locals are seated (?). This time we found Ramiro crowded, a bit frenetic, waiters in constant motion and noisy, its having become very, very popular with visitors due to its "Bourdain" fame.
The slightly discordant note came at the end, when our waiter handed us his tablet, saying that we could on it add a tip to our bill as "service isn't included". Service indeed is included in Portuguese restaurant bills, and tipping is completely optional.
We declined and left a modest tip in cash.
Our waiter spoke good English (as so many Portuguese do) and was friendly and pleasant. But informing non-Portuguese patrons that service is not included was a surprising note. Perhaps now the wait staff is given that instruction by management.
Just our experience...
On our next visit for our crustaceans experience we hope to try Nune's Real Marisqueira in Belém.
Oct 1st, 2024 | 08:02 AM
#16
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
Likes: 0
Speaking of Belém, our very favorite lunch in Lisbon to date has been at O Frade with very creative dishes from the Alentejo and terrific breads and olive oil. They also have opened a stall in the Time Out Market but I much prefer sitting around the semi-circular counter, watching the final finishing prep by the chefs of dishes coming out of the tiny kitchen. It's a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
We also like very much the "farm to table" Prado not far from the cathedral. It now has a wine bar. Prado usually makes the top 10 list in Portugal from the gastro blog, Mesa Marcada, and receives a Silver Key from the gourmet guide, Boa Cama, Boa Mesa. It's an informal, high ceiling, light filled space filled with greenery.
We also like very much the "farm to table" Prado not far from the cathedral. It now has a wine bar. Prado usually makes the top 10 list in Portugal from the gastro blog, Mesa Marcada, and receives a Silver Key from the gourmet guide, Boa Cama, Boa Mesa. It's an informal, high ceiling, light filled space filled with greenery.
Oct 1st, 2024 | 01:29 PM
#17
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 0
Another favorite site to visit is the Mosteiro De Sao Vicente De Fora for its gorgeous blue and white tiles, and for its rooftop views. Follow the signs for the towers and rooftop terrace, and you will be rewarded with awesome views of Lisbon and the river. It's also quiet and cool.
Oct 2nd, 2024 | 08:54 AM
#18
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 13
We loved Lisbon, and especially the Hotel Avenida Palace. Elegant hotel, great service, perfect location.
https://www.hotelavenidapalace.pt
We took the train to/from Sinatra one day. We also took the train to Cascais, which we liked a lot. Very small town, lots of beach activity, and small shops. While there, we found a classy and expensive-looking beachside hotel with a café overlooking the water. We stopped for lunch there. It is pricey, with very disginguished-looking hotel clientele. Looked like a great place for a honeymoon:
The Albatroz Hotel in Cascai
Rua Frederico Arouca
100- 2750- 353 Cascais
www.thealbatrozcollection.com
Our third day-trip by train was to Estoril, which is just two stops before Cascais. We had enjoyed the Atlantic seaside, so we returned to that area. We ate at a very simple seaside fresh fish restaurant. I am not a die-hard fish fan like DH, so I wasn’t as wild about my swordfish choice, as it was different than I expected. But they had free wi-fi and DH liked his salmon and my dish, too. The diner next to me had the squid, which looked good.
“Baiuka Bar Restaurante”
Praia das Moitas
2765 Monte Estoril
www.baiukabar.com
https://www.hotelavenidapalace.pt
We took the train to/from Sinatra one day. We also took the train to Cascais, which we liked a lot. Very small town, lots of beach activity, and small shops. While there, we found a classy and expensive-looking beachside hotel with a café overlooking the water. We stopped for lunch there. It is pricey, with very disginguished-looking hotel clientele. Looked like a great place for a honeymoon:
The Albatroz Hotel in Cascai
Rua Frederico Arouca
100- 2750- 353 Cascais
www.thealbatrozcollection.com
Our third day-trip by train was to Estoril, which is just two stops before Cascais. We had enjoyed the Atlantic seaside, so we returned to that area. We ate at a very simple seaside fresh fish restaurant. I am not a die-hard fish fan like DH, so I wasn’t as wild about my swordfish choice, as it was different than I expected. But they had free wi-fi and DH liked his salmon and my dish, too. The diner next to me had the squid, which looked good.
“Baiuka Bar Restaurante”
Praia das Moitas
2765 Monte Estoril
www.baiukabar.com
Oct 2nd, 2024 | 09:10 AM
#19
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,662
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Cascais is a lovely, immaculate and quite upscale town-by-the-sea, one that I could easily live in (if I could afford the current prices!). The classic Hotel Albatroz is also a lovely place to have lunch or afternoon tea, right at the water's edge. And it's only a 40-minute commuter train ride from Lisbon's Cais de Sodré. It also has the excellent small Casa das Histórias Paula Rego art museum, a creation of Pritzker Prize winner Eduardo Soto de Moura and some smaller museums.
