Trams and tuk-tuks crisscross the hills of the Portuguese capital in Lisbon, a city that offers stunning viewpoints, open-air culinary establishments, and bold street art.
The Alma
With its illuminated vaults and bottle-filled walls in the middle of a former 18th-century book warehouse in the Chiado district, the two-Michelin-starred Alma is an ingenious ode to Portuguese culture from Henrique Sá Pessoa, a giant of Lisbon gastronomy.
The tasting menus are carefully composed and presented and offer signature dishes such as confit suckling pig accompanied by turnip puree or the Costa a Costa, a culinary adventure on the open sea with scarlet shrimp, pumpkin, harissa, and black garlic.
Rossio Gastrobar
On the seventh floor of the Altis Avenida hotel, Rossio Gastrobar is an art deco restaurant that offers breathtaking views of the city skyline and its castle. If the sun is out, grab a table on the terrace and enjoy a feast of exquisite small plates courtesy of chef João Correia.
Scarlet and sweet shrimp from the Algarve and tender lamb from the mountains of northern Portugal are in the spotlight. Cocktails, such as the Grape (gin, vermouth, and fresh grape juice), are also sensational.
The Gunpowder
After a notable arrival on the Lisbon gastronomic scene in the spring, Gunpowder is a vintage-style restaurant that offers explosive flavors. Indian-inspired dishes combine fresh Portuguese produce with recipes and spices that will transport you from the coast of Goa to the streets of Bombay.
Here, it’s seafood that makes a splash in many dishes, such as Algarve oysters accompanied by a spicy touch of kachumber salad, but also razor clams magnificently seasoned with ghee.
The BAHR
a restaurant and cocktail bar located on the roof of the Bairro Alto hotel, offers breathtaking views of the city. Subtly lit tables and an open kitchen give way to no-frills gastronomy. Chef Bruno Rocha pays homage to Portugal and other culinary cultures by tempting visitors with petiscos (appetizers) such as smoked barnacles on toast and buttered Algarve tuna.
These delicacies will whet your appetite for tasting the main dishes, such as sea bass with Jerusalem artichoke and dashi, but also succulent desserts, such as meringue accompanied by green apple granita.
The Seen
Led by Portuguese star chef Olivier da Costa, Seen at the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa hotel is a splendid and glamorous place. The restaurant offers a unique atmosphere with a sublime view of Lisbon, a tree planted in the middle of the bar, emerald velvet sofas which decorate marble tables, and DJs who ensure a pleasant atmosphere for people having a cocktail on the roof terrace before moving on to dinner. The menu draws inspiration from Portuguese, Brazilian and Japanese waters, with excellent sushi and sharing dishes like ceviche tacos with guacamole, and wagyu beef with leeks, mushrooms and green curry.
The Cura
The chef of this Michelin-starred restaurant at the Four Seasons Ritz, Pedro Pena Bastos, travels across Portugal in search of exquisite agricultural, fishing, and foraging ingredients, which he then cooks with precision and flair for you to offer unusual and unforgettable flavors. Watch chefs prepare small culinary masterpieces for tasting menus, like bluefin tuna with horseradish, turnips, and smoked broth, among other delicacies.
Le Tapisco
Spanish tapas and Portuguese petiscos are the stars of the menu at this pleasant, quiet restaurant, whose menu is overseen by Henrique Sá Pessoa. Its benches, its tables installed side by side, its bar and its open kitchen running the entire length of the establishment promote a lively atmosphere which is reminiscent of the tapas bars of Barcelona. Carefully chosen vermouths pair well with clean, bright flavors like Paprika Octopus Salad, Aljezur Lime, Seaweed and Sweet Potato Marinated Fish, and Cuttlefish Tempura with Lime Mayonnaise .
The Lumi
Visitors spend sunny days and balmy Lisbon nights at this rooftop restaurant at the Lumiares Hotel & Spa, which offers panoramic views of the capital, low, padded seating for casual alfresco dining, and a bohemian and quiet atmosphere. It’s a great place for brunch (try the Lumi omelette with cheese, spinach, and chilli, or an acai bowl topped with fruit). Return when Lisbon lights up for negronis and shareable dishes such as oxtail croquettes with fava bean pesto, roast octopus with Padrón peppers, and spicy beef pica-pau.
Mark