We'll be spending about a week in Lisbon, Portugal during April. Any recommendations for restaurants and day-trips??

I love Portugal: Friendly people and (for Europe) good prices. I can't really give restaurant recommendations. Though I try when travelling to get with the local flavour, I can't say I was crazy about Portuguese food. Except for the side dishes, the food was a bit bland. We did have a few great Portuguese meals but also found first rate Italian and Indian restaurants all over the place. The only thing they seem to eat for lunch are grilled cheese sandwiches or maybe grilled Ham and Cheese - appealing to the UK tourists I guess. The two restaurants I kept business cards from were Massima Culpa and Varanda de Lisboa. Both are in the Bairro Alto, I think.

The one restaurant and day trip that really stands out is the Pousada at Obidos - a castle from the 1500s that is now a federally-run B and B. Expensive but worth the money. We also stayed in Evora - a beautiful Roman walled city. Evora also has a very nice Pousada.

Oh, one more thing. Portugal is a great place to shop for shoes.

I was in Lisbon for a long weekend in 1999 and had a great time. For eating, we stuck to seafood, which is abundant and good.

Two restaurants stand out:

1. Take the commuter ferry from the Ferry Terminal across the Tagus River for 50 cents. This is worth doing anyway - you get a good view. On the other side, turn right and walk along the water 400 yards. It is all piers and warehouses but then there is this little restaurant with tables right on the water. They had good fish.

2. a really traditional place in Baixa whose name I can't remember.

We spent most our time in Baixa and Alfama. The latter is a more tradition area of narrow streets and little cafes.

The funicular (cog-railroad) that goes up the steep slopes is fun to ride on.

We also went to a restaurant that features Fado, the traditional portuguese singing. It is one of those typical tourist things to see.

For a list of trendier, higher-end restaurants seehere. I used Time Out's restaurant guide for Rome recently and was pleased. Lisbon's guide looks just as good.

Eats:

Under the April 25th bridge is a places called Docas. many great resturaants alomg the banks of teh river, alfresco dining. Good food, and value

A primavera Travessa de Espera 34 is reall good, and reasonable prices/

Cafe Rosso in Chiado district

In the upper town, just north of Plaza Sao Roque on R D Pedro de Alcantra 45 V is the[ Institute de Porto. Yep, this is the place that certifies port. They have a great tasing room with over 300 ports. Samples are good pour, proper glasses, and range from 1 - 10 euros. You can also buy port at a great price. Loved it so much we spent three days there.

Can I just say that this board is such a great resource?
I'm planning a trip to Spain and Portugal and while searching I ran into this thread. I was just thinking how I can find some Port to bring home now I know to go to the Institute de Porto!

Anyway, not really a Port person so I was just wondering if there were any particular labels that I should try to hone in on - maybe stuff that harder to get stateside?

Thanks!

WD

winodyno,

Where in Spain and Portugal? Lots of us may have reccomendations for you. (eg. I've never been to Lisbon, but if you're going to the Algarve I've got some 'must hits' for you).

As far as I know, all of the best Ports are imported. But, when I was there vintage Port was much less expensive -- you could pick up '85 Fonseca for $40!

a

Thanks for the bump on this. we had a great time there in Lisbon. Folks were great, food was super and inexpensive.

I do miss the grilled sardines that were at many corners or resturants.

Glad to hear that you had a great time Edward. I'm looking forward to this trip!

WD

Hey All,

Thanks for all the suggestions - esp. for the port institute, it was just around the corner (and up the hill) from our hotel so it was a convenient stop. Unfortunately, I was unable to pick up any vintage port that I was looking for - I was quoted prices like 350 euroes for a 1977 Graham! Sorry, not at that price and esp. not at this exchange rate.

WD