Portugal Guidebook
Best and worst restaurants:
Worst: Restaurant Recommendations
Why: The two worst meals we had were places recommened by Rick Steves. The food was very bland. The best places were ones we chose off the street. Prices were comparable.
Aaron in Edmond, OK USA 01/16/2012
Best: Casa de Pasteis de Belem
Why: The pasteis de Belem are a hundred times better than any of their "nata" counterparts. Always hot, highest custard-to-crust ratio, creamiest filling. The package of 6 came with a coupon for free entry to Museu do Fado (3.00 Euro value). Based on my knowledge of food chemistry, I suspect I know what their secrets are: bacon in the crust, and Irish moss (carrageenan) in the custard!
Worst: A Tasquinha Restaurante (Alfama)
Why: Terrible service. They are almost anti-tourist. I noticed that locals who ordered the exact same thing as I did got much larger portions. I was seated at the worst possible table, even though there was plenty of space available. And the grilled sardines were unevenly cooked.
Vince Bacani in Toronto, ON Canada 10/31/2011
Best: Evora - Adela do alentejano
Why: One of the most memorable meals we had. Delicious hearty noon meal, friendly service good wine
Worst: Lisbon - Bonjardim
Why: May have been because we showed up between the afternoon and evening shifts but our chicken dinner was dry and not up to our expectations. In the meantime others who came in later ordered 3 courses of chicken...and the piri piri is FUEGO!
MW in Portland , OR USA 10/27/2011
Best: Lisbon: Casa de Alentejo on Eating Lane and Cafe Nicola on Rossio Square
Why: Food and atmosphere, service above average. Fish excellent especially in small, local restaurants everywhere in Portugal. Side dishes rather bland--boiled potatoes, white rice, lettuce & tomato. Vinho Verde wine good and light!
susan & milton martin in Hopewell, VA USA 10/20/2011
Best: See above
Why: Superb gourmet dishes, great ambiance, interactions with chef and manager
Worst: We've had no poor meals, although next to the Casa de Relogio outside Obidos' walls, while good, was quite overpriced
Why: As above. I need to say we did considerably enjoy Casa de Relogio itself.
Peter D. Springberg, MD in Fort Collins, CO USA 09/16/2011
Best: See above
Why: Superb gourmet dishes, great ambiance, interactions with chef and manager
Worst: We've had no poor meals, although next to the Casa de Relogio outside Obidos' walls, while good, was quite overpriced
Why: As above. I need to say we did considerably enjoy Casa de Relogio itself.
Peter D. Springberg, MD in Fort Collins, CO USA 09/16/2011
Best: Bonjardim in Lisbon
Why: Best chicken we had in Portugal. Make sure to ask for the piri piri sauce. Service was amazing.
Also want to mention Restaurante Giuseppe & Joaquim in Coimbra had great pizza.
Plus all the restaurants in Salema were wonderful.
Worst: Restaurante Abadia in Porto
Why: The food was not good. I had a pork chop with garlic and my husband had the cod dish.
Catherine in Montreal, QC Canada 09/08/2011
Best: Cafe Guaranty
Why: Nice atmosphere, great service by Vitor.
Elizabeth in Pittsburg, CA USA 07/15/2011
Best: A Ver Tavira
Why: This elegant, hilltop restaurant serves excellent food and the terrace has good views of rooftops. Menu is pricey, though.
Victoria Wakins in New York, NY USA 06/19/2011
Best: A Ver Tavira
Why: This elegant, hilltop restaurant serves excellent food and the terrace has good views of rooftops. Menu is pricey, though.
Victoria Wakins in New York, NY USA 06/19/2011
Best: A Ver Tavira
Why: This elegant, hilltop restaurant serves excellent food and the terrace has good views of rooftops. Menu is pricey, though.
Victoria Wakins in New York, NY USA 06/19/2011
Best: found our own
Why: recommend: O Bahtel, Aveiro; Tulhas, Sintra; The Lawrence Hotel Restaurant, Sintra; all the pastry shops!
Worst: Pinnocchio's,Lisbon
Why: over priced; no employees understoiod English; surly wait staff; take it or leave it atmosphere; shrimp cocktail tasted overcooked from frozen; reminded me of Durgin Park, Boston: you paid to be abused!
Pat in Marlborough, MA USA 05/17/2011
Best: Restaurante Abadia in Porto
Why: We tried several restaurants recommended in Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto. All were good. Abadia had good service, good prices and delicious food. Only drawback was that many large groups were eating there so it was fairly noisy, but on the upside of that we were serenaded by a French men's choir that was having dinner there.
A. Ergas in Farmington Hills, MI USA 05/09/2011
Best: Adega E Presuntaria Transmontana II
Why: Across the river from Porta in Vila Nova de Gaia, settled amongst the Caves, look for the hams hanging over the bar. Fantastic food at about an average of 15 euros for dinner. The wait staff is willing to recommend half portions and not focus on the most expensive bottle of wine. Considering that you can spend way more than this on dinner in the US, the quality of this food for the price is incredible
David Graham in Savoy, IL USA 11/01/2010
Best: Cafe Brasiliera in Lisbon and The Cafe Majestic in Porto
Why: Amazing atmospheres, a throwback to the Arts Deco era.
Ilana Slonim in Santa Fe, NM USA 10/25/2010
Best: Tulhas Restaurant in Sintra
Why: The accommodated me for my gluten free needs. Great fish and the mangoes with Port wine for dessert was excellent.
Worst: Cafe Paris in Sintra
Why: Poor service, overrated, and rude waiters...
Caroline Hill in New York, NY USA 10/16/2010
Best: Pasteis de nata in Belem
Why: These pastries were well worth the effort to find the place. Hot out of the oven with cinnimon sprinkled on top. Find a seat way in the back where its not so crowded.
Dolores Scott in Monson, MA USA 09/13/2010
Best: Casa do Alentejo
Why: Great atmosphere, best "snappy" in town (Snappy is a 7up clone found in Lisbon),our group tried a variety of foods from the fish to beef and we all really enjoyed our meals. I would also recommend the dessert platter as a fun splurge because the platter features local traditional cakes. http://www.casadoalentejo.pt/flash.html
Kevin in Lake Forest, CA USA 07/11/2010
Worst: Restaurante Trovador, Coimbra
Why: We asked for plain water to have with our wine, and were served hot (body temperature) water out of a jar. When we complained the waiter, who spoke excellent English, said without apology that it was the only water available from the tap at the kitchen. Service otherwise impeccable. A bizarre misunderstanding - or a new trend to get back at the customer for not ordering bottled water?
Bert in Lutz, FL USA 06/22/2010
Best: Senhora Mae (Alfama Section of Lisbon)
Why: A little tricky to find because there is no sign...the name is only on the front glass of the restaurant. This is a great lunch spot in Alfama. We also went back for Dinner the next night. It is located on the Tram 28 Line just above the Cathedral Se on the way to Castelo San Jorge. Dinner was very good but the lunch was even better. My wife had the black pork tenderloin and I had the braised beef. We cleaned the plates.
Worst: A Tasquinha (Alfama Section of Lisbon)
Why: Mentioned in the Portugal book but it is a quintessential tourist trap. The location is good but the food is overpriced and poor. Go to Senhora Mae instead.
Rob in Pittsburgh, Pa USA 06/16/2010
Best: Lisbon--Bonjardim
Why: The roasted chicken at Bonjardim on the "eating lane" is not to be missed--absolutely delicious! Beware of the very hot piri-piri sauce--hotter than Tabasco--downright firey stuff.
Susan Jennings in Atlanta, Ge USA 06/16/2010
Best: Belem--Os Jerinomos
Why: We had a late lunch at this restaurant on a Sunday recently. It was very crowded but we waited patiently for a table--just loved it--great food and fun atmosphere. The owner spaeaks five lanuages--we were impressed! Do not miss this little place if you are in Belem.
Susan Jennings in Atlanta, USA 06/15/2010
Best: Bonjardim
Why: Chicken with piri-piri sauce.MMMMMMMMMM
Carmelita Stone in Plattsburg, MO USA 06/10/2010
Worst: Sintra
Why: Tourist food and tourist prices.
Vincent F Biondo Jr in Del Mar, CA USA 05/14/2010
Best: Ora Viva (Porto); Farol de Santa Luzia (Lisbon)
Why: Ora Viva: Cataplana was awesome, and I talked futbol with the manager. When I left half a pineapple on my plate at dessert (I was simply full), I was asked if there was a problem with the taste or quality--very attentive. Farol de Santa Luzia: they got themselves a sign outside, so you can change that in the guidebook--no longer so difficult to find. Service still typical for Portuguese restaurants, unhurried, but I watched locals eating fish and talking futbol at the tv during a heated match--well worth it.
Sally H in Kalamazoo, MI USA 03/29/2010
Best: Adega do Alentejo in Evora
Why: Great food, nice atmosphere, and very nice and helpful owner.
Marylene Pastides in Columbia, MO USA 11/20/2009
Best: Cafe Gilao, Tavira, PT
Why: Chef is excellent- recommended by another couple and as good as they said. best vegetables of the trip. Olives et al on the house. Carla out front is a joy who made the evening superb and a perfect match for great fish.
George in Pittsburgh, PA USA 10/10/2009
Best: Casa do Alentejo
Why: The building interior is worth a visit by itself, tiles, painted ceilings, fountain. The food was very good and moderately priced, the house wine-Alentejo Borba was excellent, we shared the ":Taste of three desserts" and loved it, wait staff was superb.
Worst: None
Why: We never had a bad meal in our whole trip
George in Pittsburgh, PA USA 10/10/2009
Best: Ora Viva in Porto
Why: On our first night in Portugal (after 14+ hours traveling from Seattle) Antonio and his family made us feel so welcome. He made a special flavored milk drink for our daughter and taught us about indoor soccer over a wonderful, relaxing two-hour dinner.
Hillary Slawson in Seattle, WA USA 08/15/2009
Best: O Fialho, Evora
Why: Everything about this restaurant ranks it above the rest. The food was outstanding; the service was friendly, but not intrusive; the ambiance charming.
Brenda VanAmburgh in Fort Worth, TX USA 05/17/2009