Lisbon for bank holiday - views on Bocca?
Hello Chows!
I am heading to Lisbon for the Easter holiday with my mother and twin sister. We will be staying for 4 nights, so I am looking for a combination of places` to eat for lunch and dinner.
My mum is pretty young and open to new, funky and young places too, and we all shy away from traditional/stuffy places and also places that pile your plate too high. We'd like one special place, too, but we want atmosphere and buzz too.
I have read the other threads and wanted to see what you think of my shortlist? I also wondered if you could comment on which place is best on which night/time of day.
What time do most people eat in Lisbon?
And also, as it is Bank Holiday, will places be closed? Or is there a specific place that is great on the bank holiday?
Traditional
Bonjardim - is this best for lunch?
Ramiro
Special
Bocca - I haven't seen any reports on this, has anyone been?
Bica do Sapato - I read that I should book the cafe part instead?
XL - again not seen anything about this place on the board
Young, funky
Galeto - is this best for breakfast?
Oliviers
Pap Acorda - is the service really that rude?
Sinal Vermelho
how am I doing?
thanks,
By justmarried
on Mar 20, 2010 05:25 AM
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can i also add that we all LOVE seafood too.
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I just returned from several days in Lisbon on business, and while I didn't hit any of the places on your short list I thought I'd add one: Tavares.
We had originally dismissed Tavares as too stuffy and old school, but the current chef is young and very adventurous. His training includes a stint at El Bulli. While the setting is very old and elegant, gilted with mirrors, the food is very up to date, the service polite and efficient, and we left as very happy foodies.
On hours, most places started dinner service at 7:30, but the locals didn't start to arrive until 9:30.
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monchique help this poster out. anyone who is a fan of a charette is cool
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It seems like you have a good list of options through combing most of the threads here. It is tough to say which places will be open over the Easter weekend.
I was in Bocca in mid February and thought that it was mediocre. It was ok, but I've had much better meals for better prices in Lisbon over the years. Like Olivier, it caters to a crowd (including tourists) willing to spend and for the purposes of being "seen."
Something worth thinking about if you love seafood is taking a boat across the Tejo to Caçilhas for lunch at O Ponto Final. I'm not sure if they are open that weekend, but the food and view of Lisbon and the Rio Tejo are fantastic. I highly recommend the experience. Likewise, there is also a very good Brazilian restaurant next to O Ponto Final too. If you want, I can call and see if they will be open.
I wouldn't recommend Galeto for breakfast personally. Rather, I would go to a pastelaria and enjoy a coffee and pastry for breakfast. Any neighborhood pastelaria or some of the more famous ones are bound to be open (Suiça, Nicola, Confeitaria Nacional, À Brasileira, etc.)
One other place most likely to be open in the Brasserie Flo at the Tivoli on the Avenida da Liberdade. I've had excellent meals there in the past at very affordable prices. Granted, it wouldn't be my first choice, yet it might be a good option if some of your other choices are closed. And yes, I always prefer Bonjardim for lunch, but I must confess that I have often eaten there twice in a day due to my addiction for the chicken and the low prices!
Boa Viagem!
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thank you all for your responses. Vinhotinto - thank you for the offer - it sounds amamzing, but annoyingly my sister and mother both get seasick, even on pedalos, so unless there is a taxi route there, they won't go.
I have just read n article in the Times celebrating the restaurant JA Masa - I checked out the website but it isnt in english so I dont understand it, I dont suppose you can tell me if it is open sunday or monday of easter weekend?
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oh, and also Alma - any opinions? I have sunday night to still book a restaurant for. Is JA a Mesa more of a lunchtime place? Can you tell I am massively excited about my trip!!!!!
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It appears that both Alma and Já à Mesa are closed on Sundays. I didn't really get the hype surrounding Já à Mesa (which is a lunch place) in any case to be honest.
Like most European cities, finding a reliable Sunday spot for dinner can be tough. Although not spectuacular, the food at Via Graça is quite good and the view of Lisboa and the Castelo are spectacular. I believe they are open on Sundays.
http://www.restauranteviagraca.com/
I might also suggest Solar dos Presuntos which has fantastic seafood and should be open on Sunday too (but worth emailing or checking).
http://www.solardospresuntos.com/Home...
Boa Sorte!
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