VAMOS COMER: A LISBON FOOD GUIDE!

Me enjoying a glass of rose in the countryrard at Blue Restaurant in Lisbon while I await my dinner

Me enjoying a glass of rose in the countryrard at Blue Restaurant in Lisbon while I await my dinner

The familiar delectable scent of melted cheese filled my nostrils as our server dropped another dish off at our table. We were at Taberna Bairro do Avillez in Lisbon having dinner and although we were only three dishes in, Adam and I were already in foodie heaven.

This past September, my boyfriend Adam and I ventured to Portugal to see if it could live up to its social media hype. One thing that took me by surprise was how much Lisbon had to offer beyond the seductive smell of freshly baked Pastel De Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts) and the sizzling sounds of succulent Piri-Piri chicken – two popular food highlights.

Adam appeared out of nowhere with this Pineapple drink while we were exploring LX Factory - an outdoor market in Lisbon.

Adam appeared out of nowhere with this Pineapple drink while we were exploring LX Factory - an outdoor market in Lisbon.

Now, it’s not unusual for Adam and I to go all out on food while on vacation and this trip was no different. As a matter of fact, we have the gluttonous habit of following one dinner with another, dubbing the act a ‘bang bang’, LOL! While in Lisbon, not only did we eat at the majority of places on our pre-planned list, but also found a couple new restaurants in Lisbon we added along the way. Needless to say, when Adam and I claim to have ‘eaten our way through Lisbon’, we feel the statement is completely justified.

So here we are, one month post-trip and Adam and I are still talking about our favourite dishes. Together, we compiled the ultimate ‘Lisbon Food Hit List’ of all our favourite restaurants in Lisbon as well as cafes, take-away counters, and bars so that that next time you find yourself in Lisbon you can dine like you’ve got two hollow legs too!


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Inside Taberna Bairro do Avillez - one of the best restaurants in Lisbon

Inside Taberna Bairro do Avillez - one of the best restaurants in Lisbon

- LISBON RESTAURANTS -

Prior to our trip, I had read a lot about Michelin star chef Jose Avillez. Said to be one of the best chefs in Portugal, dining at one of his Lisbon restaurants during our time in in town was an absolute no-brainer. Open for lunch and dinner, Taberna Bairro do Avillez, Jose Avillez’s most casual restaurant offers Portuguese cuisine with an Avillez twist! There wasn’t a dish that Adam and I didn’t like and even though we were full, we could not stop eating. My favourite dish was the Alfachinha with crispy cod topped with garlic mayonnaise and a spicy tomato sauce, while Adam favoured the uniqueness of the octopus in a kimchi sauce, with garlic and sweet potato. Overall, this was both our favourite meal and if you are going to go to one restaurant in Lisbon, this is it!

Hands down my favourite DISH of the entire trip was actually a sweet potato gnocchi I had at my hotel’s restaurant. Recently renovated, Blue Restaurant has a chic, relaxed atmosphere inspired by the city’s blue sky and azure waters. Further, this Lisbon restaurant has the cutest little pink courtyard where Adam and I chose to enjoy our breakfast daily. Although the menu does change, all items on the menu are made of locally-sourced fresh seasonal ingredients to insure the highest quality of flavours. Like I said, my favourite dish from the ENTIRE TRIP was the gnocchi I had here. I tried to go back for it before I left but unfortunately it is only available on their dinner menu (a heartbreaking realization for me). Regardless, if they ever take it off their menu I will cry! Yes, it’s that good

For those interested in learning more about new age Portuguese cuisine, I would definitely recommend a restaurant in Lisbon called Delfina. Tucked in a corner of Praça do Município, inside the Alma Lusa hotel, Delfina is a fine dining yet casual Lisbon restaurant that serves up fresh and seasonal Portuguese-inspired cuisine along with a fabulous selection of local wines. Adam and I ate here on our second night and practically had to roll ourselves home. All the seafood dishes we had including the Bulho Pato clams, sautéed clams in garlic, olive oil and coriander; Fettuccini Alla Pescatore with Bulho Pato shrimp, clams, and mussels; and the Codfish A Brash, a traditional codfish dish with frayed matchstick potatoes and egg, were all exquisite and I unapologetically helped myself to the lions share.

If you don’t eat Piri-Piri chicken while in Portugal, did you even really go? Frangasqueira Nacional is a small restaurant in Lisbon with only a couple seats that, if you aren’t specifically looking for it, you would pass right by. Mostly intended for takeout, this small Lisbon restaurant has an even smaller menu of rice, a few side options and the clear star of the show, spicy Piri-Piri chicken two ways - baked and grilled. Adam and I ordered one of each along with a class of wine and sat at the only table they had outside not talking as we devoured our chicken. We enjoyed our meal here so much that we tried to go back later in our trip, but unfortunately it was closed. This not only checked every box for me when it came to fantastic Piri-Piri experiences, but it was also one of the cheapest meals we had (8€ per person) the entire trip!


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Enjoying a beautiful glass of red Portuguese wine and a charcuterie of meat and cheese from By The Wine in Lisbon

Enjoying a beautiful glass of red Portuguese wine and a charcuterie of meat and cheese from By The Wine in Lisbon

A great find by Adam, By The Wine was a cool wine bar we went to in the Chiado area after dinner one night. The atmosphere was lively and both the light from the restaurant and the groups of people sipping glasses of wine poured out onto the sidewalk. The wine list was (as expected) very extensive and reasonably priced, but the thing that caught us by surprise was their large selection of food offerings. After ordering our wine at the counter, Adam and I watched one chef created a large charcuterie board of Iberian Bellota ham and a selection of cheese followed by a small salmon ceviche dish, all the while growing hungry once more. We didn’t order more food that night but we did come back for a proper experience later on in the trip and highly recommend this Lisbon restaurant be on your list of places to try, or at the very least, to pause and enjoy a glass of wine.

Time Out Market Lisbon

Time Out Market Lisbon

- LISBON FOOD MARKET -

The first place Adam and I checked out while in Lisbon was Time Out Market Lisbon. Essentially a food hall featuring forty of the best restaurants in Lisbon as well as delis, cafes, and food vendors, Time Out Market Lisbon is the perfect one-stop shop for those who want a quick overview of the food in Lisbon. Even though each restaurant can only offer a handful of their signature dishes you don’t feel limited in choices. Adam and I loved having the ability to pick and choose from different stalls and customize our own little lunch menu. In terms of drinks, on top of vendors selling a small selection of alcohol there is a wine shop if you want to buy a bottle or a bar in the middle of the food hall for something more specific. Further, if you are looking for a fun activity to do while in town, cooking classes are also available at Time Out Market Lisbon.

Roman style pizza in Lisbon via Pizzeria Romana Al Taglio

Roman style pizza in Lisbon via Pizzeria Romana Al Taglio

- TAKE AWAY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON -

One take-away restaurant in Lisbon Adam and I quickly became obsessed with was Pizzeria Romana Al Taglio. We had found this small, Roman style pizza shop on our way back downhill from watching the sunset at Castelo De Sao Jorge, and even though we were on our way to dinner, the smell of freshly baked pizza stopped us right in our tracks. “What’s one slice?...” we reasoned with ourselves, “especially if we split it!” And boy did it deliver! With over 10 different styles of pizza to choose from at any given time, all generously dressed with toppings and offering an impeccable combinations of flavours, this little gem hit the spot every time. If you are ever looking for a quick bite of food in Lisbon, cheap snack or are just craving really good pizza, this place is definitely worth seeking out. 

- PASTEL DE NATA CAFES -

A Lisbon food guide would not be complete without a couple Pastel De Nata recommendations and prior to the trip, a friend had recommended Adam and I check out Pastelaria Batalha while in Lisbon. Previously they had done a Pastel De Nata baking class there and said their tarts were some of the best. Eager to sign up ourselves, Adam and I ventured there for a coffee and a tart on our first day in town to see if it lived up to its hype – and it did! Not only did I love the cute cafe vibe it had going on but also the warm and approachable nature the owner had despite having clout as offering one of the best Pastel’s in Lisbon. I guess you can say after our baking class I grew attached to this place and its story. I loved learning about the history of these enchanting treats, what characteristics makes a good one, and how to make them at home, which if you ask me is the best souvenir you could bring home!

By the time Adam and I had got around to finally trying Manteigaria (located across the square from Pastelaria Batalha) we had not only eaten our fair share of these delectable desserts, but learned to make them in our baking class. Having walked by the cafe several times during our visit to Lisbon, I vividly remember my desire on the last day to make sure we tried it before heading to the airport. We still had a couple hours before our flight and the small cafe in Chiado was only a 10 minute walk away. So after quickly organizing our things and dropping our luggage at reception, Adam and I ran up the street for one last tart. The place did not disappoint. As a matter of fact I would say it was the best Pastel De Nata in Lisbon I had eaten. Perfectly cooked with a flaky crust that melted in your mouth along with the sweetest, creamiest, custard filling to compliment it. My only regret was not trying this place sooner.


That’s it! If you have any questions about the food in Lisbon, Lisbon food market or comments/recommendations for restaurants in Lisbon you think should be added to this list, please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below, otherwise VAMOS COMER! I hope you enjoyed the food in Lisbon as much as we did!


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MY SECRET WEAPON FOR PLANNING THE BEST BACHELORETTE WEEKEND IN VEGAS & HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR TRIP!

I. Was. Soaked! My clothes were dripping wet! And yet, I couldn’t stop dancing!

It was July and I was in Las Vegas celebrating my girlfriend’s bachelorette. It had been excruciatingly hot all weekend long and going out during the day when the sun was at its highest was almost painful. Thankfully today I had planned for us to go to Encore Beach Club for the Chainsmokers pool party and the jets of water being sprayed over the crowd were an absolute godsend! A momentary break from the heat that I welcomed with open arms!

This trip to Vegas had been months in the making and as maid of honour it was my duty to plan and put it all together. The bride-to-be had invited a small group of people along and even though the numbers were manageable I didn’t know any of the other girls. As someone who doesn’t go to Vegas often I was also a little worried that I: 1) wasn’t up-to-date on what the best parties and restaurants in Vegas were, and 2) didn’t know if the girls were big partiers and would be into what I planned for us. Overwhelmed and nervous, I reached out to a friend who I knew had either planned or attended her fair share of Vegas bachelorette parties and she let me in on one of Vegas’ best kept secret.

Enter the Venetian Resort’s Celebration Team, an in-house concierge service available to guests of the hotel who need help planning the perfect Vegas trip itinerary. My contact Kylie not only helped me secure two Bella Suites next door to one another (ensuring we were all together), but also helped me arrange dinner reservations, provided pricing for show tickets, put me in contact with club promoters, and decorated our room with balloons and champagne for an unexpected dazzling arrival! Within a week of contacting The Celebration Team, our entire weekend itinerary was planned and I started to feel way more confident the girls were going to enjoy themselves - and I was right!

The entire weekend went off without a hitch. The girls and I danced at some of the best clubs, ate at some of the best restaurants, and celebrated the bride-to-be all weekend long. Fast forward to the end of the weekend, the girls and I huddled around in a circle at the Vegas airport laughing as we recapped the events of the past couple days. Together we made a list of highlights from our weekend so that anyone planning a trip to Vegas would have a great place to start. Here is what rose to the top:


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Parties, Restaurants and Bars!

When it comes to partying in Las Vegas everyone knows there is no shortage of mega clubs and amazing pool parties to choose from. Although the girls and I did go out pretty much every night our favourite ‘night out’ or should I say ‘day out’,  was definitely the Sunday we spent at the Chainsmokers pool party at Encore Beach Club. Little did we know, Kylie had totally hooked us up. The promoter she had put us in contact with made sure we got a great booth in front of the stage and even a free bottle to get us on our way. I don’t think the day could of gone any better. We had our own little private area to put our stuff down, dance till our feet hurt, and let go of any inhibitions we may have had. We stayed in that booth for over 5 hours, dancing despite being completely soaked from being sprayed by the water jets overhead. This was a Vegas party for the books and we were all here for it!  

While in Vegas the girls and I splurged on some pretty extravagant dinners but none was more delightful than our dinner at Rivea. Located on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel, Rivea is Vegas fine dining at its best. Chef Alain Ducasse uses bold flavours and inventive approaches to add new life to classic French and Italian dishes. As an added extra bonus, the restaurant’s patio also offers the most breathtaking view of the Vegas strip during sunset - a perfect backdrop to an incredible meal. The girls and I got to sample the majority of items on the menu by way of the tasting menu and both the Ricotta Ravioli with Swiss chard and Mint, and Lobster Risotto were two table favourites. If you have cause for celebration like us, dining at Rivea is a must!

Further, I would be remiss if I didn’t also recommend doing some pre-dinner drinks at Skyfall Lounge, a laid back lounge club that offers the same amazing panoramic views as Rivea. The girls and I enjoyed a couple cocktails and glasses of champagne here before heading into dinner at Rivea and in hindsight it was probably the perfect place for us to kick off our trip and get acquainted. Since the atmosphere was relaxing and the music wasn’t overbearing, carrying on conversation and getting to know one another was super easy. Having a couple drinks here before dinner not only helped set the mood for the evening but was also the perfect way for us all to get to know each other and ease into a Bachelorette party weekend in Vegas.

Another crowd-pleaser I was happy to see made the list was our dinner at TAO! This Pan Asian bistro is not only one of my favourite restaurants in Vegas but also happen to be conveniently located in our hotel. The restaurant’s menu and atmosphere never fails to impress and since the girls and I decided to share everything family-style we really got to explore the menu. Although the Crispy Orange Chicken and spicy Lobster Kim Chi Fried Rice were originally ordered for the table I definitely took the lion’s share - sorry not sorry. The fact that the bride-to-be told me later that it was one of the best meals of her life was just the icing on the cake.

If you are as obsessed with the roaring 20’s, art deco interiors, or just have an appreciation for delicious hand-crafted cocktails, Rosina is definitely worth seeking out. Nestled into a corner of the Palazzo casino floor, Rosina is where class and cocktails intertwine. The girls and I had a couple rounds of drinks in the intimate space before dinner and we just loved it. We actually ended up being late for our dinner reservation that night because we were having so much fun taking cute photos by the bar and enjoying delicious libations we completely lost track of time. Considering how close it was to the Venetian and TAO, if you are staying or dining at either you should definetly add in a quick (or not so quick in our case) drink at Rosina to your itinerary.

So there you have it! Our Vegas top 5! If you have any questions or are looking for more insight/want to know more about our trip or how to contact the Celebration Team at the Venetian, just hit me up in the comments below and I will be happy to help answer any questions you have.

Until then, safe travels!

xx

-Soheila


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