We recently stayed in a private apartment in the old Bairro Alto district in Lisbon. Quaint, but a practical little apartment with a lovely courtyard that caught the sun all day. It’s location was ideal and the owner gave us a few recommendations of her fave restaurants in the area. This one we loved….

THE VIBE – Worth seeking out is Restaurante Tascardoso, an atmospheric 10 table local on a busy corner of Praca do Principe in trendy Barrio Alto. You can’t book & if you arrive late, you will spot it by the lineup of Portuguese outside waiting for a table! We found if you got there by 8/8.30- you should be fine.

THE FOOD – Excellent grilled fish and meats and the super friendly Vincent Mabota, originally from Mozambique and speaking 5 languages will translate the Portugese only menu and keep you entertained. Mains average 8 euro’s and their house wines are both good and dirt cheap. A three course dinner with all drinks would still leave you change from 30 euro’s..for two. Yep…read it again if you have to!!

Many restaurants provide a ‘couvert’ & you don’t ever get asked if you want it or not. They just dump it on the table & charge you for what you’ve eaten. In most cases it includes bread, olives, sardine pate (which Denis fell in love with!) & sometimes cheese. Tascarso provide an awesome sheep’s cheese that is served slightly warm (so deliciously melty) & tastes divine. Make sure you try that.

THE DRINK – the house vino was very drinkable. It comes in a lovely ‘old school’ ceramic jug – medium or large! And as well as being good..again its dirt cheap. We also got to try one of the typical liquors here which is worth tasting. Its a cherry liquor called Ginja. It has a unique flavour & knocks your socks off if you have more than one!

SUMMARY – we enjoyed this restaurant & its ‘local vibe’ atmosphere so much, we ate here twice. An absolute standout.

:: m ::

Restaurante Tascardoso

Rua Secolo, 242/4, Barrio Alto