Cervejaria Ramiro is a Lisbon institution and has been favorite of locals since it opened its doors in 1956. Although named a “cervejaria” (beer house) there is much more to Ramiro than its beer offerings. This unassuming, family-owned restaurant happens to be considered one of the best seafood restaurants in the city. And it’s probably one of the few places that is known for serving a meat sandwich for desert…more about that down below.

The atmosphere at Ramiro is casual, laid back and no-frills. Due to its popularity, there is almost always a wait for a table, so keep that in mind before you go. To avoid the longest wait times you can try going at lunch time during the week, or arrive on the early side for dinner. When you arrive you will find a ticket machine that dispenses numbers; as tables become available the numbers will show up next to the door to let you know when it’s your turn. Luckily they have installed a coin-operated machine that dispenses beer in the waiting area, in case you get thirsty while you wait for your table.

The menu is filled with a wide variety of fish and seafood selections that are priced by weight (in kg.) according to how much you order. Some of the dishes offered include Garlic Clams, Garlic Shrimp, and Tiger Prawns. Some specialty dishes include the Carabineros (scarlet prawns that are sweet, salty and rich), Sapateira (a tasty stuffed crab dish), and fresh Percebes (gooseneck barnacles) that are briny and delicious.

If you want to follow the local tradition you should leave room for desert – and at Ramiro that means you will be having a Prego, which is a Portuguese steak sandwich made with thinly sliced steak, grilled garlic and spicy mustard. It may seem a bit unconventional to order a steak sandwich after consuming a seafood feast, but that’s what most people around you will be having. It’s not known if the tradition came from the notion that a sandwich will sop up all of the alcohol that people used to consume at beer houses, or that you may still be hungry after a meal of seafood. No matter what the reason, you shouldn’t miss having a prego during your stay in Portugal, and Cervejaria Ramiro is the perfect place to try one to finish off your dining experience.

• Avenida Almirante Reis 1- H
  
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Phone: +351 218 851 024
• Website: Cervejaria Ramiro

Photo credit: Cervejaria Ramiro

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Seen Restaurant & Bar, located on the top floor of the 5-star Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel, is not your run of the mill hotel restaurant. The very aptly named restaurant is both the place to be “seen” in Lisbon, as well as one of the hottest “scenes” in this buzzing cosmopolitan city. The Lisbon restaurant is actually a twin of the Seen restaurant located at the top of the Tivoli Mofarrej in São Paulo, Brazil.

From the moment you step off the elevator you will feel the vibe of Seen, starting with the sleek Art Deco design of the 360° bar and the panoramic views of the city that can be seen from the bar and the main dining room. Brazilian bartender Lucas Jaques has revitalized classic cocktails on the bar menu he designed. Guests can enjoy their cocktails while listening to the chill music that is curated by the resident DJ.

There is more to Seen than just a cool vibe, a hip crowd and great drinks. Seen is all about the food, and it is the latest addition to the highly acclaimed and expanding restaurant empire of chef Olivier da Costa. Seen’s menu is inspired by local ingredients and authentic Portuguese and Brazilian gastronomy, and you will find Waygu-style beef, fish and seafood from the Portuguese coast, and typically Brazilian ingredients. For those who love traditional Japanese food there is also a Sushi Bar that offers a contemporary twist on Japanese cuisine, along with a wide range of sakes to pair with your meal. Chef Olivier brought in Thalles Boniatti dos Santos, a Brazilian chef with traditional Japanese training, to create the sushi menu at Seen.

• Hotel Tivoli Avenida da Liberdade
  Avenida da Liberdade, 185, 9th floor
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Phone: 210 965 775
• Website: Seen Lisboa

Photo credit: Restaurant Seen Lisboa

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Restaurante A Gina is a true hidden gem in Lisbon, both literally and figuratively. It is located in an area just off the Avenida Liberdade behind the Hotel Lisboa Plaza that is filled with vacant theaters. In the early 1900s the area, known as Parque Meyer, was booming and filled with theatergoers, intellectuals, and the political elite of the city.

While most of the theaters are now vacant, the one place that remains open and continues to attract a crowd is Restaurante A Gina. This unassuming restaurant draws locals and visitors with its authentic Portuguese home cooking in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you sit down, you will feel like you are having dinner at Gina’s house. The restaurant is very much a family affair, with Gina in the kitchen, her son waiting tables, and her granddaughter helping inside.

A Gina is a favorite among locals who come to enjoy the traditional grilled meats and fish dishes, including baked cod. You will likely be surrounded by local families who come to enjoy the types of dishes that remind them of the meals their parents and grandparents used to make at home. The portions are quite generous, and the service is friendly and attentive.

• Avenida da Liberdade | Parque Mayer
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Phone: +351 (21) 342 0296
• Website: Restaurante A Gina

Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved.

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