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On the Menu…Restaurant Seen Lisboa, Lisbon (Portugal)

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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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On the Menu…Restaurante A Gina, Lisbon (Portugal)

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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.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

On the Menu…Bairro do Avillez, Lisbon (Portugal)

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Bairro do Avillez is yet another jewel in the ever growing culinary empire of renowned chef José Avillez. It located not far from a number of his other restaurants in the popular Chiado area. Bairro do Avillez, which means “Avillez’s neighborhood”, occupies 1,000 m2 in a building that was once a convent and spans an entire city block. With a broad collection of dining options and food concepts all located under one roof, the restaurant feels like it could be its own neighborhood – and it’s one that you won’t want to miss.

Taberna serves hearty food and a variety of traditional Portuguese “petiscos” (snacks) that have been updated and reimagined, including beef croquettes (some say the best in Lisbon),  tuna steak sandwich with vinegary vegetables, cod with cornbread and chorizo crumbs, and octopus with garlic and kimchi.

Páteo is a lovely dining area located in the building’s courtyard with a first floor balcony. Here diners can enjoy a menu that features fish and seafood that is expertly prepared using modern cooking techniques.

Mercearia is a gourmet deli and store where you can buy products to eat in the patio or take home. The store stocks a variety of quality Portuguese products, including cheese, sausage, artisinal canned goods, olive oil and wine, along with cookbooks, kitchen tools and aprons.

Chef Avillez also created Beco-Cabaret Gourmet inside of Bairro do Avillez for diners looking for something more – dinner and a show. Located down a hidden hallway and only open at night, seating at Beco is limited to just 20 tables and it has the feel of a 1920’s speakeasy. Dinner consists of a Tasting Menu that includes the chef’s most famous and favorite dishes, and lasts about 2 – 2.5 hours. After the dinner/show, Beco becomes a bar. Tickets for Beco must be purchased in advance, so do plan ahead if you want to enjoy this unique dining experience.

Taberna, Páteo and Mercearia are open daily but their hours do vary, so check the website below for more info on each one, including opening hours and menus.

  • Rua Nova da Trindade, 18
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Phone: +351 215 830 290
  • Website: bairrodoavillez

Beco-Cabaret Gourmet opens at 8:30pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Photo credit: Grupo José Avillez

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.