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Lisbon brunch lovers, attention please. A new and cozy cafe just opened up in town, specializing in brunch, wraps, bowls, cakes, quick bites...with a Scandinavian touch. First of all, let's talk about the cinnamon rolls. A cinnamon roll is a sweet roll commonly served in Northern Europe, mainly in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. It consists a rolled sheet of dough with cinnamon and sugar mixture, coated with butter and then baked or deep fried. It provides a robust and sweet flavor - perfect to pair with unsweetened coffee in my opinion. It is also popular in North America. My first ever exposure to this heavenly delicious bun is the frozen ones from the supermarket that you oven it and top with cream cheese frosting. Nothing tastes more like childhood than that. Did I like the cinnamon rolls from this Scandinavian cafe?....keep reading to find out. A brunch menu with cinnamon rolls and smorrebrods? Worth it? My girl friend and I shared the "Hygge brunch", which is recommended for two people. It comes with: 2 croissants, cheese, ham, and jam yogurt with gronola and red fruit cinnamon rolls three different smorrebrods. The menu costs €25 euros (for two). The food quantity is good, but considering the value, it's not cheap at all. You have to order drinks/coffee separately. The croissants and yogurt are ok but nothing so special. Cinnamon Rolls I am very happy with their cinnamon rolls. They taste like soft pillows. It is sweet but not exaggerated. The best description I can give is a warm and delicious little bun of sweet comfort. The simple ones is only €1,80 euros / unit. You can customize it by adding toppings and frostings. This is the highlight of the whole meal. Smorrebrods What is a "smoreebrod"? It is originated from Denmark, usually consists a piece of buttered rye break (a dense, dark brown bread - interesting texture), topped with various ingredients. The three on the menu are: 1. poached egg on avocado cream - standard 2. roast beef - lacks some seasoning 3. peanut butter with banana - a bit basic? Cozy vibe, but maybe lack some character? The restaurant is located in Picoas, still central but in a residential zone. You won't see tourists walk past every second. That's why most of their customers are locals, motly young crowd and a few expatriates who live nearby. The overall theme is cozy and I appreciate to see some thoughtful Scandinavian elements. However, the tables, lights and decorations seem quite generic to me. The space is small and narrow with limited natural light. The outdoor area is on the sidewalk of the street. The view is only the residential buildings nearby. However a shout-out for being pet-friendly and the vegan options. ❗️Oh! One very very important thing: this cafe does not serve alcoholic drinks. If you are a mimosa fan, this is not the right brunch spot for you... Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Scandinavian twist is a good try, but they surely face fierce competition in the brunch segment: Hygge Kaffe.

In every major capital city, there is a Chinatown. In every Chinatown, there is always an Asian food court, where you can find some of the most authentic Asian street food without costing any leg or arm. Every time I eat there, my stomach gets overwhelmingly satisfied with less than 10 euros! Where is the "Chinatown" in Lisbon? When we talk about the Chinatown, we usually refer to the Martin Moniz area and a few blocks towards the Almirante Reis Street. To be fair, it's more like an Asian-ish town. Here you can find communities of Chinese, Nepalese, Indian...and other nationalities. It is also the area with a lot of Asian supermarkets, exotic spice shops, and those little underground home kitchens that are hidden in the random residential buildings. (You must have heard rumors about those "illegal" restaurants. If not yet, join our foodie club to get the insider's insights.) I will write about those eateries in a separate article. Today, we are going to explore the one and only, Asian Food Court. Take a look inside the Asian Food Court... It is a food court, literally. Located in a building with mezzanine structure, the whole space is hosting 9 different food stands: Mint House: Southeastern Asian food 🥢🍜 K-BOB: Korean food, a bit pricey 🇰🇷🍲 Sushi House: Japanese food 🇯🇵🍣 Lanzhou Ramen: Chinese street food and ramen 🇨🇳🍜 Meeting Tea: bubble tea and beverages 🧋🍹 Ravioli House: Ravioli, dumpling and gyoza! 🥟 Chicken Frenzy: chicken dishes Chinese style 🇨🇳🐥 Bao Bar: Gua bao and Vietnamese banh mi sandwich 🇻🇳🥪 Yi Lian Wok: Chinese wok and stir-fry style 🇨🇳 The overall theme is focused on the street food. The variety and options are amazing. You will find Chinese food, Vietnamese food, Japanese food, Korean food etc... You can choose any dish you want and bring them to a table to enjoy. It has a very casual environment, great for catching up with friends over delicious and cheap food. What are the must-have dishes? In front of a cuisine that you are unfamiliar with and a menu that's misleadingly translated, the chances are high that you get lost in hundreds of options and struggle to make a pick. After trying all the food stands and talking with the chefs, I have curated a list of must-try dishes, approved by a native Chinese girl (aka, me, lol) and her non-Chinese unadventurous picky-eater friends: 1. Xiao long bao: Delicious soup dumplings with pork filling. Dip in vinegar and enjoy the rich and savory soup bursts in your mouth. Price: €3,50 euros / 4 units (from Lanzhou Ramen) 2. Beef pho: Iconic Vietnamese rice noodle soup. It is warm, fresh, hearty and tasty. The ultimate comfort food. Price: €6,00 euros (from Mint House) 3. Braised chicken rice: Chinese style tender braised chicken, potatoes, mushroom and bell pepper in fermented soy bean paste with steamed rice. Price: €6,95 euros (from Chicken Frenzy) 4. Sichuan spicy noodles: Home made noodles of great texture, coated with aromatic chili oil and simple garnishes. Price: €6,00 euros (from Lanzhou Ramen) Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Delicious and cheap Asian street food? Yes please - Asian Food Court.

Did you know the famous Japanese tempura has a Portuguese origin? Legend has it that Portuguese brought the recipe of peixinhos da horta to Japan 500 years ago and then turned into the tempura. What is Peixnho da Horta? It literally translates into "little fish from the garden". Unlike what the name suggests, there's no fish in this dish. Peixinhos da horta is usually prepared with green beans wrapped in a wheatour based batter that are then deep fried. (Hooray! I love deep fry!) The first time I tried Peixinhos da Horta, I fell in love. This dish became a must-have every time I go to local Portuguese restaurants. I have tried many different forms and versions, and I think I have found a winner. The best peixinhos da horta in Lisbon....drum roll....is from a low-key Portuguese restaurant in Principe Real neighborhood, called Tascardoso. What does it taste like? It tastes nothing like boring green beans. The batter is thin, nicely-flavored, and has a pleasant crunch. The beans are slightly soft but not too mushy nor too raw. It's deep fried but does not give you the heavy oily aftertaste. Story time... In the 16th century, three Portuguese sailors set foot on Japanese territory and this dish was introduced to Japan. The Portuguese left 100 years later, but they left one thing: green beans wrapped in batter and fried, commonly called peixinhos da horta. This preparation of green beans gained popularity in Japan and was eventually developed into tempura. The origin and history of Peixinhos da Horta, like most gastronomic recipes, have multiple versions: Version 1: It derived from its resemblance to small fried fish. Version 2: It was an option for those who could not afford the price of fish. Version 3: Catholics were not allowed to eat meat for a period time in history, so the dish came up. Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner! The best peixinhos da horta in Lisbon - Tascardoso.

If you wish to enjoy Portuguese cuisine at its finest, this may be the most gourmet fine-dining experience you could find. Without further ado, here is a peek preview of all the mouth-watering dishes from a Michelin 2 star restaurant in Lisbon: Tasting menus are inspired by Portuguese culinary wonders. There are two tasting menus to choose from, both are inspired by Portuguese flavors and culinary highlights. I took the OG menu, the "Alma". "Alma" menu (€120) is the classic menu. It has a good balance of meat and seafood. "Costa a Costa" menu (€120) emphasizes on sea flavors that Portugal's coast can offer. The Entrees are good. For starters, I had carrots (bulgur, apricot puree, goat cheese, cumin oil), and seared foie gras (apple, granola, beetroot, coffee). They are tasty and pretty, but not very memorable. (Sorry.) The Mains contain some lovely surprises. The menu contains two main courses, with ingredients that shout "Portugal" in your face: codfish and suckling pig. The chef has not only paid tribute to the traditional Portuguese culinary elements, but also injected a great amount of innovation to perform a pleasant taste adventure. The first dish is the Cobblestreet's salted cod (onion puree, egg yolk, parsley). It looked beautiful and the taste reminds of the traditional Portuguese dish called "Bacalhau a Bras". The look is inspired by Lisbon's cobblestone pavements. How cute is that! The second dish is the suckling pig confit (turnip top puree, pickled onions, pepper jus). I enjoyed the crispy skin, juicy meat and fat layers are nicely separated. However I do miss the kick from the peppery sauce which accompanies this dish so well in the traditional way of making the Portuguese "leitão" (piglet). Finish strong with the Desserts. As for the desserts, a basil sorbet (champagne and Azores Pineapple) and an orange (citrus curd, almond biscuit) were served. Tasted great, but again, not most memorable. I loved the wine pairing! Last but not the least, I want to specifically mention how professional, friendly, and attentive the staff are. Also, I loved the wine tasting menu (€70) - Portugal does have wonderful wines to offer! And the chef is so dreamy.... It is one of the most famous Michelin restaurants in Lisbon, created by a Portuguese celebrity chef, Henrique Sá Pessoa. A man who is good-looking and cooks like a god... he is perfect. He looks like this👇 Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Best-in-class service, an iconic Michelin 2-star with Portuguese flavors - Alma.

This is the best tartare my mouth has experienced in Lisbon. The brilliant mind of the chef decided to play with two killer elements: dried seaweed and vodka. First thing first, what is a tartare you ask... According to Wikipedia and other Googlable source, steak tartare is a dish made from raw beef 🐂 or horse 🐎, which has been chopped by hand using a knife or cleaver. It is usually served with a raw egg yolk on top of the dish, and other easonings. And other seasonings - this is the part where the chefs unleash their creativity. I have tried various combinations, and chef Kiko's creation is my favorite so far. Besides the tartare fundamentals (well-chopped and raw steak, creamy egg yolk), he used horseradish mayo to enhance the creaminess, nori (dried seaweed) to add a crunchy sea texture, and vodka for the hint of wild freshness. Wow, just wow. The flavors are so well balanced and complimenting each other perfectly. I like the mouthfeel of various textures and the forward taste. It was a delightful exposure in my mouth. Lastly, to answer the question, did I taste the alcohol in this dish? Nope. If you are really looking to get tipsy, the restaurant has a great gin tonic menu. Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Try this tasty vodka tartare at one of Chef Kiko's restaurants - O Talho.

I came across a Japanese restaurant that has the best rating across all platforms. I had to try it. 888 people rated this restaurant 4.9 out of 5. Wow! Despite the location being a bit far away from the touristic downtown area of Lisbon, this restaurant is one of the most highly rated Japanese eateries in town. The restaurant is cozy, comfortable and stylish. The dining space is open and well organized. There are big screens showing live-feed of how the chefs prepare the food, which is fun to watch. During lunch time the restaurant is full of professionals who work nearby. The lunch menu is very popular. Go Juu offers various lunch menus (€14,50-€23,00) with great presentation and taste. I tried sashimi lunch menu and I am happy with the it. However in terms of value for the money, I do not think it is the most valuable option. How about other Japanese restaurants...? To be very honest, I might not go to this restaurant again...simply because there are so many brilliant Japanese restaurants in Lisbon! Within 500 meters walking distance, there are two other options: Nomada, and AronSushi. For lunch, my go-to will be Yakuza First Floor (update: it is permanently closed due to the pandemic!) where you have a beautiful outdoor garden and pay a similar price. If you aim for something fancier, Kanazawa has a genius omakase style tasting menu, and Silk Club has a breath-taking view. On the mid-price range, there are also Miss Jappa (in Principe Real), Tasca Kome (near the main cathedral), and Avenida Sushi Cafe (near Avenida da Liberdade). Etc... Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Lunch menu is okay: Go Juu.

If your partner is a meat lover, this is a great place to take her/him out on a Friday dinner date. In this restaurant, you will find some of the finest cuts of premium meats from all over the world. Meat is the star here...(but not all are great though). The meats are a specialty here. You can find many great quality meats from all around the world, ranging from Portugal's national cuts, to Wagyu beef from Japan! I tried three different ways of cooking meat (carpaccio, tartar, steak), and I have to say, some are great, some are so-so: 1. Beef Carpaccio Rating: 4.5/5 The meat is very fresh and tastes premium quality. The dish is brilliantly seasoned. Great garnishes as well. 2. Beef Tartar Rating: 3.7/5 The quality of the steak is good, but the flavor did not hit my taste buds. My tongue has tasted better tartars that make me foodgasm harder. 3. Ribeye Steak Rating: 4.7/5 Medium-rare meat, perfect pinch of salt, and amazing cut of premium steak that contains so much juice and flavor. K.O.B knows what they are doing. Excellent job. The ambiance is romantic, warm, and intimate. The dining space has an intimate vibe. In the winter it has an indoor #fireplace! Warm and cozy. The waiters are considerate and professional. Not much chitchatting so you can have a private moment. The background music I remember was some upbeat lounge-y music - not bad. Not only for couples, groups dig it too. Besides couples, you can also find tables of people in suit (not common in Lisbon that people dress up for dinners) having business dinner (the CBD is very close by), as well as families enjoying a dinner out. I still think this place is more suitable for a #romantic dinner though. Try it and let me know your thoughts! Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Romantic, intimate meat restaurant in Lisbon - K.O.B by Olivier.

This cheap and delicious restaurant will definitely blow your mind away! I almost did not want the world to know about this hidden gem. If you are lucky enough to read this, burn after reading... I love Korean BBQ and this is the best (and cheapest) one in town. If you have lived in foodie heavens like New York, LA or Hong Kong before, there is a big chance you might be disappointed by what Lisbon has to offer in terms of Asian options. Especially for Korean food, I have never found one decent Korean restaurant that my stomach approves until...this one. The first time I went to this restaurant was in 2019, when the restaurant just opened. It is the first restaurant that specializes solely in Korean barbecue in Lisbon. It was also a lovely surprise when the bill came. We had 6 people in our group and by going dutch, each of us only paid 10 euros!!! It was a satisfying meal of mainly meats, we were so full in the end that we could barely walk. We did not consume any alcohol that day though. What is Korean Barbecue? Korean barbecue refers to the popular method in Korean cuisine of grilling meat, typically beef, pork or chicken. Such dishes are often prepared on gas or charcoal grills built into the dining table itself. The moment I walked into the restaurant, I knew I hit the jackpot when I saw every table has a built in grill pit and a big smoke extractor hanging on top of it. Finally something authentic! How to eat Korean BBQ like a pro? Step 1: Choose the meat. The meat is the star of the Korean BBQ. The most popular is "bulgogi" - usually made from thinly sliced beef sirloin or tenderloin. There are also other cuts of meat, such as pork belly, pork shoulder, beef ribs etc...Personally I like the slightly fattier cuts for the juicy flavor. The meat is usually marinated into different sauces (mirin, soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, sliced onion, chili powder...) to tender the texture and adds different flavors. Among all tastes on the menu, I would recommend first-timers the safer options: garlic flavor, and spicy bean paste flavor. ✨Pro tip: Don't be afraid of the fattier cuts - they usually are most juicy and contain best flavors. Step 2: Prepare the grill. There are two types of the grills: one is just a simple grill, the other comes with some side dishes (cheese with sweet corn, egg cake, and kimchi). It usually takes 3-5 minutes for the grills to be pre-heated until it's ready for the meat. ✨Pro tip: before putting meat on the grill, you can grill some onion or garlic to marinate the grill for extra flavors. Step 3: Wrap with lettuce and enjoy! When the meat is ready, you should grab a lettuce and wrap the meat inside like a mini taco. The lettuce adds some freshness and crunchy to the bite, and also helps with the guilt that you are devouring plates after plates of meat. Also add inside some garnishes, such as chilly powder or sweet chilly sauce. ✨Pro tip: hard-core foodies will also put some raw garlic inside the wrap. Flavor explosion!! (be careful your breath will smell like garlic for a long time hehe) You should also try "Soju" - a very tasty Korean alcohol. Soju is a typical Korean liquor made from rice and tastes very smooth. It is so easy to drink and will get you drunk before you even realize it. Don't be fooled by its innocent look - it contains 16% alcohol - stronger than the wines! The pure version is a bit pungent, so I much prefer the fruit flavored ones. By far my favorite is the grapefruit soju. It is an imported product so it's not cheap. Fun experience indeed but don't dress up for this. Having Korean barbecue requires some work - you have to grill the meat and assemble the lettuce wraps by yourself. It is super fun and interactive, especially for a group of people. However, this particular restaurant is not fancy at all - very casual and relaxing vibes. Oh and a reminder, the smoke smell will be stay on your hair and clothes, so wear something casual please! Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Cheap, delicious and fun! Perfect for groups - Han Table Barbecue.

Another chic, contemporary, author restaurant just opened up in downtown Lisbon. They have a 9-course tasting menu for only 35 euros! Sounds like a good deal. I had to try it...but was I really impressed? As a typical Gemini who can't decide, I am the biggest supporter for tasting menus. Someone else has already chosen the perfect dishes for you? YES! The prices are very friendly for the Tasting Menu. This restaurant offers 3 different types of tasting menus: 6-course menu - €27 9-course menu - €35 Vegetarian menu - €22 (They even have a vegetarian tasting menu. Nice!) Should I go with the 6-course or 9-course menu? My suggestion will be the 9-course menu. I treated myself with 9 courses, and the food quantity was just perfect for me. However, please note that although I am a tiny human, I do have a giant appetite. Chic dining space...but maybe a little too cramped? Before going into the dishes, I want to quickly comment on the restaurant space. I would describe the ambiance as chic and intimate. However, the restaurant is quite small and it's not easy to move around or extend your limbs freely if you are seated on the couch seats. They did put thoughts into the design and created that "spacious" illusion for your eyes, thanks to the open kitchen set up and a full wall of mirrors. Nobody hates pretty appetizers. I was serviced two courses immediately after being seated and having ordered. One is a cone with liver & green apple, the other is a sweet potato foam with truffle. Nice color and presentation. The main: some hits and some misses. The main course includes 3 seafood dishes and 2 meat dishes. 1. Tinted bun of cuttlefish and mussel. The burger is very visually satisfying, but for me it lacks some texture in the bites. The bun is soft and the the filling inside has the paste-like texture - also quite soft and mushy. Meh. 2. Shrimp with mango and cashew. The combo sounds great but in reality, the taste of the "seafood + sweetness from the fruit + nuttiness" do not combine seamlessly in my opinion. 3. Swordfish with carrots and citrus fruit. It is good (finally). The swordfish is simply grilled and conveys the freshness from the sea to the eater without much further polishing. Sometimes less is more. ❗️Impatient foodies be aware... After the seafood, I waited for quite a long while for the meat dishes to arrive. It kind of interrupted the flow of the whole dining experience. Two solutions: 1. manage the timing better; 2. pray to whichever god you believe in that all of your customers are patient. 4. Shredded pork neck with chestnuts, The first meat main course eventually arrived. The taste is decent. No particular points to add to it. I notice that the plating starts to get "lazy", compared to the previous amazing looking dishes. 5. Grilled-fried beef. The taste is good but nothing special. Again, the plating and garnishes are almost identical to the previous dish. It's difficult to keep consistency when the dishes in the beginning have set the bar very high. Finally, the desserts saved the day! To finish the menu, there are two desserts. One is a delightful puff pastry of persimmon and cheese. The other is a chocolate mousse with miso and fennel - it is AMAZING!!! The miso+fennel combo is genius: miso provides saltiness and a fermented aroma, while the fennels bring in a subtle hint of the nature. You can also taste some pleasant chewy bits of dark chocolate in every bite. Without a doubt, the highlight of the whole meal is this chocolate mousse. I loved it also because the mousse tasted "light", compared to traditional chocolate mousse. I enjoyed it very much. Stay hungry Lisbon! See you next dinner. Valuable tasting menu but I am missing the "wow" factor - Terroir Restaurante.