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Just a few metres down the road from Pap’Açorda, 1º de Maio is much less fashionable and noticeably proud of its 57-year tradition. Among its regulars are artists, writers, journalists and politicians, such as two-time Portuguese President Mário Soares. The menu features traditional Portuguese food at affordable prices, including John Dory with Açorda, swordfish with garlic or fried rabbit with clams. Advance booking recommended.
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Located opposite Portugal’s Parliament building, A Galeria is much more than just a pizzeria. Milan-born chef and owner Augusto Gemelli described his cooking style to local newspaper Diário de Notícias as “creative Italian with aspects of fusion cuisine”. Gemelli likes to experiment with Portuguese products in his home country’s recipes. The result has made his restaurant “one of the most original and interesting in Portugal”, according to one connoisseur. To do honour to its [name], art exhibitions are held regularly at A Galeria. Open for dinner only.
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Set up some years ago by a Portuguese lady who lived in Portugal’s former colony Macau for 20 years. Staff at the spacious restaurant are all Thai, wearing traditional dress and give dance performances and demonstrations of fruit and vegetable carving during dinner. Always the perfectionist, owner Luísa Castanheira imports all ingredients from Thailand, as she does with decorative objects which she uses for her restaurant or offers for sale in the restaurant shop. Dishes include Thai curry, grilled tiger prawns, marinated beef, steamed sea bass with ginger, leek and seasoning and served with rhai sauce. There are secluded areas available for private dining.
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Situated on the riverside opposite Santa Apolonia Station and close to Lux nightclub, fashionable Bica do Sapato is the place to see and be seen. The eatery is made up of three sections: a cafeteria where less elaborate dishes are served at lower prices, a stylishly decorated restaurant featuring modern Portuguese cuisine and, on the first floor, a sushi bar. Popular is the sushi buffet night on Wednesdays, when reserving in advance is necessary. One of the Bica do Sapato’s owners is American actor and Portugal lover John Malkovich.
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O fiel amigo (the faithful friend) is the Portuguese term of endearment for what is considered to be their national dish bacalhau, or dried cod. The saying goes that the Portuguese have 365 recipes for bacalhau, one for each day of the year. More than 20 of these, from different regions of the country, are on the menu at Casa do Bacalhau, a restaurant almost entirely dedicated to the locally beloved dish. Examples are bacalhau Good Friday-style and bacalhau espíritual. There’s a different dish every day for lunch, at an attractive price.
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