Category: Restaurant Reviews

Time Out Market Lisbon: what to eat and what to avoid [2024 updated]

June 22, 2024 / Rusty / 1 Comment

I have just spent a week in Lisbon and have to admit that the Time Out Market was one of the highlights of the trip. In fact, the moment I heard about its existence I made the point of visiting it the first thing after arriving at the city. And, truth be told, it didn’t disappoint.

The Time Out Market existed as an extension to the Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodré – which was a fairly traditional market that you’d expect from most places in Europe. It is very easy to get to – just take the metro to Cais do Sodré (green line) and it is pretty much right outside the station.

The food hall itself is a hotpot of restaurants in Lisbon, covering a wide variety of cuisines that you’d find in the city: from traditional seafood, to croquette, soup, and their signature desserts. It is a well curated mix so that you feel that all the stores have something different to offer.

As much as the choices are great and makes you feel like a kid in the candy shop, it can also be a bit overwhelming at first. Afterall, you are here for a meal and so what should you choose? This is why I have decided to write a quick piece on what I think are the great ones to try out, and what are less great. Do note that I haven’t visited every single one so I am only going to focus my recommendations on those that I have tried. But here it is:

Recommended:

Miguel Castro E Silva (traditional Portuguese food)
Marlene Vieira (traditional Portuguese food)
Monte Mar (seafood)
Manteigaria (pastel de nata)
Recordação de Sintra (other Portuguese sweets)

Dear Breakfast – the best brunch spot in Lisbon?

November 5, 2022 / Rusty / 0 Comments

Lisbon is not only famous for its beautiful landscape, architecture, and pastel de nata. It also has a thriving social scene and, with that, comes with a mature array of brunch options that would satisfy many cafe dwellings hipsters.

When I first asked my friends for Lisbon recommendations, I was expecting a list of traditional Portuguese restaurants serving the best octopus and seafood in town. Whereas I did get some, a good portion of my list was actually for brunch spots. Being a Londoner, I was sceptical – surely I don’t need to go all the way to Lisbon for a good brunch? Well, I am wrong, because what I had was bloody fantastic.

I didn’t venture too all of the brunch spots recommended, but from the ones I tried, Dear Breakfast stood out as by far the best. In fact, it was so good that I came back twice.

Dear Breakfast is already an establishment in Lisbon, and currently has 3 branches: Chiado, Alfama, and Bica. And here is my experience:

Duck and Waffle Review: a gem that needs repolishing

May 10, 2022 / Rusty / 0 Comments

I will start off by saying this – I love Duck and Waffle. Over the years I have dined there many times and have always recommended it as one of the restaurants to visit. I mean, what is not to like? An ultimate comfort menu laced with plenty of truffle and foie gras, good vibes, and with one of the best views a London restaurant can get. I wowed the first time I visited, and this latest venture more than 10 years after it opened equally took my breath away, but with a stark realisation that it has aged – and in need of some serious refresh.

Restaurant Review: Davies and Brook

December 5, 2020 / Rusty / 0 Comments

There are two things about Daniel Humm that I now know – he likes circles; and (almost certainly as a consequence) he likes radishes.

Don’t believe me? Scroll down and you’ll see what I mean.

So, we went for lunch at Davies and Brook – our first proper outing since lockdown eased. This new restaurant by Daniel Humm at Claridges occupies the old space of Fera, and already acts the part and more. This is hardly surprising. Afterall, Humm also owns Eleven Madison Park, the Michelin 3 star restaurant voted the best in the world in 2017. I’d be damned if he decides to go Jamie Oliver and use Claridges as a sacrifice.

While I was expecting the dining room to smell of money like Fera did, it is relatively simplistic (well, slightly) and elegantly decorated. We were seated on one of the smaller tables close to the bar, which seemed a bit odd given that they have shifted a lot of 4-person tables to cater for 2. But then I guess your table allocation in a restaurant is always a matter of luck (or maybe a matter of how important you are which, admittedly, we are not regardless of how we view ourselves). I didn’t mind either way – the 2 tables next to us remained empty and thus perfect for social distancing, which was all that I cared about.