{"id":16849,"date":"2018-11-19T19:53:20","date_gmt":"2018-11-19T19:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/?p=1347"},"modified":"2018-11-19T19:53:20","modified_gmt":"2018-11-19T19:53:20","slug":"restaurants-in-alfama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/restaurants-in-alfama\/","title":{"rendered":"Alfama Neighborhood Guide: Tips on Where to Stay, Eat, and Go!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

No visit to Lisbon is complete without spending a day or a few hours in Alfama.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, the only that survived the great earthquake of 1755 almost intact. While residents navigate those streets effortlessly, visitors have fun getting lost and exploring each nook. To help you plan your itinerary, this guide covers everything from the top restaurants in Alfama and best bars, to where to stay and things to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Discover<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Top 7 Restaurants in Alfama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most restaurants in Alfama are either small or popular or both. The mix of locals and tourists at lunch makes it easier to find a table without reservations, considering regular customers are on a tight schedule. But in the evenings, we at Devour Lisbon advise you to book a table, especially during the high tourist season (April to September).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bela Vinhos e Petiscos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bela<\/a> is one of the authentic, laid-back places locals will tell you to go for wine, petiscos<\/em><\/a>, and live Fado<\/a> music in the heart of Alfama. Most shows are spontaneous, and you might have the pleasure to listen to one or two famous fadistas<\/em> (Fado singers) between the amateur acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cais na Pregui\u00e7a<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Closer to the Tagus River, in the border between Baixa and Alfama, Cais na Pregui\u00e7a<\/a> serves comfort food on the first floor and art on the second floor. Drop by for a lazy meal on Sundays, a Portuguese approach to brunch<\/a>, and art exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Plate
Cais na Pregui\u00e7a in Alfama is famous for its Portuguese approach to brunch called “lazy meal.” Photo credit: Sandra Henriques Gajjar<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Travessa do Fado<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Fado Museum wouldn\u2019t be complete without its own restaurant with live music performances. A Travessa do Fado<\/a> specializes in serving petiscos<\/em> from noon to midnight with live Fado performances every Wednesday and Saturday evenings, in a contemporary and laidback environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tiles
Fado is everywhere in Alfama.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Baiuca<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some say Fado Vadio<\/em>, a sub-genre sung mostly by amateurs, is the most genuine type of Fado<\/em> there is. If there\u2019s one place you\u2019ll get plenty of it, while enjoying a hearty meal, it’s A Baiuca<\/a>. The restaurant is tiny and very popular, which means it fills up quickly. Book ahead with as much time in advance as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cruzes Credo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cruzes Credo<\/a>, right next door to the old cathedral, is the perfect spot to grab a bite if you\u2019re done sightseeing. This caf\u00e9 and restaurant specializes in fusion cuisine with a Portuguese flair. It\u2019s a good option if you\u2019re not ready yet to explore the Fado\/Portuguese cuisine tradition but wouldn\u2019t leave Alfama for any other neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pois, Caf\u00e9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Proving that vintage can also be Instagrammable is the Pois, Caf\u00e9<\/a>. Pois<\/em> is not just a Portuguese word, but an expression that depending on how you say it can have different meanings. It can simultaneously mean \u201cright!\u201d and \u201cwell\u2026\u201d. But the caf\u00e9 is not as complicated as its name, quite the contrary. Serving mostly light meals, it\u2019s known for its Sunday brunches and the relaxed environment to curl up with a book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O Cartaxeiro<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A true tasca<\/em>, O Cartaxeiro<\/a> always looks busy and always full, but the service is so efficient and fast that you won\u2019t have to wait for a table for long. Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., it\u2019s the ideal place for an early or late lunch in a typically touristy area, right across the street from Museu do Fado. Dishes are simple and affordable, in the good old Portuguese traditional style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Stay in Alfama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A boutique-sized neighborhood calls for boutique-sized hotels, and there are plenty of those in Alfama. With its characteristic narrow, steep streets and cobblestones, Alfama is not the most accessible of Lisbon neighborhoods and locals aren\u2019t big fans of the trolleys being dragged behind tired tourists day and night. We at Devour Lisbon suggest you book a hotel that offers transfer to and from the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memmo Alfama<\/a>, Santiago de Alfama<\/a>, and Hotel Riverside Alfama<\/a> are great examples of small hotels with the perfect location and a cozy atmosphere. If you want the environment without the hills, look for hotels closer to Tagus River between Rua da Madalena and the Santa Apol\u00f3nia train station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insider tip:<\/strong> short-term rentals have taken over Alfama in the past five years, making it a touchy issue for locals. If possible, choose a hotel over a short-term rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Bars in Alfama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Santos Populares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not technically a bar but a collection of improvised ones, in June all roads lead to Alfama to celebrate Santos Populares<\/em> (the so-called popular saints or saints of the people include matchmaker Saint Anthony and Lisbon\u2019s patron Saint Vincent). Cheap tap beer and sangria flow freely paired with the best grilled sardines in Lisbon.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
In June, everyone heads to the streets to eat grilled sardines! Photo credit: Cecilia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Memmo Alfama Wine Bar & Terrace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hotel guests pick Memmo Alfama for the location and the views, but bar-goers who are not staying at the hotel can enjoy the Wine Bar & Terrace too. It\u2019s the perfect combination of the best view in Lisbon and a relaxing drink at dusk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lux Fr\u00e1gil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most popular nightclub<\/a> in Lisbon, Lux Fr\u00e1gil<\/a> is typically crowded on Saturdays. It\u2019s the place to dance all night long to the beat of resident DJ\u2019s or attend live music concerts from all kinds of genres. Unless you\u2019re on an exclusive guest list, getting in is at the bouncer\u2019s discretion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get Lost in Alfama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to explore Alfama is to get lost on foot in the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon. The winding cobblestoned streets will lead you to dead ends and private courtyards and put you back on track, all at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When in doubt of where to go or to admire the city from the top, get to the two well-known viewpoints, Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol. Lisbon is beautiful any time of day, but in Alfama, sunsets are particularly mesmerizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If venturing on the city\u2019s legendary seven hills is not in your plans, hop on the Lisbon tram 28 and have a glimpse of what neighborhood life looks like as the iconic yellow vehicle makes its way through narrow streets and alleys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fado and Cultural Heritage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Casas de Fado<\/em>, the typical restaurants and bars advertising live Fado music, are everywhere. But before settling for the first place you see, visit the Fado Museum (Museu do Fado<\/em>) to unveil the complexity of sub-genres of the UNESCO listed urban song and learn more about the biggest stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisbon is built upon layers of diverse cultural influences, dating all the way back to the Roman Empire. In Alfama, you get to see some of that heritage by visiting the Roman Theater Museum (Museu do Teatro Romano<\/em>) and the medieval cathedral (S\u00e9 de Lisboa<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Lisbon’s medieval cathedral is one of the must-sees in Alfama.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Must Do’s in Alfama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesdays and Saturdays, head over to Feira da Ladra<\/em> for bargain hunting or buying Lisbon souvenirs. This flea market has been taking place since the Middle Age. Right next to it is the National Pantheon (Pante\u00e3o Nacional<\/em>), a remarkable Baroque-style church where important Portuguese personalities are buried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To further explore the blend of old and new that\u2019s Alfama, visit Funda\u00e7\u00e3o Jos\u00e9 Saramago<\/a>. Closer to the Tagus River, the foundation created by the Portuguese author and Nobel Prize of Literature winner pays tribute to his life and work. The building, Casa dos Bicos<\/em>, is part of Lisbon\u2019s history as are the Roman ruins on the first floor that you\u2019ll notice immediately going in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Colorful
The lower side of the Alfama neighbouhood near Campo das Cebolas.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

No visit to Lisbon is complete without spending a day or a few hours in Alfama. Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, the only that survived the great earthquake of 1755 almost intact. While residents navigate those streets effortlessly, visitors have fun getting lost and exploring each nook. To help you plan your itinerary, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":16640,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1723,1755],"tags":[1763,1754,1725,1751,232,1748],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDevour Tours<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/restaurants-in-alfama\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Alfama Neighborhood Guide: Tips on Where to Stay, Eat, and Go!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Read our guide to find out about the best restaurants in Alfama as well as the top hotels, and the best things to do in Lisbon's oldest neighborhood.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16849\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Devour Tours\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DevourToursCo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-11-19T19:53:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/lisbon-in-november-campo-das-cebolas-alfama-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sandra Henriques Gajjar\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@devourtours\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@devourtours\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sandra Henriques Gajjar\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/restaurants-in-alfama\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/restaurants-in-alfama\/\",\"name\":\"Top Things to Do, Hotels, Bars & Restaurants in Alfama - 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