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What people say

Laura Dehelean
"Fine dining Pedro Pena Bastos is one of the most exciting new chefs of contemporary Portuguese food. After leading the kitchen of Herdade do Esporão in the Alentejo, and later on of the intimate Ceia in Lisbon, the chef is now responsible for Cura, at the Four Seasons Hotel. As the name elegantly implies, Cura is all about curating the best Portuguese products, here carefully prepared by Pena Bastos and the team that has been working with him since Ceia days. Apart from showcasing beautiful ingredients from all across Portugal, including the islands, Pena Bastos has done something not a lot of fine dining restaurants in Lisbon have done yet, and that is to also include a vegetarian tasting menu. So if the set menu Meia-Cura or the most complete Origens with meats and seafood aren’t your thing, Raizes vegetarian menu will present you with a traditional experience, using only native flora."
Ariel Blakeman
"Housed inside the Four Seasons Ritz hotel, in an intimate space that can technically be accessed via the street (but the more fun entrance takes you through the grandeur of the hotel's lobby) is Cura, a restaurant that takes its name from the expression curadoria (the curators who take care of art). And both the food and interiors live up to the name; the warming gold and blue palette of the restaurant is accented by Madeira wood paneling and beveled mirrors, and the open kitchen is wondrously calm and fascinating to watch."
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Jennifer Hewitt
"Skillful curatorship – “curadoria” in Portuguese – lies at the heart of CURA, where Michelin-starred chef and head culinary curator Pedro Pena Bastos selects his ingredients as meticulously as an artist chooses his paints, drawing from Lisbon’s rich regional palette of seasonal ingredients to create artisanal dishes of great depth, taste, and meaning."

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Complete guide with attractions and venues where to eat/drink, get those very special souvenirs from (bespoke & local brands and markets) and catch a beautiful sight…or just your breath after walking up and down the hills of this marvellous city. Lisbon is all about art, colors, architecture and GOOD vibes! 🇵🇹💚 💡General tip: combine Lisbon with visits/stays in Sintra and Porto. Highlights: 🚋 Trams - The Lisbon tramway network is a system of trams in operation since 1873; it presently comprises six lines and has a length of 31 km with 63 trams in operation (45 historic "Remodelados", 8 historic "Ligeiros" and 10 modern articulated trams). Tram 28 is famous because happens to go past many of the city's most significant landmarks in districts like Alfama, Baixa and Estrela. Because the route also uses some heritage-style tram carriages, it has become a popular tourist attraction in the city. 💠 Azulejos - is a form of Spanish and Portuguese painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework. Azulejos happen to be one of the most distinctive art forms in Portugal and are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces, ordinary houses, schools, and nowadays, restaurants, bars and even railways or subway stations. 🧼 Soaps - Oprah Winfrey said they're one of her favorite things, so the world is now also a fan of Portuguese soaps. But they're not recent products. They've been made since the 1800s and are 100% natural. They've maintained beautiful Art Deco and Art Nouveau packagings from the 1920s, and have become one of the favorite gifts to take from Portugal. 🥮 Pastel de nata - is a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry, optionally dusted with cinnamon - looks like a cross between a custard tart and a cake; created by monks in the Jerónimos Monastery, a major tourist attraction today and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🍲You also have to try these traditional dishes: Bifana, Sardines, Caracoletas & Prego na Pao, Alheira de Mirandela, Queijadas. 🧉Ginja - also known as ginjinha. This sour cherry liqueur is a tourist favorite but has sweetened locals’ palates for a long time too. There are establishments in Lisbon entirely dedicated to selling this sweet beverage made with Morello cherries, a variety of spices, and plenty of sugar. Nowadays, ginja is also served in edible chocolate cups. While you may choose among white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate, dark chocolate does indeed pair beautifully with the super sweet, almost syrupy drink.
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Lisbon is a total gem of a city where traditional heritage meets modern vibrancy, and this is nowhere more evident than in its food and culture scene. The city is a bustling metropolis that offers a unique blend of the old-world charm with contemporary flair, making it a must-visit destination for culture enthusiasts and foodies alike. Lisbon's culinary scene is a reflection of Portugal's rich maritime history, with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Cod (bacalhau) dishes are ubiquitous, served in various forms such as "Bacalhau à Brás" (shredded cod with onions, potatoes, and eggs). Sardines, especially grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas), are another staple during the summer months. But Lisbon's food scene isn't limited to seafood; "Alheira," a type of sausage made from meats other than pork, and "Bifana," a traditional pork sandwich, are also popular among locals and tourists. Pastries and sweets hold a special place in Lisbon's culinary landscape, with "Pastéis de Nata" (custard tarts) leading the charge. These creamy, flaky pastries originated in the city's Belém district and are a must-try for anyone visiting Lisbon. The city's coffee culture is equally noteworthy, with cafes and pastelarias dotting every corner, inviting visitors to indulge in a leisurely "bica" (espresso) paired with a pastry. Lisbon's culture is as diverse as its culinary offerings. The city is renowned for Fado music, a soul-stirring genre characterized by its melancholic tunes and lyrics that reflect the Portuguese concept of "saudade," or longing. Visitors can experience live Fado performances in various "casas de Fado" throughout neighborhoods like Alfama and Mouraria, offering an intimate glimpse into Portugal's soul. Art and history are woven into the fabric of the city, with numerous museums and galleries showcasing everything from contemporary art to artifacts that trace Portugal's maritime exploits. The LX Factory, a former industrial complex turned cultural hub, epitomizes Lisbon's blend of historical roots with modern creativity, hosting art studios, bookshops, eclectic boutiques, and thematic restaurants. The city's architecture is another highlight, with the Pombaline downtown area (Baixa) offering a grid-like layout unique to Europe, majestic plazas like Praça do Comércio, and iconic monuments such as the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. The juxtaposition of traditional azulejos (ceramic tiles) adorning buildings with street art and murals in districts like Bairro Alto and Graça adds to the city's vibrant aesthetic. Lisbon is a city that delights the senses and stirs the soul, offering a rich tapestry of food and culture that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Whether it's in the simple pleasure of a Pastel de Nata, the haunting melodies of Fado, or the intricate beauty of azulejos, Lisbon invites exploration and promises unforgettable experiences.
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