A beautiful place to watch Fado in Portugal. I came here because my hotel had made reservations for me. Located in Alfama, where fado was supposedly born, I got to go this restaurant. The reason for my rating is that it was kind of expensive. I know I was alone eating by myself but i had to keep asking for simple things like water, or a drink compared to the rest of the people that had groups. I wasn't even offered a glass of port or a refill on my alcohol. I highly enjoyed the singers and music. They played a good amount of sets. The food: appetizers and entree were good. However, was disappointed in the dessert choices. I asked for a banana and caramel thing. However, it literally was just a piece of banana. This place was alright, just pretty pricey. read more

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The tapas served upon arrival had good flavor. Their bread spreads were interestingly good. I appreciate how an alcoholic drink is "free." I'm sure it's paid for with the seventy euros that I paid for. Anything additional is obviously extra. I ordered pork ribs, which were sooooooooo good. The simple and lightly glazed of honey mustard was perfect. The meat came off the bone easily. After the main course, one of the employees later came back and asked what I wanted for dessert. I couldn't decide between two options, so he served me both. Thank you! One was a Portuguese dessert which consisted of sugar and eggs. I was hesitant, but I was willing to try something new and eat what the locals eat. I am not a fan of cinnamon, which was sprinkled on top, but it was ok. It paired well together. The second dessert was rice pudding! It was probably one of the best rice pudding I've ever tasted. Not too bland and not too sweet. It was perfection. Now, let the show begin! The first performer was amazing. Her voice was incredible! Unfortunately, I after the first performer because there were several people talking in the back and it totally killed the mood and performances. The disappointing thing was that none of the staff told them to stop during the performance. People kept shushing but the people talking and they didn't stop. It was disruptivannoying. I decided to leave and not deal with the rude and inconsiderate people. For a better customer satisfaction, before the performance start, I suggest taking time to remind the diners to not speak when the performer is singing. It totally ruined the what-could have been an amazing event. read more

A friend of mine who lives in Lisbon took me to this place one evening for dinner and a musical performance of local "Fado" music, which I didn't know I'd like so much! :-) Arriving shortly before they opened for their evening seating, there was already a pretty big line out front. When we were ushered in, I could immediately tell this place had once been a chapel which they tastefully updated with modern colors and art on the walls. My friend and I were escorted upstairs and had an absolutely perfect view of the musical performance below. She let me know that this place was a favorite haunt of Madonna's. Apparently Madonna was inspired to created her Spanish album "Madame X" from visiting this place. For dinner, I got the fish (I think it was sea bass?), which admittedly was a bit dry. Be careful of the regular house wine carafes: They're ENDLESS! I didn't realize this until we finished the second carafe and the waiter immediately came by with a new replacement. Oof. The next morning was pretty painful, lemme tell ya! All-in-all, a great time and I didn't know I'd like fado music so much! It plays perfectly into my appreciation of playing major and minor scales off each other. One more quick thing: The performers set up shop right in front of the main door, so there's no getting out during performance time! Fortunately, they had nicely-timed breaks, so my friend and I leveraged one of those later on in the evening to make our exit. Will be back! read more

Mesa de Frades was a recommendation from a tour guide and it did not disappoint. We made a reservation and unfortunately was pending- make sure your reservation is successful otherwise you may not get in. Fortunately for us a party of 6 became a party of 3 and us 3 girls got in! The food was amazing they give you appetizer, main course, and dessert! Multiple Fado performances with multiple voices from 21:30-2:00. Also unlimited beverages including espresso and alcohol. I got the steak which was so good a friend of mine got the pork ribs which were also amazing. All of this included for 65 euro. Definitely recommend! read more

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Jantar para quatro Mesa de Frades 20.06.25. So duas opções 18.30 e às 21.00 com um menu fixo a 70 euros incluído entrada, prato e sobremesa e bebidas , duas passagens de duas fadistas. A comida é fraca, salgada e sobretudo pouca. As doses das sobremesa sao ínfimas. Ridículo . O vinho branco servido em jarro é medíocre e servido morno. A agua em garrafa é da torneira. O serviço é amador. Salvam-sem os bons guitarristas e o espaço cuidado. A ganância de espremer o turista tem este resultado. Opções muito mais baratas, com melhor comida e mais honestas em Lisboa. A evitar. Um desperdício sobretudo de dinheiro. Dinner for four Mesa de Frades 20.06.25. The show has two services at 6.30pm and 9pm with a set menu for steep 70 euros including starter, main course,dessert and drinks, and two sets of fado singers. The food is average and, above all, very little. The dessert portions are tiny. Ridiculous. The white wine served in a carafe was mediocre and lukewarm. The bottled water is from the tap. The service is below amateurish. Save the guitarists and the space. The greed of squeezing the tourist has degenerated in this. There are much cheaper options in Lisbon, with better food and more honesty. To avoid. A waste of money above all. read more

Man, Where to begin. First, this place charges $70/p.p. That includes appetizers, drinks, meal, dessert and traditional Fado. Appetizers were cold, tempura green beans were soggy. Main dish was fish. It was slimy and lacked any flavor. Exchanged for the chicken Friccose which was better but nothing remarkable. Foda was great however, only three songs. Left after. Took too long for someone to come back up and bring us dessert. To say this is overrated, is being kind. read more

Come for Fado music after 10:30... after 11 is best. The Fado and ambience was 5/5, but had to reduce to 3 stars due to the food being disappointing and extremely expensive. A definite tourist trap, and you can find better food for much cheaper elsewhere. The chocolate 'cake' slices were like a glorified cliff bar. If you eat/drink there, remember to bring cash, or you'll be paying a huge fee to the atm. They don't tell you till you have to pay. read more

This place is a tourist trap! They charge $60 for the worse meal I've had in years and say that $55 of that is for the "show". The show is a lady singing for 10 min. Don't do it! read more

We came here for the second time and I can honestly say I'm deeply disappointed with service and the lack of food choices. We pay 60€ per person and we got one of two dishes. We didn't get refills that we were supposed to get before the show. The waiters acted like they were doing us a favor every time we asked something. One time I asked ice and we never got it. It's sad... I used to love this place but now it is on my black list. Don't come here. read more

Mesa de Frades - Bacalhau - Fado Houses Near Me - Lisbon, 11

This beautiful, ancient former chapel is lined with gorgeous tiles appropriate to the holy experience you will enjoy there. Mesa de Frades was the best of all the Fado houses I experienced in Lisboa. No, the food wasn't amazing. Only pretty good. No, the wine isn't great, but it flows freely and they'll bring you carafe after carafe. No, each and every singer wasn't amazing. But the camradere...simply wonderful. The range of fadistas was delightful - from teens, getting their feet wet and learning to control their instrument, to well aged singers in their sixties and seventies, making up for what they had lost vocally with what they had gained in life experience. And in the middle, incredibly talented singers in the prime of their career. Unlike most of the other Fado houses, it wasn't about the tourists. Instead, there are only so many tables and you're sitting in the midst of the singers. During the breaks between sets, you can share a glass of wine with them out front. We got to hang out with the remarkable Pedro Moutinho! I was told by many (and confirmed at the Museo de Fado) that all of the greatest fadistas performed here at some point in their careers, including the late, great Amalia Rodrigues. A Spanish friend suggested getting here at 9:30, to dine and secure a good table, and to not worry when the singers showed up very late because the singing would go well into the night. He was so right. As we finished our meal, they closed the doors, moved a few tables around and the singing began. At 2am, they barred the doors and brought out more carafes of wine for all who wanted to stay. The wine poured and the music flowed until 4am. One of the most magical nights of music I've had anywhere in the world! read more

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We just arrived at Mesa dos Frades and when we got here they didn't have my name and I called 2 days before I got to Lisbon. Thank God it was a Wednesday, they were empty so they sit us. The place is cute but there is no music or any sound until 11pm ... Get ready for a long talk with your partner or friends. I hope you have a lot to say! Menu here is a prefix (45 euros) per person and after coming from Algarve, the house wine was horrible. We got fried cod balls, mushroom with ham, cold quail(my wife like that one), Fava beans with some sort of sausage (I like them), melted cheese, tuna pate (I can make it at home) and bread. Everything tasted just okay because we ate amazing cod and rissoles fresh cooked for us at REAL SOCIEDADE (next door) so Mesa Dos Frades food was BLAH. We are from NYC, have high standards and know what good food taste like! Before the main course, we got two shots of soups. One asparagus which was very bland and I had to ask my wife what was it because I couldn't figure it out. The other tomato soup which for my taste straight from the can and with water add it. Yummy !! (Trying to be sarcastic here). Oh wait ... The cherry tomato on the side was very fresh !! As the night goes on we got the entrees. They were grilled fish and cod with rice and beans. The different type of rice were very good ... The grilled fish was very tasty. I have to give their the entrées a plus. We got 4 dessert scoops: chocolate mouse (okay) was too sweet, 2 pieces of regular pineapple (if that's considered a desert they were good), rice pudding was good, and flan was super super sweat. Bottom line not that great! The Fado was very very good but make sure you sit next to the door because people come after don't pay for the prefix and stay in front of you. Also Sergio is super nice. He keep giving us drinks and called a taxi to take us back to the hotel. He also let us know when the taxi arrived. In summary, if you still want to make it to this place I would recommend to come only for the Fado at 11pm or after because it's amazing but not for dinner. The food wasn't for me but maybe it would be for you. read more

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My husband and I went here from a suggestion from a friend, it was a night we will never forget. There was a storm outside and the electricity went out. The singers, who come after the meal was finished, sang by candle light in the intimate restaurant. I'm back in Lisbon this week and will be taking a group of university classmates to share in an unforgettable night at this gem of Lisbon. read more

As far as I know, the restaurant is not closed, it´s being REFURBISHED. Also, they are opening another branch in Lisbon - that´s what they said when I asked. read more

Went to this historic place in August. It was an amazing experience, a place that is not only historic but so incredibly linked to the world of Fados. Had great food and then stayed to enjoy some of the Fados. Definitely call ahead and make a reservation and don't miss out on this experience. read more