I now understand what they mean by "true Portuguese" restaurants. This was recommended by our local Uber driver and it is tucked away off of the Sesimbra city center. There is a small patio seating area and then about 10 tables or so inside the inviting space. It is full of fish decor and carved wooden chairs and tables. A really charming mom and pop spot.
At 7-ish PM were immediately greeted and seated. Given how popular the place supposedly was with locals, we were surprised by so few tables occupied. However, by the time we left a little after 8, the place was full. To our table, they immediately brought bread and a plate of cheeses, sardine pate, and butter. Know that you must pay for all of these and can hand back any items you do not plan to consume and not get charged. We handed back the plate with all but the butter and kept the bread. This was a solid choice and tasty bread.
We ordered a curried shrimp stew and a pepper steak with a side of vegetables. The vegetables were a flat Italian green bean and they were expertly sautéed in garlic and butter. The curry was delicious with a seemingly endless amount of shrimp (served over white rice). It cost around 12 euros. The pepper steak was covered in a scrumptious brown sauce and served with both white rice and steak fries and a random few slices of tomatoes. The steak itself was a much thinner cut than they give in the US but was cooked well and was very tender. I was able to eat my portion with a butter knife! My husband and I enjoyed dipping the fries into the steak sauce.
If you eat here, plan to pay with euros or a Visa or Mastercard. We had not yet exchanged currency to Euros and my typical travel Amex was giving them issues. It was awkward (but they were very kind and patient as we sought out an ATM). Would recommend. Most locals seemed to be ordering the fried or grilled fish, FYI. read more