The gist: Excellent customer service, Free Fado, unique dishes in a fun neighborhood.
If you've come to Lisbon on vacation and want to experience Fado, but don't want to have to go to one of the expensive places where you buy a big old meal and have to sit around for a long time to get your money's worth, and also when you imagine that touristy Fado experience you just kind of feel too touristy, I HIGHLY recommend coming to Povo. Povo is an intimate but relaxed location, with a Fado residency program where Fado singers work on their chops which means you don't have to pay big bucks to see and hear them sing their hearts out.
Here are some tips to make the experience better and to be prepared:
1) Make sure to come on the night when they have Fado (check their website to confirm, but I don't think Fri/Sat had any Fado)
2) Make reservations, and make sure you're seated inside to hear the Fado. According to the host, you can make them online. See if you can figure out how to do that, or just stop by this cute neighborhood earlier in the day to make reservations. We showed up maybe 1/2 hour before the performance and had to sit at the bar through the first two singing sessions (there were 3 sets of the same Fado performer and a rotating crew of other performers). It was enjoyable and the Host was incredibly accommodating and attentive, so it didn't take away from the experience, but it would've been better to have a seat.
3) Buy a CD. They're only $10, they feature a whole bunch of the past residency people, and you're getting a Fado experience that other tourists are paying 15-20 euro for plus a pricy meal. It's the least you can do.
We came on their Thursday Fado night with their in-house Fado residency guy, who was amazing! I was so into Fado after hearing him sing.
The food was great - we got some type of vegetarian croquette (many veggie options), and a shrimp and avocado salad. The avocado was a little hard, but the shrimps were tasty and fresh.
This is a must go to place for young or old to experience Fado. The host, a bald guy with cool glasses on, was one of the most helpful and attentive people I've ever encountered in a service position. That guy rocks! read more