Feel lucky that I was able to return and it remains my favorite restaurant in Lisbon! The interior…read moreseems to have gotten an update in decoration since my last visit, and service was very attentive. Highlights of our meal included the starters of fried prawns, braised tuna with sweet potato, and mussels. The sea rice was just as good and packed with seafood as I remembered. All of my dining partners enjoyed this as their introduction to food in Portugal!

I went back and forth between three and four stars, and came to the conclusion I had higher hopes…read morebeing on vacation and Europe has always had a higher standard for me with food compared to the United States. Inside was classically decorated with many square tables that could be rearranged for groups of 1-2 or larger. We did not need a reservation but it was a Tuesday night at 8pm. Service was friendly but could felt similar to the service you get in many tourist restaurants and the idea of American tipping seems to be taking root. Food portions were hearty and seemed to be a more formal take on Portuguese comfort food (I imagine). The Cod Duque was under seasoned with the Octopus done well and the sweet potato puree was just....there.

From the owner: A excelência em harmonia com a natureza!read more

Restaurante O Templo is the kind of place you will walk right past if you are not paying close…read moreattention. It sits quietly in a small alley in Évora, easy to miss, especially on a cloudy, rainy December day like the one we visited. We arrived for a late lunch around 2 PM. A few things are important to know before you go. It is cash only. Reservations are absolutely required. Even at that hour, several people were turned away while we were there. The restaurant is run by just two people, and that deliberate pace defines the experience. From the moment we walked in, everything felt personal. The owner greeted us with a firm handshake and a warm welcome, immediately setting the tone for the meal. The menu is printed, but parts of it are handwritten, with certain items manually crossed out as dishes sell out. It is a small but telling detail that reflects how the restaurant operates. Only what can be cooked properly is offered, nothing more. What truly sets O Templo apart is the owner's engagement. He takes time to explain where the bread comes from, how the olives are prepared, and the origin of the olive oil. His passion is unmistakable and completely genuine. The food is cooked with care and intention. Honest, comforting, and deeply satisfying, every dish feels exactly as it should. This is not a restaurant chasing trends or volume. It is a restaurant rooted in pride and purpose. Restaurante O Templo is intimate, thoughtful, and memorable. If you find yourself in Évora and want an experience that feels truly personal, this is a place worth seeking out. Bring cash, make a reservation, and slow down once you arrive.

Cosy place off a side street. After reading so many good reviews raving about this place, I had to…read moretry it out. Was lucky enough to walk in right at opening. There are many options on the menu- but Vasco is more than happy to provide recommendations. It's clear he is very passionate about the food with many recipes passed down from his grandmother. I tried the traditional bacalao cod fish. This was a single portion and huge. House wine was delicious. Vasco was very friendly and despite being the only person serving - his wife cooks int he kitchen - service was attentive and on point. With fado music in the background , great traditional food, cozy wine cellar type of feel, this place is must visit in Evora.

The flavorful asparagus risotto hit the spot on a rainy day. The tasquinha has a lot of character…read moreand is cozy-just a few tables inside. Our server was very pleasant and the wine he suggested was great! Will return for sure.

A true authentic Portuguese dining experience. It would appear locals only, which makes this ideal…read more Being unfamiliar with the local cuisine, we went with the chef's recommendation and in no way was disappointed. We had olives and bread to start for appetizers. For the main courses, I can't say what they were in Portuguese, but one was the pork and the other was the Bacalhau à Brás. Both were truly amazing. We finished with an egg-custard type dessert, again, not sure on the name. If you stumble across this little gem, ask the owner to just take care of you and you will not be disappointed. A very full and complete meal for two, and it certainly didn't break the bank.

We walked in with a group of 6 at 2:30 pm not expecting to get in but thankfully there was a spot…read morefor our group if we split up. It's a small restaurant and reviews all said to have a reservation but we lucked out! We loved the set menu experience and especially enjoyed all the unique dishes prepared with local and seasonal ingredients! Each dish was explained in perfect English by our waitress too. The food was incredible, loved everything about this town and our unique and memorable lunch in Évora!

This inconspicuous place is found on a tiny street a few blocks off the main drag. The only way i…read morewas able to find it was Yelp. My companions were a bit dubious as we walked about 8 minutes to get there. We arrived for a late lunch and the waiter said that he could accommodate us only because he had some cancellations. He also said that there was no menu and we would be getting what was served. He also said that the ladies in our group would order the drinks and we would be paying. We doubled down. This is a quant family run restaurant. The chef is the son of the founder and the waiter is his son. They are lovely people with a great sense of humor. It's pointless for me to comment on specific dishes but there were maybe 16 plates. Pro Tip: No, they do not accommodate vegetarians. There was Black Pork(Jamon Iberico dummy) Beef, Veal. Crispy, braised, stewed.... There was a mystery Slider. When we thought they were done, they brought more plates. Oh, and There was a dessert plate with 7-8 Things on it. It was about 55 euro with drinks per person. One of my top 10 dining experiences ever!

The BEST meal I have had since arriving to Portugal! Quaint restaurant off the Main Street and a…read more4 minute walk from the M'ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel. We ordered the mushrooms, and garlic shrimp for starters (must have bread to soak up the rich drippings. For dinner we ordered the Pork Cheek and Tornedo (filet of beef) both were perfectly prepared and so tender. The dessert of the day which was a poached pear and vanilla ice cream was light and a nice finish. If you are looking for exquisite dining in a cozy and welcoming setting (12 tables) come and eat at this establishment which is ran by a mother (Chef) & son (Host & Server) team. I'd also recommend making a reservation on their website.

This was some of the best food we had since our visit to Portugal. Absolutely outstanding! 5+stars.read more

I now understand what they mean by "true Portuguese" restaurants. This was recommended by our local…read moreUber 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.

This place was amazing, very authentic Portuguese food. Six minute walk from our hotel. 12-15…read moreeuros each. Mom & Pop restaurant where locals eat. Opens at 7pm, we walked right in, but it got busy shortly there after. We had the grilled fish, potatoes and salad and shrimp curry. I had to try the almond pie for dessert, it was delish! You will love it!!!

Gosh I haven't tasted suckling pig this good since I left Asia! Meat was succulent, skin thin and…read morecrispy and the sauce flavourful. The meat was very tender it falls off the bones. Restaurant is very spacious. Tables were set up mostly for 4. And outdoor seating was not set up in winter. Place is clean and modern too. Outside looks like a museum rather than a restaurant. Some staff don't speak very good English and missed our orders but it didn't dampen our appetite. It's a Michelin 2018 too! Highly recommend

The suckling pig is the star of the show here. Don't get anything else. It was fantastic…read more Beautifully tender meat with a crispy skin. All the fat is rendered out so it's not greasy at all. And if you like the head, we were able to add it for an extra 5 Euro. A no-brainer as far as we were concerned. This is a big place with a lot of tables, however the service was very efficient and friendly.

I come to this resteraunt every time I come to Portugal. The food is delicious, the service is…read moregreat concidering how busy they get. My favorite part is how it sits on the pier slightly higher then the street so you get beautiful view of the beach and the docks. Definitely a strong recommendation.