A Six-Liter Seafood Rice from the Stove in Lisbon

Vauxhall continues south to Nine Elms, and I always feel like this area is a gathering spot for Western and Southern European cuisine, plus a bit of Thai. Of course, not every place is great; I’ll write about them slowly. This place is easy to find, right on the street. The decor leans towards Western European style, hard to pinpoint the exact name, but the walls covered with cork and the red-brown tones give a fleeting feeling of not being in London. The head waiter, a cheerful uncle, always has a smile that’s infectiously joyous; just looking at him can brighten your mood. The whole meal was delicious and great value for money. In the end, we packed half a bucket of seafood rice, which the two of us ate for two more meals each. 🍽️ Pig’s Ear Salad Orelha de porco 💷 7.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s rare to find pig’s ears in London, so this is a fantastic opportunity. The restaurant did a great job; the ears themselves had the perfect texture, a delightful mix of crunch and gelatinous chewiness that keeps you going. The olive oil, chopped coriander, and raw onion add an appetizing touch. 🍽️ Octopus Salad Salada de polvo 💷 12 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another cold dish, the sliced octopus tentacles were chewy but not too tough; they absorbed the sauce without being too salty. The same ingredients but a completely different flavor, rich and not fishy at all, highly recommended. 🍽️ Baked Codfish with Cream Sauce Bacalhau c/ natas 💷 15.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ever had the British national dish, fish pie? This is very similar. But dare I say, the Portuguese version is better? Maybe because it uses only cod, not a mix of fish, giving it a more consistent flavor from start to finish. Topped with a layer of cheese and a base of chunky fish and silky mashed potatoes. Not their signature dish, but recommended. 🍽️ Portuguese Seafood Rice Arroz de marisco 💷 38 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Saying six liters was an exaggeration, but this “two-person portion” could easily feed at least four. Salty and aromatic, brimming with seafood, and a flavorful broth that’s simply rich and irresistible. A must-order, no questions asked. 🍽️ Sangria Red Sangria Red 💷 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I ordered this without looking at the menu and forgot the price, but I estimate it’s around 15-25 for a pitcher. The balance of wine and fruit is perfect, refreshing and not too sweet. A couple of glasses of this and you’ll feel like you’re truly experiencing the local vibe. In summary: High value for money, high-quality Portuguese cuisine that will make those who’ve been there nostalgic and those who haven’t yearn to visit. Average cost per person is 30-50. #London #LondonLife #LondonRestaurants #LondonFoodie #LondonEats #SeafoodRice #Vauxhall