Água pela Barba — Restaurant in Lisbon

During our time in Lisbon, we ventured to Água pela Barba, a cozy little restaurant nestled in the Chiado district. Recommended by a friend of a friend as one of her top spots, we couldn’t resist giving it a try. The restaurant’s ambiance is unique—designed to evoke the inside of a ship. The wooden walls, nautical decor (complete with life rings and yellow raincoats), and intimate setting create a quirky and welcoming atmosphere.

The staff were friendly and attentive, and reservations are a must due to the restaurant’s small size. Following the waiter’s suggestion, we ordered two starters, a main, and finished off with dessert.

Starters

Our first starter was the Mixed Ceviche, featuring chunks of salmon and white fish (likely cod) in a citrus marinade. The standout element was the sweet potato purée, which added a delightful sweetness that balanced the tangy citrus flavors. While the chunkier texture of the fish was different from other ceviches we’ve tried, the dish was fresh, vibrant, and absolutely delicious.

Next, we had the Fried Fish Tacos, which were a true highlight. The soft-shell tacos had a slightly whole-wheat flavor, which added an earthy note to the dish. The fried fish was moist and tender, paired with a creamy sauce and a topping of sweetened grated cabbage. A squeeze of lime elevated the flavors even further. While I found the dish to be well-balanced and flavorful, my wife felt the flavors didn’t come through as strongly for her.

Main Course

For our main, we opted to be adventurous with the Grilled Octopus. The dish was beautifully plated, with the octopus resting on a bed of chickpea purée and blanched spinach. The octopus itself was expertly cooked—soft, with a pleasant charred texture on the curls. However, the overall flavor combination left us unsure. The chickpea purée, while creamy, felt slightly out of place, and the spinach lacked seasoning or a complementary taste. Together, the components didn’t quite harmonize, leaving the dish feeling unbalanced.

Dessert

For dessert, we tried the Tiramisu, served in a charming see-through cup. Its presentation was intriguing, and we weren’t sure what to expect. The tiramisu itself had a light, mousse-like texture that was very appealing. The ladyfingers were soaked well, but it lacked the bold punchiness of port wine, which was said to be the alcohol base for the dish. Additionally, the coffee flavor didn’t shine as strongly as you’d expect in a traditional tiramisu. While it was pleasant and unique, it missed the depth of flavor that would have elevated it to the next level.

Overall Experience

Água pela Barba offers an adventurous and innovative menu, perfect for diners looking to try something unique. The starters were a definite success, but the main course and dessert fell a bit short for us in terms of flavor balance and punch. The restaurant’s presentation was average across the board, and the intimate, nautical vibe makes it an okay spot for a casual night out with friends—especially if you’re sharing a variety of dishes.

We’d give Água pela Barba 3 out of 5 stars. While it didn’t fully hit the mark for us, its inventive dishes and warm service make it worth considering for anyone seeking an adventurous dining...

Pros: -food: both the appetizer of ceviche and main dish of octopus were phenomenal. The ceviche was acidic but well balanced with the sweet potato mousse and decent portion of raw fish, increasing my appetite for the main dish. Now the octopus dish - this was the best octopus I've ever had. Take into consideration that this was my first meal in Portugal and I have not had the most octopuses in the world but considering all this, this dish was still superior - it was soft (literally cuts with one stroke of regular dining knife not steak knife), well seasoned and the accompanying chickpea both fried and mushed as well as greens all married together as a beautiful harmony in my mouth. I've had more octopuses (3 more) through out this trip and I can say that this resturant had the best one (also good price). -wine: had the rose by glass and it checked the box (take into account that I am a wine newbie) -service: prompt and kind; given I was the first one in the restaurant for the evening but still, I felt taken care of yet not too overbearing

Cons: -cash only: I was notified after I made the reservation that I need to pay with cash only. Not sure if this was just during the evening I went to but can be limiting for some. -time limit: I was also told after making the reservation that I need to complete the meal in 1-1.5hr (can't remember exactly, sorry). Honestly, wasn't a big of an issue for me as I was planning on hitting up another attraction after the dinner but this can be limiting for some also. -vibe: it was a well decorated place with good mood lighting but I thought the music was somewhat mismatching the overall atmosphere (too hip/club vibe).

Overall: -if you like octopus without breaking your bank while in Lisbon, must try! -if you want to dine for long hours and be able to pay with card, go...

Came on a recommendation from a friend, and wouldn't recommend to anyone else to be honest. This restaurant is overrated and food was bland and too salty.

Pros None - I recommend going somewhere else in Lisbon

Cons We made a booking for 9:30pm and I messaged the restaurant on Facebook, the first thing I am told is "We do not take international cards its cash only" okay - you would think an expensive restaurant like this would not have such issues. No cashpoint nearby. Luckily we had 65 EUR spare which was JUST enough for 2 people

We were placed in a small corner seat where the chair could barely open next to a group of 8 men, but the rest of the restaurant was free. I should have asked to move but I thought it was already fully booked at the time

Food is very overrated. I got the ceviche, octopus salad and saffron risotto all of which I have had much better and cheaper versions of in other restaurants across Lisbon.

Toilet had no tissue, no hand dryer, no hand tissue, no soap, dirty toilet seat with urine and other rubbish. I had to ask to get these replaced. In a restaurant with ONE toilet for over 30 guests you'd think they would be tiny bit...