159 Lounge Restaurante - Best Portuguese Restaurant in Lisboa — Restaurant in Lisbon

safe yourself the trouble and do NOT come here.

the food did not match the photos, online or on menu, and the server was very insistent on us ordering, pressuring us to get drinks and order more food. still water, which we ordered after being asked if we wanted water, turned out to be €4.90, and we were not offered tap water. when we asked her why we were not offered tap water, the waiter claimed that tap water is not safe in portugal, which is not true.

we ordered the dynamite shrimp, which was €9, and there were maybe 20 mini shrimp in the bowl, which was quite opposed to the picture on the menu that showed full size shrimp on a big plate, which extra sauce on the side, which we did not get. when we asked for more sauce, they gave us ketchup and mayo.

the main course food took very long to come out, nearly 40 minutes, after being told it would be a 10-15 minute wait, and the grilled squid was quite tough. it was chewy and difficult to cut, as well as quite unseasoned. it was served with steamed, frozen vegetables that were unseasoned, and the rice it was accompanied with was dry and crunchy.

we also ordered the catalana marisco and it was filled with unidentifiable strip of seafood that was quite tough. when we brought this up to the waiter, they did not know what it was. they called the chef over, who explained that it was the tail of a fish, and was very sought after. then he said it was the skin of a squid, and after going to the back, he then claimed it was crayfish. they did not know what they were serving.

when we brought up the issues with the meal to the waiter, they attempted to gaslight us by saying that no one has ever complained before. the restaurant was completely empty the entire time we were there expect for us, so i doubt that they have many customers to complain.

we went up to the counter and discussed these issues with the servers and they continued to claim that no one has complained, and they were very quiet except for saying that the seafood was “crayfish”. we asked for a refund and were told to sit down, after which we waited for nearly 10 minutes, with the server leaving the restaurant during this time period. we were offered a 20% discount after this wait, which was hardly satisfactory.

go eat literally...

the food was TERRIBLE. Do not come here. it was overpriced for what we got. we ordered the dynamite shrimp and the food did not match the picture at all. 8.90 for the tiniest portion and instead of spicy creamy sauce like was advertised we were given mayo mixed with ketchup. the squid in the squid salad was like RUBBER. the veggies were clearly frozen and unseasoned. the rice undercooked and crunchy.

The cataplana had mystery meat in it with many little bones. I was pulling them out of my mouth for like a minute straight. there was also another very unappetizing-looking bone in it. when we asked what it was, no one could give us an answer. first they told us it was fish tail, which it did not look at all like. then they said it was “skin of a squid” which doesn’t exist… then, they said prawns, which it also most definitely was not. the fact that no one in the kitchen knew what was going in their own dishes is concerning for health and safety reasons. it was also upsetting the way the staff responded to us, like we were being unreasonable for raising questions when the food was literally inedible.

the food was extremely disappointing. my friend left feeling nauseous, the rest of us STILL HUNGRY.

they also charged us €5 for water without warning us, and a 13% service charge. clearly a tourist trap. when we complained about the poor quality of food and overpricing, there was not a hint of remorse or the usual customer service you would expect at a professional establishment.

go eat ANYWHERE else, save yourself the stomach ache...

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at 159 Lounge on Rua dos Remédios, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a chic yet comfortable decor that made for the perfect dining ambiance. I opted for the crispy sesame beef, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The beef was perfectly cooked, with a delightful crunch from the sesame coating, and the flavors were harmoniously balanced with a hint of sweetness and a touch of spice. Each bite was a burst of culinary delight that left me craving more. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff who made sure every need was met without being intrusive. 159 Lounge has certainly secured a spot on my list of favorite dining destinations, and I am already looking forward to my next visit. Highly...