Adega da Tia Matilde — Restaurant in Lisbon

This was the first time I went into a restaurant but didn't eat there. The arrogant service from the moment I entered made me decide that no matter how delicious the food was, I would not go back. This restaurant is very well-known, so I booked it a week in advance with great expectations. I booked a seat for 2 at 7:30 pm. When I entered, my first impression was that the restaurant was beautifully decorated with a retro style, like a traditional wine cellar. Then this good impression was immediately ruined... There was no service staff from the door to the bar. When I walked into the dining area, I saw a staff member serving a group of more than 10 people at the only large table. Then there were no other customers. The remaining tables were also empty. I didn't want to disturb the service staff, so I returned to the bar area. Saw an older gentleman in uniform slowly pouring ice cubes for seafood. Please note that it was already 7:40pm when we arrived at the restaurant, but the restaurant didn’t look like it was ready yet. I asked the old gentleman in Portuguese, is there anyone to serve us? He looked at me and didn’t seem to understand, so I asked him a few more times. He just focused on pouring his ice cubes. Then he came out and stared at me for 2 minutes. I repeated it again, we have a reservation, is there anyone to serve us? He didn’t even reply to let us wait, just looked at us and didn’t seem to welcome us. Then after a while, he called a lady who looked like a manager out of the kitchen, but also in a very unwelcoming tone to take us to our seats. The whole experience was so weird!!! So we decided to leave directly. I have lived in Portugal for more than ten years and I am also very keen on finding local traditional Portuguese food, but this experience made me feel...

I almost never write reviews but today I’m compelled due to the terrible service. I went there with reservations for a large group and I honestly can’t believe how neglectful they were… I expect this at a typical local small restaurant, but this was next level. The place is filled with wine on display, they never brought a drink menu… I had to ask for one, they made no recommendations. They never brought the cocktail I ordered, they forgot things , I had to ask multiple times just to get some water, they weren’t attentive or particularly pleasant. I’ve been served better by kids. I wouldn’t expect this from a place like this. Food was okay, but nothing special. I guess they benefit from the connection to Benfica club, so if you’re not a player or a fan, there are hundreds of better spots in Lisbon, don’t bother...

First impressions aren’t lasting impressions. We had a journey to get to this restaurant, going down a dark walkway and crossing train tracks When we first walked in, the bar was empty, no host or bartender. I thought we must be in the wrong place. As I continued passed the fish case I came upon a huge dining room filled with guests. (I later found out there’s a second entrance, by their parking). Dinner was delicious. We started with the hand carved prosciutto. And finished with Steak that was extremely tender and cooked very similar to Ruth Chris’s. Our server spoke a bit of English, but his wine pairings were spot on. We finished with flan, which used honey instead of butter. I’d highly recommend this restaurant it would help if you made a...