Alfaia — Restaurant in Lisbon

Very Racist waiters!!! Keep away!!!

I traveled from New York with my friend from Hong Kong. We had a wonderful time walking around the city and then when it's time for dinner, we saw this restaurant with outdoor sitting and the food looked good. We wanted to gave it a try. It was full at the time we asked for a table. The waiter said that it would take a few minutes and we noticed that we were the only party waiting. So we were fine standing aside waiting for the table. Then came a white couple standing next to us showing their interest to the waiter for a table as well. They were told to wait. Then, when there was a table available, the waiter gave it to the couple who obviously came later than us. I was so mad that I yelled at the waiter saying that we were there first. He shredded his shoulders pretended that he didn't know.... we decided to walk away. we couldn't help filling with anger and feeling being treated very unfairly because of our race. We love food and have traveled the world. We have not encounter such a bad experience in any of the restaurants we've been to. We also have given a high mark for the friendliness of this city. Unfortunately, Restaurante Alfaia stained the reputation.

That night, we ended up in the Oficina do Duque Restaurant just down a few blocks. It was lovely- the food was amazing and the staffs were super friendly. We had such a great meal and also be friended with our waiter.

Thanks for the horrible hospitality of the restaurant Alfaia that we ended up in such a good restaurant and ended our evening with good notes.

I hope when you read this review, you will keep away the Restaurant Alfaia. Seriously, there are so many other options that this city can offer. Why...

We had high hopes for this spot, tucked into a little alley that looked like it might be charming and local. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. We ordered the mixed grilled fish (the most expensive dish on the menu) and while it was edible, the quality was very average — not particularly fresh or flavorful, certainly not worth the price. The fish also had a lot of bones.

The alley seating was far from relaxing. Delivery trucks constantly squeezed through the narrow cobblestone lane, making it noisy and uncomfortable.

The biggest disappointment was the billing. A surprise “cover charge” appeared on our check. The server first said it applies to everyone, then pointed to a menu footnote that literally said a cover charge is optional, then admitted she didn’t know, and finally a manager insisted it was mandatory. The wording on the menu is buried mid-page, in another language on an otherwise English menu section, and misleadingly placed above the bread section. We hadn’t accepted bread or olives, which usually trigger a cover charge in Lisbon, yet they insisted on adding the charge. (See my posted picture of the menu, where I yellow color highlighted the 2 lines of the menu). Refusing to waive a questionable charge like this felt dishonest and left a very bad impression.

Overall: average food, noisy setting, and a sense of being taken advantage of. There are many better, more transparent...

RIPP OFF! The waiters seemed kinda nice, but they were however seemingly trained in what to say and do in case of complaints. We ordered beef tenderloin, but got something I strongly believe was a pork chop. The waiters seemed not sincere when they tried to convince me that this steak was tenderloin. We ordered Sardines, and they were black inside. I don't know much about the fish, but as a whole experience, we did not dare to take the chance. We insisted that it was not the right dish we recieved, and then they brought out the boss. A very angry man that had threatening posture and said things like "i will call the police" we told him he should do that. Then "say that again ill make a phone call and you will regret it". Someone else where coming to the table, and we warned them from seating. Where the boss then said "say that again, and i will make you regret your words". He was furious and told the waiters we had to pay full price. The waiters who didn't dare to cross him brought us the bill, and after discussing with them a bit and telling that we were sorry they worked for that guy, we ended up paying the amount with the fees they apparently also charge extra to everyone. The waiters, specially one of them, were actually nice, but bound by the horrible frames of this place, couldn't do anything. WE LEFT, PAYING THE BILL, WITHOUT...