As Velhas — Restaurant in Lisbon

What was good: Making reservations online was convenient and easy. One of the two waiters was very friendly, but unfortunately, he wasn’t the main one serving our table.

Why I can only give it 2 stars: This restaurant was recommended by our hotel concierge as a place to enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine. However, out of the nine days we spent in Lisbon and Porto, the food here ranked the lowest for us. Both the pork and steak were overly salty and tough. Oddly, I wasn’t even asked how I would like my steak cooked, and it arrived overdone. The service was slow. It took about 10 minutes just to receive the menu after we were seated, and then we had to wait a considerable time before our waiter finally took notice of us to take our order. At the end of our meal, it was the same story—waiting a long time for the check, even though it was clear we were ready to leave. Our waiter, whose name I unfortunately didn’t catch, was somewhat rude. After we ordered drinks (a beer and a glass of house green wine), I ordered a main dish, but before my husband could order his, the waiter abruptly asked if we wanted a starter to share. When we declined, he rolled his eyes, stepped back, and walked away without taking my husband's order. We were shocked and felt uncomfortable with his attitude. We waited for more than five minutes before he came back—only after we waved him down—to finally take my husband’s order. Our waiter didn’t check in on us the entire time, yet I noticed him being far more attentive to other tables, where the customers seemed older and wealthier than us. The prices were higher than other restaurants we visited in Portugal, but the quality of both the food and service didn’t justify the cost. To make matters worse, when it was time to pay, the credit card reader had three tipping options (10%, 15%, and 20%), and the waiter stood next to us, clearly watching to see how much we would tip. While tipping is not as common in Portugal, this was the only place where we felt pressured into it. Our total bill came to nearly €100 for two people. We ordered one beer, one glass of house wine, two main dishes, and two desserts; there was also an expensive charge for still water and some olives/bread that you would just have to pay for. This ended up being our most expensive meal during our nine-day trip, and the only restaurant where we felt pressured into tipping. It really felt more like a tourist trap than a genuine local...

From the moment I stepped foot into As Velhas, I knew I was in for an extraordinary gastronomic experience. Nestled charmingly in the heart of Lisbon, this restaurant provided an evening that was more than just a meal - it was a celebration of Portuguese cuisine at its finest.

From starters to desserts, every dish served was a perfect blend of traditional Portuguese flavours combined with a modern twist. The quality and freshness of the ingredients were evident, resulting in a vibrant and colourful palette of flavours that lingered memorably.

Their "Bacalhau à Brás", a delectable codfish dish, that was satisfyingly rich and creamy, further elevating the high standard of their offerings.

The staff, the service at As Velhas deserves a special mention. From the moment we arrived, the hospitality was second to none. The servers were friendly and attentive without being intrusive, striking just the right balance. Their deep understanding of the menu and passion for their food was palpable, and they seemed genuinely invested in making our evening memorable.

Amongst this stellar team, Antonio stood out particularly. His knowledge of the cuisine, the wine, and the story of As Velhas was unparalleled. His recommendations were spot on, each dish he suggested becoming a new favourite. He was not only our waiter for the evening but also a charismatic ambassador for Portuguese cuisine. His warm personality and dedication to service enhanced our experience, making our evening at As Velhas unforgettable.

The atmosphere was inviting, the interior tastefully decorated with nods to the cultural history of Portugal, creating a perfect backdrop for an evening of fine dining. We appreciated the attentiveness to maintaining an environment that was comfortably spaced and never felt crowded, enhancing our overall sense of enjoyment and relaxation.

As Velhas took me on a culinary journey that was both a tribute to Portuguese culture and a testament to contemporary cuisine. I can't recommend it highly enough for those looking for an authentic, yet modern Portuguese dining experience in Lisbon. It was a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, a meal that will be etched in my memory for years to come. Whether you're a local or a visitor like me, As Velhas is a must-visit when in Lisbon, and if you're lucky enough, ask for Antonio - he'll make your evening...

I chose to come to this place on my last night because of the reviews. I came here alone on a friday night.

Lets start with the positives - the interior is nice, love the dessert cart, and the wine recommendation was great (the half bottle i ordered ran out so they gave me another one). The staff is excellent. Attentive to your needs, asked for feedback for every dish, and all have a smile on their faces despite the busy work environment. Given that the restaurant was full (friday night) they were pretty busy. I waited 20 mins after my main dish for someone to clean it up and for me to ask for dessert. The free Ginjanha (cherry shot) at the end was a nice touch.

The downsides- the food was pretty mediocre, especially for the price. The shrimp was ok - the sauce didnt quite permeate into the shrimp although the garlic oil was delicious. The most expensive dish was the cut of veal, which i ordered - and that was a huge disappointment. I asked for medium rare, and the meat was well done. It was unseasoned, and so asked for salt. The iberico on top was too thick and hard to chew, and I spit out most of it and didnt eat the other half.

Overall the food was mediocre. I had much more delicious food for much better prices.

Maybe i had high expectations - thought i was in for a treat. How unfortunate. Two stars because the most important thing about a restaurant is the food - and the food was mediocre and bad...