Cantinho do Sol — Restaurant in Lisbon

This unassuming local restaurant serves really delicious traditional Portuguese foods at super affordable prices!

The grilled octopus was incredibly tender and had a subtle charred flavour. It was topped with some fried garlic/onion which perfectly complemented the octopus. Served with some soft and fluffy baby potatoes and a drizzle of olive oil - simple but impeccable.

The veal steak and shrimps with a special gravy-like sauce, served with rice and chips, is another traditional Portuguese dish you should try.

They had a selection of homemade desserts: cheesecake, pudding, coffee cake, cooked apple (with a cinnamon stick in the middle), mango mousse etc. We had a homemade cheesecake to share and it did not disappoint! This was not a heavy cheesecake, it was light and silky smooth. It was not too sweet and paired well with the jam.

I don't recommend ordering the bread and sardines pate as they weren't homemade (at least they didn't taste homemade). They were not special. Try something else if you want an appetizer before your main dishes.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the meal with generous portions. I'd definitely come back here and recommend this restaurant for its good and cheap food. The only downsides are the not-so-clean toilets and that none of the staff speaks English. Simple...

Wow! If you don't want to read this full review. Go here and enjoy. I (and we) would go back

We came upon Cantinho do Sol by chance in a moment of need and somewhat out of options. We errantly made reservations at another restaurant and then ended up at the restaurant next door, they could not accommodate our party ( 6 adults and 3 kids ) without advanced notice but were very nice.

And so we peered into Cantinho do Sol, empty at 8pm. With trepidation, worried they were booked with reservations, we asked and they accommodated.

Wow!

The service was top notch. They were patient and friendly, informative and energetic.

The food was delicious! Flavorful and fresh. Cooked with a degree of care evident in presentation and palate. (Everything was delicious, the curry shrimp was creamy with a satin finish, the clams were so good our 3 year old proclaimed, "these are the best clams in the world". Steak was cooked to order perfectly and the drinks were balanced and enjoyable. Dessert? Just say yes. )

We ate, we laughed, and felt as though Lisbon had welcomed us to stay and enjoy.

Go here and then...

We stumbled upon this restaurant near our hotel after failing to find our original restaurant choice. To our surprise, the food was excellent, and the service was amazing. The portions were generous, and the prices were affordable. We were stuffed after just the main course! The waitress speaks English well too.

We had the octopus salad, shrimp curry, and Arroz de tamboril com camarão e ameijoas (which is similar to a paella or risotto with clams and cod). They also serve olives and bread with butter or sardine paste. Everything was delicious, and I would definitely come back! This restaurant deserves more...