Casa do Alentejo — Restaurant in Lisbon

The place itself is magnificent (see pictures). Quite an historical building in itself, and the restaurant itself has such beautiful tiles, they look like fabric, but they’re not. MAGNIFICENT!

But that and the couple next to us who were very nice are the only positive things about this place and that is why it is getting two stars, zero stars for everything else!

Food was barely edible, ate what I thought could still go in, but big mistake, got quite sick last night from the food I had at this place. The bread sticks were too burned, too oily and too hard! The main course (Carne de Porco à Alentejana), one of my favourite dishes in Portugal was super bland, no taste at all, even the pork did not taste like anything at all! The clams were very plasticky, smelly and tasteless. The fries… old.

My partner didn’t like his main course either, meat was overcooked, and there were more (old) fries than meat!

The place wasn’t even that clean! I found an empty Coke can under our table! And when I told them they just walked past me like it was nothing.

If you thought the food was the worst part, read further.

The service! Oh this bit… seriously the worst service I have ever witnessed in all this time as a reviewer! The one waiter (a woman with dark wavy hair) kept being quite rude to the guests, like they meant nothing and like they were giving her too much work. But wait, that’s not everything. She kept throwing the plates around, without or even when they had food on them! At some point she threw a plate full of soup quite harsh on the table and bits of the soup nearly went flying. Another time was when she brought the dishes to a table a little further to my right and nearly knocked the guest’s glass over.

It’s not only her, none of the staff are friendly!! NONE! No smiles, no kindness at all, they don’t show any passion in what they do!

If you want to come here, I recommend not to stay for food! Check the place out, take some nice pictures and leave.

Not coming back, and as I said already, do...

Walking into Casa do Alentejo feels like entering a time warp designed by a Portuguese aristocrat with a flair for the theatrical. The tiles are exquisite. The ceilings are hand-carved fever dreams, and the chandeliers drip with old-world charm. It’s the kind of place where you expect to be served something transcendent, or at the very least, edible.

Spoiler: it did not.

The swordfish, proudly pitched as their pièce de résistance, arrived utterly DOA. Dry, salted to absurdity, it tasted as if the chef had fished it from a forgotten tidepool and seasoned it with spite. Two bites, and my stomach demanded an immediate eviction notice. It tasted like someone grilled a cautionary tale or a psychological experiment in culinary gaslighting.

In retrospect, the waitstaff did provide a certain amount of foreshadowing in this parade of disappointments. My partner asked for a wine pairing with his steak, and without a flicker of irony, they offered a fruity Chardonnay. Or beer. That’s not just bad hospitality; it’s the culinary equivalent of a Geneva Convention violation.

The food sat mostly untouched, not for lack of hunger, but because we refused to let bad decisions compound. When they cleared our plates, with 95% of the meal still there, they had the audacity to ask if we “didn’t like it.” We said no. They nodded, like we’d just told them the weather was mild, and brought the bill. When we handed over a card, they asked for a tip without missing a beat or reading the room.

Honestly, the bathroom was less sanctuary, more dungeon. Dimly lit and grime-coated, it looked like a set from a budget horror film. Fitting, since it ended up hosting the third act of my evening: an impromptu stomach revolt. The swordfish made a swift and unceremonious exit. The bathroom may have been the finale, but the real tragedy started in the kitchen.

Casa do Alentejo is a lovely museum with a kitchen that mistakes ambition for ability. Save your euros for a street vendor who knows food shouldn’t feel...

300 years serving Lisbon, you'll be greeted by a lavish hall which is yet another reminder of the influence of the Moorish culture on Lisboa. Casa do Alentejo originated as a gentleman's club some 300 years ago. In more recent times the House of Alentejo has been a restaurant, serving great local specialities to the community of Baixa for the past 97 Years. Located in the heart of the city, close to Praca Rossio, the Casa still plays an important community role where local groups can socialize.

The entrance to Casa do Alentejo is easily missed, and it's difficult to imagine the majesty which lies through such an inconsequential doorway. Once you pass through the green door and arrive at the top of the stairs, you'll be greeted by a lavish hall which is yet another reminder of the influence of the Moorish culture on Lisboa. The tiling throughout the building is incredible and the two dining halls are no exception.

Take time to treat yourself to some rustic food and soak up the atmosphere of a bygone era. I recommend the two upstairs restaurants of Casa do Alentejo for lunch and you'll find these are mainly frequented by locals rather than tourists. There is also a more informal and modern tapas bar/restaurant off the the entrance hall on the first floor.

Do take your time to wander into the larger banqueting halls and library to get a better sense of the grandeur of the building. Entrance is free so when in the district make sure to pop in and view this masterpiece.

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