da Prata 52 — Restaurant in Lisbon

• Entrance Experience: The entrance attempts an air of exclusivity, but it comes across as arrogant and pretentious. A red rope barricade and a mandatory payment contract at the entrance seem excessive and unwelcoming. A bouncer-like figure at the door doesn't fit the atmosphere of a tapas restaurant and can be off-putting.

•Food Quality: The food, while decent, doesn't stand out and can be found at more inviting restaurants in Lisbon. It lacks the unique flavors or presentation that justify the higher prices.

•Interior Decor: The interior decor is a perplexing mishmash, failing to hit the mark on various levels. It feels like a mix between a petting zoo souvenir shop and a vintage home, creating an incoherent atmosphere.

•Value for Money: -Given the average food quality and confusing decor, the restaurant's prices seem unjustifiably high. -There are better dining options in Lisbon that offer a more satisfying experience for your money.

• Exclusivity vs. Accessibility: The restaurant's management seems to prioritize exclusivity over accessibility, which can be alienating for both locals and tourists. -It's worth noting that even a police officer from across the street didn't face the same restrictions, highlighting the management's questionable policies.

In summary, while daPrata52 Petiscos Tapa restaurant may try to create an exclusive aura, it falls short in terms of value, atmosphere, and overall dining experience. Visitors to Lisbon would likely find more enjoyable and reasonably priced...

😍 Lisbon has a plethora of restaurants serving top-tier food, and somehow this was our favourite amongst all!!

Black Pork Cheek in Red Wine (8/10) - The pork was soft and juicy and this dish came with soft, fluffy mashed potatoes that just melted in your mouth

Codfish cakes (9/10) - The staff told us that this was one of the Portuguese classics and a must-try, and I am so glad we did. The fish was fresh and flaky and the cakes were crispy and not oily.

Braised Fresh Scallops (10/10) - We were lucky that they had fresh scallops available because this is one of the things that I wanted to try and it did not disappoint! The scallops were super fresh and had an almost sweet taste because of its freshness. They were cooked to perfection and completely melted in your mouth, which was the delightful experience. The two purees also complemented the scallops well.

Marinated Tuna with Passionfruit (10+/10) - This was, by far, the star of the show (even though the other dishes were hard to beat!) This is a cold dish of raw tuna marinated in passionfruit. The portion of tuna was very generous and the marinade was delectable. I wish I could go back to Lisbon just to eat this dish one more time, it is nothing like anything I've ever tasted.

Each dish was fresh and had a standalone flavour. It truly was one of the most memorable meals for me.

The staff were super friendly and even gave us a complimentary fried chickpea cake and that...

From cozy ambience to friendly staff and the most delicious food, it’s difficult to find anything to fault here. We decided to have our final meal in Lisbon here and we are so glad we did.

The restaurant offers tapas style small plates, allowing you to try a diverse array of dishes - perfect for travellers who want to experience Lisbon’s culinary culture in the limited time they have. Though they do require you to order at least two plates per head, this is hardly a requirement. There were so many dishes that we wanted to try and we ended up sharing 8 dishes between the three of us because the food was so good! It’s difficult to pick a standout as every dish was sublime, but a special mention goes to the ceviche and the octopus risotto. The ceviche was the most perfect start to our meal - fresh, delicately balanced acidity and the texture spot on. As for the octopus risotto, incredibly creamy and finished with a perfect touch of butter and parmesan.

And last but not least - the staff. It was a delight to be assisted with the most friendly staff who are so passionate towards the food they serve. They really take their time to explain each dish and are more than willing to help tailor and structure your meal - so do ask for...