Frade dos Mares — Restaurant in Lisbon

posted on TripAdvisor on January 10th, but I've been thinking about this restaurant lately so I'm writing the review on Google as well

This place felt very exclusive with the doorbell and that's when we knew we were about to be in for a treat. When we first entered it wasn't really busy so we were able to choose where to sit. Little did we know the place filled up quickly even with solo diners which took me by surprise.

Before I review the food: I would like to give a big shout out to Tharcyl for hosting us. He had excellent communication and amazing customer service throughout - he truly made this dining experience the most memorable one for us. He recommended the following dishes listed below:

Starter -

Octopus croquettes with black eyed peas, roasted peppers and homemade sweet chilli

From the crunch to the inside filling and sauce on top it was bursting with flavour throughout every bite. Accompanied by the black eyed peas and roasted peppers underneath the croquettes was outstanding because the flavours and textures bounced off each other. There wasn't a single bland moment with that dish at all. If I'm honest I really enjoyed the peas and roasted peppers just as equally as the croquette itself, and that within itself says a lot.

Main course -

Prawn risotto with red pepper, coriander and parmesan

Wow literally wow. Where do I start with this one? The sauce was well balanced and creamy to the point where you want more with every bite. As soon as it goes into your mouth it tingles your tastebuds and opens up a whole new world of flavour. You might think that you're only getting the prawns on top, but nope you're wrong because they have sliced up prawns within the risotto where it soaks up the sauce. I must say the small tomato complimented the dish really well, so make sure you eat that. This dish was so good that my partner wanted to come back the next day to have it before we fly back to the UK (unfortunately we didn't have time).

Octopus with garlic, coriander, long stem broccoli and roasted potatoes (this is the dish they specialise in)

I genuinely thought this wasn't going to be on par with the prawn risotto and you know what? I was wrong. The octopus was cooked beautifully even the charred bit at the end was something I enjoyed eating. Despite the fact that there's a lot of garlic on top of the dish it wasn't overpowering at all. Every component of the dish did its job to balance out other flavours and bring it all together to make the dish into what it is. This one turned out to be my favourite because it was a well executed dish with different flavours hitting your mouth all at once.

Dessert -

Chocolate lava cake with hazelnut ice cream

Let me start off by saying this was a stunning dessert from the presentation to the very last bite. It was indeed a lava cake with the chocolate dripping out from the cake once you open it up. Was it rich and sickening? No, it was just the right amount of chocolate. The crumble, fruits and hazelnut ice cream was a great addition to this dish because there was a good temperature change and also the crumble adding that nice crunchy texture. Highly recommend this dessert to finish off your meal.

All in all, this is now officially my favourite restaurant and I will come back to Lisbon just to visit here. Once again, thank you to Tharcyl for being an amazing host and recommending us all of these dishes. This place is a must visit. Make sure to...

It was a spontaneous decision to get a table here, gladly seated around 9:45pm. The restaurant has a small, hidden, simple storefront that is currently blocked away from main street due to construction. Upon arrival, our waiter was super attentive, friendly, and provided us with one of the most welcoming service. Don’t hesitate to ask for wine pairings, they won’t disappoint.

We ordered crab paste, clams, and sheep cheese for appetizers. Absolutely stunning. The crab paste was one of the best I had. It was refreshing and breezy. Spreadable as well. The clams are good portion for two and came with cozy, home-style presentation. After you squeeze lemon on top of the steamy hot clams, the citrusy, slight briny fragrance diffuses in the air. The clams are very tender as they soak up all the aromatic as well as the spiciness from garlic and sliced chilies. You just can’t stop eating them and that’s how you know it’s a great appetizer. The sheep cheese is a complete contrast in flavor profile to the clams. It is smoky, pungent, sharp, rich in the same time. It’s slightly silky and lumpy in texture but also very stretchy and spreadable. With some toasts and jam on the side, perfect for some chitchat time before main course. For main course, we had sea bream with tiger prawns and cod. Sea bream was tender, well-seasoned with soft texture. The tiger prawn was super meaty and juicy. The green curry sauce was mild as the chef reduced spicy level, however, the sauce did not add much complexity to the dish. Same goes with the apple cubes. The theme is to balance and/or heighten the umami flavor of the sea with some sourness, I believe that can be easily achieved without over-complicating this dish. For example, lemon zest plus squeeze of lemon juice would work wonders. Alternatively, an apple sauce base for the sea bream. The cod dish was mediocre with room for improvement. The cod itself is already on the salty side so would need some neutral or citrus element, however, the dish was bit oily. Some earthy flavor combinations with the cod it may work better. Overall, great restaurant with amazing service and...

My family and I had the pleasure of dining at Frade dos Mares in Lisbon, and I must say, it was an exceptional culinary experience. This establishment truly stands out with its remarkable selection of meats and seafood that cater to the most discerning palates. As a lover of both, I was delighted by the diverse and high-quality options available.

The selection of meats at Frade dos Mares was truly impressive. From perfectly cooked steaks to tender lamb chops, every bite was a celebration of flavor and succulence. The meats were expertly prepared and paired with delightful sauces and accompaniments, enhancing their natural taste and ensuring a memorable dining experience.

What truly impressed me about Frade dos Mares was their commitment to providing excellent choices for vegetarians as well. In a culinary world often dominated by meat-centric dishes, it was refreshing to see a restaurant that not only caters to traditional tastes but also embraces the needs of those seeking plant-based options. The vegetarian dishes were innovative, flavorful, and showcased the culinary creativity of the chef.

I must mention the outstanding service I received from the server named Wiki. From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, Wiki's warm and friendly demeanor created a welcoming atmosphere. Their extensive knowledge of the menu and ability to recommend the perfect dishes added an extra layer of enjoyment to my dining experience. Wiki's attentiveness and genuine passion for ensuring guests' satisfaction were truly commendable.

Frade dos Mares offers an exceptional dining experience, with its remarkable selection of meats, outstanding vegetarian choices, and impeccable service provided by servers like Wiki. Whether you're a meat lover, a vegetarian, or simply seeking a memorable culinary adventure, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit...