Galeto — Restaurant in Lisbon

This restaurant is, without a doubt, an intriguing place, both in terms of location and concept. The interior exudes a kind of elegant 70s charm, with low lighting and retro tones that promise an atmospheric experience. That said, the service quality doesn’t quite live up to the décor.

It was a warm spring night, around 11:20 PM, had just arrived from traveling, and the fact that this place serves food until 3 AM sounded like a dream for a weary wanderer. Unfortunately, what followed was more of a culinary survival quest than a pleasant dining experience.

Upon arrival, I encountered a chaotic entrance situation: no clear line, confused hosts who seemed more interested in chatting among themselves than managing the crowd. There was miscounting of guests, mixing up of groups, and general disorganization. After about 20 minutes waiting, I was finally seated.

The prices reflect the late hours, my dish, for example, jumped from €18.. to around €21.50. Understandable, perhaps, for the late-night service. I was placed on a balcony with only one overwhelmed server, while other balconies had two or three attendants. Not her fault, she did her best , but clearly a management issue.

The starter: a chicken soup. Served warm, which is good. But taste-wise...? It was the kind of soup you’d make on a lazy day at home, hot water, a few bits of pasta, some leftover chicken, and done. Not unpleasant, but not something I’d return for.

Now, the beer ,cold, crisp, and truly refreshing. A small victory in an otherwise underwhelming start. It was the moment I could relax.

For the main, I ordered chicken scallops. What I received was a few filets of chicken and rice, the salad mentioned on the menu turned out to be a single lettuce leaf and one lonely cherry tomato. When I asked if beans could be added, the staff kindly agreed.

The main dish arrived about 15 minutes after the starter, fair enough timing. The chicken was bland, grilled until white and dry, while the rice was cold, as if just pulled from the fridge. My hunger made it feel more satisfying than it truly was. No beans appeared until I was nearly finished , 10 minutes later, a pot of them finally arrived. To be honest, they were the best part of the meal: hot, flavorful, comforting. Had I known, I would’ve just ordered a bowl of beans and a beer.

I wanted to take the remaining beans home, the only redeeming part of my meal. I wanted to ask to take the remaining beans home, but no luck, the waitress — clearly overwhelmed — handed me the bill and rushed off before I could say a word.

In conclusion: if you’re part of a lively group, looking for drinks, fun, and a late-night vibe without worrying too much about food quality or service, this place could work. But if you're seeking good food, thoughtful service, and value for money, this is...

On arrival to the restaurant 12 of us at 20:00 on a saturday night we were met by the rudest waitress I've ever came across. She was that grumpy instead of welcoming us to have come there, instead she was using her hands telling us with angry voice to sit down and not to stand on the footpath infront of the restaurant entrance, no hello & no welcome here & no smile as if we've done something wrong. I found that absolutly rude, and when she brought us the menues she was still with that foul face , grumpy & not welcoming. Afterwards when she was taking our orders she said that she's been there all day & it was a hot day for her. I immedietly said to her if she was that tired she should go on a break and not be serving customers. Menu & food quality ; Menu was missleading. The food was shockingly way too salty & most dishes we ordered arrived with missing items that were written on the menu, for example, the fish fillet on the menu said it comes with potato & vegetables and rice .. it came with just potatoes, and when we asked the waitress about the missing vegetables & rice, her reply wasagain rude by saying potatoes are vegetables but she didn't realize that what she said could've ment potatoes & potatoes.. she then brought us the bvegetables & rice after we've finished eating the fish. I ordered the boiled the fried octopus. I'm a chef from Sydney, Australia for the last 40 years working in top restaurants & have 3 write ups(revues) in Sydney's top newspapers. The octopus was old & smelly... cooked in old oil, the fries that came with it were cold. I had a taste of other's meals from our table and every dish was way too salty. That rude waitress who orderd us to sit down when we arrived should not work in such flashy restaurant, not even in any take away food places. She has nothing whatsoever in common with the word "Hospitality". Prices ; way way over priced for such loussy food &service or atmosphere. I would highly recommend people not to go there and to look for other restaurants. Restaurant is known to be Portogese, but menu had nothing in it that was supposed to be traditional Portogese food. It was a combination of Brazilian foods, some Italian dishes & other dishes that were designed by inexperienced Nepalese students(not even proper chefs). Shame on the owner/manager of this restaurant who has also no idea of what he has established. Finally... Soon after I had my very loussy octopus meal , I felt sick in the stomach followed...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Galeto Restaurant with my family while I was in town, and it turned out to be a delightful culinary experience. This cozy establishment may not be ideal for group dining due to its sushi bar-like setup, but the food certainly makes a visit worth it.

On my first visit, I indulged in the prawn soup and the "bife a Galego." Both dishes were simply delicious. The prawn soup had a creamy texture and was filled with delectable chunks of prawns that added a burst of flavor. The "bife a Galego" was tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare, leaving me thoroughly impressed. The overall dining experience was excellent, and the quality of the food was exceptional.

In fact, the food was so good that I decided to return the following day with a colleague. Once again, I started with the prawn soup, which proved to be just as delicious as before. However, the highlight of the meal was the "Posta de Bacalhau à João do Porto," which unquestionably stood out as the best codfish I've ever had. The dish was prepared with impeccable skill and showcased the restaurant's mastery of flavors and techniques.

While the Little Restaurant may not be designed for large group dining, its intimate and cozy atmosphere sets the stage for a memorable meal. The focus here is undoubtedly on the food, which excels in taste and execution. Whether you're craving a delightful prawn soup or seeking the ultimate codfish experience, this historical restaurant will satisfy your culinary desires.

Note: Keep in mind that the seating arrangement resembles more of a sushi bar setup, so it may not be the ideal choice for larger groups. However, if you're seeking a warm and inviting dining experience with exceptional flavors, the Galeto Restaurant is...