Maat Café & Kitchen — Restaurant in Lisbon

Disappointing Experience at Maat Café: Overpriced, Underwhelming, and Forgettable

If you’re considering Maat Café for your next meal, think again. My recent visit was a masterclass in how to disappoint on every front.

The food? Overpriced, bland, and clearly relying on the café’s prime location rather than any culinary merit. The Chicken Miso Salad was a particular low point: barely any chicken, and what little there was seemed more like an afterthought. The salad itself was made up of the tough, discarded bits that most people would throw away at home—definitely not what you expect when you’re paying a premium.

The Beetroot Risotto was equally uninspired. It arrived looking sad and unfinished, with no garnish or care in presentation. The rice was soggy, and the flavor was as bland as the décor. “Meh” doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Service was no better. Our waiter seemed completely checked out, forgetting our wine until we were halfway through the meal. At these prices, the least you expect is basic attentiveness.

In short, Maat Café is all about the view and nothing about the food or experience. Save your money and your appetite—there are far better...

Café MAAT is, quite frankly, more than just a café attached to a museum – it’s a full-blown restaurant experience, and one with arguably the finest sea views in all of Lisbon. We spent a blissful afternoon here, lazily working our way through some exquisite starters, all washed down with a few glasses of their utterly delightful rosé. With the cool sea breeze rolling in and that view… well, it was food for the soul.

The iconic architectural canopy of the museum overhead not only looks the part but also shielded us from the sun, allowing us to dine in utter comfort. Honestly, if we hadn’t felt a shred of guilt about depriving others of such a splendid spot, we might have stayed all day. The service was top-notch—attentive, professional, and the sort that makes you feel genuinely welcome.

I’ll say this: Café MAAT ought to be advertised as a restaurant with a museum attached, not the other way around. You come for the culture, sure, but you stay for the food and that magnificent view. A true...

Definitely book ahead to assure a table. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one of the window side tables with an unobstructed view of the river and boardwalk.

Wonderful food and service in a beautifully designed restaurant. Our server’s wine suggestion was excellent (Manuello 2020 red) and the food was terrific! I truly have no idea why there are any one star reviews. If you spend 30 euro per person, you get free admission into the MAAT as well as the incredibly preserved coal factory (otherwise entrance is 9 euro per adult). Don’t miss this on your trip to Belem!

Also, pro tip is to pick up a scooter and take the boardwalk / bike lanes all the way back to Lisbon (it goes up to the Praça do Commerico - possibly further)!

We had the mushroom risotto (top pick 20 euro), risotto Nero with squid and octopus (good 23 euro), and the deep fried burrata (excellent and unique), two glasses of wine, a latte, and two espressos - all for ~90...