Near Me Vela Branca — Restaurant in Lisbon

After walking around the busy touristy area, and passed 100 different restaurants we chose this spot based on its location and non pressure approach to lure us in. After travelling from Toronto and first time in Portugal, I was eager to enjoy my first plate of authentic Portuguese Piri Piri chicken. What was got was 3- 1oz pieces of pounded out chicken breast, that was hardly seasoned before cooking and even less flavour added after cooking. No sauce, no spice, zero flavour. After a few bites, the dissatisfaction took over and I didn’t want to eat any more. I mentioned to the service staff who I called over to ask if possibly I mistook my order when placing it, and was told. No that’s how we do our Piri Piri. I respectfully told them they shouldn’t call that Piri Piri, and shouldn’t advertise that is what it is. The rest of the food was mediocre at best

Olives- no oil or anything on them. Just olives from a jar Spare ribs- dry, overcooked, 2 pieces were all bone and uneatable Paella was the best part of the meal and still only a 2/5. super heavy carrot stock or juice added for flavour, under seasoned, not very good.

When I was presented with the bill. My 25% eaten chicken dish (I won’t even acknowledge it as Piri Piri) was still on the bill and I was told I was given 15% off of it. Again I respectfully asked for it to be removed and they had me extract the cost of it from the bill manually on my phone and just pay the balance. So I commend them eventually taking it off the bill

If your looking a first exciting meal in Lisbon and more particularly “Piri Piri”. This is NOT your stop. Choose one of the many others in the area and hope for a better result than we had.

Would I recommend . No Would...

I rarely write reviews, but this restaurant truly deserves special recognition. Recently, my friends and I visited this charming seafood restaurant, and I am still impressed.

The owner himself served us, and it was a revelation. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this person isn’t just running a business, but truly lives and breathes his craft. Such attention to detail, a genuine desire to make the evening unforgettable, and a willingness to accommodate every guest’s wish are rare and highly valued.

The food was simply outstanding; every bite was filled with flavor and freshness, reflecting the highest quality of ingredients and the chef’s expertise. We tried several dishes, and each one was a masterpiece.

This restaurant is not just a place to have a delicious meal. It’s a place you want to return to again and again to enjoy the atmosphere, the flavors, and, of course, the warm hospitality of the owner, who seems ready to do anything for his guests.

I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates not just good food, but also the soul put into...

Aquí pasamos el peor momento de nuestra estancia en Lisboa! Estábamos buscando un sitio para cenar e íbamos mirando las cartas que ponen en la calle, los camareros ya nos animaron a entrar. Nos sentamos, nos toman nota, el camarero servicial y agradable. Pero esperamos casi 40 minutos por dos platos simples, y no es que estuviese a tope de mesas, pues en ese tiempo de espera solo sacaron un postre para una mesa... Para freír unas patatas y hacer unos filetes a la plancha se tarda 40 min? Pues el otro plato era bacalao, pero era el bacalao desmigado, ese que ya está cocinado con anterioridad! Cuando aún no nos habían servido la comida ya comenzaron a recoger la terraza colocando todo dentro entre las mesas...que digo yo, que si ya iban a recoger, para que nos invitan a pasar? Terminamos rápido xq nos queríamos ir, pedimos la cuenta, les digo que con tarjeta, y sorpresaaa! No cobran con tarjeta! Y cuando lo dicen, cuando terminaste de comer, fatal! Eso se avisa al entrar! En ese momento no nos llegaba el efectivo que teníamos en la cartera para pagar la cuenta, después de todo el día de turismo y de visitas nos quedaba menos efectivo, ya que el resto lo dejamos en el hotel para ir repartido cada día, y estamos acostumbrados a pagar con tarjeta en casi cualquier parte! Ya súper nerviosa salgo en busca de un cajero, para rematarla, el cajero no funcionaba. Yo ya estaba temblando a ver que hacíamos, mi pareja súper nervioso esperando. Llego al restaurante de nuevo, le comento al camarero el problema del cajero, me acompaña a otro cajero que por suerte si funciona y me permite retirar dinero, pero ah! Tengo que pagar 6'95€ de comisión todo xq en el restaurante no avisan que no cobran con tarjeta. Pero nos dicen en el restaurante, "no cobramos con tarjeta, en la puerta hay un cartel que lo pone". Después de la odisea y de pagar, cogemos nuestras cosas, salimos y nos ponemos a mirar en la puerta donde está dicho cartel de aviso. IMPOSIBLE VERLO! Una mini pegatina, de unos 10 cm con unos dibujos, en el medio de más carteles, que no estaba en la puerta, estaba pegada en el ventanal lateral, cuyo ventanal tenía delante mesas y sillas colocadas! Para poder verlo te tienes que meter en medio de los clientes que estén allí sentados y coger la lupa! VERGONZOSO! Nos lo hicieron pasar fatal! Ya me dirán si es normal que un restaurante "moderno" en pleno centro de Lisboa, ciudad puramente turística, solo cobren en efectivo, y que ni lo avisen. Pues no fuimos los únicos que no lo sabíamos!

Y por si esto fuera poco, el plato de bacalao nos hizo pasar una noche de...