Peixola — Restaurant in Lisbon

Ok, where do I start? Would be way to simple to just state: bad restaurant, bad manners of the the waitresses, bad food..; unfortunately, it is not that simple…; let us start with the main waitress let’s call her “Maria” just because it’s a nice name and we won’t hurt anybody. „Maria“ at 10 min to 7.00 p.m “welcomes” you by stating: we! open at 7.00 pm only, come back at 7.00 instead of : have a seat have a drink or two, relax, but „Maria“ is not in a good mood today…so you come back at 7.00 p.m as ordered. Then: you want to order..but: they have only 3-4 starters and 3-4 main dishes but: you have to order by a QR code system because a written menu would not be appropriate for this kind of pseudo fancy yuppie oriented restaurant. Then we ask „Maria” any recommendations for today? Her answer: you should “share” things, haaaa? Which ones?..Maria speaks fluent English because - just a wild guess - she might have had a boyfriend from the US; if that really would have been the case her boyfriend should have told her that with this kind of attitude she would be fired in the US within one minute ( the waitresses in the US are that friendly you think they are constantly on drugs..) Let’s come to the served food: unfortunately not that simple : the starters were indeed quite ok( Octopus tacos and else) but than the spaghetti Nero with shrimps ( came with clams but that’s ok too) since we were right at the kitchen and could watch the assembly of the dish you would not believe it- as an Italien - they cook the spaghetti separately, assemble then! with tweezers! tomatoes , clams and finally top it with some kind of sauce! Any Italien would kill you immediately if you do that ( I just spare my time to explain in detail how you cook spaghetti a la marinara properly , but happy to help if required, but ask any Italian ( a two year old even ) and she/he will explain. Interestingly the Oyster risotto was really not so bad , the rice was not overdone and the risotto was not assembled as the spaghetti were so that was a real surprise again; as said : not that simple to review; would I visit the restaurant again: am afraid no, pseudo - modern ordering with pseudo modern dishes you could easily find a much better and cheaper value in Lisboa easily; my best pick: see attached picture typical Portuguese kitchen, best restaurant in town for 6-7 € a dish - and they would kill you for,sure and rightfully so if you want to order...

TLDR: Asian and Latino flare meets Portuguese ingredients in an intimate environment. Come for the tacos and A+ hospitality.

Vibe: 5/5. Located just above Cais do Sodre, Peixola offers diners a cozy atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of your typical touristy restaurants. When you step inside, the first thing you see is the beautiful U shaped bar that spans the entire length of the restaurant. There are a handful of 2 tops scattered about that are available for more intimate dining, however the experience sitting at the bar should not be missed. Decor is clean and cohesive, emitting a casual yet modern contemporary vibe. A perfect place to enjoy a meal after a long day of walking around Lisbon.

Service: 5/5. Hospitality at its finest! The staff at Peixola were amazing from start to finish. We sat at the bar, allowing us to chat with the staff throughout the entire meal. They offered us great menu recommendations as well as suggestions for things to do/see around Lisbon from a locals perspective. When it was time to settle up on the bill, they offered us a free round of ginja as a parting gift which was the perfect way to end our meal.

Food: 5/5. A refreshing take on Portuguese ingredients prepared with Asian and Latino influence. At this point in our Lisbon trip, we were experiencing palate fatigue from all the traditional Portuguese fare. Peixola was exactly the fusion-esque changeup we needed. Their menu is heavy on the small plate, tapa style dishes meant for sharing, with a few main courses for those who want a more traditional dining experience. Non Portuguese ingredients such as kimchi, bao buns, tacos and soba noodles make their appearances through several dishes, offering diners a break from the typical. We opted to go the tapas route, ordering a trio of tacos (cuttlefish, octopus and sardine), amberjack carpaccio and a Carmel cake with raspberry sorbet for dessert. The tacos were tasty, offering us generous portions of seafood in each bite. However, the amberjack stole the show with its buttery smooth texture and complex citrus flavor from the ponzu and oyster foam accompaniments. And to finish up, our caramel cake raspberry a la mode dessert paired nicely with our glasses of Port wine. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Peixola. If you are looking for a change in pace from the baccalau a bras and bifanas of Lisbon, an evening at Piexola may be exactly what the...

Today marked the beginning of our Lisbon adventure, and what better way to start than with a dining experience at Peixola, a charming restaurant recommended by popular YouTubers. From the moment we stepped inside, we were enchanted by its cozy yet modern ambiance, highlighted by a stunning bar table adorned in light green hues.

Renowned for its tantalizing tacos, we eagerly sampled the octopus and shrimp variations. While both were delectable, it was the rarity of the octopus dish that captured my attention, offering a unique culinary experience not often found in London.

Our culinary journey continued with the amberjack fish capriccio, adorned with oyster foam—an innovative and visually striking creation. Each bite revealed a symphony of flavors, a testament to the chef's creativity and dedication to freshness.

For our main course, we opted to share a squid sauce pasta with scallops—a decision that proved to be another delightful surprise. The dish boasted a harmonious blend of lightness and complexity, with a sauce that danced delicately on the palate, leaving us longing for more.

To conclude our meal on a sweet note, we savored the apple crumble paired with apple ice cream—a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness that left us thoroughly impressed.

As a gracious gesture, Peixola treated us to a complimentary iced port wine, a delightful surprise that elevated our dessert experience to new heights.

While the tacos may have been surpassed by other establishments, the overall dining experience at Peixola was nothing short of extraordinary. With each dish expertly crafted and paired with impeccable service, our total bill of under €70 felt like a steal for the culinary journey we had embarked upon.

In summary, Peixola surpassed our expectations and left us eager to return for another unforgettable dining experience. A true gem in the heart of Lisbon, this is one restaurant we'll surely be revisiting time...