Restaurant - Cervejaria Ramiro — Restaurant in Lisbon

Ramiro: A Crustacean Paradise in Lisbon's Anjos Neighborhood

In the bustling culinary landscape of Lisbon, Ramiro stands as a veritable haven for seafood aficionados. Nestled in the Anjos neighborhood, far from the tourist-heavy Baixa, this restaurant offers an experience that is both intimate and unpretentiously delightful, a true reflection of Portugal's coastal bounty.

Upon entering Ramiro, one is immediately struck by the casual, almost familial atmosphere. The decor is unpretentious, allowing the real stars—the seafood and the service—to shine. My husband’s glass was never empty, thanks to the diligent servers who attended to our needs with an almost uncanny attentiveness. There’s something distinctly charming about a place where the staff seem genuinely invested in your enjoyment, their warmth reflected in the seamless service and ready smiles.

The menu is a testament to Portugal's rich maritime heritage, with an impressive 90% devoted to crustaceans and mollusks. The garlic clams and spider crab were particularly noteworthy, the latter chosen by us from a tank—a charmingly participatory prelude to our meal. Our waitress, balancing the sizable crab with ease and grace, even paused to allow us to approve the specimen before its preparation. It’s these small, personal touches that elevate the experience at Ramiro.

Each dish arrived with a focus on simplicity, emphasizing the natural flavors of the seafood. The crab, presented with a sauce prepared in its shell, was a standout, offering a rich, briny dip that perfectly complemented the meat. The garlic clams were a fragrant delight, while the spicy shrimp added a piquant kick, and the salt-grilled tiger prawns delivered a smoky, savory depth. The oysters, offered in both salt and fresh water varieties, are a must-try for the purist seafood lover.

Accompanying the meal, the wine list showcases a selection of local wines—greens, whites, and reds—though most diners opt for a cold beer, the perfect accompaniment to the briny fare. The understated service, where recommendations and refills are subtly managed, enhances the dining experience, allowing the food and convivial atmosphere to take center stage.

The pricing at around 70 euros per person, including tip, is more than justified by the quality and freshness of the offerings. It is an investment in a culinary experience that celebrates the best of Portuguese seafood without pretension.

Ramiro is not just a meal; it's a rite of passage for any seafood lover visiting Lisbon. It's a place where the joy of dining is as much about the vibrant, relaxed atmosphere as it is about the exquisite seafood. A visit to Ramiro is not merely recommended;...

Amazing seafood and by far my best meal in Lisbon.

Cervejaria Ramiro came highly recommended by locals and judging from reviews, by tourists as well. Even local uber drivers sing praises of the establishment.

I arrived just before dinner at around 5pm without a reservation. There was a wait of about 8 tables in front of us for walk-ins. Was given a queue number at the entrance, told to expect a wait of about 45 mins. The actual waiting time only came up to 30 mins and it flew by because there was a large waiting area which had a bar. What's more, I could actually order food and drinks from their menu while waiting. When my table was ready, they helped transfer the order over to the restaurant.

We were given a table at the ground floor and quicklt served by a very friendly waiter. The restaurant was packed and atmosphere intense as wait staff were strutting around quickly taking and serving orders. Coming from Asia, it felt like home :)

Ordered their pão torrado com manteiga (bread and butter), Amêijoa Bulhão Pato (clams on garlic), Gamba Algarve (deep water pink shrimp), Sapateira (edible/brown crab), Percebes (gooseneck barnacles), and Prego (tenderloin sandwich with copious amount of garlic).

Food was delicious, seafood fresh and sweet. I particularly enjoyed the gooseneck barnacles (my fav!), pink shrimps (my fav too!) and Prego (my fav three!).

It was my first time trying gooseneck barnacles and I absolutely loved it. I had to get a tutorial from the friendly waiter on how to peel the barnacle. Twist and pull. Its meat first tasted savoury ending with a delightful sweetness. I now understand why foodies describe eating gooseneck barnacles as having a "taste of the sea".

The pink shrimps were really sweet to the point that it felt particularly refreshing to my taste buds.

The Prego... I am glad that my Portuguese colleague recommended it. Prego literally means "nail on a plate", a finisher - just like how Asian dinnershave carbs towards the end of a multi-course meal. The tenderloin sandwich was cooked with butter and lots of garlic. It was a perfect finish to a seafood dinner.

As my colleague put it - seafood dinners are expensive (they truly are!) so ordering Prego is a must to fill the stomach. Either that, or just go broke for the rest of the month.

Cervejaria Ramiro had a cramped layout and my chair was bumped into so many times I lost count. It didn't annoy me as the atmosphere in the restaurant was cheerful (and loud) so I soaked in the experience. I am usually zen like a monk though.

Would I come back? Absolutely.

Is this a must-go restaurant? Yes.

Are bookings really needed? Yes, but online reservations require a credit...

Abbreviated version: For seafood ONLY aficionados, nothing else. Bourdain draw in an unattractive neighborhood that had excellent food options and great service.

Full review: Honestly, Anthony Bourdain drew us to this place, but after reading the recent reviews, I ask my wife to cancel the reservation. Unfortunately, she was upset that she had to give her credit card and did not want to risk the $25 per person fee, so we ventured out. (Spoiler alert: they will have already charged your card the $25 euro per person, and it will have been deducted from your final check upon presentation.)

The neighborhood walk from the Rossi Square...do not take the Google maps streets...call a cab.

Nervously approaching the restaurant, the downstairs garden full of diners with plates of stacked bread, a complete harbinger. Ushered upstairs after a radio guard confirmed our reservation, and getting to the top of the stairs, again a man confirmed our reservation a second time, but, fearful of my peering into the room directly across, which seemed like a NYC packed Dim Sum lunch, I thought...please not today. Fortunately, we were directed to the back room (photo), which was cozy, air-conditioned and very charming, with a windowed table overlooking a small terrace. Beautiful.

The first waiter efficient and answered a number of questions that were in past reviews without reservation. Once I QR coded the menu, I called over another waiter for some recommendations.

Binod took over. Had to be a manager or a top waiter, as he completely won us over. Top notch service. His calls were the steamed clams...succulent, larger than most Portuguese cuisine, and shimp with garlic...an excellent choice for most basic seafood lovers. Ordered another 4 oysters, briney, but large and satisfying. Do Not Eat so much of the bread if you have plans for more. Won't be disappointed, but think this place is reserved for more advanced crustaceans fans. Scarlet shimp at $95 euros/kg (about $20/ piece), Alaskan Crab at $141 euro/kg, giant Tiger Prawns, and Rock Lobster. NO salad, no vegetables, no extras....steak sandwiches for dessert. Binod extended additional service, and acutely attentive without being annoying.

I'm giving this place 5 stars for the outstanding service I received and what little I had of the menu was 4 to 5 stars, hoping the additional items would be of the same or better quality. A lot of locals here seemed to be a good sign. Not sure I had to come here for the experience, but...