Salsa — Restaurant in Lisbon

April24, 2024

Wait! This is NOT a Mexican restaurant, “salsa” means parsley in Portuguese. We don’t do many reviews but this one merits it.

We took a chance and stopped for a meal at this restaurant and it turned out to be a gem. Ironically, we did not have a phone or camera with us, they were left in our hotel to get batteries charged. We came back and got photos of the menu.

We had the Bacalhau a Bras as well as Bulhau Pato clams and both were heavenly! The clams were smaller, sweet and tender, and the broth was perfect for crusty bread. The serving was just right as appetizers for two. The Bacalhau a Bras was scrumptious. The flavors were layered and we had a merry go round among flavors of shredded potatoes, sautéed onion and shredded cod. There was hardly any fishy taste to the dish and it was a treat that surprised us. We did not expect much (based on the prices) but it turned out to be a great find. Moreover, Salsa is located at a corner on the 28 tram line which adds the bonus of being at a great spot to videotape the fabled trams slowing down to navigate the corner. Great place to people-watch all the packed tourists on the trams videotaping YOU (funny thing: often, they seem to be mesmerized but will start waving back if you wave first).

You will find tripods set up to catch these trams at all hours of the day near that corner. Or try recording these trams passing by you on a narrow (very narrow) sidewalk. Dinner and a show, what a deal!!!

Almost forgot, you can also see the river and cruise ships from above...

Not sure what the bad reviews are about tbh

Got seafood risotto and it was great, I burned my tongue eating it so fast

Portion size was huge for not inflated tourist prices, think my total with water was like 14 euros when the ticket to the castle is 15...

I was the only one for a late lunch, 3pm? during non peak hours and it got my food in 15 I think, whoever thinks food is just sitting there ready to go is crazy and never cooks

Different components cook for different times and I'm fine with a bit of a wait to get good properly cooked food

I think some people complained about the risotto being too wet but the rice was firm and I really liked the taste so I didn't mind it, I do have friends that want drier risottos closer go just rice than a soup or porridge

I paid for that amazing broth so I'd hope I got as much as possible without it being completely submerged

I dont eat beef sl no idea how that's cooked

Will definitely stop by with friends next time...

Soo, we went here after reading all the good reviews and were negatively surprised.. Very touristy restaurant. Random Pop charts playing loudly in the restaurant over YouTube with ads in between. Butter is served in small plastic package like in a cheap hotel. Bread was also dry.

I had the steak and was asked how I wanted it. I said medium rare and got well done… Fries were surprisingly good though compared to everything else.

Waiter was wearing a winter coat the whole time (it wasn’t cold in the restaurant), which didn’t help the atmosphere…

Overall disappointing visit and would not recommend this restaurant until they get their act together and change a few things, like:

don’t serve the butter in the packaging get rid of the paper table mats play the music quieter and maybe jot pop charts

(I asked my girlfriend, if this was unfair and she said...