Trinca — Restaurant in Lisbon

Restaurant Review: Trinca - A Hidden Gem of Lisbon's Culinary Scene

Tucked away in the vibrant streets of Lisbon, Trinca is a true hidden gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. This unassuming hole in the wall eatery captured my heart and taste buds with its remarkable dishes and cozy atmosphere. If you're seeking an authentic and mouthwatering culinary adventure, Trinca is a must-visit destination.

Let's start with the star of the show - the Barria tacos. These delectable treats are a culinary masterpiece, bursting with flavors and textures that will transport you straight to Mexico. The soft tortillas were filled to perfection with succulent and tender meat, along with a delightful medley of fresh vegetables and zesty sauces. Each bite was a harmonious blend of spicy, savory, and tangy notes, leaving my taste buds dancing with delight. Trinca's Barria tacos are a true testament to the chef's expertise and dedication to authenticity.

Another standout dish at Trinca is the chicken katsu sandwich. A fusion of Japanese and Portuguese flavors, this sandwich is a true delight for both the eyes and the palate. The crispy and golden-brown chicken katsu was paired with a fluffy bun and topped with a tantalizing combination of fresh greens and savory sauces. The harmony of textures and flavors in this sandwich was simply outstanding, making it a must-try for any food lover.

What sets Trinca apart from other establishments is not only its exceptional food but also its charming ambiance. The cozy and intimate setting creates an inviting atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. The friendly and attentive staff further enhance the overall experience, providing excellent service and adding a personal touch to your visit.

Despite being a hidden gem, Trinca has garnered a loyal following of locals and tourists alike. It's no surprise, considering the outstanding quality of the food and the reasonable prices. Trinca offers an exceptional value for money, allowing you to indulge in remarkable dishes without breaking the bank.

While the Barria tacos and chicken katsu sandwich stole the spotlight during my visit, Trinca's menu offers a variety of other enticing options. From mouthwatering burgers to hearty salads, each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, promising a memorable dining experience.

In conclusion, Trinca is a true culinary treasure in Lisbon. From the moment you step through the doors, you are greeted with warm hospitality and an array of flavors that will delight your senses. Whether you're in the mood for the exquisite Barria tacos or the enticing chicken katsu sandwich, Trinca will take you on a culinary journey that you won't soon forget. If you're a food enthusiast looking for an amazing hole in the wall dining experience in Lisbon, make sure to add Trinca to your list. You won't be...

I truly was excited to try this restaurant and debated for a while if I should leave a review or not but I'm so baffled by the experience we had and all the other reviews that I found myself wondering if my experience was the only bad one ever for such a high rated place or if everybody else is collectively sharing a fever dream. Let's get down to it: The couvert was great, good focaccia, olives and cheeses albeit only one of the two was local and imo we don't need to showcase cheeses from abroad in Portugal unless you are actively providing that experience; The Duck Arancini: there was so much star anise used in preparation of the duck that if I had sugar on top of the arancini you could call it a duck churro (if the cinnamon was swaped with stair anise ofc). I couldn't taste anything else besides de star anise; The Grilled Leek, Ginger Hollandaise Sauce and Topinambur Chips: great hollandaise sauce no remarks there. The grilled leek was served cold and was far from grilled. It had no char, was soggy and severely underseasoned. Topinambur (or Jerusalem artichoke which is a favourite of mine) chips were mostly brownish and evidently tasted of a slight bitter burnt flavour (so did the fries we ordered, time to swap the frying oil perhaps... and season the fries prior to serving them...); The Katsu Sando: it was unavailable when we ordered it (even though it was 20h30) but suddenly there was another bread to replace the brioche. And I thought well great let's do it. It was the Portuguese version of wonder bread, like a bimbo or panrico with seeds. The combination was, in lack of better expression, offensive. Just say the katsu is sold out and do not swap the bread for such an inferior product. Small and thin cutlet with a chopped slaw instead of a fine cut slaw which makes the eating of the sando sloppy. Fregola Pumpkin and Shiitake: the shiitake was perfectly cooked. The fregola could be much better as it was on the verge of mushy. Lackluster in flavour, no balance and where was the gochujang and ponzu? MIA for sure. Octopus Gobernador Tacos: the combination is not a one I would recommend. Can't really put my finger on it but take the octopus concoction out and do another dish with it beacuse it was good and well seasoned. The octopus served with polenta, xarém or milho frito would be bomb. Wine list was very well rounded with plenty to showcase! As for service it was a bit chaotic and lackluster (except for one female server who was very kind but unfortunately didn't tend to our table). My final comment would be that the idea is there the execution is just sub par. The ingredients don't always mesh together or there is just a clear misunderstanding of how to deliver a balanced punch of flavour to every dish. Maybe the next menu will be better. But, and I cannot stress this enough, don't substitute brioche bread with "plastic"...

It was a hit and miss on the food and a very limited menu. I found the pork belly to be delicious and the Cucumber slices that came with it were a nice touch and a great pairing. The fries were above average. The street corn was below average. The peach salad was something that I didn't think I would like but the peaches were excellent and the combination with the coriander and feta cheese was a unique delicious surprise. Unfortunately the drinks were a huge disappointment the wine that we tried was like water. I was going to try one of the red wine by the glass but I saw it was box wine and decided maybe not especially with a 3.6 rating on the Vivino. There was no list of beers and it was a very limited selection they had to show me the bottles because they had no list. The margarita was very tiny because of the ice and the small glass it was basically half a mouthful and didn't taste like it had any tequila despite the tiny size a real surprise as the reviews touted the drinks here there were some of the worst I have had in the city. One toilet room had no paper in it and the other one had a seat that wouldn't stay up you had to hold it and the trash can was full and overflowing. The staff were less friendly than average and less helpful than average and we had to wait much longer than average to get our bill and empty plates and drinks were not cleared from our tiny table...