Barmácia — Restaurant in Sintra

Let me preface this by saying: I have eaten food on airplanes, at gas stations, and once — in a moment of weakness — from a vending machine in a Ugandan bus depot. Nothing could have prepared me for the existential horror that awaited me at Barmacia.

We ordered the chicken and shrimp dish, lured in by the charming setting and cleverly medicinal-themed décor. But the only thing this restaurant cured was my desire to ever eat again.

Let’s start with the chicken — or rather, the pale, limp slab of poultry-shaped despair that arrived on my plate. It had the texture of a wet sponge and the flavor of a broken promise. I swear it was boiled — not poached, not braised — boiled, as if someone dropped it in a pot of sad water and forgot it existed until it cried out for mercy. No sear, no seasoning, just… clinical chicken. You know you’re in trouble when the chicken makes you nostalgic for airplane food.

Then came the shrimp, which should have been a saving grace. Instead, it was a crustacean catastrophe. Not only were they not deveined, but they were parading their poop trails with a sort of gastrointestinal pride, as if daring me to gag. Which, honestly, I almost did. I don’t know what’s more disturbing — that someone served this, or that someone in the kitchen saw this and said, “Yes. This is ready.” It was less of a dish and more of a digestive warning label.

I managed one bite. One. My dining partner asked if I was okay. I stared at the shrimp, the shrimp stared back — and I could see its life flashing before my eyes. And then, I politely put down my fork, and mourned the euros I would never get back.

We left hungry, slightly nauseous, and spiritually wounded. If food is medicine, Barmacia is...

oh boy, this one. we didn’t have a reservation so I was happy to see they could seat us right away because I was famished. I ordered the bife cervejeiro (a steak (medium rare) with a fried egg with beer sauce and french fries) the steak was stringy (ok, it happens), the ham (?) sandwiched between the steak and the egg was “spongy” and the sauce was too liquid and yet lumpy and bitter (i figure that’s because of the beer) and there was waaaay too much, the plate was flooded! the french fries were out of a bag. the whole thing was cold by the time I was served, the only warm part was the egg (and I assume it’s because the rest of the ingredients waited for the egg!) i tried, i really did. i hiked for hours today and i probably would have been able to eat a raw steak i was so hungry. but this was not good. i ended up eating the dried french fries and the egg and half of my husband’s rice (his meal was ok, not super, but nothing to write home about)… i left such a large portion of the meat on my plate i would have expected the server to ask if everything was ok, but nope, we were offered coffee and desert, which we declined. in the end, it’s just a bad dinner. but hey, it’ll be part of the stories we remember of this trip. i gave a 3 for ambiance, because i feel there is no real vibe. the tv was playing a match, but that’s not the focus. there was music playing, but that’s not the focus. there were tourists with kids, but that’s not the focus, there were locals at the bar, and that’s not the focus either. it’s a little bit of everything, but in the end, it’s probably not a...

Rstaurant boasts a gorgeous view, delicious food, and affordable prices, which is a fantastic combination for any dining experience.

Let's start with the view - having a stunning vista to enjoy while dining can be a real game-changer, and it sounds like Barmacia has got that covered. There's something special about enjoying a delicious meal while taking in a beautiful landscape, so I can only imagine how wonderful that must be.

Now onto the food. From your description, it sounds like Barmacia offers a delectable menu that is sure to satisfy any food lover's cravings. It's always a treat to discover a restaurant that serves delicious food, and it seems like Barmacia is one of those places. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty entree or a lighter appetizer, it sounds like they have plenty of options to choose from.

And last but certainly not least, the prices. It's not often that you find a restaurant with both fantastic food and affordable prices, so it's exciting to hear that Barmacia fits the bill. With prices that won't break the bank, you can enjoy a great meal without feeling guilty about the cost.

Overall, I think Barmacia sounds like a wonderful restaurant that would be well worth a visit. With a stunning view, delicious food, and affordable prices, it's the kind of place that could easily become a favorite dining spot for locals and...