Lisbon is a treat: the Portuguese capital's food scene has never been so appealing - or varied

Kate Wickers says that "food tourism in Lisbon has exploded after the pandemic". She tries duck croquettes in the "unusual" restaurant in the Museu da Farmacia. At night, she tastes local wine and shots of Ginjinha, a sticky cherry liqueur

The smell of sardines wafts through the streets of Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, Alfama.

"Why sardines?" I ask, ordering three from a grill set up outside the Republica Portuguesa restaurant on Rua dos Cegos.

'For St Antonio, our saint', the chef tells me, tossing the silver fish on the barbecue and sprinkling with coarse salt.

'When he went to preach in Rimini he didn't have the best time because everyone ignored him, so he went to preach to the sea and the sardines swam to listen.'

 Kate Wickers explores the gastronomy of Lisbon and finds that food tourism in the city has exploded after the pandemic

H We tell this story in such a simple way that it must be true. And the fish, once cooked, with salad and a salted baked potato, is perfect.

Gastronomic tourism in Lisbon exploded after pandemic with Jose Avillez's Michelin-starred Belcanto is the hottest seat in town.

It must be pricey so I'm headed for its Bairro do Avillez, more accessible and less expensive, located in what was once the Municipal Theater of Sao Luiz.

Among its multiple dining options, the Minibar, a gourmet bar hidden behind a library, is the most intriguing. "See if you can find a drink in the flower," the waiter said, presenting me with a long-stemmed rose.

Like a magic trick, in the folds of its petals, I discover an edible cocktail - a lychee and pink margarita infused apple coil.

Lisbon is a treat: the Portuguese capital's food scene has never been so appealing - or varied
Kate Wickers says that "food tourism in Lisbon has exploded after the pandemic". She tries duck croquettes in the "unusual" restaurant in the Museu da Farmacia. At night, she tastes local wine and shots of Ginjinha, a sticky cherry liqueur

The smell of sardines wafts through the streets of Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, Alfama.

"Why sardines?" I ask, ordering three from a grill set up outside the Republica Portuguesa restaurant on Rua dos Cegos.

'For St Antonio, our saint', the chef tells me, tossing the silver fish on the barbecue and sprinkling with coarse salt.

'When he went to preach in Rimini he didn't have the best time because everyone ignored him, so he went to preach to the sea and the sardines swam to listen.'

 Kate Wickers explores the gastronomy of Lisbon and finds that food tourism in the city has exploded after the pandemic

H We tell this story in such a simple way that it must be true. And the fish, once cooked, with salad and a salted baked potato, is perfect.

Gastronomic tourism in Lisbon exploded after pandemic with Jose Avillez's Michelin-starred Belcanto is the hottest seat in town.

It must be pricey so I'm headed for its Bairro do Avillez, more accessible and less expensive, located in what was once the Municipal Theater of Sao Luiz.

Among its multiple dining options, the Minibar, a gourmet bar hidden behind a library, is the most intriguing. "See if you can find a drink in the flower," the waiter said, presenting me with a long-stemmed rose.

Like a magic trick, in the folds of its petals, I discover an edible cocktail - a lychee and pink margarita infused apple coil.

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