Bairro do Avillez is one of the newest hotspots located in Chiado and the most recent restaurants of famous chef José Avillez in Lisbon. Bairro Avillez has several dining options, of which Taberna is our favourite.
Bairro do Avillez (Avillez district) is named after this famous chef and was inspired by Portugal’s best flavours. This is also the hallmark of José Avillez’ cooking that he mixes with creativity in Bairro do Avillez.
Five dining options under one roof
When we get to Lisbon, a mild form of eating stress usually emerges – often there is too little time to eat everything we want. Bairro do Avillez is not helping to get rid of this stress. The fact that there are several restaurants under one roof does not make the choice any easier.
Taberna
Taberna is our favourite restaurant within Bairro do Avillez. Here you can order and share Portuguese petiscos (tapas). Especially the sharing is an important aspect, not necessarily from the philosophy of the restaurant but more for yourself and your table partners. The food here is delicious and if you share you can taste everything.
It was hard to choose though. We had a hearty lunch at A Merendinha do Arco nd only wanted to order a few petiscos. But it was difficult to make a choice from the menu with all the delicious dishes. Finally we chose Paio Cachaço Fundão (Portuguese ham), Sanduíche de Leitão (sandwich of suckling pig), Bacalhau com Broa (cod with chickpeas). For 4 dishes, a cocktail, a beer, half a litre of water and bread we had to pay less than 45 euros (40 GBP)
The Taberna made me think as if we were dining in the middle of a butcher’s shop. The delicious hams on the ceiling, the meat and fresh cheese in the windows. Even though I didn’t have much appetite when I entered, the ambiance made my stomach growl louder and louder.
Páteo
If there is no room in the Taberna or if you fancy a good fish dish, you walk through the Taberna straight on to Páteo.
It is more spacious than Taberna and along the side you will find the large kitchen where the tastiest fish and seafood are prepared for you. The restaurant also has meat dishes on the menu. But those aren’t very spectacular. For meat you better go to Taberna.
Cantina Peruana
Cantina Peruana is located on the 1st floor. As the name of this restaurant suggests, chef Diego Muñoz cooks dishes from Peruvian cuisine. If you choose to eat at Cantina Peruana, start your lunch or dinner at the Pisco Bar, a bar with Peruvian cocktails.
Mercearia
When you enter Bairro do Avillez you immediately come across a grocery shop, Mercearia, in the left corner. Here you will find the best cheeses, sausages, kitchen utensils and cooking books.
They also have the best products here, selected in cooperation by Lisbon’s oldest grocery store Manteigaria Silva. The nice thing is that if you buy something in the grocery corner, you can also eat it at one of the tables (if there is room). But of course it is also possible to take it with you.
Beco
Beco isThe most cosmopolitan corner of Bairro do Avillez, a very exclusive place where food and entertainment meet. Here you can enjoy a cabaret performance accompanied by good food. The entrance is a little hidden, which is not bad for the average tourist as the dinner show is in Portuguese.
José Avillez
José Avillez is one of the most famous chefs in Portugal. In 2012 he received his first Michelin star for his Belcanto restaurant in Lisbon. A second star followed in 2014 – this was the first restaurant in Lisbon to have two Michelin stars.
His cooking skills are inspired by traditional Portuguese cuisine. Currently he has five restaurants in Lisbon and one in Porto.
If you want to eat at one of the above restaurants, we recommend making a reservation. You will find many locals here. Bairro do Avillez is also slowly being discovered by tourists and that makes it one of the busiest eateries in town. If you want to be sure of a place, book in advance!
Where to find Bairro do Avillez
Address: Rua Nova da Trindade 18, Chiado
Opening hours:Every day 12 – 12 hours
