Best modern "Tascas" in Lisbon
What is a Tasca?
In Portugal, family-run restaurants that serve simple, no-nonsense food at an affordable price are usually “tascas”. These are restaurants that remind you of the feeling of eating at a friend’s place: wine-drinking, finger-food and a bustling and cheerful atmosphere. Tascas can be found on almost every street corner and are an essential part of your diet when visiting or living in Portugal. Here is my list of 4 Tascas in Lisbon I would recommend you to try.
Taberna Meia Porta
The first tasca on my list is located close to the Bica elevator, next to Bairro Alto.
Like most tascas, this establishment can only hold a few tables which adds to the simplicity and the intimate atmosphere. Taberna Meia Porta, which literary means “half door” is known for its braised pork-belly with chickpeas or its Bacalhau.
Due to its modest decoration, most tourist walk by unaware of this hidden gem: so you will likely only find local Portuguese enjoying a glass of wine or nibbling over croquetes.
Tasca Baldracca
Tascas can be quite traditional but Tasca Baldracca is making sure to stay fun and modern. This small restaurant can be found at the foot of the castle São Jorge on its western side.
Baldracca serves the typical braised octopus leg but has exciting dishes like its own take on a beetroot salad as well as grilled ray.
Their beetroot dish is a killer: it is served with a pistachio and radish: completely vegan!
Antiga Camponesa
If there is one Tasca that tries to take it to the next level in terms of product quality and authenticity it would be the tasca Antiga Camponesa.
While it stays true to the tasca concept of serving smalls dishes in a cozy environment, the tasca serves great food that makes it stick out from its tasca-counterparts!
Antiga Camponesa is situated close to the Bica elevator close to Bairro Alto.
Taberna Sal Grosso
I have written about Sal Grosso in another post regarding the best places in Lisbon for cheap food and tascas are no exceptions like Taberna Sal Grosso.
Located close to Santa Appolonia, this tasca has been mostly overlooked by tourists but also Portuguese: however, that is changing.
Sal Grosso makes a wide variety of dishes according to the season: Bacalhau-dishes, rice with mushrooms, pork stew and much more! This tasca will surprise you not only in terms of the quality of the food, but also with the price. Highly recommended.
