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Where to eat and what to do during Santos Populares in Lisbon
May 28 2022
Visit Lisbon 
“There goes Lisbon”! After 2 years without the Festas de Lisboa, the streets of the city are once again filled with colour, music and manjericos. Finally, the traditional festivities return, the beautiful brides of Santo António and, of course, the famous Popular Marches.
Join us on a tour with a mandatory stop in the most typical neighborhoods where “Smells like Lisbon” and where the famous sardine on bread is tasted to the taste of Portuguese popular music.
Dress accordingly, bring some basil, and indulge in a Lisbon full of charms at these Popular Festivities!
It all starts with… basil!
The old tradition dictated that, on the occasion of Santo António, the boys offered a small clay vase with basil to their girlfriends. In addition to the plant, the vase had a paper carnation and a small flag with a verse alluding to love. This “valentine's herb” symbolized a strong commitment, equivalent to a marriage proposal.
Currently, at this time of year, there are many street stalls that proclaim their basil, captivating the most passionate eyes. To offer, decorate or flavor the most varied dishes, it is certain that buying basil marks the beginning of the celebration of the Saints. Do you already have yours?
Where to eat before the dance
From Alfama to Campolide, passing through Madragoa, we went to find 10 restaurants that invite us to taste the typical Portuguese gastronomy in these Festas de Lisboa. Among grilled sardines and Portuguese bait, there is no shortage of options for those who can't do without a good snack before going out dancing.
Alfama: At Páteo 13, grilled food is the best company. Sole, cod, swordfish, cuttlefish and, of course, sardines! Febras, streaky or skewered are also welcome here. But if in Santos, the sardine is queen, the Boi-Cavalo is king. With a national contemporary cuisine, in this restaurant there is room to taste influences from other latitudes. Creations like fried rabbit wings with creme fraiche and caviar are a good example of this.
Bica: Grilled meat and fish, as well as French specialties such as onglet. In addition, it has already appeared in a National Geographic book, Food Journeys of a Lifetime. We tell you about the restaurant Toma Lá Dá Cá, with one of the fastest services in memory. But in Bica, there is another restaurant that, despite the name, does not offer Water for the Beard, but leaves us “mouth watering”. If you're a lover of fish ceviche or seafood, you can't help but come to this place, even if it's just for dessert.
Madragoa: The inspiration is Belgian, Portuguese recipes, and the Lisbon restaurant. At A Travessa, the service is done the old-fashioned way in an intimate and elegant environment, as it is not located in a former convent from the 17th century. If you prefer to taste grilled sardines or monkfish fillets in hearty doses, O Caldo Verde is the ideal restaurant. Two options not to be missed in Madragoa.
Campolide: Despite being a Sporting club, everyone is welcome at Tasquinha do Lagarto. With northern dishes, a unique grouper rice and some unmissable tavern beans, the highlight of the gastronomic experience is certainly the biscuit cake with mousse of chocolate. For those who never refuse a good Cozido à Portuguesa, the meeting point is Cantinho do Alfredo. Existing for 30 years, this restaurant is also famous for grilled meat and fish.
Graça: How about starting with clams, followed by some fried horse mackerel and ending with sweet pajamas for dessert? At O Pitéu da Graça, the possibilities are many, but there is only one certainty: that of a very tasty lunch or dinner. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a vegan or vegetarian option, the Graça 77 restaurant responds to demanding palates, with its black bean burgers in bolo do caco and its vegan cream cheese desserts with carrot jam.
Thrones and Weddings of Saint Anthony
It is already on the next 4th and 5th of June that the doors and windows of the streets of Lisbon will receive the traditional thrones of Santo António. Associated with the 1755 earthquake, tradition says that the population would make a small altar or throne with the image of the Saint and a small dish to collect coins, in order to raise money for the reconstruction of the Church of San Antonio. Hence the expression: “a coin for Santo António”.
The church was rebuilt, but the tradition remains to this day in the most typical neighborhoods. Take the opportunity to also build your throne to Santo António. Learn how here.
Also maintaining an ancient tradition, the Weddings of Santo António are, this year, back to the Lisbon Cathedral. With the Saint Matchmaker as best man, these weddings are organized by the Lisbon City Hall, bringing charm to the city on the 12th of June. Have you had a chance to watch it live?
The Popular Marches of Lisbon
They take place in honor of the Patron saint of Lisbon, for 90 years, and in 2022 they return to give life to Avenida da Liberdade. It is on the night of the 12th of June, Saint Anthony's night, that we will once again witness the marchers with bows in hand and with the pride of their neighborhood on their chests, singing and parading down the avenue. And if “all the saints help to go down”, to choose the best neighborhood march, each one “pulls the ember to his sardine”.
Between Alto do Pina, Alfama, Penha de França or São Vicente, from Alcântara to Bairro Alto , passing by Bica, Marvila or Carnide, there is space to see the parade of Olivais, the Castle, Boavista and Madragoa. Without forgetting Baixa, Campolide, Ajuda or Mouraria, and even Graça, Beato or the Parque das Nações. Whatever your favorite march, one thing is certain: the most colorful night in Lisbon deserves all eyes on the Popular Marches.
“On Saint Anthony's Day / Everyone laughs for no reason.” How can we disagree with Fernando Pessoa?
Invite friends and family and come celebrate the return of the Popular Festivities in 2022. Take the opportunity to enjoy a stay in the heart of the city, in a hotel that awakens Lisbon in all five senses, the Hotel Marquês de Pombal .
Discover all the offers here.
Return
Join us on a tour with a mandatory stop in the most typical neighborhoods where “Smells like Lisbon” and where the famous sardine on bread is tasted to the taste of Portuguese popular music.
Dress accordingly, bring some basil, and indulge in a Lisbon full of charms at these Popular Festivities!
It all starts with… basil!
The old tradition dictated that, on the occasion of Santo António, the boys offered a small clay vase with basil to their girlfriends. In addition to the plant, the vase had a paper carnation and a small flag with a verse alluding to love. This “valentine's herb” symbolized a strong commitment, equivalent to a marriage proposal.
Currently, at this time of year, there are many street stalls that proclaim their basil, captivating the most passionate eyes. To offer, decorate or flavor the most varied dishes, it is certain that buying basil marks the beginning of the celebration of the Saints. Do you already have yours?
Where to eat before the dance
From Alfama to Campolide, passing through Madragoa, we went to find 10 restaurants that invite us to taste the typical Portuguese gastronomy in these Festas de Lisboa. Among grilled sardines and Portuguese bait, there is no shortage of options for those who can't do without a good snack before going out dancing.
Alfama: At Páteo 13, grilled food is the best company. Sole, cod, swordfish, cuttlefish and, of course, sardines! Febras, streaky or skewered are also welcome here. But if in Santos, the sardine is queen, the Boi-Cavalo is king. With a national contemporary cuisine, in this restaurant there is room to taste influences from other latitudes. Creations like fried rabbit wings with creme fraiche and caviar are a good example of this.
Bica: Grilled meat and fish, as well as French specialties such as onglet. In addition, it has already appeared in a National Geographic book, Food Journeys of a Lifetime. We tell you about the restaurant Toma Lá Dá Cá, with one of the fastest services in memory. But in Bica, there is another restaurant that, despite the name, does not offer Water for the Beard, but leaves us “mouth watering”. If you're a lover of fish ceviche or seafood, you can't help but come to this place, even if it's just for dessert.
Madragoa: The inspiration is Belgian, Portuguese recipes, and the Lisbon restaurant. At A Travessa, the service is done the old-fashioned way in an intimate and elegant environment, as it is not located in a former convent from the 17th century. If you prefer to taste grilled sardines or monkfish fillets in hearty doses, O Caldo Verde is the ideal restaurant. Two options not to be missed in Madragoa.
Campolide: Despite being a Sporting club, everyone is welcome at Tasquinha do Lagarto. With northern dishes, a unique grouper rice and some unmissable tavern beans, the highlight of the gastronomic experience is certainly the biscuit cake with mousse of chocolate. For those who never refuse a good Cozido à Portuguesa, the meeting point is Cantinho do Alfredo. Existing for 30 years, this restaurant is also famous for grilled meat and fish.
Graça: How about starting with clams, followed by some fried horse mackerel and ending with sweet pajamas for dessert? At O Pitéu da Graça, the possibilities are many, but there is only one certainty: that of a very tasty lunch or dinner. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a vegan or vegetarian option, the Graça 77 restaurant responds to demanding palates, with its black bean burgers in bolo do caco and its vegan cream cheese desserts with carrot jam.
Thrones and Weddings of Saint Anthony
It is already on the next 4th and 5th of June that the doors and windows of the streets of Lisbon will receive the traditional thrones of Santo António. Associated with the 1755 earthquake, tradition says that the population would make a small altar or throne with the image of the Saint and a small dish to collect coins, in order to raise money for the reconstruction of the Church of San Antonio. Hence the expression: “a coin for Santo António”.
The church was rebuilt, but the tradition remains to this day in the most typical neighborhoods. Take the opportunity to also build your throne to Santo António. Learn how here.
Also maintaining an ancient tradition, the Weddings of Santo António are, this year, back to the Lisbon Cathedral. With the Saint Matchmaker as best man, these weddings are organized by the Lisbon City Hall, bringing charm to the city on the 12th of June. Have you had a chance to watch it live?
The Popular Marches of Lisbon
They take place in honor of the Patron saint of Lisbon, for 90 years, and in 2022 they return to give life to Avenida da Liberdade. It is on the night of the 12th of June, Saint Anthony's night, that we will once again witness the marchers with bows in hand and with the pride of their neighborhood on their chests, singing and parading down the avenue. And if “all the saints help to go down”, to choose the best neighborhood march, each one “pulls the ember to his sardine”.
Between Alto do Pina, Alfama, Penha de França or São Vicente, from Alcântara to Bairro Alto , passing by Bica, Marvila or Carnide, there is space to see the parade of Olivais, the Castle, Boavista and Madragoa. Without forgetting Baixa, Campolide, Ajuda or Mouraria, and even Graça, Beato or the Parque das Nações. Whatever your favorite march, one thing is certain: the most colorful night in Lisbon deserves all eyes on the Popular Marches.
“On Saint Anthony's Day / Everyone laughs for no reason.” How can we disagree with Fernando Pessoa?
Invite friends and family and come celebrate the return of the Popular Festivities in 2022. Take the opportunity to enjoy a stay in the heart of the city, in a hotel that awakens Lisbon in all five senses, the Hotel Marquês de Pombal .
Discover all the offers here.