First of all, the Alvalade neighborhood, considered one of the coolest in the world, may be the Lisbon neighborhood with the most hairdressers per square meter and glass terraces for snacking on Sundays.
But this neighborhood isn’t all about “cházinhos”. In addition to the classics on Avenida da Igreja, there are new stores, restaurants and galleries opening almost “every day” that you can’t miss.
1 – Gelataria Conchanata
We can start with Lisbon’s most vintage ice cream parlor, “Conchanata”, which has been delighting sweet tooths since 1948.
During the summer it’s normal to queue at the door, but it’s worth every minute to devour the house specialty.
And you should take advantage of the fact that it’s only open during the summer.
Conchanata: Avenida da Igreja 28A
2 to 4 – Heymate, Carcassone and Leonidas
We’re still on ice cream, but now we’re moving 70 years forward, to Heymate, where ice cream is eaten in rolls.
The trend is still new here, but it has caught on and you can watch the incredible preparation on a cold plate and choose flavors such as pastel de nata or bola de Berlim.
If you can’t do without “in-house production” you have to go to Carcassone, which is more than just a pastry shop, it’s already an institution (since 1948) but if you want to get straight to the sweet stuff, Leonidas is a must for heaven in your mouth.
Heymate: Rua Acácio de Paiva 4A
Leónidas Chocolataria: Avenida da Igreja 3E
Pastelaria Carcassone: Avenida da Igreja 6C
5 to 13 – Tico Tico, Os Courenses, Prego da Peixaria, Dote Alvalade, Soão, Mercantina, Mercado de Alvalade and Müla
Now, if you’re hungry for real food, Alvalade never disappoints, whether it’s the mythical Portuguese restaurants like Tico Tico or Os Courenses, the more modern ones like Prego da Peixaria or Dote Alvalade (specializing in a variety of francesinhas), or the foreign ones like Soão, with Japanese, South Korean and Chinese food, the Italian Mercantina or going straight for the freshest ingredients at Mercado de Alvalade.
Tico Tico: Avenida Rio de Janeiro 19
Os Courenses: Rua José Duro 27
Dote Alvalade: Avenida da Igreja 24 B
O Prego da Peixaria: Avenida da Igreja 32
Soão: Avenida de Roma 100
Mercantina: Praça Alvalade 6 9-10
Mercado de Alvalade: Rua José Duro 26D
Among the restaurants on offer, one caught our eye: Müla restaurant, which is near Mercantina, in the Alvalade Shopping Center.
It has a huge terrace and, inside, it’s breathtakingly beautiful, perfect for taking your partner or for a more serious business meeting.
We were welcomed by the executive chef of the Mercantina Group, Natanael Silva, who gave us a taste of some of the most appetizing snacks on the menu, which is inspired by Latin American flavours, from Portugal to Peru.
Perfect for sharing with friends or family, at the Müla restaurant we tried the famous Bombas Españolas (pictured), one of the best Fish Tacos we can think of, the traditional Peixinhos da Horta, Moqueca Baiana and one of the dishes of the day, Arroz de Pato (Duck Rice), which changes every week.
For dessert? Well, you have to go and try Tia Albertina’s Farófias (there’s a photo to prove it), the chocolate mousse from São Tomé and Príncipe and, of course, a kind of “escangalhado” cheesecake, which we loved.
Müla Restaurant: Alvalade Shopping Center
13 to 15 – Uma Lulik, Balcony Contemporary Art Gallery and Legendary Books
To help you digest all these delicacies, we propose an artistic tour of two galleries dedicated to contemporary art: Uma Lulik and Balcony Contemporary Art Gallery.
You can also visit Legendary Books, which specializes in new and second-hand Comics, Manga, Funko Pop, Toys and Boardgames, Signed Editions and Original Drawings, and which has been transformed into a friendly café during the lockdown.
Uma Lulik: Rua Centro Cultural 15, door 2
Balcony Contemporary Art Gallery: Rua Coronel Bento Roma 12A
16 to 18 – Veneno, Fermenta and Pomar de Alvalade
Finally, we couldn’t stop telling you about the places we visited recently in Alvalade: the grocery store Veneno, the pastry shop Fermenta and the classic Pomar de Alvalade.
Veneno: Rua José d’Esaguy 6A
Pastelaria Fermenta: Rua António Ferreira 5
Pomar de Alvalade: Rua Marquesa Alorna 21
19 – Pão da Esquina
There’s a new Pão da Esquina store by Chef Vítor Sobral to visit in Lisbon.
The latest Pão da Esquina store is located in the Alvalade Shopping Centre, where the renowned Portuguese chef has decided to offer a wide range of quality bakery and pastry products, and has also added a series of new frozen meals.
Pão da Esquina: Alvalade Shopping Center – Praça Alvalade 6B
20 – Taste Invaders
The burgers and sandwiches you can try at one of the newest restaurants in the Alvalade district, Taste Invaders,are real UFOs.
It’s true, these burgers are unlike anything you’re used to, both in taste and in the way you eat them. All the filling and sauces are “locked” inside a heat-sealed brioche bun, making these delicious sandwiches authentic flying saucers.
Address: Rua José Duro 22D/E (Alvalade)
