“King of Chickens” is the name everyone has become accustomed to calling the best-known houses selling roast chick ens, but the chickens at the Bonjardim restaurant are the “real” kings in town. For me, who grew up used to eating this type of chicken on a spit, this way of cooking gives it a different, more intense and much juicier flavor.
Known for its chicken on the spit with chili peppers, voted one of the 100 best dishes in the world by TasteAtlas, the Bonjardim restaurant still preserves a unique culinary tradition and continues to win over generations of roast chicken lovers... and you only have to walk through the door at lunch or dinner time to understand what we’re talking about: there’s always a long queue to get in, but you can order to go, which takes a little less time.
Bonjardim’s secret
In Lisbon, there are many places selling chicken on the barbecue, the vast majority of which sell charcoal-roasted chicken, which is also great, but if you’ve never tried spit-roasted chicken, then Bonjardim is the place you should visit, because here they still do it the old-fashioned way, “closed” and in its original form, having been the first place in Lisbon to make chicken this way.
Chicken roasted on a spit is less “aggressive” than chicken roasted directly on charcoal, since this way of cooking gives the meat a juicier and softer texture, keeping all its flavors, without burning and without that more predominant charcoal flavor (not that we don’t like it, but we believe it’s healthier this way).
After being roasted on a special grill, which has a motor that rotates the spit so that all the chickens roast evenly, it goes to the table carefully seasoned and served with the famous chili sauce, made from chili peppers, which give the tender chicken meat a touch of spiciness, without overpowering it.
If you like it extra spicy, there’s always a little bottle on the table for everyone to add as many drops as they like. It should also be noted that each house has its own chili sauce, some spicier than others.
Piri-Piri Chicken
This dish is one of our gastronomic legacies and came 85th in the TasteAtlas ranking of the 100 best dishes in the world, with a score of 4.45.
But where does the tradition of eating Chicken Piri-Piri come from ? The influence clearly comes from Africa, especially Mozambique and Angola, where the use of chili peppers in food is very prevalent.
Well, if it’s already customary to eat this type of chicken with various types of sauces (butter, lemon, orange, spicy, etc.), at the Bonjardim restaurant, as well as in other places that make excellent roast chicken, it’s perfectly natural to use the spiciest sauces to transform this simple dish into a unique gastronomic experience that carries culture, memory and identity.
Where is Bonjardim?
The Bonjardim restaurant is located in one of Lisbon’s busiest streets, in downtown Lisbon, especially for tourists who come here to discover a little more about Lisbon.
Bonjardim offers a typically Lisbon atmosphere, relaxed and welcoming, much to the “fault” of its staff, who still keep this place very active and fun.
The tables, inside (on two floors) and outside on the terrace, are disputed daily by tourists and locals looking for the famous Piri-Piri chicken roasted on a spit, accompanied by homemade French fries (lots of them) and salad. The service is usually very quick and efficient.
For visitors to Lisbon, Bonjardim’s spit-roasted chicken is an opportunity to taste a gastronomic icon that combines simplicity, quality and tradition; for Lisboners, it remains “that” comforting meal that never disappoints.
Address: Travessa de Santo Antão 11 (Baixa)
Hours: every day from 12pm to 11.30pm
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook,Instagram and now also on WhatsApp!
