First of all, you need to know what pastrami is— a delicacy with a fascinating history that has become one of the world’s favorite snacks.
Pastrami is lean beef, usually from the brisket, cured in brine to intensify the flavors and preserve the texture; it is then seasoned with spices, usually black pepper, garlic, cilantro, mustard, and paprika; and finally, it is slowly smoked in a process that can take several days until it is just right, with a distinctive flavor and an irresistible aroma.
@pxhere.com
The fact that it comes from this part of the animal’s body, which is rich in collagen and fat, helps make the meat tender and gives it a very special flavor.
Pastrami is usually served in sandwiches, and it was the famous New York sandwich that brought it out of the anonymity of cured meats.
Let’s explore its origins and where you can eat it in Lisbon?
Where does pastrami come from?
@letspastrami
It is said that pastrami has two possible origins, with the best-known version coming from Eastern Europe, specifically Romania and Turkey, when immigrants from these countries brought this method of curing meat to the United States, where it became very popular within the Jewish community.
On the other side of the Atlantic, it gained fame especially in New York in the 1920s, when Romanian immigrants began opening businesses where this meat was sold.
Today, we know it best in its sandwich form, largely thanks to New York delis that sold these finer, “exotic” products, making it, over the years, a symbol of Jewish-American cuisine.
The best places to try it in Lisbon
@letspastrami
These days, you can find these meat sandwiches in many places, though there aren’t as many spots in Lisbon as we’d like.
You can find pastrami in its most famous sandwich, the Reuben, where the meat is usually sliced and served on rye bread with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. It’s an explosion of flavors you won’t believe!
In Lisbon, there are three places where you can try this refined delicacy:
Table Of Contents
Kau Pastrami House
@kau_barbecue
Kau Pastrami House is the latest sensation in Lisbon for those seeking authentic Texas-style barbecue elevated to the level of New York-style pastrami. The project is led by Rui Matias, who, following the traveling success of his “Kau Barbecue,” opened this permanent spot focused exclusively on the perfect pastrami sandwich.
The key difference here is the origin and the time: the meat (beef brisket) comes directly from Colorado, USA, and undergoes a 21-day curing process before being wood-smoked for about 12 hours. The result is an extremely juicy cut of meat that, at the counter, is served in a purist style: just meat, mustard, and homemade bread from Montachique… with a cucumber pickle on the side (for those who like it, of course).
Address: Avenida Duque de Ávila 38H (Picoas/Saldanha area)
Quimera Brewpub
@pubquimera
This bar-restaurant in Alcântara is unique in that it’s located inside a 300-year-old tunnel, which makes your visit even more exciting, especially if you try one of the two versions of New York-style pastrami sandwiches, the NY Deli Gourmet Sandwich:
- Pastrami: toasted Portuguese beef cured and braised in beer with black pepper and Portuguese mustard sauce
- Reuben: Portuguese beef brisket, cured and braised in beer, served with cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing (mayonnaise, pickles, and spices)
Address: Rua Prior do Crato 6 (Alcântara)
Let’s Pastrami
@letspastrami
This is the only shop in Lisbon specializing in this delicacy, and here you can also try some of the most famous cocktails, such as the Bloody Mary or the Caipirinha.
Among the pastrami offerings, we highlight the four pastrami sandwiches:
- Let’s: pastrami with sour cream, horseradish, and barbecue-style pickles (€12)
- Ruben: pastrami with Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut, and cheese
- Kimchi Ruben: pastrami with Thousand Island dressing, kimchi, sauerkraut, and cheese
- Rachel: turkey pastrami, Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut or cabbage, and cheese
Address: Rua Poiais de São Bento 20 (Calçada do Combro)
Bibs
@bibs.sandes
Bib’s is a must-visit spot in Lisbon for true fans of cured meat sandwiches—and more. Inspired by classic New York delis, this spot stands out for its artisanal pastrami, which undergoes a long curing and smoking process until it achieves the tender texture and intense flavor that have made it famous.
The atmosphere is relaxed and focused on the quality of the product: rye bread or brioche, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, Swiss cheese, and, of course, generous slices of meat that melt in your mouth.
Address: Rua Santos-O-Velho 92 (Santos)
Now that you know what pastrami is, take your friends or family to try this century-old delicacy at one of these spots in Lisbon. We’re sure you’ll love it!
Don’t miss out! Follow usonFacebook,Instagram,and now onWhatsApptoo!