We can’t say that these are the best Lebanese sandwiches in Lisbon because we haven’t tried them all yet, but the offer at the small and friendly Lebanese restaurant Taza is delicious, that’s for sure!
Let’s start with the freshness of these Lebanese sandwiches, which lives up to the name of this place located in Cais do Sodré: Taza means “fresh” in Arabic , which reflects the commitment of owners Anthony Abi Haidar and his cousin Aziz Maakaroun to always offering fresh, high-quality ingredients, with dishes prepared to order… and it’s true because we were there to see for ourselves.
An exclusive product
Taza opened at the end of summer 2024, in September, and one of its biggest highlights is combining the authenticity of Lebanese gastronomy with that modern, Mediterranean touch that many restaurants are now proud to offer.
But what’s the difference between Taza and other Lebanese places around the city? Well, here the answer is easy, and it’s because of this that we went there: it’s the exclusive Kaaké bread.
Traditionally from the Middle East, this is one of the most widely consumed breads in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and other countries in this region, known for having a very characteristic presentation, flat and in the shape of an oval ring, even considered street food.
The texture of this bread, which even has sesame seeds in its topping, is indeed slightly crunchy, while the inside turns out to be very soft, perfect for preparing salty or sweet Lebanese sandwiches. And we tried some of these versions!
The Secret Lisbon experience
Kaaké bread is a very versatile delicacy, so we tried it a few times, from the starters to the main course, which are the delicious sandwiches that, in our opinion, reflect the oriental culinary heritage brought to Lisbon by the two partners.
So, as starters we tried the Creamy Hummus (€7), nothing less than the famous hummus made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon and infused olive oil, a real delight, so smooth it was.
Then we were recommended a salad, one of those full of oriental flavors and spices. The Feta Fiesta (€11.5) really impressed us, not only thanks to its aromas but also its freshness, a real treat for those warmer days.
This wonderful salad contains feta cheese, Kaaké breadcrumbs, parsley, mint, cherry tomatoes, avocado, chives, pomegranate and pesto sauce
As main courses, which means sandwiches, we were offered two house specialties: the Slow-cooked Shawarma (€13.5) and the Thyme to go (€8).
The first Lebanese sandwich, the most expensive and most appetizing in the house, contains slow-cooked beef, tomatoes, pickled onions, pickles, parsley and miso tahini.
The freshest of all the sandwiches, on the other hand, has a special blend of Zaatar (a mix of Levantine spices with thyme sauce), fresh vegetables (tomatoes, green peppers, mint and onions) and pistachios.
For dessert, we confess that we were quite satisfied with our lunch and didn’t get to try it (shame on us, we know), but here’s to a future visit to Taza.
On the menu are the Choco-halva (€5.5), consisting of Kaaké bread, chocolate paste, Halva (sweet sesame paste and milk), banana and dried fruit; and the Kaaké Kunafa (€8), also with the exclusive bread, semolina dough, sweet cheese, orange blossom syrup and pistachios.
As for drinks, we opted for a cider and a cola, but at Taza you can try some natural drinks such as kombuchas and organic wines.
With room to seat around 25 people (12 inside and 13 on the terrace), Taza is a place to visit more often, especially when you’re in a hurry and want something quick, but very delicious and nutritious.
Address: Rua Moeda 2A R/C Esq. (Cais do Sodré)
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 9am to 9pm
Menu: on Instagram