They say that nails in bread were invented in Praia das Maçãs , back in the 19th century, by the tavernkeeper Manuel Dias Prego. If this is true, it was a good idea for him to put a beef steak on bread, because the Portuguese have loved this dish ever since.
And in Lisbon, there’s no shortage of places with fame (and profit), but we’ve chosen two handfuls that we highly recommend.
Don’t turn a blind eye and try our delicious and tempting suggestions.
Table Of Contents
Parreirinha from Chile
A Parreirinha do Chile is one of Lisbon’s most traditional taverns, located in Praça do Chile, known mainly for its bifanas, but also for other classic Portuguese sandwiches, such as the delicious prego, the iconic Portuguese beef steak sandwich.
At A Parreirinha do Chile you’ll find one of our favorites, well hammered, with lots of chopped garlic and – this part is a secret – with a light coating of the “molhanga” from the steak that’s cooking in the frying pan next to it.
Famous for its friendly service and affordable prices, in a space of around 25m², here we ate one of the best-made pregos in the city and were able to enjoy a Portuguese classic made to order, with fresh ingredients and authentic flavor.
Address: Praça do Chile 14A (Arroios)
Rui dos Pregos
Some people swear that this place has the best pregos in Lisbon. Or rather, these houses, because you can try them in Belém or Docas, as well as in Sacavém or Cabra Figa, just to give a few examples.
In any of them, the recipe for success is the same: thin, well-fried pregos, in generous sizes and with just the right amount of “molhanga” to coat the bread.
If you prefer, there’s also a version on the plate, accompanied by a fried egg and chips.
Address: Doca de Santo Amaro (Alcântara); Rua da Junqueira 506; (Belém); Rua Cidade de Goa 1424 (Santarém); Rua Carlos Paião 15H (Porto Salvo); among others.
Ramiro
Almost everyone in Lisbon has heard good things about or tasted, first-hand, the seafood from this emblematic brewery on Almirante Reis.
But not everyone knows that, in addition to lobster, crab, prawns and so many other seafood delicacies, the menu also has a special dessert… prego. Yes, and it comes right in the dessert section.
Served on a ball of bread, tender, a little undercooked and with lots of garlic, it delights all the customers who try it on the spot or at home, via the home delivery service .
One of the people who surrendered when he went there was Anthony Bourdain, who ate a nail on bread “loaded” with mustard and accompanied by the inevitable imperial.
Address: Avenida Almirante Reis 1H
O Prego da Peixaria
One of the first pregarias in Lisbon (it now has several houses) has shown us that a good prego can be served in a wide variety of ways. And even with fish, imagine that! If you’re open to new experiences and creative presentations, don’t miss the salmon or fried cuttlefish pregos, for example.
But the classic prego is still (probably) our favorite. With a sirloin steak between two slices of Madeira bolo do caco, it wins points for its succulence and, by the way, the herb butter that also gives it a special touch.
Address: Time Out Market (Cais do Sodré); Avenida da Igreja 31 (Alvalade); Praceta Professor Alfredo de Sousa 5A (Algés)
Ribeira Triangle
We’ve often raved about the bifanas at this place in Cais do Sodré, Triângulo da Ribeira, but the pregos aren’t far behind either.
If, in their case, the sauce is the secret, the pregos won us over for the simplicity of the grill and the seasoning, with another secret ingredient. Then there’s the typical papo-seco, the juiciness of the meat (more or less well-done, depending on your taste) and, of course, Mr. Vítor’s friendliness.
The space may be cramped (in practice it’s just a small corridor), but it’s very homely and the prices don’t even compare with those of the Time Out Market next door. If you get the chance, don’t miss out on the delicious samosas.
Address: Rua da Ribeira Nova 48 (Cais do Sodré)
Balcão, by Henrique Sá Pessoa
Fried cuttlefish? Why not? Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa serves one (and a good one!) at the Gourmet Experience at El Corte Inglés. Yes, it’s in a shopping mall, and yes, the price isn’t exactly cheap – 16€ – but believe me, it’ s definitely worth it.
Here, the cuttlefish comes in a bun, with coriander and lime mayonnaise, accompanied by crunchy sweet potato chips.
If you have good jaws, you can try eating it by hand, but the nail is so high that it’s best to do it with a knife and fork.
Address: El Corte Inglès, Piso 7 (São Sebastião)
Galeto
If you’re starving and don’t know where else to go, Galeto is the place where you can eat a nice prego on bread until two o’clock in the morning.
It’s one of those iconic places in Avenidas Novas, open since 1966, where you can feast on a freshly made prego prepared to receive loads of mustard on top.
Address: Avenida da República 14
Café de São Bento
It’s on Rua de São Bento, one of our favorites, and here you’ll find one of the best pregos in town, where the quality of the meat stands out.
Café de São Bento is cozy, serves until late at night and, as we’ve already mentioned, is the ideal place to eat a prego when hunger strikes after hours.
Address: Rua de São Bento 212 (Chiado/Cais do Sodré)
Bairro do Avillez (Tavern)
Bairro do Avillez is a neighborhood of flavors and aromas, but it’s at Taberna that you’ll find what brings you here: nails in bread , which the well-known chef has been preparing for many years, cooking it with lots of roasted garlic and fleur de sel.
The house loin costs around €12, but it’s worth every penny. When it arrives at the table, accompanied by a cold beer or gin and tonic, there is absolute silence. After all, the gastronomy of this place is music to the ears of the sweet tooth.
Address: Rua Nova da Trindade 18 (Chiado)
Tico Tico
The Tico Tico restaurant is one of Alvalade ‘s classics and, of course, has one of the best pregos in Lisbon. Sorry, it has two good pregos: here they serve the prego do lombo and the prego do pojadouro, which one is tastier.
The garlic and salt flavor is common to both cuts, so it’s up to you whether you like one type of meat or the other.
Address: Avenida Rio de Janeiro, 19 C and D, 21 and 21A (Alvalade)
Map with the best pregos no pão in Lisbon, and the list for your cell phone!
Discover the best tascas in Lisbon, those that keep the secrets of the best Portuguese cuisine