Palácio Chiado

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Recently opened, the new food venue Palácio Chiado located in the heart of Chiado is already on every foodie’s list.

Palácio Chiado occupies the 18th Quintela Palace, and is historically linked to the joie de vivre and good life. The palace was where an important Portuguese politician and culture man was born in 1801; Count of Farrobo. Count Farrobo was the ‘father’ of the Portuguese expression “farrobodó”  which means “to party wildly”, Mary Lussiana explains in her piece for How To Spend It.
Later during the French invasion, General Junot made the palace his headquarters, and after a more memorable soirée the phrase “à grande e à francesa” which means “in great style” was born. Joie de vivre indeed!

The palace was kept closed to the public for many decades, as a diamond awaiting to be discovered, sculpted and polished. Thus after a careful restoration by Portuguese architect Frederico Valsassina, and interior design by the architect Catarina Cabral, the project would reveal the ceiling frescos, the stained glass in the stairwell, gilding and stuccowork in the incredible interiors, combined with careful intervention and interior contemporary design.

Today the Palace hosts a total of seven carefully chosen eateries, where you can choose from Portuguese tapas to sushi. The place is organized in two floors: the first floor caters for more casual, faster dinners. There you can try Portuguese tapas such  caldo verde (Portuguese kale soup) to chicken gizzards,”peixinhos da horta” ( green bean fritters ) prego steaks at “Páteo no Palácio” or for the healthy ones, go for a Health bowl at “Local Chiado” for a healthy stuffed bowl with quinoa, braised tuna and avocado slices.

In this area, you just need to grab your food and find a spot to sit. The drinks will go to you.

On the upper floor, the pace slows down. In honour of bon vivants Count of Farrobo and  General Junot start celebrating by ordering some Champagne and oysters at the Espumantaria do Mar, then indulge in some tasty tapas and wine at De Lisbon, or just let yourself go with fine sushi from Sushic while you contemplate the space around you – and don’t forget to look up at the frescoes on the ceiling! If you haven’t had any cod whilst in the country, ask for the cod and olive oil niguiris – you won’t be sorry.

If you want to throw a more intimate but nonetheless lavish partée, the stunning Quintela room which seats 15 to 25 people can be rented out Sunday through Thursday.

How does it work? At Palácio do Chiado, as you enter you are offered a card, that you will use inside to register your orders. Payment is made by the entrance on your way out. The only exception is Sushic which functions as a regular restaurant.