Lisboa, obrigada

Lisbon is one of the rare holiday destinations that has everything a visitor could wish for: the friendliest of locals, breath-taking landmarks, convenient transport and impressive nightlife. It is also famous for its very affordable and delicious cuisine, from mouth-watering desserts to unusual seafood dishes. Here are some culinary hot-spots for you to enjoy in the Portuguese capital:

1) Trattoria Il Sorriso
€15 / person
52, Rua D. Pedro V, Bairro Alto
Tel: 351 21 343 2389

Italian food is incredibly popular in Portugal and this is undoubtedly a trattoria worth visiting with its delicious pasta and authentic thin-pan pizzas. I had a wonderful tagliatelle with salmon and asparagus and was amazed at how affordable everything was. What's more, this place avoids the stereotypical Italian decor and music. The interior is full of modern art and funky posters and the music is strictly eclectic with funk and jazz dominating the soundtrack. The left-side of the restaurant is a small bar where locals pop in for a quick drink and the waiters can be found taking a cigarette break. An incredibly chilled-out venue that will help you unwind after a long day of sight-seeing.

2) Bota Alta

€20 / person

35, Travessa da Queimada
Tel: 351 213 427 959

A quaint little bistrot, loved by tourists and locals alike – the walls are covered in trinkets and paintings of all genres as well as ornate tiles, typical of Portuguese design.  The menu is dominated by fish dishes, which is why I opted for the grilled sea bass with potatoes and vegetables. There are also steaks on offer as well as cured meat, prepared on the premises which is carved there and then for you. For dessert, we dug into the local delicacy of  "Azeitão", a delicious brie-like cheese, from a village outside Lisbon, where the name of the cheese originates.

3) Pap'Açorda
Over €30 / person
57, Rua da Atalaia
Tel: 351 21 346 4811

Quite a high-brow venue so a smarter dress code is a must. Very modern design with ornate chandeliers that catch your eye as you enter. We chose this restaurant on our last evening in town and it was the perfect farewell dinner to such a beautiful place. The waiters were attentive and professional, offering the highest level of service. It is definitely worth trying one of their salads for starter, the oven-roasted goat for main and save room for the chocolate mousse which is scooped out of a massive bowl that is taken around each table :)

4) Paparuccha

€30 / person
18, Rua D. Pedro V, Bairro Alto
Tel: 351 21 342 5333

A taste of Argentina in the Bairro Alto area, like no other. The restaurant has an enchanting terrace area, with a magnificent view of the lights on the hilltops above and the buzz of the streets of Chiado below. The service was superb as the waiters recommended lots of other bars and restaurants to visit and guided us through the menu. We all chose the lomo (fillet) steak, which was incredibly tender and cooked to perfection. For dessert, we had the most mouthwatering chocolate mousse.