Listening to Fado in Lisbon : the good restaurants
During your weekend or stay in Lisbon, one of the things to do is to attend a fado show. A typical Portuguese music that appeared in Lisbon in the 19th century. Fado symbolizes the city’s traditions and cultural mix. It is a very lively art in the Portuguese capital, which has been revitalised in recent years. There are countless restaurants offering fado concerts. However, as you have certainly read in other articles in this blog, I am very skeptical about many of these restaurants which are often beautiful scams (cocktail of bad music and poor food). Thus, I have selected the 20 best fado restaurants in Lisbon for you. My goal is to allow you to avoid the tourist traps and to live a musical and culinary experience that you will remember for a long time… Note that some of the restaurants mentioned do not offer fado every night but only on certain evenings of the week. Average meal prices also vary greatly between restaurants. The explanation for this large price difference is simple : some restaurants welcome professional fado singers and must remunerate them; for others, they welcome amateur singers who often have no remuneration at all, or at least no fixed remuneration. In any case, if you compare how much a dinner show costs you in come countries (about 150€ per person), most fado restaurants in Lisbon will be at least 3 times cheaper. A real good value.
A little something extra : it is possible to book in some restaurants directly via the website TheFork, so don’t hesitate ! This will guarantee you a table in the restaurant and even save you money if the establishment offers discounts on its menu.
1. POVO – Fado of new talents in a very lively neighbourhood
BOOK A TABLE AT POVO >>> HERE
Without a doubt, my favorite fado restaurant because of its original location, its good food and its desire to bring out the new talents of this music. Povo restaurant is located in one of the most lively streets in Lisbon, Rua Nova do Carvalho, known as Pink Street, which I mention in the article on the nightlife in Lisbon. This is not an usual neighbourhood for fado and that is what makes the beauty of the Povo concept. The owners wish to revive the spirit of the old Portuguese taverns in an urban and modern context. To do this, they have settled in a very lively neighbourhood and are opening their restaurant to new fado talent. In terms of cuisine, chef Fábio Paixão revisits the classic petiscos (portuguese tapas) and Portuguese dishes. Every 3 months, a new menu is created and the menu is always divided between classic and modern dishes.
Fado every night ? No, but from Tuesday to Sunday, 6 days a week, dinner with fado between 8pm and 10pm, dinner without fado from 10pm
Average price : 20€
Opening hours : Sunday to Wednesday from 6pm to 2am, Thursday to Saturday from 6pm to 4am
District : Cais do Sodré
Address : Rua Nova do Carvalho 32, Lisboa
BOOK A TABLE AT POVO >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/povolisboa/
2 & 3. A TASCA DO CHICO – Fado open to all
Located in the Bairro Alto district, this restaurant has a very special philosophy : anyone who wishes to sing there can do so. It is not uncommon to see customers practising singing or amateur fadists taking their first steps in singing. The audience of this establishment is very diverse : fado lovers, families, apprentice singers and Erasmus students. But it is above all one of the most popular fado restaurants for lisboans, thanks in particular to its affordable prices and its really wonderful atmosphere, especially at the end of the evening. It is quite current to see almost all the customers start singing when the rhythm leads them. The place is always crowded. Tasca do Chico welcomes amateur fadists on Monday and Wednesday, presented by the very original João Figueiredo. It is also not uncommon to meet the great names of Portuguese fado who visit unexpectedly. Thus, you may be truly privileged to attend a performance by Mariza, Jorge Fernando, Ana Moura, Pedro Moutinho or Angelo Freire.
In June 2016, Tasca do Chico opened a second restaurant in the Alfama district (see below). According to initial reports, the atmosphere of this new restaurant is at the level of the Bairro Alto’s head office. To be continued….
Tasca do Chico Bairro Alto
Fado every night ? only on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 9pm
Average price : petiscos (tapas) around 7/8€
Opening hours : every day from 7pm to 2am
The district : Bairro Alto
Address : Rua Diário de Notícias 39, Lisboa
To book >>> +351 961 339 696
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Tasca do Chico Alfama
Fado every night ? Yes from 9pm onwards
Average price : dishes from 10€
Opening hours : Thursday to Sunday from 7pm to 2am
The district : Alfama
Address : Rua dos Remédios 83, Lisboa
To book >>> +351 961 339 697
4. RETIRO DOS SENTIDOS – Fado classics and good food
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT RETIRO DOS SENTIDOS >>> HERE
We stay in Bairro Alto, just next to Tasca do Chico (mentioned above), there is another must-see restaurant for a fado show in Lisbon. The decoration is typical with traditional shawls and terracotta dishes. The retaurant serves classic Portuguese cuisine of very good quality and at very fair prices for a fado restaurant. All the dishes are excellent and the atmosphere is relaxed. Every evening, a fado singers perform a rather classical repertoire. It should be noted that the restaurant has belonged to the same family for generations.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 15€
Opening hours : every day from 5pm to 2am
District : Bairro Alto
Address : Rua Diário de Notícias 40 A, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT RETIRO DOS SENTIDOS >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/Retiro-Dos-Sentidos-890594961008645/
5. FADO EM SI – The largest Fado institution in Lisbon
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT FADO EM SI >>> HERE
The setting of this restaurant is superbly rustic : stone arches, paintings, stone fado guitar. This gives an intimate atmosphere. The restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine and the fado singers who perform there deliver beautiful performances. The fame of the Fado em Si is no longer evident : the greatest names of the Lisbon Fado have already sung there.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 50€
Opening hours : every day from 8pm to 2am
District : Alfama
Address : Arco de Jesus 7, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT FADO EM SI >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/fadoemsi/
6. DUETOS DA SE – Fado and gastronomy, all in duo…
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE DUETOS DA SE >>> HERE
Close to Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa), this typical Alfama restaurant bar opened its doors in 2012. It is a somewhat hybrid space between gastronomy, culture and music. The program includes concerts, exhibitions, book presentations or any other cultural event. The atmosphere of the place is romantic and the decoration elegant with a subdued light and a grand piano in the restaurant room. The walls and arches in exposed stone recall the old Portuguese houses. Duetos da Sé is known for the quality of its fado sound but also for the other styles of Portuguese music that can be heard there. In terms of dishes, we will offer you petiscos and traditional Portuguese specialities of very good quality. Duetos da Sé means the Duos of the Cathedral because for this restaurant everything is thought of as a duo: music and gastronomy, 2 brothers who manage the place and in the dishes, always a combination of two foods. Watch the program on their facebook page to make sure that a fado concert is scheduled.
Fado every night ? No, check the programming on the restaurant’s facebook page
Average price : 30€
Opening hours : Thursday to Saturday from 4pm to 2am, Sunday to Wednesday from 4pm to 2am, closed on Wednesday
District : Alfama
Address : Travessa Almargem 1B, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE DUETOS DA SE >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/duetos.alfama/
7. SENHOR VINHO – The mythical fado restaurant
Senhor Vinho is one of the most mythical fado houses in Lisbon. Opened in 1975 by the famous fadist Maria da Fé (born in 1945) and her husband, this establishment has become an important cultural centre in the Portuguese capital. It is a restaurant with a traditional fado atmosphere. Many talents have been revealed there such as Ana Moura and other great names are performing there such as António Zambujo, Aldina Duarte or Filipa Cardoso.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 50€
Opening hours : every day from 7.30pm to 2am – start of the fado show at 9pm
District : Estrela-Lapa
Address : Rua do Meio à Lapa 18, Lisboa
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/Sr.Vinho.Fado/
Website : http://www.srvinho.com/
To book your table >>> http://www.srvinho.com/fr/#/contact/
8. MARIA DA MOURARIA – Fado’s new home
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT MARIA DA MOURARIA >>> HERE
Maria da Mouraria is a new space located in the “Casa da Severa” (House of Severa), the house where the mythical fadist Maria Severa Onofriana (born in 1820 and died in 1846) lived according to tradition and who was the first fado singer. The aim of this establishment is to promote and popularize Fado in a traditional district of Lisbon : Mouraria. The restaurant offers a very interesting tasting menu allowing you to taste several traditional Portuguese dishes: from the most famous to the most rare.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 30€
Opening hours : Wednesday to Sunday, from 5pm to 2am – Fado starts at 9.30pm
District : Mouraria
Address : Largo da Severa 2, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT MARIA DA MOURARIA >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/mariadamouraria/
Website : http://mariadamouraria.pt/en/
9. DEVAGAR DEVAGAR DEVAGARINHO – Fado and barbecue near Avenida da Liberdade
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT DEVAGAR DEVAGARINHO >>> HERE
Devagar Devagarinho is located in a street parallel to the very chic Avenida da Liberdade. The restaurant’s traditional decoration blends light tones with shawls. The atmosphere is family and welcoming. The house speciality is charcoal grilling, most of the dishes are cooked in barbecue mode. On Friday evening, the establishment welcomes fado and you will have the opportunity to combine fado and barbecue in a unique way.
Fado every night ? No, only on Fridays
Average price : 20€
Opening hours : Monday to Thursday from 10am to 10.30pm, Friday from 10am to 2am, Saturday open according to the number of reservations, closed on Sunday
District : Avenida da Liberdade
Address : Travessa Larga 15, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT DEVAGAR DEVAGARINHO >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/restaurante.devagardevagarinho/
10. MESA DE FRADES – Popular Fado in an old chapel
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE MESA DE FRADES >>> HERE
Mesa de Frades is a restaurant that occupies the former Nossa Senhora da Conceição chapel of the Dona Rosa Palace, built in the 18th century by King Dom João V, for one of his mistresses. The acoustics of the establishment are incredible and the artists who follow one another practice rather the fado vadio, a popular fado that speaks of the daily life and the most intimate feelings of the singers. Current resident artists include Vicente da Câmara, Ana Sofia Varela, João Braga and Teresinha Landeiro. The room is decorated with azulejos and often illuminated with candles. The kitchen, which is located in the former altar of the chapel, serves a typical Portuguese cuisine.
Fado every night ? Yes
Opening hours : Monday to Saturday from 8pm to 2.30am
District : Alfama
Address : Rua dos Remédios 139 A, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE MESA DE FRADES >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/mesadefradeslisboa
11. CLUBE LISBOA AMIGOS DO FADO – A hidden and original place for fado every Sunday
The Club Lisboa Amigos do Fado in other words the Lisbon Fado Friends Club, is undoubtedly the most atypical and surprising place in this selection. When you arrive at the address of the establishment, do not be surprised, it is there even if you do not see anything and you are in a very popular neighbourhood. After walking through the door of an unattractive building, you will find yourself in a kind of huge paved square where you can hear fado. The school is fado singing school which aims to promote Portuguese music, it is even the oldest fado school in Lisbon.
Fado every night ? No, twice a week (information below)
Average price : petiscos (tapas) from 5€
Opening hours : every Monday from 8pm to 11.30pm (for amateurs in rehearsal) and every Sunday from 3pm to 8pm (for artists already confirmed)
District : Chelas
Address : Rua Dr. José Espírito Santo, 49 C, Lisboa
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/claf.fado/
Website : http://clafamigosdofado.blogspot.fr/
12. TASCA DO JAIME – Fado in the Graça district and in Alfama
Tasca do Jaime is located on the route of the mythical tramway 28. It is a small family and popular tavern well known in Lisbon in the field of amateur fado. Grandmothers, beginners, confirmed singers or great names follow one another over the evenings. In terms of catering, the house is simple and efficient with small meals and daily specials. The clientele is composed of local people but also fado specialists, foreign students and tourists. To have a seat and not end up at the counter, it is advisable to book your table.
In recent years, Tasca do Jaime has also opened in the cradle of fado in Alfama. In this small establishment, which is open every night from 7pm, there is fado every day. A place not to be missed.
Tasca do Jaime Graça
Fado every night ? No, only on weekends in the afternoon from 4pm to 8pm
Average price : petiscos (tapas) around 7,5€
Opening hours : Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to Midnight, closed on Monday
District : Graça
Address : Rua da Graça, 91, Lisboa
To book >>> +351 218 881 560
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Tasca do Jaime Alfama
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : small (tapas) and dishes from 7/8€
Timetable : every day from 7pm to midnight
District : Alfama
Address : Rua da Graça, 91, Lisboa
To book >>> +351 218 861 164
13. CAFE LUSO – The house where Amália Rodrigues recorded a fado album
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE LUSO CAFE >>> HERE
Café Luso is a classic Fado House (Casa de Fado) located at the entrance to the Bairro Alto district. Very touristic, this establishment remains nevertheless a reference. Indeed, in its heyday, the establishment welcomed Alfredo Marceneiro and Amália Rodrigues, who even recorded an album there. Since its inauguration in the 1930s, the restaurant has undergone several renovation works but continues with the same characteristics as when it was opened.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 45€
Opening hours : every day from 7.30pm to 2am
District : Bairro Alto
Address : Travessa da Queimada 10, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE LUSO CAFE >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/cafeluso
14. CLUBE DE FADO – A classic fado house
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE CLUBE DE FADO >>> HERE
Clube de Fado is located in the heart of Alfama, another important district in the history of Fado. Located near the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa), this establishment is the home of many Portuguese and foreign tourists who visit Lisbon. Traditional Portuguese cuisine is in the spotlight and it accompanies always a high quality show. The atmosphere of this place is often described as very romantic, almost mythical with the presence of a Moorish well in the restaurant room where you will be invited to make a wish come true.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 50€
Opening hours : every day from 8pm to 2am
District : Alfama
Address : São João Da Praça 86-94, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE CLUBE DE FADO >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/Clube-de-Fado-300865320044243/
15. BOTECO DA FA – Good quality cuisine and fado at fair prices
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT BOTECO DA FA >>> HERE
Boteco da Fà is located in the Alfama district. The space is original and welcoming and the establishment has a reputation for welcoming people. In terms of decoration, as in many fado restaurants, we find the classic shawls, guitars and photos of the prestigious guests and singers who have been there. The menu offers traditional dishes and the meals are often pleasant and at very reasonable prices. User-friendliness and simplicity are the place’s watchwords. The proposed fado is of good quality with a certain Angelo on Sundays.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 30€
Opening hours : Wednesday to Sunday from 8pm to 2am
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT BOTECO DA FA >>> HERE
District : Alfama
Address : rua do Vigario 70, Lisboa
16. CASA DE LINHARES – Fado, class and tourism
Casa de Linhares is a traditional fado house, built in the former residence of the counts of Linhares (Condes de Linhares). The building is old and the eclectic interior has a lot of charm. Blue azulejos, stone and wood decorate the walls. The restaurant serves a traditional cuisine of very good quality and unpretentious. Casa de Linhares has an excellent reputation and great fadists regularly perform there such as Jorge Fernandes, Celeste Rodrigues, Raquel Tavares, Fábia Rebordão and even Ana Moura. The restaurant’s clientele is mainly made up of tourists and the dishes offered are sophisticated.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 60€
Opening hours : every day from 8pm to 2am
District : Alfama
Address : Beco dos Armazéns de Linho 1, Lisboa
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/Restaurante-Casa-de-Linhares-Fados-179507919707/
17. O FAIA – Another great reference for Bairro Alto’s fado
O Faia restaurant is another Fado House of Bairro Alto that opened its doors in 1947. The place attaches great importance to the gastronomic experience. The cuisine is creative and contemporary, without forgetting the traditions. The products used by Chef André Porla are all fresh and seasonal. As far as the wine list is concerned, all the country’s wine-growing regions are represented. The house is a true reference in the world of fado since it was founded by Lucília do Carmo, the mother of the famous Portuguese fadist Carlos do Carmo. The singer even succeeded his mother and ran the establishment until 1980. Great names have performed there such as Alfredo Marceneiro, Tristão da Silva, Fernando Maurício, Ada de Castro, Beatriz da Conceição, Vasco Rafael and Camané. Today, the artists you can meet are Lenita Gentil, Anita Guerreiro, Ricardo Ribeiro and António Rocha.
Fado every night ? Yes
Average price : 50€
Opening hours : Monday to Saturday from 8pm to 2am
District : Bairro Alto
Address : Rua da Barroca 54-56, Lisboa
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/OFaiaRestaurant/
Website : http://www.ofaia.com/eng_index.html
To book >>> +351 213 426 742
18. A TRAVESSSA DO FADO (MUSEU DO FADO) – Petisco and Fado
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT A TRAVESSA DO FADO >>> HERE
Located in the Fado Museum, Travessa do Fado is the little brother of a restaurant well known to the lisboetes, “A Travessa“. With the same concern for quality and sophistication as its parent company, the establishment offers petiscos (portuguese tapas). More informal and relaxed than A Travessa, Travessa do Fado will present its typical Portuguese tapas on slates. The dishes offered always vary according to the season and the arrival of fresh produce. Note that the beautiful terrace is facing due south and hosts open-air concerts (and not just fado) when the weather permits. Fado concerts are held on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Fado every night ? No, Wednesday and Friday only
Average price : 30€
Opening hours : Wednesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 3pm then from 7.30pm to 11pm – fado on Wednesday and Friday
District : Alfama
Address : Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, Lisboa
BOOK YOUR TABLE AT A TRAVESSA DO FADO >>> HERE
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/ATravessaDoFado/
19. TASCA BELA – The small friendly restaurant with fado on Sundays
Located in Alfama, Tasca Bela is a very small restaurant / snack bar (tasca in Portuguese) without pretensions but very friendly. Customers come here for the charm of the establishment with its classic “fado” decoration. The dishes offered are mainly tapas (petiscos in Portuguese) served in small portions to allow you to taste different kinds. The whole menu is very attractive and appetizing. The fado that is performed in this establishment is called Fado Vadio, a very personal fado that aims to convey emotions. Sometimes, you will be able to witness impressive scenes : an artist arrives in the restaurant from the street, enters the bar, the silence settles, the lights go out and the singer plays 4 to 5 songs. Then, after an interval, another artist begins to perform. And the evening often continues until 4 a.m. The establishment is often crowded, so it is advisable to book in advance. Every Sunday, a fado show is provided. For the other days of the week, it is advisable to check the programming.
Fado every night ? No, only on Sundays
Average price : 30€
Opening hours : every day from 8 PM to 4 AM, fado every sunday from 9.30 PM
District : Alfama
Adress : Rua dos Remédios 190, Lisboa
To book >>> + 351 926 077 511
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