Dinners in Old Town | Lagos

I posted a brief intro to Lagos and all the photos of Praia Dona Ana - but let's get into it, shall we? Our Airbnb was in a massive condo complex called IberLagos. As I mentioned, the proximity to the beach and the dueling pools were A+. There was plenty of parking and an elevator. It was a pleasant and quick walk to downtown restaurants. A bottle of white wine greeted us at check in. All great things! 

The pictures on Airbnb are super polished and while we did love it, and it was reasonably priced, it's not high end. The beds were sparse and not the comfiest. No vacation shattering issues, I guess I'm just trying to say the interior pictures on Airbnb sort of exceeded the real life feel. We loved the patio. There was a container of beach toys and an umbrella. It did feel like and ideal place for a family with small kids!

Camden loves to unpack and organize. Ryder is Livin' the Dream for sure. 

Grocery shopping at Lidl was our first real food shopping of the trip for breakfast and essentials. (Snacks. Super Bock). Groceries are inexpensive here. Generally Portugal is not an expensive place to travel, which is nice and a feels like a European travel secret that should be kept under the radar. 

Our dinners in Lagos were great. 

Our overall favorite experience was at: Arribale. off the main drag, somewhat hidden behind the old sea wall, seated in an azulejo tile both, VINHO VERDE always, the flaming sausage, the whole roasted fish, everything cooked on the chargrill, a true salt of the earth Lagosian waiter, and the bottle of Calem Tawny Port our he left on our table to drink to our hearts content during dessert. 

Another fun meal was at Imperio Do Mar.

On a very happening, boisterous, main street in the old town, we feasted here on the delicacy known as Percebes. Which are Barnacles. 

We are adventurous and discovering new foods. inquire within. 

One day it was not beach weather so we walked the sprawling pier and brunched.

An Aperol Spritz and an omlette with french fries and salad hit the spot. 

Nobody:

Me: obsessed with Aperol circa 2011 before the last Gen Zer was even born. 

We ate at Sal and Companhia on our last night. I'm starting to feel like a Lagos regular and settle into a gorgeous family vacation routine, right in time to break it. Bob and I are drinking the house red and really appreciating this trip and our family. We're eating green been tempura and seafood risotto rich with prawns and coastal mussels. Briny seafood essence is at its finest here in Lagos.

Ryder decided to try a lemon. I love this little boy. He keeps us laughing!

Lagos is a true gem. I'm glad we followed our instincts to the Algarve and stayed in this most excellent beach town.

I loved our after dinner strolls home, especially when the kids would drift off to sleep. 

Arribalé

R. da Barroca 40

8600-674 Lagos, Portugal

Imperio do Mar

R. Silva Lopes 25

8600-623 Lagos, Portugal

Sal & Companhia

R. 25 de Abril 67 

600-525 Lagos, Portugal

Time Out Market | Lisboa

 

Time Out Market is a blast. From Chiado neighborhood we meandered down Pink Street (where the umbrellas are) to reach the original all-star line up of Lisbon fare in Cais do Sodre neighborhood. Time Out Bar is situated at the entrance, and cocktails are immediately flowing from the bustling line up of bartenders. The boys have wild energy right now so Bob and I are balancing sipping drinks with making sure they are behaving! Bird Macumba (€12) with rum, Aperol, vanilla, passion fruit, pineapple juice, lime and raspberry syrup helps with this task. It's a beautifully crafted drink. 

Time Out is so much fun and crowded, the energy is sparked by an excitement to enjoy the best of Lisbon food under one roof. We casually strolled with cocktails in hand to check out the menu at each five star restaurant turned high end market stall.

Sea Me Peixaria Moderna has a huge fan in me! Their brick and mortar is in Chiado serving Portuguese Japanese Fusion. I had black tempura fried cuttlefish, gorgeous oysters, and seared scallops with mango tartare. Bob picked one of the chef named stalls and his beef cheek meal was perfectly executed, undeniably comforting. Time Out Market begs of you to linger. We enjoyed good food and glasses of crisp vinho verde with no sense of urgency. We chatted with our dining companions in close proximity. The girls across from us have been here two nights in a row and are impressed Ryder is eating cuttlefish dredged in black tempura. Bob, the boys and I shared Crush Doughnuts for dessert before we embarked on a relaxing walk home, passing through Praca do Municipo. 

Once we're home to our clean and contemporary Baixa Airbnb it feels nice to be welcomed back. My little city adventurers took a warm shower while Bob and I drank some of the vinho tinto our hosts left. I love a choose your own adventure day to discover a new city. Lisbon is a spectacular one for which to do just that. 

Time Out Market

Mercado da Ribeira

Avenida 24 de Julho

1200-479 Lisboa, Portugal