Taberna do Bairro alto

Quick Verdict

Taberna do Bairro Alto trades on freshness and traditional Portuguese cooking executed with enough care that a modest room and modest prices feel like a bargain.

About Taberna do Bairro alto

Seafood done properly, in a room small enough that the kitchen feels close. The grilled octopus is the dish people travel back for — tender all the way through, with the right amount of char — and the seafood paella and gambas draw almost as much loyalty from regulars. Roasted cod rounds out what most tables end up ordering. The portions are generous, the staff speak several languages and know when to help you choose, and a waiter named Sandy gets mentioned by name more than once, which says something. Bairro Alto has no shortage of places to eat, but this one earns its crowd through cooking that stays consistent and a room that stays unpretentious. Book ahead.

What Stands Out