Barcelona
Lisbon
Bliss
€15
(
4
Plaça Sant Just, tel: 932 681 022
)
A cute little
teahouse on a hidden alley of Gotico, Bliss is open all day,
meaning there's no going hungry during the siesta. The simple
but tasty fare includes homemade cakes, fresh salads and pitta
sandwiches.
Dostrece
€30
(
40
Carrer Carme, tel: 933 017
306
)
This cocktail bar-cum-restaurant serves up creative dishes
like cinnamon and orange chicken breast, while the decor
includes macabreMexican artwork and a traditional tiled bar.
Belle Epoque
(
15
Carrer Siracusa, tel: 931 654 099
)
There's a stately lodge vibe to the salon of the Belle
Epoque bar in Gracia, where framed sepia maps, English-
style lampshades, Tintin memorabilia and sink-in sofas
provide a civilised environs to sip at the house special gin
and tonic.
Take the train to
Sitges
,
the beautiful coastal resort on
the Costa Dorada, for the town's flamboyant Carnival
celebrations (6-13 February). Fancy dress is a must, but
bear in mind you'll be outside all night, and it ain't Rio.
duncan rhodes, barcelona-life.com
Cantina Lx Factory
€15
(
103
Rua Rodrigues de Faria,
Alcantara, tel: 21 314 3399
)
Scarcely renovated, this old
workshop in the creative Lx Factory area is, for all intents
and purposes, a canteen – but it does good, cheap food
in an amazing space.
O Largo
Exclusive
(
10
A Rua Serpa
Pinto, tel: 21 347 7225
)
This newish restaurant near the
opera house certainly has a buzz about it. With an inventive
menu based on traditional Portuguese cuisine, it boasts
dishes such as marinated sea bass and scallops with
chicory and saffron.
Botequim
(
79
Largo da Graça, tel: 21 888 8511
)
A
legendary hang-out for artists and intellectuals, this small
bar has recently reopened. Go for homely food, drinks, and
a wide-ranging programme of music and poetry readings.
The fabled town of
Sintra
is the perfect getaway. Set
amid forests and waterfalls it has, as the old summer
capital, three palaces worth visiting and many other sights.
jonathan weightman
Find our full
guides on
easyJet.com/
guides
Dress your brightest
for Sitges flamboyant
Carnival celebrations
Escape the city and
spend a day in the
beautiful town of Sintra
128
T H E G U I D E S
