Sua Excelência

Frommer's Review

Sua Excelência is the creation of Francisco Queiroz, who was a travel agent in Angola before settling in Portugal. His restaurant feels like a fashionable drawing room, with colorful tables done up in intimate Portuguese provincial decor. Some dishes served are uncommon in Portugal, such as Angolan chicken Moamba. Sure-to-please specialties include prawns piri-piri (not unreasonably hot), lulas à moda da casa (squid stewed in white wine, crème fraîche, and cognac), the self-proclaimed best smoked swordfish in Portugal, and clams prepared five different ways. One unusual specialty is "little jacks," a small fish eaten whole, served with a well-flavored paste made from 2-day-old bread. The restaurant is just a block up the hill from the entrance to the National Art Gallery; it could be part of a museum-luncheon adventure, although its ambience is more charming in the evening. Over the years it has remained popular with our readers. We were the first guidebook to discover it, but today it seems to be on everybody's list.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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