On March 9, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa ends his second term as President of the Republic. Over the last 10 years (2016 to 2026), an equal number of restaurants, spread across various regions of Portugal, have been highlighted among the Head of State’s preferences.
Known for being “frugal” at the table, as he stated in several interviews, he confessed more than once that he preferred to eat a simple cheese sandwich accompanied by pineapple juice, which he considered “a more consistent meal”. The habit of eating or drinking in public spaces is also known, as happened recently in . A major example is the presence in in Barreiro, which became a regular stop throughout the two terms. Since 2016, he has returned there to “traditional” Christmas cherry.
Discover the 10 restaurants that, at the table, marked the presidency of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa:
Aunt Alice (Fátima)
On the evening of Wednesday, March 4, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa entered the Tia Alice restaurant, in Fátima, for dinner for the last time, as President of the Republic. The appointment was scheduled for 7:30 pm. On the way to Coimbra, where he would attend the event “It’s Necessary to Believe – Solidarity Show”, organized by André Sardet at Convento São Francisco, the President asked, says Alice Marto’s youngest daughter, “quickly and for a little time to be with my mother”. Regarding the chosen dish, Filipa Clemente explains that she chose “Cod gratin”, which she describes as “the quickest dishes”, along with “Veal roasted in the oven”. On other occasions, when time wasn’t tight, Marcelo used to opt for the “Açorda”, with cod or shrimp, or the “Arroz de Pato”.
With humor, Filipa also remembers the President’s predilection for dessert: “he chooses the “Chocolate cake” and then walks around the tables suggesting the same to customers and saying that it is very good”. The relationship between the President and the Tia Alice restaurant is also marked by the tribute paid on May 30, 2022, at the Palácio de Belém, when Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa . The ceremony was discreet and familiar, marked by praise for the cook’s resilience and the restaurant’s role in affirming Portuguese gastronomy across borders.
Avenida Irmã Lúcia de Jesus, 152, Fátima. Phone 249531737
Praxis (Coimbra)
The President is a frequent customer at the restaurant and addresses most of the employees by name, always stopping by the kitchen to greet the team. Pedro Baptista, owner of Praxis, explains that “when you arrive, you feel at home”. First he goes around the tables to greet customers and take selfies, before retiring to a more discreet table. On his first visits, he recalls, “I ate the ‘Bife da Vazia’, in the ‘Cervejeiro’ option, with fried egg and Arroz Carolino do Baixo Mondego”. More recently, he “orders the meat just grilled.” The meal is usually accompanied by a Topázio beer, Cerveja de Coimbra, and ends with a slice of pineapple. The relationship with space has episodes that remain in memory. Pedro Baptista remembers that, “at a National Team game, he joined a group of female Tuna to watch the game”, with the naturalness with which he usually frequents the restaurant.
Rua António Gonçalves lot 28/29, Coimbra. Phone 239440207
Barril Avenida (Valongo)
In Valongo, Barril Avenida is a pilgrimage spot for those looking for tradition and genuine flavor. It was here that the famous “Francesinha da Pita” was born, prepared with sliced chicken, ham, sausage and steak. The difference, explains Micaela Sá, “is in the Pita Bread, round, and served on a clay dish, steaming, covered in a generous and slightly sweet sauce”. Whenever Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa passed by, an infectious bustle ensued, with customers and employees wanting to record the moment with the Highest Magistrate of the Nation.
On social media, the restaurant wrote that “during the visit, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa tasted the house’s specialties, being particularly enchanted by the typical flavors that make Barril a reference in Portuguese gastronomy”. Between relaxed conversations and lots of smiles, he also highlighted “the importance of supporting local businesses and preserving the traditions that make Portugal a unique country”.
Avenida 5 de Outubro 43, Valongo. Phone 923079279
Sol da Barra Terrace (Paço de Arcos)
In this restaurant in Paço de Arcos it is common to see Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa appear at both lunch and dinner. Mário Reis, responsible for the house, explains that the President “was never weird” in his choices and alternated between the dish of the day and some of the most frequent proposals on the menu. Among these suggestions were meat and fish dishes, such as “Posta Mirandesa”, “Dourada Grelhada”, “Pregado Grelhado”, “Filetes de Peixe‑Enter” or the “Dust has Lagareiro”.
In the case of “Fish Fillets‑Enter”Monrio Reis explains that, whenever there was availability, this was Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s main choice. The restaurant and also frequented by the First‑Minister, Luins Montenegro, although the gerehMake sure you never cross paths during a mealhereof, jon which usually appear on different days.
Rua Manuel Viegas Guerreiro, 27A, Paço de Arcos. Phone 926560124
Jackpot (Estoril)
It is one of the best-known restaurants in Estoril, with a varied menu that combines seafood, grilled food and Portuguese specialties. Located close to the busiest area in the region, the space is known for its welcoming atmosphere and classic decor, marked by dark woods and views of the Estoril Casino. The President of the Republic has always frequented this restaurant, as he lives in Cascais, a habit he maintained throughout his two terms in office.
Normally, and despite the vast offer, I always chose the “Jackpot Sirloin Steak”, a “house classic, almost 60 years old”, according to a source at the restaurant. The secret to this recipe is in the sauce, prepared with cream and “Demi-Glace” sauce. The owners and employees believe that now, freed from state obligations, he will begin to appear even more frequently.
Rua de Lisboa, 1A/B, Estoril. Phone 214670754
Parsley & Coriander (Lisbon)
Since 2005, the year it opened, this restaurant has been a reference in Lisbon. José Duarte, owner and chef, manages the space and presents a menu that covers flavors from Alentejo and Trás‑os‑Montes. Over the years, figures such as Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, and Pilar del Rio, wife of José Saramago, have passed through here, records that the restaurant itself highlights on the Internet. Among the many customers is also Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. José Duarte explains that “I chose not to include Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s photograph, as he is still active, but when it comes out it will go to the gallery”.
Regarding food, he adds that “Mr. President has my phone number and, when he remembers, he calls to ask about the ‘Rooster Fish Fillets’, and if there is one, he shows up.” As a curiosity, he mentions that “he gives up on tomato rice and eats the steak with puree”. Before the main course, there is a regular habit: it always starts with the “Tender Pasta Pastries” with tomato rice. To finish the meal, he usually chooses the simplicity of a “Baked Apple”.
Rua Coronel Marques Leitão, 12, Lisbon. Phone 218410990
Darwin’s Café (Lisbon)
Normally, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa chooses this space for dinner. According to the restaurant, he visits it frequently thanks to its proximity to the Belém Palace and the unique environment that the place offers as it is part of the Champalimaud Foundation. The choices tend to be “Cod Loin with cornbread crust, mashed potatoes with cabbage and parsley” or “Grilled Sirloin Steak with truffle sauce and spaghetti sautéed with fresh herbs”, and in the latter case, you prefer to accompany it only with vegetables.
The kitchen is in charge of chef António Runa and the interior design was developed by the Lanidor brand’s architecture department, creating a harmonious fusion between the environment of a 19th century scientific library and contemporary 21st century architecture.
Avenida de Brasília, Ala B, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon. Phone 210480222
The Crossing (Grândola)
José Carlos, owner of this restaurant with 60 years of history, remembers perfectly the first time Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa walked through the door. The President announced himself and “entered the kitchen to greet the cooks”. Upon seeing the “Lamb Stew”, he decided to “try it and got burned, causing a huge laugh from everyone who witnessed it”. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa usually visits the space on Fridays for dinner, on his way to the Algarve. The choices often fall on grilled “Lamb Chops”, “Migas with Cod” or grilled “Beef Chops”.
The owner also remembers that, one day, Marcelo “passed by a table and saw ‘Bacalhau à Bráz’ being served and decided to try it”. It normally accompanies the meal with Serras de Grândola wine. In this restaurant, with capacity for 400 people, half the time was spent chatting and taking the famous “selfies”. In the end, the house always offered a box with six bottles of Águas Salutis, which, says José Carlos, “the President really likes”.
National Road 120-2, Grândola. Phone 269476610
Flavors of the Sea (Monte Gordo)
It is part of Baía Beach Hotel, the former unit known as Hotel Baía, in Monte Gordo, a space where the cuisine is based on fresh fish and seafood, chosen daily from the display before going to the barbecue. It is here that, over the last few years, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has eaten his meals during his summer stays, having chosen the Baía Beach Hotel, owned by Sousa Cintra, former President of Sporting, as his usual accommodation. The preference, which he described several times as “interclassist”, distances‑one of the most exclusive areas of the Algarve, such as Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo, and brings‑a simpler and more relaxing environmentindo.
During these stays, keepandm a relationshiphereproximity to the team, which reciprocates with small gestures of attentionhereo, including ice creams brought specifically from Cascais. The President has publicly expressed his appreciation for Monte Gordo and even stated, as recalled by the newspaper Sul Informação, that he is considering changing‑to the village after completing his term in Belandm. The choices almost always fall on fresh fish, selected in the window and grilled, according to informationherethat of the hotel. Flavors of the Sea meets‑if currently closed, reopening ininApril day.
UB5 Oeste, Monte Gordo. Phone 281511587
Douro Valley (Monte Gordo)
Every weekend that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa passed through Monte Gordo, there was one habit that never failed: at least one of the meals was eaten at this family-run restaurant. The house is known for specialties, such as the “Cataplana de Marisco”, the “Cataplana Algarvia” and the “Espetadas”, which can be made from monkfish, loin or veal, dishes that have been part of the space’s identity for decades.
Even so, says Sylvie Ribeiro, who runs the restaurant with her brother, David Ribeiro, that the President “always opted for grilled food”. Among the most frequent choices were the “Chicken Espetada” or the “Lamb Chops”, simple orders, but prepared with the homemade flavor that the house has preserved for years. “It was always served with spaghetti or tomato salad,” he recalls.
Rua Gil Eanes 17, Monte Gordo. Phone 281544080
The Recognition of the Portuguese Restoration by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
The President of the Republic has used the Honorary Orders to distinguish the restaurant sector, dividing the honors between international haute cuisine, temples of tradition and business merit.
At the top of the pyramid of modern gastronomy, with the Order of Merit, we find names like (Casa de Chá da Boa Nova) on June 10, 2022.
In the field of Traditional and Historical Restoration, recognition fell on figures who transformed family restaurants into institutions of public interest. Evaristo Cardoso, from the emblematic on February 9, 2022, he was awarded Commander of the Order of Business Merit (Commercial Class). This same Order was used to more recently award Victor Manuel Peixoto from the restaurant O Victor, in Póvoa de Lanhoso, also on June 10, 2022, with the rank of Officer.
