Tasca da Bela- Casa de Fados

Awesome! The food was excellent, from a delicious mushroom and asparagus starter to the chocolate cake. The music was beautiful. Make reservations ahead. We went on a Wednesday evening and got the last table having reserved in person 30 minutes before they opened. Cash only. They offer a set menu with wine and music. Numerous tasty starters, soup, fish, beef, and dessert. The quality will impress and the quantity might be enough to eliminate the need for the next morning’s breakfast. They were attentive to bringing more water and wine to the table (and we tested them with the water as we arrived dehydrated from a long day of sightseeing). Perhaps the best part was the design of the evening with the music interspersed with the food allowing you to savor the meal with ample time for conversation and have four 3-song sets with the audience quiet and attentive. Also two different singers, both excellent, but also different from each other. Only my first night in country, but if this highlight of the trip, I’ll still be satisfied.

Our reservation was for 830pm, and when we arrived at 825pm, we were told to come back in 5 lol. We thought it was kind of hilarious, but the gentleman, 5 minutes later, very warmly welcomed us in. We were settled into a cozy space with walls filled with memories, and served our choice of wine. We went with the vinho verde. Easy going and crisp! (P.s. Refills are bottomless and if your wine has been out for a while they will swap your bottle for a new cold one!) The food is a set menu and is whatever they're cooking that night. We had what seemed like endless appetizers: olives, tuna pâté, marinated peppers and fava beans, with cheese and bread, followed by an absolutely delicious warm chorizo and blood sausage dish, and soup! I could've dunked my face into a vat of the peppers and fava beans... so good! Main courses arrived and we shared some codfish on rice, as well as a veal stew. The stew was the highlight for me as the sauce was reduced to perfection, and I scooped it all up with the rice. Finally, dessert arrived and we were stuffed. Chocolate cake and something creamy with pineapple? Coffee and tea upon request are included and necessary, after all the food and wine! Now, the fado is impeccable! We had 2 extremely talented singers and you could just feel the soul in their performances!! Everyone was swaying and clapping by the end of the evening with each song. Absolutely incredible. They are a bit strict and ask you to kindly be silent, but they honestly didn't need to ask because the performances were stunning and left us gasping for more. We had 6 rounds of fado, 3 each from the gentleman and lady, as well as a bonus tribute to the accompanying musicians. Be prepared to be there for a while though. We were there until well past midnight! Also, don't forget that it is a cash only spot! In Aug 2024, it was 55euros pp and they do not expect tips. (But tip anyway!) Go and be wowed! It was such an amazing way to spend a first night in Lisbon! Highly highly recommend this experience!

Great experience of Portugal culture. The food is amazing, and every single dish was better than the previous one. Good music, great artist, and the host is the soul of the place. Place take your time and talk with them. They'll make you feel part of the family. 100% recommended

Mediocre food, BUT I would return only for the great fado experience. We went there for dinner (booked 2 weeks in advance). We got to the place at 9pm, most of the tables already eating, fado already started (first disappointment, considering I got a text 2 days before the dinner saying the performance would start at 21:30… so we got in late, waiting the performance to have a break). As soon as we sat down and a break in the music show was coming the food started being served (it is a fixed menu place, so no choices; this fact is confirmed also in the text you get 3 days before, but might be a bad surprise if you just get in the place with no reservations). A number of appetizers/tapas were brought to the table, mostly cold and tasting pre-pre-pre-pre-prepared (the taste of fried food is the one you spot the food was prepared some time before). Then at other breaks we were served the warm food (stuffed veal with white rice and cod) and finally the desserts, the only food I liked. Food wise, the announced “Tasting menu, a journey through some Portuguese gastronomy”, was the worst meal I got in one week in the area. BUT… The fado exhibition was a sequence different artists performing next to the tables. The intimacy of this type of music and atmosphere is created having the lights switched, while quality of sound and voices are amazingly good due to an arch under which the singers and musicians are performing. The performances were a sequence of very touching songs, belonging to 5 different exhibitions of 10-15 min and distributed over a good 2.5 hours. 2 musicians and 5 singers are performing). Highly recommended! Last info (and disappointment): the payment is cash only, even if while reserving you are requested to do a pre-payment via internet of the 25% of the total expense (fix menu=fix price). In 2024… a bit unconventional

I dreamt a lot about a Fado Night. With the help of a colleague I heard about Tasca da Bela, I flew from Turkey, and I was here. The whole night was just I dreamt about. The restaurant is very little and traditional. You have the bread in a basket, but under the bread there is a lace just like in Turkey. Even the little toilet is very cute. The starters are enough and delicious. Then you have a tasty soup. Then the main dish comes, morina fish with spinach and rice. Then the dessert came. You have a vine alternatives as red, white, green, and rose. There is no limit until the end. There were four singers. The songs were wonderful. The owner, Annabelle is very nice and kind. It is 55€ for each person. It is very good price for that night. I strongly advise the place. Thanks a lot.

Had a wonderful night for my husband’s birthday last night. The restaurant is small and was quite crowded as it is popular but the staff managed very well. We had four sets of Fado music that was stirring and so well sung, especially the young female singer. The food just kept coming, as did the drinks. Good value for money, felt authentic and very enjoyable.

The loveliest spot to listen to Fado music. Bela makes you feel like you’re in her living room.

The sangria was great, one of the best I had. Didn't like the 10 minute wait to be seated though. I liked the mismatched chairs. This is a very small restaurant with only 10 tables. Great fado show and fabulous experience. Nice service and attentive staff. My water kept getting refilled and we enjoyed a four course meal with great music.