Casa da Travessa Sol e Terraço na Bica

It’s a lovely hidden gem, and we were happy to come back. The food is excellent, and you really can’t go wrong with your order. I was sad the heavenly dark and white chocolate mousse wasn’t on the current menu. I’d been dreaming about it all trip. The ribs I had last time were missing too. Bring cash. The card machine wasn’t working, or maybe they only take local cards.

The food alone made this a wonderful culinary experience. The tuna tataki was a delight, with perfectly seared tuna, creamy hollandaise and smoky beets that worked beautifully together. My steak came out cooked exactly as ordered, which seems rare even at some steakhouses. The dipping sauces and incredibly fresh picco lifted it further. For dessert, they took a simple brownie and made something special, with sour cream cutting through the richness of the brownie and toffee sauce. In the crowded party streets of Bairro Alto, Estrella de Bica is a real hidden gem. The staff were welcoming and offered us seats and menus while we waited. Our server G was one of the most fun and sincere locals we met on our travels, with Michelin-level service. G helped us choose, explained each dish as it arrived, and chatted about life in Lisbon, giving us a deeper feel for the city. Thank you, Estrella de Bica.

We got a table without a reservation, but the place filled up quickly and people arriving without one after us were turned away. It’s a small, intimate spot in the Bica neighborhood, with prompt service and creative dishes that deserve careful attention. The Michelin-like menu makes you want to try a lot of it. The little one-bite starters let you sample several things. Skip the couvert and dive in. The evening’s highlight was the burnt goat cheese and honey cheesecake. Wow, so good.

Really lovely place, with a nice menu and great prices. For two, three shared plates and a couple of single bites were just right, especially with a bottle of wine. Highly recommend!