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Fish & Ships Review: Was It Worth It?

9/1/2025

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Fish & Ships Review | Independence of the Seas


Fish & Ships on Royal Caribbean is a complimentary dining option offering, well.. you guessed it fish and chips!
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Fish & Ships on Embarkation Day ❤︎ Independence of the Seas Review

Is Fish & Ships open on Embarkation Day?


Yes. Fish & Ships was open on embarkation day during our 4-night cruise and I recommend grabbing a bite here on day one if you want to avoid a busy windjammer buffet. 

Fish & Ships Menu | Independence of the Seas


In the past, Fish & Ships was a paid casual dining option, but for the last few years it has been free, aside from an up-charge for a Fried Lobster Tail basket & chips (fries) at $12. 

I'd like to try the fried lobster tail basket next time and let you know if it's worth the splurge ;)

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Fish and Ships menu on Independence of the Seas

What's on the menu at Fish & Ships?


​For free, you can enjoy: 
  • Fish & Chips with tartar sauce
  • Chicken Fingers & Chips with honey mustard
  • Fried Shrimp & Chips with cocktail sauce
  • Crispy Fish Sandwich - lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce 
    ​

Fish & Ships Independence of the Seas Food Pics


We started with one order of fish & chips and chicken fingers without fries (gotta pace yourself on a cruise lol). 
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Fish and Chips + Chicken Fingers on Independence of the Seas ❤︎ Fish & Ships Review


​Chicken Fingers (no chips)


We requested no chips with the chicken fingers. There is a classic, thick batter on these chicken fingers. 

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Chicken Fingers ❤︎ Royal Caribbean Food Pics

Fish & Chips


​The British style fish and chips comes with thick cut chips (french fries) and battered white fish. 
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Fish and Chips ❤︎ Cruise Food Pics

The batter was light and delightfully crunchy after being freshly deep fried - this could be dangerous!

Please note: I saw a review online indicating that the fish is battered in chicken finger batter, which is clearly not British style fish, and I think that must have been an anomaly as we did not experience that at all during our cruise. 

Please try Fish & Ships for yourself, the batter is delicious! :) 

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Poolside dining on Independence of the Seas at Fish & Ships

Royal Caribbean Fish & Ships Review Independence of the Seas - Is it Worth It?

Absolutely, it's worth it! It's free - how could it not be worth it?! ;p

No, but seriously, Fish & Ships is one of my favorite complimentary dining locations on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. 

Of the chicken fingers, fish, and fried shrimp the fried fish is easily our favorite and the best thing on the Fish & Ships menu, in our opinion.

Fried shrimp take second place, followed by chicken fingers, but I bet all the kiddies love those unlimited chicken fingers and while they do, the parents can enjoy something a bit more "grown up" with the fish and shrimp!

​

Which Royal Caribbean Ships have Fish & Ships?


Fish & Ships is included in your cruise fare and is located on the pool deck of Independence of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

I wish more ships had this casual dining option! 

No need to stop the poolside fun when you're hungry, just send a delegate over to Fish & Ships and have a taste of the UK on your cruise! ;) 
​
Book a Cruise with Fish & Ships

MORE FROM THIS 4 NIGHT CRUISE ON INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS:


  • Everything We Ate on a 4-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise
  • Connecting Balcony Photo Tour and Review | Independence of the Seas Cabin 
  • Entertainment & Activities on Independence of the Seas
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay Review 
    ​

For Fish And Chips Lovers:

  • The Water Dog Pub Fish & Chips Review
  • DIY Air Fryer Fried Fish 


​Royal Caribbean Blog:

  • Last Day of The Cruise - Symphony of the Seas Cruise Blog
  • Visiting Labadee Haiti - Royal Caribbeans Private Resort For Cruise Passengers
  • Do They Still Have Free Lobster Night Cruises? 
  • Exploring Symphony of the Seas on a Port Day

Weekend Cruise • 4 Night Cruise
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Blueberry Pancake and Mimosa Anniversary Brunch With Air Fryer Eggs!

7/20/2025

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Our 16th anniversary was last month and we had a great day starting with a blueberry pancake and mimosa anniversary brunch! 
​
This post is part of a series: June 2025 Lidl Grocery Store Finds • Americans in Portugal
​

How to make pancakes 101:


When making pancakes, I prefer to use a combination of butter and oil in the pan. This is not to be extra, there is a reason! 

Butter helps create lovely golden crisp on your pancake, but it also burns faster than oil. So as you continue cooking pancakes you're more likely to get some a little too dark if you use only butter because of how the pan will retain heat. 

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How To Make A Blueberry Pancake

When you add some oil to the butter and swirl it together, you essentially increase the smoking point, so you can get that buttery golden touch without burning so easily! Still, keep an eye on the heat of your pan and adjust as needed. 

I tossed a few blueberries on, just for fun. You can use frozen blueberries for pancakes. That's what these were. :) 
​​


New Category Added: Cook Along! 


When To Flip A PanCake


It's important to let the first side of a pancake cook enough to enable a successful flip. Wait until you see lots of little bubbles on the surface like below and then go for it! 

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When To Flip A Pancake: Look For The Bubbles!

Try to flip with confidence and voila! You've revealed your golden-edged pancake - well done!
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Use Butter + Oil (even on a non stick pan!) To Get a Golden Edged Pancake


​What to serve with blueberry pancakes


I wanted to make the meal a little more complete and eggs are a natural choice, however I only have access to a single burner cook top at the moment which was occupied for the pancakes. So I decided to attempt to make eggs in the air fryer along with these tasty duchess potatoes. 

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Cooking Fried Eggs in an Air Fryer Alongside Lidl Duchess Potatoes | Air Fryer Cooking
Shop Top Rated Air Fryers


​How long to cook fried eggs in an air fryer:

My search online indicated that it would only take 3-4 minutes to cook an egg with a runny yolk in the air fryer. 

So I first cooked the duchess potatoes almost completely, minus about 5 minutes. Then I added the reusable silicone dinosaur molds (its all I had lol) for those last few minutes in order to time everything poiiiifectly! 

Well timed, but not well photographed - forgot! Sorry! 

Fita Azul Blanc de Blancs Reserva - Espumante


Some friends had kindly brought us a bottle of Fita Azul Blanc de Blancs Reserva Espumante recently and this was perfect to make some anniversary mimosas! 
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Fita Azul Reserva Espumante
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Fita Azul Blanc de Blancs Label


​How to make a mimosa

I think a mimosa is technically champagne and orange juice, but lots of folks use prosecco and even more use any affordable and tasty sparkling wine they have access to. :) That's us! 

Try This For a Mimosa With a Twist!

Mimosa: Sparkling wine first or juice first?


So in my head, I thought if you pour juice on top of the sparkling wine, doesn't that collapse some of the bubbles? Maybe, idk, but apparently the 'right' way is to pour the sparkling wine in first and then top with orange juice. 
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Mimosa Step One: Pour 1/2 or 2/3 Sparkling Wine, Prosecco, or Champagne

What is the right ratio of wine to juice for a mimosa?

Surprise, surprise, there are different schools of thought on this also. Some say 50:50, others say 2/3 sparkling wine/champagne to 1/3 orange juice. I say do whatever tastes great to you!

Want mostly orange juice with a bit of fizz? Go for it. 
Want mostly champagne with a bit of OJ? Go for it!

This is a low stress, easy-to-make, fun drink for a celebration. It's a special occasion - enjoy it! 
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Mimosa Step Two: Top with Orange Juice!

PS. When in Portugal, if you can, please do try the fresh orange juice machines in grocery stores. The orange juice is delicious and as fresh as can be because you toss the oranges in yourself!

If you're going for juice from the juice isle, look specifically for the "laranja do algarve" labels as these orange juices feature the best oranges in Portugal - the ones from the beautiful, sunny Algarve. ;) 
​

Pancake Anniversary Brunch: Done! 

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It was a lovely little brunch with blueberry pancakes, mimosas, espressos, air fryer eggs, and duchess potatoes. 

PS If you're having a hard time finding real maple syrup in Portugal - try Lidl!
​

As Seen In This Post:

  • Lidl Maribel Bio Organic Maple Syrup (similar)
  • Compal Origens Laranja do Algarve 
  • Lidl Deluxe Duchess Potatoes
  • Fita Azul Blanc de Blancs Reserva Espumante
  • Frozen Blueberries
  • Dinosaur Silicone Molds (similar) 

Anniversary Dinner: Tasca da Luz (Coming Soon!)


More Air Fryer COoking:

Easy Air Fryer Cooking Ideas For Newbies From Newbies!

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Looking For A Drink With a Tangy, Tropical Twist? | Compal Manga, Maracuja, Limao Juice Review

7/20/2025

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Compal Manga, Maracujá, Limão Sumo


​We recently tried Compal's mango, passionfruit and lemon juice and I've got to say it's a good one. 

Mango nectar can be quite thick and viscous as well as very sweet. On the other hand passion fruit is usually a light and tart juice. 

That makes the combination of mango and passionfruit a beautiful pairing! 

Great to drink on its own, chilled, or as the base of a fruit smoothie (loved it with frozen blueberries) this is a fun juice blend to try while you are in Portugal. 

Looking for an easy cocktail idea?


​​We recently had an anniversary mimosa brunch and I think this mango-passionfruit juice would make a fun twist on a classic mimosa.

Swap out the traditional orange juice for this and see what you think! :) 
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Compal Sumo de Manga, Maracuja, Limão | Mango, Passionfruit, Lemon Juice
Try something similar

What is Compal Anyway?

Compal is a brand-name in Portugal with a reputation for high quality juices and nectars. You can find it in major grocery stores in Portugal such as Continente, Auchan, and Pingo Doce as well as discount grocery stores like Lidl and Aldi Portugal. 

More European Grocery Reviews:

To help you on your travels or your expat in Europe life, here are some more grocery reviews:
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Continente Magnificos Pipoca e Caramelo Ice Cream Review - Magnum Double Star Chaser Dupe?

7/20/2025

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I'll never forget the first time I had a Magnum Double Star Chaser Ice Cream. 

It was a hot summer day in the Algarve, volunteering near a Continente. A young Ukranian man we had recently met was crossing the street toward us. He thought we'd like an ice cream on such a hot day. :) 

Not only did that random act of kindness totally make our day, he unknowingly picked one of the most delicious ice creams I had ever had - popcorn and caramel. 

Fast forward a couple years and I saw this Continente version and had to try it. 

Continente Magníficos - Pipoca e Caramelo

This limited edition ice cream at Continente grocery store in Portugal is clearly trying to compete with the name brand Magnum Double Star Chaser's caramel and popcorn ice cream. 
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Popcorn and Caramel Ice Cream | Continente Review Blog


Continente Pipoca e Caramelo Ice Cream Ingredients and nutrition facts
​

Popcorn flavored ice cream with caramel sauce, covered in a milk chocolate coating with crunchy popcorn pieces. 
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Ingredients in English and Nutrition Facts | Continente Magnificos Pipoca e Caramelo Ice Cream


Is popcorn flavored ice cream good?
​

Yesssss...  All my sweet and salty lovers, this one is for you!
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Continente Caramel and Popcorn Ice Cream | Portugal Food Blog


​Popcorn Pieces covered in Milk Chocolate 

The outside of this ice cream features a milk chocolate shell with crunchy popcorn pieces embedded.
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Crunchy Popcorn Pieces Embedded in Milk Chocolate Surrounding Popcorn Flavored Ice Cream


Caramel ribbons 
​

I peeled back the chocolate exterior to show you the caramel ribbons gliding through this popcorn flavored ice cream. 
​
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Thin Caramel Ribbons Throughout Popcorn Flavored Ice Cream in Portugal


​​Continente Magníficos Pipoca e Caramelo Ice Cream Review


If you're looking for a novelty ice cream on a stick flavor this summer and you see a box of pipoca e caramelo ice cream at Continente, go ahead and grab it. Especially if you're a salty/sweet combo lover! 

This ice cream is a delight with the sweet/salty contrast and the textural interest of the popcorn, chocolate shell, and the caramel ribbons. 

Is it an exact dupe for the Magnum Double Star Chaser? I'd say no, not quite, but it's close. The Double Star Chaser has a very pronounced caramel layer inside the chocolate outer shell, offering a different intensity. (See photos from our Lagos Zoo Visit where I indulged in the double star chaser for a second time - coming soon)

Still, this is a solid product from Continente. :) 


See Also: Eating Magnum Double Star Chaser at Lagos Zoo (coming soon!) 


More Continente Reviews: 

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Its SOo SPICY, For Real - Nong shim Shin Red Super Spicy Noodle Review

7/16/2025

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Americans Try Super Spicy Korean Ramen Noodles


There's a lot of buzz online about Korean instant ramen brand Nongshim's Shin Red Super Spicy Ramen (Ramyun or Ramyeon). We were surprised to see these at Lidl in Portugal and had to pick up a couple packages to try.

​Can Americans handle Shin Red level spicy? Time will tell.. 

This post is part of a series: June 2025 Lidl Grocery Store Finds • Americans in Portugal


​Shin Red Super Spicy Ramen Ingredients & Nutrition Facts

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Is Shin Red SUPER SPICY Koren Ramen too spicy!?
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Shin Red Super Spicy Ramyun Ingredients and Nutrition Facts


​Shin Red Flavor Packets


Shin Red Super Spicy Ramen has two flavor packages inside, in addition to the dried ramen noodle. One has "flakes" (tiny dehydrated veggies) and the other is the soup base.
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Nongshim Shin Red Super Spicy Ramyun Flavor Packets | Korean Ramen


​How To Make Shin Red Super Spicy Ramen Noodles - Cook Along!
​

Making Shin Red noodles is easy. 
​

1. Boil 550 ml of water

I love a clear glass pyrex measuring cup or kitchen scale for measuring. 

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Step 1: Boil 550 ml water


​2. Add dried ramen noodles
​

Drop in the dried ramen noodle disc. Up to you if you like to break it up before boiling. I did not. 
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Step 2: Add dried noodles


3. Add the flakes and soup base
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Add both flavor packets in now. 
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Step 3: Add soup base and flakes


What's In Shin Red Flakes Pouch?
​

This packet of dehydrated vegetables looks to include carrots, red chili pepper, green onion, and shiitake mushroom at minimum. 

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Mix everything together


Shin Red Spicy Soup Base
​

You can tell from the red color of the soup base that it's going to be really spicy already, can't you?!
​
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Cook for 4.5 minutes and enjoy!


How long to cook Shin Red Ramen?
​

After adding all ingredients to 550ml boiling water, cook for 4.5 minutes according to package directions and then enjoy! 
​

Best Korean Barbecue in Lisbon?



Ramen Noodles Without Soup
​

I used a pair of tongs to distribute most of the ramen noodles and divide them into two bowls. (We had made two packages in one pot) 

Using a ladle to serve can be challenging because the noodles are so long and intertwined making the shape of a ladle generally impractical. ​
​
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Korean Ramyeon Noodles | Shin Red

Then I was more easily able to pour the soup out of the pot and into the two bowls. 

Get You Some Tongs!


Shin Red Super Spicy Korean Instant Ramen Review
​


We love spicy food over here and a lot of times things labeled spicy aren't really that spicy in our opinion, I'm looking at you lidl gochujang paste! 

But let me tell you right now, honestly this ramen is so so sooo spicy. They are not joking. One of us actively chose not to finish this spicy Korean ramen. Both of us felt that the spice level was too high for us to truly enjoy.
​
We love spice that allows you to still appreciate flavor, but when it hits the point that all you remember is heat, usually that's too much for our tastes. 
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Americans Try Shin Red Super Spicy Ramen!

While I personally would probably not repurchase Shin Red Super Spicy, we had a lot of fun trying it and I do think it's a fun taste test to do with your family or friends if they like spicy food. 
​
Other than being too spicy, we felt like it was a nicer ramen product overall. The noodles have great texture and any time ramen has a packet of dehydrated veggies it feels, dare I say, upscale lol.  

The Super Spicy version is not available in all markets readily, but you can see which Korean Ramen is available to try here! 

Try Korean Ramen

More Asian Food from Lidl:


More Lidl Reviews

Portugal Grocery Reviews: 
  • ​Korean Kimchi Gyoza from Lidl Portugal
  • Better than Betty Crocker? Lidl Chocolate Rainbow Cookie Mix Bake-Along
  • Americans Try Honey BBQ Wings from Lidl 
  • The Best Ice Cream Sandwiches At Lidl?!
  • Lidl Portugal Finds - June 2025 - Korean Food! 
  • Pineapple Coconut Lassi + Mango Lassi Vitasia Lidl
  • Vitasia Chinese Dimsum Lidl Grocery Review​
  • Vitasia Frozen Chicken Wing Review - Asia Curry Flavor
  • ​Lidl Finds - July 2025
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Lidl Vitasia Curry chicken Wings - Worth The Hype?

7/13/2025

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In this Lidl Review we are featuring Vitasia Chicken Wings in the Asia Curry flavor. 
​
This post is part of a series: June 2025 Lidl Grocery Store Finds • Expats in Portugal
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Asia Curry Chicken Wings from Vitasia - Lidl Portugal Review

​These Asia Curry Chicken Wings were purchased in Lidl Portugal in the freezer aisle. 

Vitasia Chicken Wings Ingredients - Asia Curry Flavor

The ingredients are listed in Spanish (ES) and Portuguese (PT) on the top left side of the packaging. Tap the image to read all of the ingredients. 

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Vitasia Asian Curry Chicken Wing Ingredients

How to cook Vitasia Frozen Chicken Wings


You can cook these frozen chicken wings from Lidl in at least 3 ways. The package recommends the following:
​
  • Oven at 200C or 180C for convention - 30-35 minutes
  • Frying pan with oil for approximately 12 minutes
  • Deep fryer at 160C for approximately 5 minutes
    ​

We opted to do our own thing and use the air fryer. 
​
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Cooking Instructions - Vitasia Chicken Wings

How to cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer

Can you cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?  Of course you can! 

We just used the convection oven temperature recommendation of 180C (~350F) and started checking them after 15 minutes. 

​At that time we temped them using an instant read meat thermometer and flipped them over for a few more minutes. 

How many chicken wings fit in an air fryer?

In our air fryer, 10 wings fit comfortably at a time. 
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Chicken Wings in Air Fryer Basket

Lidl Vitasia Asian Curry Chicken WIngs Review


For an easy midweek meal or late night snack, frozen wings can be a great choice to get some protein in. Making them in the air fryer is easy and healthier than deep frying. 

Overall we thought these were good, but occasionally found 'weird bits' or broken bones which we didn't love.

​The curry flavor is nice to shake things up a bit. 10 wings is a decent amount, but not quite enough for 2 people. Maybe I could have crammed some more in, but I wanted to leave room for the air to circulate and get some color and crisp. 

Pro Tip: Cook one round of chicken wings in the air fryer, then after you plate them, toss a second round in. They'll be cooked right when you're wishing you had more! ;) 

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Asia Curry Flavored Chicken Wing Dings

More Lidl Chicken Wing Reviews:

  • Mcennedy Chicken Wings - Honey BBQ Flavor
  • Original Lidl Frozen Chicken Wings
  • Fresh Chicken Wings - Lidl Portugal

What Grocery Store Carries Vitasia Brand?

Vitasia is a brand carried by Lidl Grocery Store. Since we love asian food and asian-inspired foods, we have loads of reviews for Vitasia products primarily from Lidl Portugal.  

Check out these posts: 
  • Summer Must Have: Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches!
    Lidl Portugal Finds - June 2025 - Korean Food! 
  • Pineapple Coconut Lassi + Mango Lassi Vitasia Lidl
  • Korean Kimchi Gyoza from Lidl Portugal
  • Vitasia Chiniese Dimsum Lidl Grocery Review​

Most Recent Lidl Portugal Reviews:

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5 Great places to eat in Ajuda

6/15/2025

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Most known for the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda (National Palace of Ajuda), Ajuda is an often overlooked Lisbon neighborhood with fewer tourists and plenty of nice views. 

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Views from Ajuda at Night

Nestled between infamous Belém waterfront and Parque Florestal de Monsanto, a huge park full of trails and greenery right in the heart of Lisbon, Ajuda is low key with a combination of grit and charm, not to mention some surprisingly great restaurants. 


In this article we will share 5 Ajuda restaurants we tried on this week in Lisbon trip as well as a few outliers just for fun. ;) 



Tlaloc un rincón mexicano


One thing many Americans miss when they move to Portugal is actually Mexican food. Great tacos are not especially easy to find in Portugal. 
​
At Tlaloc Un Rincon Mexicano you can scratch that itch with birria tacos, tinga tacos, horchata, and do not forget the tres leches cake. 

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Tlaloc Un Rincon Mexicano Photo Review 
​

Di Amici by Pizza em Casa


Lisbon has some fabulous Pizza places and we really enjoyed our visit to Amici. Heads up, sparkling sangria may or may not have some limoncello and the 'nduja pizza is a must!

See Also: Pizza In Portugal
Lisbon Restaurant Review: Di Amici by Pizza Em Casa Photo Review 
​


Churrasqueira do Marques


Traditional Portuguese grilled chicken and pork are such simple meals, but when executed well leave you so satisfied. That's the experience we had at Churrasqueira Marques. 
​
Lisbon Restaurant Review: Churrasqueira do Marques Photo Review 
​

Food Hub


When you want quick and affordable Kebabs in Ajuda try Food Hub. For around 5.50 euro at the time of our visit you can fill up on a Doner Kebab menu which comes with fries and a drink!

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Food Hub Photo Review 
​

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Manápula


A cutesy pizza place in Ajuda serving Neapolitan style pizzas. 

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Manapula Photo Review 
​

Santo Graal Burger & Grill


Santo Graal (Holy Grail) Burger and Grill serves up gourmet bugers and steaks, crispy fries, and even a blonde and red house ipa. 
​
Lisbon Restaurant Review: Santo Graal Photo Review 
​

Fiesta Restro And Snack Bar


​Okay so this restaurant is not in Ajuda, it's in Benfica neighborhood and we hit it up after a medical appointment at Hospital da Luz in Amadora. 
​
Hilariously, Fiesta Restro and Snack Bar is not at all a Mexican restaurant, but in fact a spot where you can enjoy Nepalese, Indian, and Portuguese food. 
​

Don't skip the sparkling sangria, pani puri, and momos - they were highlights of this Lisbon trip!
​
Lisbon Restaurant Review: Fiesta Restro Snack Bar Photo Review 
​

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Everest Curry & Sekuwa Corner


This was an Uber Eats order after a long convention day, so it came from the other side of Lisbon to our Ajuda airbnb. The restaurant was running a lot of BOGO offers, so we ended up with way too much food and it lasted for 2.5 meals!
​
We ordered Jeera rice, chicken stuffed naan, thai curry, and butter chicken. Everything was okay overall. The butter chicken was the best dish we ordered.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Everest Curry & Sekuwa Corner Photo Review 
​

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Pasteis de Belem


Belem is a nice walk from Ajuda and you can try two of the most famous Pastel de Nata establishments including Pasteis de Belem. 
​
Lisbon Restaurant Review: Pasteis de Belem Photo Review 
​
See Also: How To Make Portuguese Custard Tarts At Home! 

Manteigaria 


Grab yourself another pastel de nata over at Manteigaria before walking back up to Ajuda. And I mean that very literally, it's an uphill climb and you're sure to burn off all the calories from the pastries so... win! 

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Manteigaria Photo Review 
​
See Also: Frequently Asked Questions About Pastel De Nata

MoMo Express

If you're arriving into Lisbon or departing via Oriente Station, you'd be remiss if you skipped Momo Express food truck. Tasty Nepalese momos, flavorful samosas (go veggie for this one!) and chai of this caliber, you'll struggle to find outside of Asia. 

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Momo Express Photo Review 
​

Forgot to schedule time in ALgarve on your Portugal Trip?

The Algarve is definitely worth visiting on your trip to Portugal! If you have one day, you can make it happen. This article is for you:

Read Now: How to Plan a Day Trip to Algarve from Lisbon

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Restaurante Recanto do Ze | Portuguese Restaurant Review Armacao de Pera

5/25/2025

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When you're ready to give traditional Portuguese cuisine a try, consider Recanto do Ze when in Armacao de Pera, Algarve, Portugal. 

Recanto do Zé - Portuguese Restaurant in Armação de Pera


​Recanto do Ze has some great lunch specials "prato do dia" during the weekdays, but don't be afraid to stop in at dinner time for kind staff and delicious Portuguese food.

Prato do Dia


A typical prato do dia at Recanto do Zé includes a meat or fish main, a drink (including wine or beer), couvert (typically bread, olives etc), dessert, and a coffee for around 15 euro - clearly representing a great value for a quality meal!

Location:

​Recanto do Zé Restaurant Address: Rua Dom Joao II lote 7, Armacao de Pera 8365-130 Portugal


See Also:  Best Algarve Tours and Excursions


Iberian Pork Secretos


I was floored when my plate came. The helping of pork was generous, well seasoned, and as tender as you'd expect a well-rendered fatty cut of pork to be.

​In the word's of Levi "That's tenda!"  

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Iberian Black Pork | Algarve Food Blog
What are pork secretos? What cut is it?
​

Pork secretos are like a "secret" because they are a hidden boneless cut from behind the shoulder.
​

This cut of is exclusive to Iberico pigs and it has incredible flavor because of the deep marbling combined with the lifestyle of the pigs - roaming around free range and filling up on tasty acorns.

​Ahh.. now that's the life! 
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Porco Preto | Armacao de Pera Restaurant Guide

Along side the pork were the expected portuguese accompaniments - a simple salad with lettuce, onion, and tomatoes and a pile of french fries. :)



Francesinha 


​The Francesinha sandwich originated in Porto and it is a serious undertaking, as you can surely tell. 

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Francesinha | Recanto do Ze Pics

​What is in a Francesinha?
Between layers of bread you will find almost every rich meat you can think of on a francesinha - ham, steak, sausage. 
​
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The Portuguese sandwich with every meat, topped with melted cheese, egg, and sauce - Francesinha

​What is on top of a Francesinha?

Plenty of melted cheese and a fried egg adorn this sandwich, as well as a healthy ladle of piping hot beer-tomato sauce to keep everything sloppy enough to require silverware.

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Batatas Fritas, aka French Fries | Portugal Food Blog

As if the hearty sandwich isn't enough, a side of fries is ready for you to mop up any leftover sauce  - the Portuguese version of Italy's "fare la scarpetta" :) 

Recanto do Zé Review


I really enjoyed my meal (that delicious black pork - porco preto) at Recanto do Ze. I hope to return for a prato do dia with friends some time.

The only bummer was that they did not accept credit cards despite their google listing indicating that they accepted them at the time we visited. 

As a result, we had to do the awkward scramble to scrape together enough cash. So our pro tip would be to make sure you have cash on you ;) 

See Also: Top Things To Do In Algarve



​​Best Restaurants in Algarve (armacao de pera):

More From This Algarve Food Blog: 

  • The Waterdog Bar Review with Photos - 
  • N'ice Cream Armacao de Pera Ice Cream Review with Photos
  • Recanto do Zé Portuguese Restaurant Review with Photos You are here!
  • Sam's Bar + Kitchen Beachfront Restaurant Review with Photos 
  • Sapori da Giovanni Pizza Review with Photos
  • Restaurante da Pino Pizza Review with Photos
  • Alma Lusa Brunch in Armacao de Pera Review with Photos
  • Restaurante Chines Long Xing Chinese Food in Armacao Review with Photos
  • Shahi Darbar Indian Cruisine Armacao Indian Restaurant Review with Photos
  • Algarve Happy Hour 

    See All Armacao de Pera restaurant reviews
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The Waterdog Pub Fish and Chips Review - Armacao De Pera Restaurants

5/21/2025

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Looking for a British Pub in  Armacao de Pera?​ Fish and chips await you at The Waterdog Pub! 
​
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The Waterdog Pub - British Pub in Armacao de Pera


​Located on Avenida Beira Mar at the western end of Armacao de Pera lies The Waterdog, a British pub serving up all your favorites from Fish and Chips to Sunday Roast to a Full English Breakfast. 
​

Location:

​​
The Waterdog Bar Address: Av. Beira Mar 1, 8365-101 Armação de Pêra, Portugal
​


--> Later in this Post: The Waterdog Pub Menu <--


Friday Fish and Chips 


​On Fridays at The Water Dog, a classic Fish and Chips meal is available - Friday's only guys, plan accordingly!
​
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Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas | Waterdog Pub Review Pics

​The fish is fresh and delicate, the batter crispy, and the peas mushy.. just how you like them...

Unless you don't, in which case non mushy, sweet peas could be an option, as shown below. :) 

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Sweet Peas, Fried Fish, French Fries | British Pub Food in Armacao de Pera

​Wash it down with a refreshing Magner's Irish Cider, a Guiness, or a local Portuguese beer if you'd like!
​
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Magners Irish Cider at The Waterdog | Algarve Portugal Food Blog


​The Waterdog Review


The Waterdog is an institution in  Armacao de Pera which is always busy and beloved by tourists and residents alike. 
​

Enjoy the sunshine, saltwater air, and sip a cold one with friends as you take advantage of ample outdoor seating.

Or perhaps you prefer sitting at the back of the pub, on the cushioned bench, enjoying the buzzing atmosphere and live music.
​
The point is, you really can't go wrong here!
​

The Waterdog Menu with Prices

We've been to The Waterdog Pub twice, both times equally enjoying Friday's Fish and Chips special, but we'll have to make our way back to try Sunday Roast, Chilli con Carne, and a Steak Guiness pie. 

Classic homemade English food in Portugal's sunny Algarve!
​
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The Waterdog Menu | Armacao de Pera, Portugal

And maybe we oughta try the Bailey's Cheesecake for good measure ;) 
​
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The Water Dog Pub Menu | Armação de Pêra Portugal


​Where to eat in Algarve (armacao de pera):

More From This Algarve Food Blog: 

  • The Waterdog Bar Review with Photos - You are here!
  • N'ice Cream Armacao de Pera Ice Cream Review with Photos
  • Recanto do Zé Portuguese Restaurant Review with Photos
  • Sam's Bar + Kitchen Beachfront Restaurant Review with Photos 
  • Sapori da Giovanni Pizza Review with Photos
  • Restaurante da Pino Pizza Review with Photos
  • Alma Lusa Brunch in Armacao de Pera Review with Photos
  • Restaurante Chines Long Xing Chinese Food in Armacao Review with Photos
  • Shahi Darbar Indian Cruisine Armacao Indian Restaurant Review with Photos
  • Algarve Happy Hour 

    See All Armacao de Pera restaurant reviews
0 Comments

N'ice Cream Review - Armacao de Pera Algarve

5/19/2025

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​Is anything sweeter than an ice cream cone after a day at the beach in Portugal? 

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Ice Cream With a View | Armacao de Pera Food Blog

​After a leisurely stroll through  Armacao de Pera  with our parents, an ice cream cone seemed the perfect choice to end the outing on a sweet note. 

We stopped in at N'ice Cream in  Armacao de Pera. N'ice cream has several locations across central algarve including Albufeira, Portimao, and  Armacao de Pera . 
​

N'ice Cream Flavors

Wondering what ice cream flavors are popular in Portugal?

You'll find a combination of classic standbys like Chocolate, Coffee Ice Cream, and even Oreo Ice Cream. 
​
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Ice Cream Flavors at Armacao De Pera Beach

​N'ice cream has a lot of candy bar flavored ice creams too like Bounty, Snickers, After Eight and M&Ms. 

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Gelados Saborosos Praia de Armacao de Pera
In Portugal, you will almost always find Nutella flavored treats as well. 
​

Uniquely Portuguese Ice Cream Flavors

One fun thing about N'ice Cream in Algarve is they tend to have some uniquely Portuguese Ice Cream flavors. 
​

Figo c/ Amêndoa Gelado (Fig and Almond)

For example, the Algarve is an agricultural region known for delicious juicy figs and bountiful crops of almonds. So a fig and almond ice cream is spot on! 

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Gelado com sabor Figo com amêndoa

Dom Rodrigo Ice Cream (Egg Yarn and Almond)

Dom Rodrigo is a traditional dessert from the Algarvian town of Lagos. It's made with "egg yarn"which sounds so weird, but it's egg yolks and sugar so think sweet and rich with the texture of thin coconut shreds. 
​
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Gelado com sabor Dom Rodrigo
In addition to these ice cream flavors you can find Pastel de Nata (famous custard tart of Portugal), and Perna de Pau. (Meaning wooden leg in Portuguese). 

Perna de Pau is an ice cream on a stick you can buy in grocery stores across Portugal featuring a pirate on the package with, you guessed it, a wooden leg.  It's vanilla ice cream with stripes of strawberry 'jelly' and the outside is dipped in chocolate. 
​

--> Recommended: Tap here To Make Pastel de Nata at Home! <-- 


N'ice Cream Armacao de Pera

Where We Went:
N'Ice Cream in Armação de Pêra is located at ​R. Sra. dos Navegantes 13, 8365-184 Armação de Pêra, Portugal
​
There is an outdoor counter to walk up to and order your ice cream. Around the side there is outdoor seating. There is also a spacious indoor seating area. Bathrooms are available, but located down a number of stairs. 
​

Armacao de Pera Beach Ice Cream

It really is hard to beat ice cream with this view, isn't it? 
​
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N'ice Cream Cone | Gelado com visto lindo | Praia de Armação de Pêra

We opted for the very Portuguese (and very sweet!) Dom Rodrigo and Fig & Almond flavors in a waffle cone. 

Which flavors will you try?
​

Explore: The Best Ice Cream Flavors Delivered To Your Door


Best Restaurants and cafes in Armacao de Pera:

Algarve Restaurant Reviews: 
  • The Waterdog Bar Review with Photos
  • N'ice Cream Armacao de Pera Ice Cream Review with Photos - You are here!
  • Recanto do Zé Portuguese Restaurant Review with Photos
  • Sam's Bar + Kitchen Beachfront Restaurant Review with Photos
  • ​Sapori da Giovanni Pizza Review with Photos
  • Restaurante da Pino Pizza Review with Photos
  • Alma Lusa Brunch in Armacao de Pera Review with Photos
  • Restaurante Chines Long Xing Chinese Food in Armacao Review with Photos
  • Shahi Darbar Indian Cruisine Armacao Indian Restaurant Review with Photos
  • Algarve Happy Hour 

​

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    Traveling Through Food

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    We love to travel and eat! 
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    Traveling Through Food is a place to share adventures in travel + food so you can find inspiration for your next big trip whether it's across the globe or down the freezer aisle  ;)
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