Introducing restaurants
In this part of the blog I want to introduce you to some of the places that I have visited during my stay here in Leiria. Restaurants are the best possible way to get to know the local food culture as most of the cuisines are Portuguese and many restaurants are held by families who use their own recipes preparing their food. You really couldn’t wish more from a cultural journey…
McDonald´s Leiria
What a way to start! It’s not local definitely but apparently this is the place that International students usually ask from the locals when they arrive. “Where is McDonald´s?” – Well I think there are at least two of these in the city of Leiria. The one I know is located next to Hotel Ibis and the other one is at the Leiria shopping I think.
I had to visit this place because I’m introducing it to you. Big Mac meal costs you 5 euros and they don’t take Visa Electron which usually is one of the best cards during traveling BTW. That’s basically all about this place.
Nothing really wrong with the place. The customer service is good and the pricing is good but for me getting to know the local food is more important and most definitely more healthy.
O Feio
The name means the ugly in English and the place has been named after its owner. O Feio is a caravan located almost next to the football stadium of Leiria and it usually functions during the night time there also is a small kiosk available nearby. I wanted to add this place to my guide because it was one of the first experiences about the local food and I really liked it. We visited the kiosk one at daytime to have a traditional bifana and a small beer and it was fantastic.
My recommendation: Bifana definitely. Bifana is basically a meaty snack and in the northern region are pork loin rolled strip, cooked in special sauce, served in biju bread without any sauces added. This dish is typically served in Popular Festivals taking place across the country.
Restaurante Monte Carlo
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Restaurante-Monte-Carlo-Salvador/320437834676452
A Toca
O Paço
Casa Porto Artur
Coconuts Restaurante
https://www.facebook.com/RestauranteCoconutsLeiria
http://preguicamagazine.com/2014/05/08/este-coco-e-do-caril/
I went to Coconuts in my final week here in Portugal to have a dinner with my sister. The night was cold and the restaurant had plenty of room for us. The owner of this place was really nice and he had the time to chat with us through the whole meal. Really cozy and tidy looking place and I can understand why this place is well-known of its curry. It’s just right: strong but not too strong.
I would definitely recommend to visit this place. You won’t experience that curry in every place. Really nice dinner it was.
