The Portuguese cuisine menu is appealing, but the main star at A Valenciana is definitely the piri-piri grilled chicken. The crispy-skinned, juicy chicken comes with crisps, white rice, and piri-piri sauce on the side.

In this day and age that inflation is the talk of the town, it’s incredible to note that some of the prices at Pato Real have been the same for years and years. Amazingly, the quality has been consistent all along, something that owners and brothers José and Carlos Amaral are very proud of. As it would be easy to predict, Pato Real has a legion of loyal customers that visit weekly for lunches that vary daily, but that often include some popular dishes such as roasted duck (referring to the name of the restaurant as pato means duck in Portuguese), beans and meats stew, several salt cod dishes such as pataniscas fritters and Lisbon’s most iconic dish, bacalhau à brás, a scramble prepared with shredded salt cod, matchstick fried potatoes and onions.

Even though the newly added and very instagramable vertical garden that covers the wall of A Valenciana’s outdoor seating area won’t make you easily guess so, this establishment was founded back in 1914. We’re talking about over one century of perfecting the art of grilled chicken, and serving it to the crowds that flock to this Campolide establishment that keep coming back because of the incredible flavor, texture and consistency. There’s a Portuguese expression that goes like “ são muitos anos a virar frangos”, which literally translates as “I’ve been turning chickens on the grill for many years” and refers to having a lot of experience at doing a certain task.

Thanks to a certain chain restaurant, most people think that they know piri piri chicken pretty intimately. But this enduringly popular dish, with roots in Africa – the name is derived from the Swahili word for pepper; ‘pili pili’ – is something of a different beast here in Portugal. You’ll find chicken houses all over Lisbon, most of them neighbourhood take-out spots with someone working a grill, brushing piri piri onto spatchcocked birds who have seen a little exercise in their lives, with darker, more delicious flesh as a result.

Piri-piri, the name for Portugal’s beloved hot sauce, speaks to the country’s fraught history in Southern Africa, where colonists found bird’s-eye chiles and turned them into a marinade that remains popular today. In Swahili, it’s called peri-peri, meaning “pepper-pepper.” The point, however it’s spelled, is pant-kicking heat. In Portugal, it’s most commonly used as a seasoning that’s basted onto spatchcocked chickens grilled on cast iron grates set over white-hot coals.

In the diverse and exciting Campolide neighbourhood, A Valenciana has been a hidden gem known among locals for over a century. When you step into the classic dining room, you’ll feel like not much has changed since it started in 1914, and the prices are so reasonable you’ll think you’ve stepped back in time. A Valenciana is best known for its unreal charcoal-grilled meats, which are so moist and flavorful you’ll somehow manage to eat your entire massive portion.

BBQ chicken is a Portuguese staple and at Valenciana you can take away portions grilled to perfection with or without chilli sauce garnish. A convenient snack-on-the-go choice is Cone a Portuguesa where traditional savoury delicacies are moulded into a cone of crusty bread served over the counter. Pizza to go is the mantra at Pizza a Pezzi, a hole-in-the-wall pizzeria located near Lisbon’s club land that does a roaring trade after hours.

A Valenciana: This traditional Portuguese restaurant in the Campo de Ourique neighbourhood is known for its authentic cuisine, including its delicious peri-peri chicken. The chicken is marinated in a simple blend of spices and grilled to perfection, offering a classic taste of Portugal.

A “Valenciana” em Campolide é reconhecida pela gastronomia portuguesa e pelos grelhados no carvão, com destaque para o frango no churrasco. O restaurante tem serviço de takeaway, podendo levar frango de churrasco ou qualquer outra refeição ou prato da ementa do dia.

A Valenciana has been grilling chicken since 1914 to make a classic piri-piri chicken Lisboneans love. It is a bit off the beaten path in São Domingos de Benfica, but it is worth it. They still use the authentic spice and olive oil recipe to preserve the taste.

For frango de churrasco or grilled peri-peri chicken, A Valenciana is the most famous spot in Lisbon. This temple of charcoal chicken is open Sundays, but closed on Mondays. 📍Campolide – Rua Marquês de Fronteira 157⏱️Sunday 11.30am until 11pm, closed Monday

A Valenciana, located in the charming Principe Real district, has been a go-to spot for piri piri chicken since 1974. As I stepped inside, the retro decor transported me back in time. But it’s the chicken that truly steals the show.

A family owned and run traditional Portuguese Chicken restaurant/takeaway that is my favourite in Lisbon!. Ask for Peri Peri if you like it hot. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been.