COIMBRA - Portugal - page 310

Restaurante O Serenata is country-kitchen cozy and fun, with about 20 tables and
a fresh, bright atmosphere. They serve simple €10-15 meals (Mon-Sat 12:00-15:00 &
19:00-23:00, closed Sun, between Station A and Largo da Portagem at Largo da Sota 6,
tel. [phone]).
Restaurante Zé Manel is tiny, rustic, and authentic. Judging from the walls—caked
with notes from happy eaters—and the line of people waiting for a table, this place is
a popular favorite. They serve a dozen good typical Coimbra dishes. To order, I'd trust
Mario, who speaks a lee-tle English. The ossos (bones) are the hot dish here (€8 for one
person, €14 for two, Mon-Sat 12:00-15:00 & 19:30-22:00, closed Sun and off-season, no
reservations taken, arrive early or wait; sign is high above on lamppost, 20 yards directly
behind Hotel Astória at Beco do Forno 12, tel. [phone]).
Restaurante Giuseppe & Joaquim serves good Portuguese and Italian meals in a
large, elegant dining area (€6 salads, €5-10 pizzas, €10 pastas, €16-20 meat and fish
plates, good €8 lunch buffet available Mon-Fri 12:00-14:30, open daily 12:00-24:00, be-
hind Hotel Astória at Rua da Sota 12, tel. [phone]).
OBizarro is a small, family-run, white-tablecloth hole-in-the-wall that serves up tasty
Portuguese food at a good price (one €7 dose is designed to serve—and fill—two, goat
stew is the house specialty, daily 12:00-15:00 & 18:00-22:00, 30 yards behind Hotel
Astória at Rua Sargento Mor 44, Rafael speaks English).
Trendy Dining on the River
(See “Coimbra Hotels & Restaurants” map, here .)
Restaurante Itália —at Parque Dr. Manuel Braga, opposite the TI—literally hangs over
the river. It serves good Italian food indoors and out. Dinner reservations are smart (€8-12
pizza and pastas, €12-23 fish and meat plates, pizza available to go, daily 12:00-24:00,
riverside tables limited to parties of four when busy, tel. [phone]).
Avenida da Lousã Eateries: A modern building on Avenida da Lousã houses a strip
of trendy restaurants, each with an enthusiastic crowd; modern, air-conditioned seating
indoors; and breezy riverside tables set on a common patio. The restaurants (most open
daily from 12:00 until late) include:
RockCafé, a burgers-and-Budweiser joint, is understandably popular with the town's
students. It's busy on Thursday night, the big party night in Coimbra—the kids go home
on Friday (Tue-Sun 12:00-late, closed Mon, tel. [phone]).
APortuguesaRestaurante, the most expensive and contemporary choice, is romant-
ic, serving traditional dishes with a modern twist (prices range widely—from €9 garlic
shrimp to €75 lobster, €15-20 beef dishes, reservations smart, tel. [phone]).