Where to eat and to stay in Lisbon!

 

Heyaa! I am here to share with you some tips that made my trip to Lisbon much more enjoyable! My favourite restaurants and My Hotel!

There is nothing that makes me happier than great food + nice drink, so I was in the perfect place, right? Yeah, I had the ball! Portugal is one of the best countries for food that I have ever been to, not sure if it is because it reminds me of Brazil or if the summer vibe helped… but I have to confess that it is on my top list!

Buonapolitano Restaurant

How much? 50€, 3 courses for 2 people

Highlights? “Al grana padano” fresh pasta

Insta: @buonapoletano

Takeaway in Dublin

 

This post is for those who love a yummy takeaway!

Are you the type of person who goes for a pizza or Kebab to make your lazy Sunday even better?

So, you need to know about Pizza Max! I made a huge order last week and now I can say that I have my favorite takeaway!

Japanese Food in Dublin

 

Restaurant: Zakura

Cuisine? Japanese

How much? 18€ for 2 course

Where? Dublin

For all the Japanese food lovers, this week we had the pleasure to have dinner at Zakura Noodle & Sushi Restaurant, located at Wexford street, Dublin 2.

It is mouthwatering! And you will pay less than you would pay in most of the Japanese Restaurants around the area! The sushi from Zakura is made fresh by order and never leftover from the previous hour.

Perfect, right? All we want is great quality food with good value!

Wallace's Asti, Italian Restaurant

 

Restaurant: Wallace's Asti

Cuisine? Italian (Sardinian)

How much? 30€ for 2 course

Where? Dublin

If you are like me, love going out to enjoy tasty food in a nice place, this post is for you.

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure to experience a dinner at Wallace's Asti where we could not only try different plates but also learn more about the traditional Sardinian dishes (the staff was super helpful, we really loved their recommendations and specialties).

Wallace's Asti combines locally sourced fresh foods with the finest Italian imports, offers, as well as pizzas, the finest selection of pasta, grilled meats, fish, wines and craft beers. A modern comfortable establishment conveniently located in Drumcondra.

Malta, my summery home!

How Many Days? 6

Food - How Much? €7/Meal

Hotel - How Much? €60/Night for a 4 starts Hotel

Featured:

Favorite beaches, best food, sightseeing, tours, transport, hotels and much more.

Overall Experience was... FANTASTIC!

 My first time in Malta was in Sep, 2019.... Well, if I knew this place was so incredible like this, I'd not have taken that long to visit it. Over 4 years in Europe without exploring this magical place... such a pity! But I am delighted to have spent my 2 last summers there. 

Ahhhh, I completely fell in love with that place... which explains pretty much why I chose to visit Malta again in Sep, 2020, yeah, I know, in the middle of that crazy time, so much going on.... I knew I could pick only 1 place after so long without traveling and without knowing when I would be able to travel again (indeed it was a lot of time, just traveled now 1 year later to Cyprus).

To be honest, I had no doubt that Malta was the place that I wanted to be on my only break in 2020. I could have gone for somewhere new (and I always pick new options if I have a choice), but that time was different, after months of mental draining I needed a place that I would feel like home, I would feel safe, relaxed and also have a great time... It could be nowhere else, but Malta!!!

My connection with Malta is so strong that the second time I was there I thought "What if we move to Malta for a few months...?" No, it is not crazy, it is a dream that can become true... maybe... who knows?

Well, as I have so much to go through, let's leave those dreams for now and start with the amazing tips that I have, I'm so excited to share them with you.

Mapas Restaurant - Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel

Restaurant: Mapas Restaurants

Cuisine? Irish

How much? 45€ for 2 course + glass of wine

Where? Killiney Hill, Fitzpatrick Hotel

    Mapas is one of the finest Dalkey Restaurants, where I had the pleasure to have a couple of dinners while staying at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel. The Castle was originally “Mount Mapas”, built by Colonel Mapas in 1740.

    Mapas Restaurant is led by the Executive Chef Sean Dempsey, bringing a menu prepared with the very best of Irish, locally sourced seasonal produce.

Indian Restaurant in Dublin!

 

Restaurant: Indie Spice Grill

Type of Restaurant? Indian Cuisine

How much? 28€ dinner time, bottle of wine €27

Where? Swords

Value & Quality? Divine food, amazing experience!

I had the pleasure to visit one of the Indie Spice Grill Restaurants last weekend, we chose the one in Swords and we definitely couldn't be happier about our experience! The staff were very helpful and suggested the best meals, just exactly what I was looking for... something tasty, very Indian, but not very spicy (this time I found out that not all Indian meals are spicy).

Algarve, the right place to enjoy Summer in Europe!

How Many Days? 4

Food - How Much? €7/Meal

Hotel - How Much? €150/Night for a Boutique Hotel/ Nice Hostel for €20/Night

Overall Experience was... FANTASTIC!

Let’s start... Middle of last year I realized I had not traveled at all yet. It happened because I went to Brazil in May so I basically focused only on that trip and I did not plan anything else. Well, by the time I noticed that I feared I couldn’t enjoy that European Summer anymore, buttt... I started searching places to go and everything was so expensive, excepting Faro, Portugal, BOOM it was just PERFECT for what I was looking for... I always wanted to visit Algarve and the opportunity had just knocked on my door! 

So... Done! My first summer trip for 2019 was booked with €75 (return), lovely! 

I was so excited as I had never been to Portugal, which means it would not only be a Summer Trip, but also a +1 country to my list! Happy days!

I was not on my own on this adventure, this time I had one of my best friends with me and he was essential for my experience in Algarve became unforgettable!

If I liked it? oh... honestly... I would live there, no problem! The place is magical and I have a feeling that it will become my Summer Getaway from now on...

Where did I stay?

Thai Restaurant in Dublin!

Restaurant: Red Torch Ginger Dublin

Type of Restaurant? Thai Cuisine

How much? 13€ for a Pad Thai (early bird), but it is 21€ dinner time, bottle of wine €27

Where? Dublin 2

Value & Quality? pretty tasty, but pricy for dinner.

Well, me and one of my friends went for a date to enjoy our day off. We were just chatting away when we talked about our trip together to Thailand back in 2018 and how great it was... talking about the drinks and the food (WOW and how amazing was that!) we decided to find a Thai place to get a nice Pad Thai.

It was dinner time and we were starving as we have had a long day.

My FIRST experience in a Restaurant after lockdown!

Restaurant: JD’s Steakhouse

Type of Restaurant? Steakhouse

How much? Dinner for 2 (€55) + bottle of wine (€26)

Where? Terenure, Dublin 6

Value & Quality? BRILLIANT!

Honestly I could not be happier about having dinner here! 

When Calvin texted me on Friday saying "Babe, bring something to wear out tomorrow night" I was like... "What? Yuppie, uhuuuulll, yes yes yes!"

And before he said where we would go, I could not stop thinking about us having a great time in JD's Steakhouse, like... honestly, it had to be our first restaurant after lockdown as it was for sure the place we spent most of our dinners at the weekends the past couple of years!

Of course, when I asked where we were going he told me another place and mentioned that he had tried JD's Steakhouse, but it was fully booked... silly funny babe!

About our Favorite Dishes

Bangkok, the warmest place that I've ever been!

 

How Many Days? 2
Food - How Much? €4/Meal
Hotel - How Much? €25/Night (Double room - Hostel)
Overall Experience was... STRESSFUL!

Bangkok was the beginning of my first trip to Asia. Myself and a friend planned a 2 weeks trip to Thailand and Cambodia, we had no intention to spend too much time in there once we had a lot ahead to see, but we also wanted to enjoy the opportunity to visit the place once our flight from Dublin was to Bangkok, so we decided to stay a couple of days... and for sure it was a bit warmer than expected!

To be honest, I really don't know if I would go back, Thailand has so much to offer and the best tours and experiences are not in Bangkok, in my opinion. I can say that 2 days were enough.

Budapest, such a surprise!

How Many Days? 4 days
Food - How Much? 4€/meal
Hotel - How Much? 15€/night (Hostel)
Overall Experience was... SURPRISING!

PLENTY of AMAZING parties and diversity of great food!

Yeah, by this time I had understood why people talk so well about Budapest!

I didn’t hear many people talking much about Hungry before moving to Dublin, but it became something so normal after moving to Europe! I was always curious and thinking... "Nooo, I can not believe this place is this good, I have to check..." and I did it!

After getting my Italian citizenship in 2018, I planned a round trip in East Europe and the first stop was of course, Budapest, Hungry. I stayed 4 and half days, I was really expecting it to be as good as people say it is.

And it was... OMG! This place surprised me so much, it has a lot to offer, many attractions, night clubs, pubs, thermal baths, many options for food... way more than I was expecting!

What's the best way to visit the main attractions in Budapest?

Ouro Preto, Black Gold!

How Many Days? 2
Food - How Much? 6 euros/meal
Hotel - How Much? 45 euros for a great one!
Overall Experience was... UNFORGETTABLE!

            This is a place for anyone who wants to dive to Brazilian history! Ouro Preto (Black Gold) is a colonial town in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains of eastern Brazil. It was the focal point rush and Brazil's golden age in the 18th century. With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city’s influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity and the exceptional talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho. Central Tiradentes Square is named after the martyr for Brazilian independence. There are numerous churches and chapels all over town, including the 18th-century St. Francis of Assisi Church.

What I think about the food? How Much?