Mercado da Ribeira-Lisboa

This huge market is the place to go for a Lisbon "street food" experience. Nearly 40 kiosks, not much more than kitchen units, are housed around the edge of an immense covered hall. Each "restaurant" specializes in a particular cuisine so the choice of food is varied deliciously tempting. Traditional Portuguese gastronomy is well represented, with seafood a great favourite. But what Mercado da Ribeira is renowned for is its world food menus. One kiosk will be offering a delicately flavoured Thai green curry while the next will be serving up rich Brazilian black bean stew. Chinese noodles, Japanese sushi and even good old British fish and chips are among the many other mouth-watering fares on offer. Some well-known Portuguese chefs lend their name to several kiosks, and their contemporary takes on some of the country's most popular dishes are seriously inventive, and perhaps a little pricy. Tables are set in rows across the middle of the hall and several bars complement the food outlets.