Casa do Bacalhau

Fittingly, the name of this premier seafood restaurant translates as the "House of Cod" such is its affinity with this most popular and nourishing of fish. The Portuguese have affectionately christened the humble cod their "faithful friend" and over the years numerous hand-me-down recipes have been devised using the fish as the main ingredient. A selection of these have been lent a deliciously inventive tribute by the restaurant's kitchen so that diners can indulge in dishes like cod cataplana with cream and shrimps (basically a slow-burn fish stew) or the seriously creative cod "Holy Friday" — a fusion of Italian pasta with pepperoni accompanied by a fresh, crisp salad — among other regional-international selections. The comprehensive wine list is a revelation, with reds and whites from most regions of Portugal available by the glass or bottle.