Beato: The best art galleries and cuisine in Lisbon

Enjoying Lisbon: Art and food in the Beato neighborhood and at the Praça do Beato

Last Saturday, I set off on a sunny afternoon adventure to Praça do Beato, a lively square with a mix of restaurants, bars, and, most excitingly, art spaces sprinkled throughout the neighborhood that will make you rethink what you know about creativity and culture. Lisbon’s art scene is getting more exciting!

Praça do Beato

A Praça is a foodie’s delight, and there is a restaurant or coffee shop for everyone. Take your pup and sit outdoors, or go with your whole family and enjoy the space and the food. The Brower is a fantastic place to meet up with your friends on a Sunday afternoon.

If you’re a beer enthusiast, Browers Beato is your go-to. The icy-cold beers are refreshing, and the food pairs perfectly—whether you’re sitting at the counter for a quick pint or settling at a table in the bright restaurant for a more leisurely experience.

Craving coffee and something sweet? Visit the coffee shop; it serves up homemade pastries and great coffee or tea, and you will love sitting in that bright, industrial, but cozy space. Or, if you’re like me and in the mood for Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist, the Refeitório Restaurant is across the coffee shop.

I chose a table at the Refeitório, nestled inside their industrial-looking interior. The soft pink marble tabletops added a touch of elegance to the space, while the option to dine outdoors under the sun kept things casual. It’s the perfect spot for dog owners to lunch and dine.

A Portuguese Feast

For starters, I couldn’t resist ordering peixinhos da horta—tempura-style green beans. Did you know that the Portuguese introduced tempura to Japan back in the 1500s during their time in Nagasaki? It’s one of those fascinating bits of history that adds a layer of depth to a simple dish. These green beans were enormous, with a slightly thicker batter than I’ve had before, and came with a tangy pink mayo sauce that was irresistible.

Next up was pica-pau, a dish of tender beef pieces cooked in wine, garlic, and onions. It was served with slices of sourdough bread, which soaked up the sauce beautifully. Each bite was a revelation, and when I finally got to the sauce-drenched bread, it was nothing short of heavenly.

Satisfied and caffeinated, I made my way to the art exhibitions nearby, ready to soak in some visual inspiration.

An Illustrator’s Wonderland

The first stop was a group exhibition featuring illustrators, local artists, and international artists of all kinds—children’s book artists, comic strip creators, political cartoonists, and more.

The space itself was remarkable: a vast, open room with pages of oversized “books” displayed around the room. It felt like stepping into a story where every page came alive through vibrant drawings and thoughtful narratives. I felt like I was walking into Alice in Wonderland’s library.

The line between illustration and fine art has always intrigued me. Where does one end and the other begin? The illustration tells a story—it’s often connected to the text, whether it’s conceptual, narrative, or political. But isn’t fine art also about storytelling, even if it’s abstract? Both can be mass-produced, commercial, or intimate. Maybe it’s time to stop drawing lines and simply celebrate all forms of artistic expression.

Walking through this exhibit, I couldn’t help but wonder: Do illustrators get enough credit for the beauty and thought they pour into their work? If these pages were framed and hung on a gallery wall, would we call them “fine art”? Something to think about!

The Space Itself

Apparently, there is a group of people wanting to turn the exhibit building and a few others into an artist’s studio. Now this is a place I would love to work in!

The exhibit building is part of a group of buildings housed across the street from a military complex; the buildings are raw and industrial, with vast empty rooms and no electricity in some areas. One building had a charming garden in front, a surprising burst of greenery amid the gritty architecture. These contrasts—old and new, raw and refined—made the experience even more memorable.

Sara Bichão at the Galeria Filomena Soares

After the illustration exhibit, I walked over to the Filomena Soares Gallery, showcasing a group exhibition, including Sara Bichão’s contemporary artwork. Her sculptures are surreal and fluid, with organic shapes that seem almost alive, as if they might start moving around the room. Her delicate drawings on brown paper were a delightful contrast to the bold sculptures.

Bichão’s work feels dreamlike yet grounded in nature, and her use of texture and color is perfect. It’s the kind of art that invites you to pause and reflect. What stories are these shapes trying to tell? Where are they going? Are they in a future world? Do they have a life?

The Filomena Soares Gallery is one of the most respected galleries in Lisbon. It exhibits local and international contemporary artists.

Final Thoughts

The city of Lisbon continues to surprise me with its ability to blend tradition and modernity in both food and art.

Praça do Beato and the Beato neighborhood are perfect examples of this. From the creative takes on Portuguese cuisine to the thought-provoking art exhibits in the community, this area is a playground for the senses.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a friend, an appetite, and a sense of curiosity, and head to Beato. Whether you’re there for the beer, the tempura, or the art, it’s a trip worth taking.

Praca Beato is located in the Creative Hub in Lisbon.

Tv. Grilo 1, 1950-145 Lisboa, PortugalLisbon, Portugal

https://apraca.pt/

Filomena Soares Gallery: Rua da Manutenção 80, 1900-321 Lisboa, Portugal

https://www.gfilomenasoares.com/