Canalha Restaurant
Eating alone is more than just a bite; it’s about enjoying your own company and pampering yourself.
Canalha is a cozy bistro near the MAAT Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art in Belem, where I went after lunch.
I’ve been to Canalha Restaurant before. The first time, I went with a friend, and we had a great time catching up, sharing dishes at the counter, and chatting.
This time, I went solo and remembered why I liked this place so much.
They sat me at the counter near the kitchen, where I had a front-row seat to everything. I could see the chefs working on the grills, and the plating station.
I loved watching them plate the dishes.
The waiter brought tasty sourdough bread and tiny, salty, and delicious olives with the menu.
For my appetizer, I ordered the smoked eel with light mayo sauce. The eel was tender and flavorful, and the sauce was perfect. I took my alternating the sourdough and eel and olives.
When you are eating alone, remember to eat slowly and enjoy everything in front of you.
For my main, I had grilled Goraz (seabream). The presentation was simple and beautiful. The fish was halved and sprinkled with sweet red pepper flakes and garlic. It came with green beans cooked just right and boiled potatoes. The Goraz was tender, the skin crispy and lightly salted, every bite was a pleasure.
The highlight was dessert: mashed, baked apple, matcha ice cream, and custard. Sweet, tart, and creamy. I finished with a small, and potent espresso.
The service at Canalha was excellent. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, which is a big plus when eating solo.
The acoustics are good, and the background music was what it should be: background music. T
he decor is a bit to old-world charm with modern touches.
If you’re dining alone (or going for lunch), Canalha is a good choice. The counter seating is perfect for solo diners, with enough privacy.
The seats at the counter are comfy and ladies, there is a hook for our bags under the counter. A plus.
Canalha has a private room at the back of the restaurant for groups of 8 or more.
It’s about a 10-minute walk from the MAAT Museum and the Codoaria Nacional Museum. If you feel like a walk, Belem is 25 minutes away, and the path along the water is beautiful.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, MAC / CCB.
Jeronimos Monastery. Get your tickets before you go.
The Tower of Belem.
Monument to Discoveries
More tips in One day in Lisbon
Updated May 2026
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
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