The Oven: Lisbon’s best Indian and Nepalese spot!

The Michelin Guide recommended the Oven in Lisbon so my friends and I had to check it out.

The restaurant serves a fusion of Indian and Nepalese food that stays true to traditional cooking techniques and flavors.

We were a fun group of three, and each ordered a different main dish, promising to share everything equally.

The pact was tested the moment the food hit the table. We were successful!

The gorgeous appetizer at Oven

We started with Pan Puri, a dish that felt like a fantastic culinary adventure.

Pan Puri is a popular “street food” in India. These crispy shells are filled with spiced (not hot) potatoes and chickpeas and served with a cool sauce. The server told us to eat the Pan Puri in one bite, and we did. It was delicious and an excellent way to start our foodie evening.

The light curries at The Oven in Lisbon

We all went for non-spicy for the mains; that way, we could all try the foods- not everyone tolerates spicy food.

• Slow-cooked lamb shank in a light curry
• Chicken curry that had us all reaching for seconds
• Prawn curry, equally balanced and satisfying
• Saffron rice, brought the meal together perfectly
• Garlic naan, warm and chewy, is traditionally made in a clay tandoor oven, perfect for scooping up the sauces.

Drinks? We kept it simple, but you don’t have to!

We stuck to water, but the cocktails looked lovely. A few nearby diners were saying how excellent they were. So if you like a pre-dinner drink, go for it!

Tips for The Oven

• Book ahead The Oven is popular, especially on weekends.
• Ask for non-spicy if you prefer. Many dishes have a little image showing the spicy ones.
• Order the Pan Puri
• Pair it all with a cultural stop– MACAM is not near the The Oven- but this way you will see two areas in Lisbon!

The ambiance at The Oven

Lovely decor, good sound acoustics, low light at night.

Fun. Great taste!

Is The Oven a good place for solo dining?

Yes! You will feel comfortable, and the staff is attentive and friendly.

I almost forgot to mention our dessert

It was amazing and we shared it. 

Where is The Oven near?

The Oven is a 10-minute walk from the Santa Justa Elevator and near the Praça do Comércio.

Art, socializing, women’s topics, general chats, and fantastic food

Before dinner, we stopped by MACAM- Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins, a new contemporary art museum in Lisbon inside a hotel.

Adelaide Ginga and Carolina Quintela curated the art collection.

The collection contains Portuguese and international artists and covers several decades. It was quite a treat to see it.

The MACAM has a lovely cafeteria where you can get an excellent coffee or tea and delicious pastries. We heard a restaurant is opening soon.

My friends and I chatted about a few of our favorite paintings, we loved the presentation and care that went into creating this new museum.

It was dinner time and we talked about eating at the cafe, but decided to have an authentic meal in the other side of Lisbon just to try The Oven’s cuisine. 

MACAM to The Oven

Dinner at The Oven was fun

Dinner turned into a lively talk about art, women’s health over 50, and ageing in a healthy and lighthearted way.

Menopause came up, sex after menopause, hormones, fashion, and chocolate!

We  agreed that most doctors don’t have a clue about what happens to women during their menopausal years and thank God for chocolate!

Back to the Oven

We loved the evening, the food, the service, and the ambience, and highly recommend The Oven!