The Market Counters

  Long shunned by diners, counters with an exclusive view of the kitchen are now among of the most popular places to eat. This is also the case at Time Out Market. Get to know ours. Marisqueira Azul   Some say the best way to sample seafood is ao natural, with as little seasoning as possible and as fresh as can be. That is certainly the rule here at Marisqueira Azul. From the aquarium right by the counter or from the display case packed with fresh seafood to your plate, the journey is a short one. The secret is the quality of the seafood that comes from the seas off Portugal. We suggest the tiger prawns or their famous clams à Bulhão Pato (with coriander and garlic) – a recipe that is said to have originated in the 1930s old Estrela de Oiro restaurant, in Rua da Prata, in the Baixa, as a tribute to the eponymous writer. Libertà Pasta Bar   This is surely set to be one of the busiest counters at Time Out Market – not only because it serves up great food but also because sitting here means having a view of where it all happens, that is, where the fresh pasta is being made. There, right in front of you, ravioli, tagliatelle and many other varieties of the Italian staple are taking shape that then go straight onto the stove and then your plate. A delight to watch and eat. O Frade   With a counter and terrace in the Belém neighbourhood, O Frade opened in the Time Out Market in exactly the same format: a counter and terrace where they serve cuisine with an Alentejo soul and which showcases a lot of the traditional recipes from that region. Sea Me   The original Sea Me restaurant in the Chiado neighbourhood is an ode to the ocean. And sitting at their counter is the best way to dive into their outlet in Time Out Market, because that is where you can see some of their star dishes being prepared, such as the famous nigiri duel, which now features a bacalhau à lagareiro (roast codfish with garlic) nigiri and a grilled sardine nigiri. It’s a surprising and fusion of Portuguese and Japanese cuisine. Café de São Bento   If there is one place where eating a good steak always tastes even better, it is at the counter. And here at Time Out Market, the best steak in town is also served at the counter of Café de São Bento. Whether a Portuguese-style steak or the classic sirloin à Café de São Bento, there are no secrets when it comes to this dish: the best meat, the best cream and the best butter – it’s all there. Here at the market as in the original restaurant on Rua de São Bento, the steak comes with chips to dip in the sauce. Croqueteria   Ordering a croquette and an imperial (draught beer) while sitting at the counter at the Croqueteria has a charm all of its own. The croquette brand, which was born at Time Out Market, has been responsible for expanding the traditional Portuguese family of croquettes by adding a series of siblings, including cuttlefish, chicken and cod varieties. The traditional ground meat one is still the consensus favorite, but at the counter, you can try them all. Monte Mar   Monte Mar at Time Out Market is a smaller version of the original restaurant on the coast beyond Cascais, with almost everything but the ocean breakers. The fish and seafood from off the Portuguese coast are here, of course, but so is their most famous dish, hake fillets with cockle rice. Here at the market, anyone who sits at the Monte Mar counter can try that dish and many others that have made the restaurant’s name. Pinóquio   Anyone who has been a customer of Pinóquio for any length of time (the original opened in 1982) knows that service, as well as good food, is its hallmark. Here at Time Out Market, you have the advantage of being able to try their famous clams or pica-pau (chunks of steak, marinated and grilled) seated at the counter, right in front of the person preparing these delicacies and the person serving them. Good food and good conversation are guaranteed.