“A Licorista“: From Liqueur Maker to Historic Lisbon Eatery
The term “A Licorista” primarily refers to a well-known and historic restaurant in Lisbon, Portugal, named A Licorista O Bacalhoeiro. However, the word “licorista” itself has a broader meaning in Portuguese and Spanish, defining a person who produces or sells liqueurs. In some regions of Latin America, the term can also describe someone who drinks a lot of liquor.
Located on Rua dos Sapateiros in the Baixa district of Lisbon, A Licorista O Bacalhoeiro is a restaurant celebrated for its traditional Portuguese cuisine, particularly its seafood and codfish dishes. The establishment is not only a culinary destination but also a place of historical significance.
Originally founded in 1896 as a company dedicated to the manufacture of “national fruit” liqueurs, it was later known as “Companhia Portugueza de Licores” in 1915. The space that is now the restaurant was created in the 1920s and was a frequent haunt of the renowned Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. It is said that one of the few existing photographs of Pessoa was taken at A Licorista, where he would often enjoy a glass of liqueur or ginjinha. A tile panel recreating this photograph can still be seen in the restaurant today.
In 1997, the space was joined with the adjacent “O Bacalhoeiro,” a traditional codfish shop, to become the restaurant it is today, preserving the names of both historic establishments. A Licorista O Bacalhoeiro is considered one of the unique corners of Lisbon, offering a glimpse into the city’s past while serving authentic local dishes.
Address: R. dos Sapateiros 218, 1100-587 Lisboa, Portugal