El Basha

• Arroios (Linha Verde)
• €€
• R. António Pereira Carrilho 28A, 1000-038

Back in the depths of December 2022, with the bizarre spectacle of a winter football World Cup, Morocco surprised the world with its eventual progress to the semi-finals, taking in a quarter final against Portugal along the way. Having moved into the street next to this restaurant just 3 months before, we set off on our way 5 minutes before the Portugal match, thinking we had found a smart way to watch the game and experience the food.

Almost one year later, we can finally admit to having eaten at El Basha, the naivety of believing we could watch the national team in their biggest ever international match, cruelly exposed by the sheer amount of Lisbon-based Moroccans spilling out the door. And it's been a more than welcome wait.

Settling in for a lunchtime feast one of us chose to load up on the mixed grill. Laden with a lamb kofte, spiced chicken, lamb kebab and Portuguese salsichas (sausages), the succulent grilled meats are supported with masses of salads, rice and fries. With all the familiar spices like cumin, tumeric and cardamom noticeable, it's an enjoyable serving of what you'll find everywhere between Marrakesh and Muscat.

Soft and sticky beef tagine with dates

No surprises to discover that the beef tagine with dates stood out as the best dish of the day. Also served with an inexplicable number of sides, the chunks of beef so tender and flavoursome, each mouthful warming the soul. It's the kind of dish that leaves you actually wanting to come back for.

At a nudge over €15 per person with drinks, El Basha comes in slightly above some of the cheaper places of Lisbon. But you'll be more than happy with seeking it out to sate that Arabic food desire

Don’t forget to order: We'll be back for the beef tagine, but I'll be trying all the tagines in due course