At number 11 in the welcoming “Largo da Fornalhinha” square, in downtown Coimbra, grilled sardines, one of the seven wonders of Portuguese gastronomy, is the star. Bruno Ribeiro, born in Coimbra, and already with some experience in restaurants, opened the “Mar i a Sardinha” Restaurant in November 2023. Here, you can enjoy “all-you-can-eat” sardines, and their traditional side dishes, boiled potatoes, roasted peppers and tomato salad, for just 12€. In addition to Sardines, which are guaranteed all year, there can also be horse mackerel and mackerel, always grilled over coal. Starters can vary from mackerel vinaigrette, horse mackerel pataniscas, sardine marinade and others. To go with this delicious Portuguese gastronomic delicacy, you can choose beer, sangria or “Ermelinda Freitas” house wine. The sweet part of the menus stars red fruit panna cotta and chocolate petit gâteau.
Although the “official season” for sardines begins in May and lasts throughout the summer, at “Mar i a Sardinha” there is always sardines “from the slaughter” (sardines frozen in sea water from the end of the season), guaranteed throughout the year. And there are even those who prefer it to the sardines of the season.
That space that was once a tavern is now a small and unpretentious space, with simple decorative pieces of marine and nautical inspiration, and a large terrace that fills the entire Largo da Fornalhinha. The idea is that this is a happy square, where adults and children alike create happy moments and memories, around a very Portuguese table.
Contact: 239 820 425
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