By The Wine Chiado Lisbon

I’d been wandering through Chiado after a long day with the camera when I spotted a sign simply saying By The Wine Chiado. The door was open, so curiosity got the better of me and I stepped inside. The restaurant hadn’t quite opened for the evening yet, but the head chef was sitting at the bar having his dinner. I explained that I photograph and review restaurants and wine bars around Lisbon and asked if I could take a few photographs before service started. He couldn’t have been more welcoming and even spent a few minutes telling me about the history of the place.

Originally an independent wine bar, By The Wine Chiado, Lisbon is now owned by Sogrape, one of Portugal’s largest wine producers. If you’ve visited Porto, you’ll probably recognise some of their famous brands, including Sandeman and Ferreira Port. The moment you walk inside it’s obvious wine is the star of the show. Thousands of bottles line the walls and even form part of the curved ceiling, creating one of the most impressive interiors I’ve seen in Lisbon.

I stayed for a couple of glasses of wine at the bar while the restaurant slowly filled up around me. I chose the Trinca Bolotas Reserva from Vidigueira in Portugal’s Alentejo region, which was an enjoyable, easy-drinking red. While it’s a wine that’s widely available in Portugal, it paired perfectly with the relaxed atmosphere and gave me another opportunity to enjoy one of the country’s well-known regional wines.

The menu looked just as tempting as the wine list, with a great selection of Portuguese cheeses, cured meats and regional dishes. Watching plates leave the kitchen made it very easy to decide I’ll be returning, and next time I’ll finally try the Iberian ham and cheese board that caught my eye.

If you’re looking for somewhere to experience Portuguese wines in a relaxed but stylish setting, By The Wine Lisbon is well worth visiting. Whether you’re a serious wine enthusiast or simply fancy a glass of something local before dinner, it’s one of those places where it’s easy to lose an hour or two. It’s elegant without feeling pretentious, the staff are genuinely passionate about what they do, and it’s somewhere I’d happily recommend to anyone exploring Chiado.