Alfama launches in Dublin 14
Alfama launches in Dublin 14
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Unsplash
Named for one of the most traditional parts of Lisbon, Alfama restaurant will be home to classic Portuguese cuisine.
Dublin’s third Portuguese spot in as many months takes up the mantle of News Café in Windy Arbour. News Café was a local that shuttered in November 2021 after nine years due to the pressures of the pandemic.
They will, of course, sell the popular Pasteis De Nata. Until this year, an authentic pastel de nata—the small egg-custard tart with a crispy crust—required a trip to Portugal. But no more. Now the people of Dublin can drink cinnamon-coated custard wrapped in flakey pastry by the dozen with the opening of Cafe Lisboa on Mary Street Little, Lisboa on St Andrew Street and now Alfama in Windy Arbour.
As well as traditional Portuguese meals, they will feature a full Irish breakfast on their morning menu.
Pastel de Nata, which just means cream pastry in Portuguese, has similarly become an international hit centuries after it was said to have been invented in a Belem monastery by monks. It has popped up in GBBO, cafés in New York, London and even in Lidl’s across the continent.
If you’re new to the ‘nata: Don’t use a knife and fork. You’re supposed to eat it with your hands, ideally with a cup of coffee.
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