SD › Lisbon Hotels › Le Consulat Review
Updated: April 8, 2021
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: Praça Luis de Camões, overlooking the square.
• Hotel website: leconsulat.pt
• Hotel phone: +351 939 316 530
• Check prices on Booking.com
Le Consulat – Hotel-gallery with great style in an old Brazilian Consulate.
Culture vultures love Le Consulat for its warm hospitality and focus on art. The historic building has a winning central location in elegant Chiado, right on Praça de Camões. The interior is recently renovated and playfully chic – an eclectic mix of period tones and stucco ceilings with vintage and modern design pieces and unvarnished floors. The star of the show is the artwork – each of the eighteen spacious suites and apartments are decorated in collaboration with a top Lisbon gallery and thus offers a unique experience. The large apartments with useful kitchenettes are ideal for groups and families. Don’t expect a pool or a gym, but service is personal and excellent, with the team passionate about sharing the best of local art and cuisine with guests. The first-floor bar with a view is one of the best in the city, serving cocktails you won’t find elsewhere along with a luxurious brunch daily.
See Also
Le Consulat – Location
- Address: Praça Luis de Camões 22, 1249-190 Lisbon.
- Nearest Metro/Subway: Baixa-Chiado Metro station is a 5-minute walk (0.3 mile) away.
- Area: Fantastic central location in well-heeled Chiado. Surrounded by great restaurants and cafes, with excellent shopping starting on Rua Garrett, a 2-minute walk (0.1 mile) away, and continuing down the hill in Baixa. Great nightlife is close by, with the bars of Bairro Alto just to the north (0.2 mile), and the famous Pink Street to the south (0.3 mile). Praça do Comércio (0.6 mile) and the historic Alfama district (0.5 mile) are both an easy stroll.
- How to Get There: From Lisbon Portela Airport, it is a 25-minute trip on the metro to Baixa-Chiado; take the red line to Alameda, then change to the green line. From here, it’s a 5-minute walk (0.3 mile) to the hotel. If arriving by train at Gare do Oriente, similarly, take the metro, changing at Alameda. From the main bus station at Sete Rios, take the blue line from Jardim Zoológico direct to Baixa-Chiado.
- Private Transfer: We use and recommend Welcome Pickups car service. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more than a taxi – about €25 from Lisbon Portela Airport – but can be worth it to avoid the long taxi queue and for the convenience of paying ahead.
- Handy to: Praça do Comércio, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Mercado da Ribeira.
Le Consulat – The Basics
- Ages: Guests tend to be independent travelers, 30 and up, including groups and families, looking for an intimate hotel. Children are welcome.
- View: Many rooms have great views of scenic Praça Luis de Camões in front of the hotel.
- Kitchen: Apartments usually include well-equipped kitchenettes with hobs, microwaves, and refrigerators.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: No private pools or jacuzzis.
- Laundry: Laundry service is available (extra charge).
- Parking: Not on-site but public parking is available under the square outside (75m).
- Extras: Check-in with a welcome drink in the first-floor bar; guests are then shown to their rooms, where the staff describes the artwork which can also be purchased. Concierge service and 24-hour reception. Airport shuttle available (extra charge). Nespresso machines, minibars, and vintage WiFi speakers in the rooms; fully-equipped kitchenettes in most apartments. Complimentary own-brand toiletries and robes in the bathrooms. Romantic welcome pack on request, including flowers, chocolates, and sparkling wine (extra charge).
- When to Book: Book 3-4 months in advance for the summer high season.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +351 939 316 530
- Email: resa@leconsulat.pt
- Website: leconsulat.pt
Le Consulat – Amenities
- Pool: No pool.
- Spa: No spa.
- Fitness Center: No fitness center.
- For Disabled Guests: There is an elevator to all floors but no step-free access from the street. Rooms are spacious, though none are specially adapted.
- For Families: Cribs are available for free and extra beds can be added to any room at €25 a night for children (€50 a night for adults).
- Activities: The passionate staff will be happy to advise on and help with organizing activities for you in the wider city.
Le Consulat – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: The restaurant/bar is a relaxed and chic space with an industrial edge on the 1st floor and huge windows opening over Praça Luis de Camões. It is open to the public for an extravagant brunch 8am-3pm daily. $$-$$$.
- Lounge/Bar: The bar is a great venue for exciting cocktails; it is worth trying whatever the bartenders create for you. There is also an atmospheric corner wine bar/smoking room with a surrealist film projection.
- Breakfast: The gourmet brunch buffet is complementary and is served 8am-3pm daily. Fine products are sourced from Portugal and France in particular. Expect homemade yogurts, eggs, meats like truffle mortadella, fine cheeses, and a large variety of pastries and cakes from the in-house pastry chef.
- Room Service: Room service is available 24/7.
Le Consulat – Rooms
- Room Types: Suite • Deluxe Suite • Apartment • List of all Rooms
- Smoking Rooms: Le Consulat is 100% smoke-free.
- Best Room: The suites are all unique and each one is a private art exhibition. The apartments are luxurious, featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and often views of the square. One features contemporary art from Galeria Filomena Soares, tropical décor in the kitchen and dining area, and original azulejos (traditional tiles) in the master bedroom.
- For Families: Apartments are roomy enough to sleep 6 people with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) and a double sofa bed in the living room. They also feature practical kitchenettes. Extra beds can be accommodated in all the rooms.
Le Consulat – Local Transport
- Walking: Walking in Lisbon is great fun, provided you have good footwear and do not mind hills and cobblestones. Lots of big attractions are an easy stroll: Praça do Comércio is an 11-minute walk (0.6 mile), Alfama is 13 minutes (0.5 mile), and the Elevador de Santa Justa is 6 minutes (0.3 mile). The nearest metro at Baixa-Chiado is a 5-minute walk (0.3 mile).
- Metro, Tram, and Bus: Public transport in Lisbon is good and includes the metro, buses, historic trams, and 3 funiculars. There are also local trains to Sintra and Cascais from Rossio and Cais do Sodré respectively. Consider getting the Lisboa Card, which covers unlimited trips, including on the trains, as well as free entry to lots of attractions. The metro is good for getting to the airport, while trams are both popular and practical. The famous tram #28E stops outside the hotel and is a fun way to see the winding streets of Alfama, while #15E and #18E will take you west along the river from Cais do Sodré to Alcântara and Belém.
- Taxis, Uber: A taxi from Lisbon Portela Airport will take around 20 minutes (7 miles) and should cost around €16, plus a luggage charge. There is a risk of drivers seeking to cheat tourists on this route; to avoid this, buy a prepaid voucher from Ask Me Lisboa in Arrivals. Uber and other ride-sharing services are cheaper (starting at €10 from the airport), and more so in the city center.
Le Consulat – What’s Nearby?
Recommended Nearby Tours
- SANDEMANs – Become a Lisbon insider by booking a walking tour with a passionate local guide. Fun options include an Alfama tour (€14) and a pub crawl (€15). The most popular offering is the 2.5-hour Free Tour of Lisbon, which is tips-based and takes in Bairro Alto and Baixa. It starts conveniently on Largo de Camões (0.2 mile).
- Devour Lisbon – Spend half a day seeing a new side of the city and Portuguese culture and tasting its iconic foodie highlights. Devour’s tours are decent value at €69 per adult for 3.5 hours. There are over 10 stops, enough for breakfast and lunch, taking in specialties like salted cod, cheeses, pastel de nata, and port. Starts at Praça da Figueira (0.5 mile).
- Lisbon Street Art Tours – If you are curious about Lisbon’s growing urban art scene, go on a dedicated 3-hour stroll. There are open, small group, and private tour options (Open Tours are tips-based). Learn about local and international artists here contributing to this form of art – part of the proceeds goes toward funding the creation of more street art. Open Tours start at Praça Martim Moniz (0.7 mile); MishMash tours depart from Praça Luís de Camões, right outside the hotel.
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Taberna da Rua das Flores – A local favorite, this cute tavern serves up Portuguese classics at lunch. The evening menu is much more freewheeling, with chef André Magalhães making the most of local produce. Cash only and no reservations. (75m).
- Belcanto – Formal, Michelin 2-starred Belcanto is star chef José Avillez at his most experimental. A showcase for Portuguese gastronomy as well as Portuguese wine, it promises to take you on a memorable voyage. Tasting menus start at €165. Reserve well in advance. Look out for Avillez’ other restaurants around Chiado. (0.2 mile).
- Alma – Unpretentious yet Michelin 2-starred, Alma is a soulful foodie destination from Henrique Sá Pessoa in a gorgeous historic warehouse. His crack team blends global influences into beautiful modern Portuguese dishes in the open kitchen, complemented by bold wines. Tasting menus (€110-€120) celebrate local fish and seafood and the chef’s Asian-influenced classic dishes. Reserve well in advance. (0.2 mile).
- Boa-Bao – Buzzing Pan-Asian place in Chiado which has won many hearts with traditional dishes from Thai tom yum to Chinese dumplings, Malaysian curry, and Japanese mochis. A pretty terrace and craft cocktails complete the experience. (0.2 mile).
- Flor da Laranja – Cozy, flamboyantly decorated Moroccan place in Bairro Alto. Rabea Esserghini is a wonderfully warm host as well as chef. Ask her advice on the delicious menu and taste rich tagines, such as lamb with prunes and almonds, fragrant couscous, and more. Book ahead. (0.4 mile).
- Pinóquio – Traditional Portuguese restaurant in busy Baixa. It draws tourist crowds but deservedly so, with excellent takes on classics like rice with cod, prego (steak sandwich), and impressive seafood platters. (0.4 mile).
- 100 Maneiras – One of the hot tables in town, with daring chef Ljubomir Stanisic serving imaginative Yugoslav/Portuguese fireworks. The tasting menus (€80-€110) are ‘stories’ that tell the tale of his life’s journey. Reserve in advance for this relaxed, intimate Bairro Alto location. 9-minute walk (0.4 mile). The team also runs Bistro 100 Maneiras in nearby Chiado (0.2 mile).
- Tapisco – Spanish and Portuguese small-plate cuisines (tapas and petiscos) meet at this casual fusion spot from Henrique Sá Pessoa. Great for sharing with friends and washing it all down with a glass from the vermouth bar. (0.5 mile).
- A Cevicheria – Super-popular Peruvian table from chef Kiko Martins, in a sleek white venue with a dramatic octopus hanging from the ceiling. Be prepared to wait, then enjoy green gazpacho with scallops, ceviche that shows off Portuguese fish, and pisco sours. (0.5 mile).
- Local – An intimate chef’s table in Príncipe Real, Local serves just 10 people in 2 sittings each night. Great for surprising, seasonal dishes from the rotating cast of chefs, and for making new friends. Book ahead. (0.5 mile).
- Prado – Hip yet affordable spot in Alfama for sharing farm-to-table small plates, pretty with greenery on the ceiling and pendant lights. Young chef António Galapito’s ever-changing menu is all about organic and seasonal Portuguese ingredients. Look out for delights like line-caught squid served with ink and Iberico pork loin and chard. (0.6 mile).
- Chutnify – Enjoy modern South Indian dishes in a hip and fun Príncipe Real location. Their specialty dosas (crisp and savory Indian rice crêpes) are a must-try. Great for vegetarians and spice lovers. (0.7 mile).
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Mini Bar – José Avillez’ fun gourmet bar is all about entertaining, drinking, and eating. It is decked out like a theater, the largely Portuguese wine selection is great, and the small plates playful and mouthwatering – think green apple margarita as a starter. All this plus DJs every Friday and Saturday night. (0.2 mile).
- Pensão Amor – Cheeky Pink Street favorite that winks at its past life as a brothel. The décor is flamboyant and velvety, there are burlesque and jazz performances on the little stage, and usually a line out the door. (0.3 mile).
- Park – Never has a car park been this cool. Take the elevator to the roof and find Park, for yummy cocktails and a hip young crowd amid lush plants, DJ sets, and stunning river views. (0.2 mile).
- BA Wine Bar do Bairro Alto – Tiny wine bar with a big reputation due to its collection of over 200 wines and passionate staff. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations and try the selection of hams and cheeses too. (0.2 mile).
- Duque Brewpub – Beer aficionados looking for some local flavor should head for Duque, a pub dedicated to Portuguese craft beers, including their own creations. (0.3 mile).
- Topo Chiado – Hidden behind Convento do Carmo is this laidback, lounger-strewn terrace bar. Perfect for a romantic evening cocktail with a stunning view of the Elevador de Santa Justa and across to the Castle. (0.4 mile).
- Ginjinha Sem Rival – Hole-in-the-wall near Rossio making and selling ginjinha, Lisbon’s specialty sour cherry liqueur. The family has been running this famous bar since 1890. Join locals queuing up outside for a shot. (0.6 mile).
- Hotel Mundial Rooftop Bar – Sleek white rooftop lounge with a nice selection of gins and cocktails. With a panorama that includes nearby Castelo de S. Jorge, it is also one of the best bar views in town. (0.7 mile).
- Outro Lado – Cozy craft beer bar with a retro feel in Alfama. Settle in on a comfy sofa and enjoy their great selection of brews (15 on tap, many more in bottles), board games, and friendly atmosphere. (0.7 mile).
- Red Frog – Hidden 1920s New York-style speakeasy in Lisbon. Ring the bell to be admitted to a world of vintage sights and sounds and an ever-changing menu of mouthwatering cocktails. The bartenders here are topnotch, so be adventurous. (0.8 mile).
Best Nearby Cafes
- A Brasileira – Grand Art Deco jewel and Lisbon’s most famous café. Enjoy your coffee and cake knowing you follow in the footsteps of legendary poet Fernando Pessoa whose statue sits on the terrace outside. (0.1 mile).
- Fábrica Coffee Roasters – Serious coffee lovers adore this topnotch coffee house. Head here for single-origin coffees, bought directly from producers and roasted by Fábrica themselves. 0.1 mile to the Rua das Flores branch.
- Copenhagen Coffee Lab and Bakery – Danish import bringing excellent espresso and Nordic minimalist vibes to Lisbon. Their cinnamon swirls are scrumptious and they do a mean all-day breakfast for €12. (0.2 mile).
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Manteigaria – Look no further for (possibly) the best pastéis de nata in town. The title is hotly contested, but these custard tarts are certainly an unmissable Lisbon classic, and Manteigaria gives everyone else a run for their money. (50m).
- Rua Garrett – The best place to start for high-end shopping in Chiado. Highlights include colorful, young outfits at Gardenia and jewelry in a very glamorous interior at Tous. (0.1 mile).
- Maison Nuno Gama – Menswear from one of Portugal’s most famous designers. Expect fine tailoring, use of bright colors and azulejo patterns, and an in-store barber shop. (0.1 mile).
- Fábrica Sant’Anna – Handcrafted azulejos (tiles), produced using the same traditional techniques since the factory opened in 1741. Great for souvenirs and gifts. (0.1 mile).
- Livraria Bertrand – The oldest-running bookstore in the world, open since 1732. Bertrand is a bookshop, café, and cultural landmark where Portuguese intellectuals once gathered. (0.2 mile).
- A Vida Portuguesa – Your one-stop shop for artisanal Portuguese products, from tinned sardines to pencils, ceramics, and notebooks. The brands are carefully chosen to maintain traditional production as well as make excellent gifts. (0.2 mile).
- Rua Augusta – The main artery of Baixa, or downtown, has plenty of high-street fashion as well as artier finds like locally designed T-shirts at Typographia. (0.4 mile).
- Garrafeira Nacional – Local wine-selling institution with its own little museum. A great place to stock up on all manner of Portuguese wines, ports, and spirits. 0.5 mile to the Rua de Santa Justa branch.
- Rua Dom Pedro V – Príncipe Real’s main drag is known for its design studios and is a big draw for fashion-forward shoppers. Find Lidija Kolovrat for a local designer with a love for fine materials, Shon Mott for ‘slow fashion’ and timeless style, and Amazingstore for eco-friendly accessories. (0.5 mile).
- Embaixada – Award-winning shopping gallery in a neo-Moorish palace. It beautifully houses a variety of cool Portuguese designs and crafts (and some international brands), from high fashion to organic baby clothes, cosmetics, and eco-friendly homeware. There’s a lovely bar, Gin Lovers, and a steakhouse, Atalho Real, for when you need a break. (0.6 mile).
- Bettina & Niccolò Corallo – Find chocolate heaven at this artisanal, family-run chocolate shop and café. They roast their own coffee and cacao and make the best chocolate in town fresh daily. Try thin bars containing up to 100% cocoa, cakes, luxurious hot chocolate, and even cocoa sorbet. (0.7 mile).
- Manteigaria Silva – Venerable gourmet grocery store stocking the best of Portuguese specialties for over 100 years. It’s all about fine traditional products including charcuterie, cheeses, salt cod, and local wines. 0.5 mile to the historic Rossio branch.
Nearby Attractions
- Museu Nacional De Arte Contemporânea – Small but intriguing collection that takes visitors through 150 years of Portuguese art, from mid-19th-century romanticism up to far more modern pop art and installations. (0.3 mile).
- Igreja de São Roque – One of the first Jesuit churches anywhere, built in the 16th century, with an adjoining museum of sacred art. The church’s baroque interior, richly decorated in many kinds of marble and gold, illustrates the Jesuits’ influence and wealth. (0.2 mile).
- Convento do Carmo – Haunting skeletal remains of a convent destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. Now an atmospheric ruin, with an archaeological museum showcasing azulejos (traditional tiles), mosaics, and sarcophagi. (0.3 mile).
- Elevador de Santa Justa – Lisbon’s answer to the Eiffel Tower, this cast-iron lift was built in 1902 by Raoul Mesnier, Eiffel’s apprentice. It’s a very classy (if pricey and packed) way to travel from Baixa up to Largo do Carmo. The viewing platform with its gorgeous views can be accessed for just €1.50 from behind Convento do Carmo. (0.3 mile).
- Núcleo Arqueológico da Rua dos Correeiros – Fascinating site that reveals layers of ruins under Baixa. Book a tour with an archaeologist and explore the mainly-Roman structures, including Lisbon’s only Roman mosaic as well as traces of later Visigoths, Moors, and the medieval city. (0.5 mile).
- Praça do Comércio – Lisbon’s grandest square impresses with its massive scale and graceful 18th-century colonnades which are beautifully lit at night. Here you will find the triumphal arch, Arco da Rua Augusta (you can take a lift to the top for the view), plenty of fine restaurants and cafes, and Lisbon Story Centre, an interactive museum where you can learn all about the city’s history. (0.6 mile).
- Alfama – Get lost in Lisbon’s oldest and most romantic district. Once the city’s Moorish quarter, its winding streets feel lost in time and are a magnet for tourists. Climb up to the imposing ramparts of Castelo De São Jorge crowning the hill, gaze out from the many miradouros (viewpoints), and mix with the locals in the bars and cafes. At night, with the soulful sounds of fado coming from restaurants, it feels truly magical. (0.5 mile).
- Sé de Lisboa – Also known as Lisbon Cathedral, the Sé is the most austere and monumental of Lisbon’s churches. Built in 1147 in a Romanesque style, it takes visitors back to the Christian Reconquest of Portugal from the Moors and stands on the site of a former mosque. (0.7 mile).
- Museu do Aljube Resistência e Liberdade – Important, somber museum in a former prison that bears witness to Portugal’s 20th-century fight against dictatorship. It preserves the memory of the dictatorial regime which was in power from 1926 to 1974, its repressive tactics, and the resistance to it, leading to the Carnation Revolution that ended it. (0.7 mile).
- Street Art – Lisbon is known for its vibrant urban art scene and it is worth taking time to seek out some of the best pieces or joining a dedicated tour if you get really into it (see above). Nearby standout locations include Escadinhas de São Cristóvão with its fado mural (0.5 mile); Travessa dos Fiéis de Deus, one of many streets worth noting in boho Bairro Alto (0.2 mile); and the Calçada da Glória, where the entire steep street acts as an outdoor gallery (0.4 mile).
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- Mercado da Ribeira – Time Out turned half of this 19th-century market hall into a curated food court in 2014. So now it is half traditional fish and produce market, half Lisbon’s gourmet greatest hits, and a hugely popular hangout. There are over 40 kiosks, serving everything from great burgers (Ground Burger) to wine (Garrafeira Nacional), seafood (Marisqueira Azul), and budget creations from star chefs Henrique Sá Pessoa, Marlene Vieira, and co. (0.4 mile).
- Mercado da Baixa – Tented street food market that takes over Praça da Figueira for about a week each month. Great for browsing and tasting everything, from hot sausages and cheeses to suckling pig sandwiches and sangria. (0.6 mile).
- Mercado Biológico do Príncipe Real – Find healthy, organic produce galore by the pretty Jardim do Príncipe Real. Wares include honey, jellies, fresh bread, organic wine, and handmade soaps as well as fruits and vegetables. 9am-3pm every Saturday. (0.7 mile).
About Santorini Dave
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.