Paparoca Sandwicheira

29/9/25 Monday lunch We three middle aged guys from London had got off the coach from Lisbon at 12:30 and were looking for an early leisurely lunch of Bacalhau before checking in to our apartment at 4. We had our bags with us and it was hot. We traipsed through the town checking for Day Menus to find very few, some restaurants even having no prices. We passed the basic (‘watery’) and continued into the centre at 1:25 finding this place in the far corner, busy and with dishes of the day including Bacalhau el Natas at €12. The terrace was full and we wanted to eat outside. We left for the cheaper looking place by 1:40. We all wanted to try the Bacalhao el Natas there (€11.50) but as we sat down it was scrubbed off the board! A pity as someone had a delicious plate full of it. We had to leave. We returned to this restaurant, by 1:50, still busy outside so entered. An efficient waitress took us inside to tables in the serving room by the counter and kitchen where sandwiches, filled rolls and fillings were made as well as an enticing collection of cakes were on display. By 2 we were ordering and the bacalao was still on the menu! We all decided to have it as an alternative to the fish. We also decided to have a half litre of white and a bottle of sparkling water. I looked up the restaurant on gglmps and TA seeing it had a roof terrace. I checked out the room upstairs (busy) and the terrace which had great views but no tables left for three of us. I returned to find the dishes had already arrived and they were generous with a busy garnish of fresh salad vegetables (unlike the unadorned and slightly cheaper offerings in the watery place). We all agreed the bacalhao was delicious and noticed the prawns included, very tasty too! The wine was good too. We kept some back in order to take it to the roof terrace after we’d eaten and paid. We ordered the bill from the busy waitress (who didn’t have a Portuguese accent or look local). As the two waitresses and waiter were so busy it took a while to b realise that you paid at the counter. Which I duly did and asked if we could take the wine upstairs, only to be told that the restaurant was closing at 3 (half an hour). I had asked about the roof terrace earlier after ordering only to be told it was ‘different’. I think basically it is not for table service as the restaurant is so busy and the stairs narrow. It is more likely where you take your sandwiches and drinks up yourselves. We did go up with a goad of wine each to appreciate the breeze and view in the sunshine outside and left at 3. After leaving I noticed a Ukrainian flag outside. I also noticed the annoying Graffiti tag in their wall, such a shame. I put two and two together and looked for my Ukrainian Solidarity badge in my bag, popped in and asked the waitress if she were Ukrainian… yes she was…. Slava Ukraini I announced, which she appreciated. Her original stern and busy demeanour softening. On looking up the restaurant on gglmps it only referred to it as Paparoca Sandwicheira which put me off earlier even looking it up. On finding it by exploring the nether reaches of the town I found it but could not tally that concept with a very good restaurant with a full menu. We live and learn. All told the meal was a very reasonable €45.50. The clientele was mostly tourists and some obviously coming back as regulars from what I overheard. Afterwards we looked at the view from the small park of the river and ferry, then sat on the lifeboat wall till the apartment was ready to receive us.