Octopus cooked to perfect tenderness with just a touch of char on the suckers. Roasted peppers are flavorful and slightly caramelized. The olive oil is bright and fruity. This is the classic Portuguese preparation—no pretense, maximum flavor.
Tips from diners
This is the textbook octopus preparation in Lisbon. Order it as a main if you're not sharing plates.
A simple opener that reviewers consistently mention. The crab is fresh and rich, the black butter adds nuttiness and depth. Bread is warm and perfect for scooping.
Tips from diners
Bread and spreads are complimentary elsewhere in Lisbon—here they're charged separately at €4.50 per person. This bread-and-crab combo is worth it, others less so.
Cuttlefish (chocos) arrive delicate and tender inside a crackling tempura shell. The squid ink sauce is briny and umami-rich, a dipping sauce that elevates every bite. This is an aquatic delicacy—not every restaurant executes it well, but Sea Me's version is consistent.
Tips from diners
Sit at the counter and watch the kitchen while you eat—they're frying fresh cuttlefish to order.
Three moderately large shrimp, good and flavorful, with a delicate and crispy tempura coating. The aioli cuts through the richness. This is the signature preparation—light, snappy, fresh.
Tips from diners
This is the best introduction to Sea Me—ask for it fried if you want texture, but they also do it grilled or raw.
Lobster prices vary by season but typically run €170-190 per kilogram. Meat is bright pink after grilling, tender, and sweet. The kitchen will prepare it however you prefer—grilled, boiled, or raw (for sashimi). Many reviewers note the value is excellent compared to other major cities.
Tips from diners
One lobster feeds 2-3 people as a main. Ask the staff about live weight before deciding—a small lobster may be €25-35, a large one €80+.
The price is determined by weight at point of selection, then charged per kilogram. Clarify total estimated cost before the kitchen prepares it.
Sea Me (Peixaria Moderna) blends four concepts: a traditional Portuguese fishmonger, a brewery, a seafood restaurant, and a Japanese restaurant. Diners walk to the back, peer at live tanks of lobster, crab, and local fish, select their catch, watch it weigh and prep, then eat at the counter or at tables overlooking the action. Located in central Chiado on Rua do Loreto, Sea Me brings market energy into a dining experience.
Walk to the back near the open kitchen to see the live tanks and daily catch list. You can order anything on the market board or select a live fish/lobster and watch it cook.
Lunch (12:30-3 PM) is quieter and staff move faster. Evening and weekend crowds can make the space loud and chaotic, but that's part of the appeal for some.
Beware of à la carte bread and butter charges (€4.50 per person)—these add up. Ask what comes complimentary before ordering extras.
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