Alfama Restaurant Review

214 E. 52nd St. (2nd & 3rd Aves.) Send to Phone

212-759-5552 | Make Restaurant Reservations

Price

$$$$$

A Portuguese favorite sets up in a bi-level midtown location.

Cuisine

Portuguese

Open

Lunch & Dinner daily

Features

Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Open late Fri.-Sat.
Business casual

* Click here for rating key

There was a collective sigh of relief when hospitable owners Tarcísio Costa and Miguel Jerónimo found a new home for Alfama. Though significantly different in style from the restaurant’s original West Village location, the midtown setting conveys the spirit and coziness of the Portuguese coast from which it derives its name, with bright orange banquettes and blue and white tile work. A display of homemade breads made daily greets guests at the door. Portuguese apéritifs, inspired cocktails and wines, some unique to Portugal, like the Amarguinha, are served at the nine-seat marble bar. Dining areas range from the ground-floor room to a downstairs private room with an open kitchen and a narrow, cozy back space. Appetizer highlights include chargrilled octopus with crispy pork belly and roasted garlic, conjuring up the tastes of the Costa Brava. Another Portuguese treat, cod cakes served on a roasted chickpea purée, or the manila clams in a lime and basil broth could make a complete meal by themselves. The crowd-pleasing steak cooked over a stone could have used a bit more seasoning, but makes for a pleasant participatory experience. Dessert selections are extensive, with such traditional favorites as a custard tart with cinnamon, or silky sweet cream mousse with lemon and prunes.

What's Hot

New York City Top 10 Restaurant Lists

Discover the top restaurants in the New York for various cuisines and categories like sushi, steakhouses, happy hours, romantic dining and even gourmet food trucks. Find the best restaurants in New York here!