Pastéis de bacalhau ("codfish cakes") are a typical Portuguese specialty / side dish (and in Brazil as well, where we call them "bolinhos de bacalhau") made from potatoes, codfish and eggs. The righ proportion of potatoes and codfish is the secret for a perfect pastel de babalhau (the more codfish, the better).

Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau is far from being a traditional experience in Lisbon. In fact, it is quite innovative: This food chain is spreading all over the city and offers pastéis de bacalhau with or without a cheese filling. Not any cheese: Serra da Estrela cheese, which is made in the mountainous region of Serra da Estrela in Portugal.

While some conservative locals find it to be an awkward mixture, the combination of flavors is really nice and it is worth the bite.