Arady, where the table joins the lands of Morocco and Portugal
In a discreet but spacious passageway to a very recent condominium in the Campolide neighborhood (next to the D. Pedro hotel), a new restaurant was born where the cuisine is a communion and identity between two cultures – Portuguese and Moroccan.
The Arady restaurant—a word that means "my lands" in Arabic—was founded at the beginning of the year and is a family project. Muna, a communications specialist, experienced in crisis management in Morocco, and a "spiritual" person, came up with the idea of opening a Moroccan-inspired restaurant in Lisbon with her daughters, explains Zeyna, one of her descendants, who welcomes us on the restaurant's terrace.
Her mother's project and desire were combined with the knowledge of Zeyna, a business graduate from the École Hôtelière de Lausanne who moved to Lisbon last year when the master's program she was going to pursue fell through. "We were looking for something that would connect us as a family, a project with a soul. Lisbon welcomed us with open arms," says Zeyna.
The kitchen is run by chef Hélder Martins, who worked at Tavares, among other gastronomic projects, before crossing paths with Muna in May 2023. Everything seemed to be falling into place, but a previously made commitment prevented the chef from saying yes to the businesswoman, until the stars aligned again. "I felt empathy. The project had something genuine, and I was at a different point in my life: at 44, I wanted to create something that was truly my own, as a team."
In early 2025, he embarked on creating Arady's menu—a menu that's neither purely Moroccan nor strictly Portuguese. And while Hélder Martins's roots lie in Portuguese cuisine, for this project, he spent several weeks in Morocco learning from a "home cook," as Zeyna calls her—a woman with traditional skills, unschooled, but with the authority of someone who learned among pots and pans and knowledgeable people.
" I discovered a profound connection with southern Portugal: in the use of aromatic herbs, in the way the cuisine is cooked with time and meaning, " says Hélder Martins. These are cuisines that "elevate each other without canceling each other out."
He created a lamb tagine, cooked at a low temperature, and brought his creamy octopus rice (one of the chef's signature dishes); Moroccan-style cod with ginger and chickpea purée; a chicken pastilla wrapped in very fine pastry; and many salads with a Moroccan touch. The goal, says the chef, has always been to "honor the best of each cuisine."
In warm weather, Arady makes use of one of its greatest assets—the terrace, accessible but sheltered inside the Lx Living condominium in Amoreiras. Celebrating its opening, from Tuesday to Saturday, between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, guests can enjoy signature cocktails like the Moroccan Dawn and the Medina Zest, or classics like the Mojito and Dry Martini, with a special offer: 50% off the second drink. Wine and beer are also available.
From Monday to Friday, Arady also offers an executive lunch menu for €15. The dishes change weekly, reflecting new creations and fusions by Hélder Martins. The restaurant is open for lunch from Monday to Saturday (12:00 PM–3:00 PM) and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday (7:00 PM–11:00 PM).
What you need to know: Arady Restaurant 📍 Conselheiro Fernando de Sousa Avenue, 5 Store B (LJ B, 1070-217 Lisbon) ☎️ 21 820 9295 ⏰ Open for lunch Monday to Saturday (12:00–15:00), dinner Tuesday to Saturday (19:00–23:00).
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