The Lisbon Steak Sandwich I Still Think About

I’ve eaten a lot of good meals on my travels, but there’s one sandwich I still think about months later.

In August 2026, my adult daughter and I sailed with Windstar Cruises from Bordeaux to Lisbon. A small ship, a beautiful stretch of coastline, and time together, just the two of us. It was everything I hoped it would be.

Then came Lisbon.

Sailing into the city, you see it all at once: the waterfront, then the colorful neighborhoods stacked up the hillsides. It’s the kind of arrival you only get when you come in by sea.

Once we were ashore, we spent a wonderful afternoon walking the Avenida da Liberdade. It’s Lisbon’s grand boulevard, lined with high-end shops, but what I loved most were the trees and gardens running between the lanes. Even with the shopping, it felt calm and relaxing, a lovely place to just stroll and take it all in.

And then there was the steak sandwich.

It was a Portuguese steak sandwich on a crusty, flour-dusted roll, with tender steak and soft, caramelized onions. Simple, and absolutely perfect. As you can see from the photo, I didn’t wait long to dig in!

That’s the thing about travel. The moments that stay with you aren’t always the big sights. Sometimes it’s a quiet walk under the trees with your daughter, or a sandwich so good you’re still talking about it at home.

If you’re thinking about a small-ship cruise along Europe’s Atlantic coast, I’d love to help you plan it, including a day or two in Lisbon at the end. Trust me, you’ll want time to find your own favorite sandwich!

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