1100-076 Lisboa
With or without? Ginja, that is. This is pretty much the only important decision you’ll need to make at one of Ginginha Rubi’s humble but inviting cafés, located near Rossio and Avenida da Liberdade, around Restauradores.
Other than the ginjinha, there’s not much else on offer, and neither will you mind. Once you ask for a ginja, or ginjinha, the owner immediately asks if you want yours with or without the ginja fruit, a sour cherry mainly used to produce a cheap liquorous drink that has long been a main city attraction.
So, you can proceed with caution and just try the drink (1.10€) or go all out and try the ginjinha with the fruit (1.10€), which lays inside the bottles and won’t cost you a penny more. Drink it down as a shot, or slowly embrace the local custom. Just don’t leave Lisbon without trying it.
Both cafes can get pretty crowded, as each one barely fits half a dozen people – standing up. Not a problem, as this is a perfect drink to be enjoyed outside with some friends or just mingling in a crowd of loyal local customers (some boozier than others!).
