The story behind the name is a brilliant piece of historical cross-cultural folklore. When Portuguese explorers first arrived in India centuries ago, they encountered a local pepper so fiercely fiery that it left them scrambling for water and shouting the iconic, colourful Portuguese profanity: "puta que pariu."

The local Indians, completely misunderstanding the passionate outburst, assumed the phrase was simply the actual name of the pepper. They began calling it "putpari"—a linguistic mix-up immortalised today by this vibrant Graça restaurant.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Chef Navjot Kaur;

It surprisingly is also the only woman-led Indian kitchen in Portugal. Chef Navjot Kaur, who was inspired by her mother to start cooking, brings a brilliant explosion of the colours and spices of India right into the heart of Lisbon.

What makes the dining experience truly special is how it bridges two worlds, weaving authentic, direct-from-India ingredients with a unique blend of traditional Indian flavours and inventive Indo-Portuguese dishes.

Watch the full video here 👇👇👇


Whether you are diving into aromatic curries, tandoori specialities, or exploring fusion bites that nod to centuries of shared Portuguese-Indian history, Putpari serves up a culinary journey packed with humour, history, and serious flavour.

You can find it at Calçada de Santo André 94, 1100-498 Lisboa.

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