Brown's Central is everything but dull. Despite being located in the middle of Pombaline dowtown in an old building, it does not seek to impress through its link to the city's history. Instead, it breaks through the stigma of the hotel as a closed-off space to be a meeting point and an arts venue. Its bar and restaurant both have a cultural program with pop-up concerts and chats, and they are trendy gathering points for artists and prospecting gallerists.
The place has an arty feel: a revivalist style recreating the café scene of the early 20th century, combining vintage furniture and contemporary artworks. The common areas have an intimate and familiar feel: walls are painted in strong colours, the floor is tiled and there is an Art Déco-inspired counter.
The Brasserie only serves lunches, with a menu both simple and genuine, based on traditional Portuguese food. A few metres away, the Terreiro do Paço has plenty of good dinner options. In the evenings, it is not unusual for the salon to be taken up by an exhibition, an opening or an artists' gathering.
Time Out tip: If you've researched any related hashtag before coming to Lisbon, you surely came upon the city's most instagrammed pancakes. You can have them at Nicolau Lisboa, a new dining hall popular among Lisboners; it's a cool place to be, and it serves the city's most fashionable breakfasts and brunches. Naturally, you need to make a reservation.