As in other Western European countries with a tradition of eating out at lunch, Portugal has a ‘Ticket Restaurant’ system. As part of wage packages, employees are sometimes provided with ticket books that allow them a discount on dining at restaurants and cafes displaying the Ticket Restaurant sticker on their window. Lots of eateries belong to this system, and it’s a good indicator for visitors that the food served is likely to be simple, traditional and inexpensive as well as probably turning over a lot of local custom. Even if you don’t have a book of tickets, navigating by this system is usually a fairly reliable way to choose where to have lunch. Often such places are only busy at lunch, and in the afternoon and evening revert to snack foods and alcoholic drinks rather than sit-down meals. Look for the sticker on a glass entrance door or nearest window.