After sitting vacant for months, a former chip shop has been converted into a new Portuguese restaurant by the owners of another popular Watford eatery.

Taberna in Market Street is run by Portuguese couple João Faria, 39, and Ludmila Ribeiro, 36, who also own Gabriel’s Bar in Vicarage Road.

The new eatery opened on June 7 in the former Ebb Tide fish and chip shop, which had operated in the town for over 50 years before it shut in July last year.

João Faria behind the counter at Taberna in Market Street.João Faria behind the counter at Taberna in Market Street. (Image: João Faria)

Reflecting on their first month of business, João said: “It’s been going very well because they are similar customers to those we had before in Gabriel’s Bar.

“But we are also seeing new people coming in to try the food.”

It used to be the Ebb Tide chip shop.It used to be the Ebb Tide chip shop. (Image: Stephen Danzig)

 The menu features the same classic Portuguese dishes as their other restaurant but is also aimed at attracting more trade through deliveries, according to the owner.

The 39-year old has taken on the former Ebb Tide takeaway which was well regarded  in the town and boasted of winning the Daily Mail’s “Tastiest Fish and Chips in Watford” competition.

Inside Taberna in Market Street.Inside Taberna in Market Street. (Image: João Faria) The building was listed for sale for £675,000 in July last year and sat vacant for months, with the new owners appealing for a tenant to take it over in January. 

Since then, the team behind the Taberna have completely revamped the former takeaway by  replacing the seating area and adding a new bar to one side where the counter used to be.

João said: “We’ve made everything new inside and put a new kitchen in. One of the guys who worked there before came to have a look and said ‘wow, the shop looks so nice now!’” 

Taberna in Market Street.Taberna in Market Street. (Image: Taberna) Customers have been enjoying the food so far and have been particularly drawn to its £12 lunch menu from Tuesday to Saturday, according to the restaurant owner.

The former Ebb Tide in Market Street.The former Ebb Tide in Market Street. (Image: Perry Holt) One unique dish that they serve is the Portuguese specialty “leitao”, or a whole roasted piglet, for which he had to buy a special tray in order to fit it in the oven.

But for those with less-adventurous tastes, João recommended they try their other popular dishes such as sea bass or T-bone steak.