With two Michelin stars, Belcanto is a must-visit for travelers seeking a fine dining experience in Lisbon, Portugal. Ranked 25th best restaurant globally in 2023, Chef Jose Avillez innovatively recreates Portuguese local cuisines and weaves compelling storytelling into every dish.
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Location
Link to Google Maps: Belcanto is located in the Chiado district. It is near historic landmarks such as the Santa Justa Lift and many shops so there is much to explore in the neighborhood before or after dinner.
Ambiance and Service
This was my first Michelin experience and my first time at Belcanto. When I arrived, they gave us a quick tour of the kitchen and got a preview of what they were working on. The restaurant ambiance and clientele were more elegant than what I was used to, so to save myself from embarrassment, I chose not to take any photos. Later on, I saw a few tables whip out their phones but I did not regret my decision to be phoneless for dinner, as it allowed me to focus on my partner and meal instead.
Despite feeling slightly out of place at first, the service was amazing and probably some of the best that I’ve experienced. The wait staff’s wit and attentiveness kept things professional yet light-hearted. In one of the dessert dishes, they provided a sleeve to use as a napkin. I playfully stole my partner’s sleeves to make myself an outfit. Right away, one of the waiters came up and turned to my partner saying, “I see you’ve lost your sleeve, would you like a replacement?” causing both of us to burst into laughter.
The warm and professional service made the evening a night to remember, adding to my overall experience at Belcanto.
Food at Belcanto
Our meal consisted of 12 courses – plus irresistible bread and three types of butter. The dishes are grouped first into appetizers, followed by seafood, meat, and dessert. I had been told by some friends that they weren’t full after eating at a Michelin-star restaurant. This was not my experience here. By the time we hit the 8 course, which was barely into the meat section, I was starting to fall apart and go into a food coma but the wait staff encouraged me to keep going, whispering to me, “almost there”.
Each dish was artistically presented and came with an index card with a cute artful representation of the plate and some keywords for the story behind it. All the dishes were an explosion of wonderful flavors, used modern culinary techniques and were artistically plated with care. The dishes highlighted local Portuguese ingredients like barnacles and scarlet shrimp. My partner loved the broccoli that came out with the appetizers as it was simply the best broccoli he had ever had. The suckling pig pork trotter was perfectly crispy on the outside and with a tenderness that melts in your mouth.
Pricing: $$$$
Belcanto prices are reflective of a luxury dining experience. For up-to-date pricing on their culinary experience, be sure to check out their website.
Is Belcanto worth the visit?
Absolutely. Overall, the culinary experience was simply unforgettable and worth every penny. For those looking to experience one of Lisbon’s finest restaurants, put in a reservation at Belcanto in advance of your journey to Lisbon to secure a good timeslot. It will be an unforgettable experience that will be reminisced for years to come.