Alma (2*), Lisbon, Dinner

Price: ~$250 USD, Dinner, Dec'25

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Seating: Table seats

Note: Picture shows dishes from both the "Costa to Costa" and "Alma" menu.

Alma is one of Lisbon’s top fine-dining restaurants, by Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. The restaurant focuses on modern Portuguese cuisine with some international influences. At this moment, Alma is temporarily closed.

Courses: Multi-course tasting menu (~18 dishes), with a mix of seafood, seasonal vegetables, and classic Portuguese ingredients presented in a refined way.

The food overall was very solid — clean, fresh flavors with good balance. You can tell the technique is strong and the ingredients are high quality. The plating was beautiful without being overly flashy. That said, while everything was well executed; the flavors were good and refined, but not particularly bold or surprising. It felt more classic and controlled rather than experimental.

Service: The service was extremely good — professional, attentive, and thoughtful. Staff explained each dish clearly and the pacing of the meal was smooth. One small detail I really appreciated was that they noticed I was using my own power bank and offered theirs instead, so I could save mine. It’s little touches like that which made the whole experience feel even more thoughtful and comfortable.

Cost to Performance: Alma is definitely on the pricier side, especially considering the cost of living in Portugal. However, compared to fine dining experiences worldwide, it offers good value, especially given the amount of food you’re getting.

Personal Rating: 9/10

Alma delivers a very strong, refined dining experience in Lisbon. It may not have the biggest “wow” moments, but it’s consistent, elegant, and well executed. If you’re looking for a tasty 2-star experience that offers good value for the quality and portion, Alma is an excellent choice.

Note: In terms of taste, flavor combinations, and presentation, I personally preferred Belcanto a bit more. However, some of the people I was dining with preferred Alma. So I guess both restaurants have their own strengths, and it really comes down to personal preference.

Note: Sorry, I had to re-post as my review wasn't showing up in comments.