Belcanto (2*), Lisbon, Dinner

Price: ~$300 USD, Dinner, Dec'25

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Seating: Table seats

Belcanto is opened by one of Lisbon’s most popular chef, José Avillez.

Courses: A multi-course tasting menu (~10+ dishes), highlighting modern Portuguese cuisine with fresh takes on classic flavors.

The meal focused heavily on showcasing Portuguese ingredients and heritage dishes, but presented in a refined, modern way. Many dishes were beautifully plated and thoughtfully composed. Some courses really stood out — especially the "Hamachi and Cabbage" and "Suckling Pig" dishes, which were fresh and full of flavor. You can tell a lot of technique goes into the execution.

A call out to the “Three Little Pigs” dessert, which was playful and creative — apparently, one of Chef José Avillez’s signature and most unique creations. It's an ice-cream sandwich made from Ibérico, which sounds unusual for a dessert but actually worked surprisingly well. The combination of sweet and savory flavors made it interesting and memorable, without feeling gimmicky.

Service: Service was polished and professional, as expected from a 2-star restaurant. Staff explained each dish clearly and pacing was smooth throughout the evening.

Cost to Performance: It’s definitely on the higher end for Lisbon. Considering Portugal’s general price levels, Belcanto feels expensive. However, the flavors and ingredient combinations were really well done, and it ended up being one of my top dining experiences in Portugal.

Personal Rating: 9/10

Belcanto delivers a solid and elegant fine-dining experience that represents Portuguese cuisine well. It may not be the most adventurous meal, but it’s refined, well-executed, and memorable in its own way. Definitely worth visiting if you’re in Lisbon and want to experience one of Portugal’s top restaurants.

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