Many years ago, the people of Portugal set sail from Lisbon driven by a desire to discover all things new, thus revolutionising our knowledge of the world. Driven by intense curiosity and unmatched teamwork, the people of Portugal provided the world with a new, wiser outlook. In doing so, they discovered new seas, opportunities, and adventures, shaping the world into how we know it today. Inspired by the explorers of Portugal, the people, and their history, famous and well-renowned chef, Jose Avillez, has made it his life’s work to continue the legacy of Portugal through gastronomy. Back where it all began, in Lisbon, Jose Avillez opened Belcanto Restaurant, shaping this to become the culinary representation of Portugal. Guided by the same values as many years before, such as extraordinary teamwork, curiosity, great risks, and the desire to make new discoveries, a World’s Top Restaurant, Belcanto, offers an opportunity to explore Portuguese culture, history, and perfectly crafted cuisine.

Belcanto Restaurant is located in the culinary heart of Lisbon, within the romantic and historic neighbourhood of Chiado. Jose Avillez manifested his pride in Portuguese traditions and cultures when opening the restaurant in 2012 after an extensive refurb. Avillez continued to make history in Portugal, earning the restaurant its first Michelin star in the same year of opening, with the second following only two years later, becoming Lisbon’s first restaurant to achieve this status. The award-winning restaurant continued to show the world the greatness of Portugal when it was ranked number 42 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List, proving this to be one of the best dining experiences that one could ask for.

The name Belcanto derives from the opera style, with the famous national opera house in Lisbon located only a few meters away from the restaurant. Originally opening in 1958, the location proved to be an ideal meeting place for all of the city’s elite. With the building engulfed in such history and culture, Jose Avillez took a great risk when reinventing the restaurant in his image. However, taking in an emotional opera performance is akin to fine dining at the Belcanto Restaurant. The highs, lows, dedication, and immense control which is expected from the opera style is certainly reflected through the gastronomy at the Belcanto Restaurant by Jose Avillez.

There are very limited opportunities in the world for guests to experience spectacular dining provided by award-winning chef, Jose Avillez. Jose is the heart of Belcanto, with a distinct pride in his work and his country. A quote from Chef Avillez: “The light, the life and the people. The history, the sea, our regions. Portugal. This is where we live and grow, are inspired, tread. Cuisine is our fado, our way of expression,” signifies his values and passion, with the teams aim to ensure a memorable experience while representing Portuguese people, culture and cuisine.

Chef Avillez is a well-known face on Portuguese television, with his own cooking show, Improbablicious, and his own line of cookbooks. He is considered to be one of the greatest chefs in Portugal and his celebrity status is certainly earnt through his dedication and mindset when it comes to fine dining. Jose Avillez aims to provide the best that Portugal can offer, through hospitality, attention to detail and genuine care for those who sit at Belcanto’s tables.

Belcanto provides guests with a highly exclusive experience. Seating around 45 guests, those who visit are excited to take part in the spectacular journey of contemporary Portuguese cuisine. While walking through the streets of Lisbon, you will find Belcanto ready to welcome you in for a unique, sensory dining experience.

Natural lighting from the Portuguese sun illuminates the restaurant. The sober and intimate décor, with high ceilings and exquisite chandeliers, offers an elegant experience for anyone who visits. As night falls, the restaurant provides a romantic, soft mood with warm lighting to ensure a memorable and personal time. The restaurant showcases sophistication and minimalism with tasteful, white tables, and elegant wall art for those who appreciate fine dining and a luxury cuisine experience.

From the moment visitors walk into the restaurant, they are promised attentiveness and the feeling of being treated like royalty. The team show immense care to each visitor, leading them to feel like VIPs through the proud, personal service and dedication provided while they tell the story of each dish. The feeling of intimacy flows throughout the restaurant. The spacious design offers privacy so that guests can enjoy a romantic, award-winning dining journey through time, following the stories surrounding Portuguese culture.

The award-winning restaurant takes pride in every dish, with three unique tasting menus carefully crafted for all guests to enjoy. The cuisine on offer is extremely diversified and creative, with each dish telling a new tale of Portuguese gastronomy, through experimentation with flavours, colours and texture.

The legacy of Portuguese people discovering new opportunities is reflected at the Belcanto Restaurant through the constant discovery of new techniques, applications, and new ways of serving. The best Portuguese flavours are specifically included in each dish to recreate, reinvent, and take traditions of Portuguese cuisine further. A story is told with every bite, while each chef applies great care and attention to detail into each dish served.

A unique experience is offered with each tasting menu. These include the Chef’s Table Menu, Evolution Menu and Belcanto Menu. The timeless menus are all planned to tell a story in several chapters, with each menu having its own itinerary. The Evolution Menu represents the spirit of innovation that defines Portuguese people. It focuses on reinventing symbolic dishes while taking a risk and stepping into the unknown with new flavours and sensations.

The Belcanto Menu focuses on Portuguese identity. These dishes reflect both Belcanto’s and Lisbon’s transformations throughout time, preserving the foundations and heritage of traditional Portuguese cuisine while adapting different cultures and ideas to their food.

For those in search for exclusivity in their dining experience, the Chef’s Table Menu combines dishes from the Belcanto and Evolution menus, whilst offering other unique and surprising additions. Those lucky enough to experience the Chef’s Table Menu can dine at the chef’s table, observing the magic happening in the kitchen while discovering all secrets behind the dishes. The extraordinary team work, high energy and kitchen bustle may provide an emotional performance for those who appreciate fine dining while at the Belcanto Restaurant. This exclusive menu is only offered to a limited number of guests a day, maintaining an exclusive, luxury, Portuguese dining experience.

A unique story of Portuguese traditions and history is guaranteed when dining at Belcanto. Driven by a hunger to discover all things new, the restaurant builds the future while paying homage to the rich culture and core values of the history and people of Portugal.

Those who choose not to explore the tasting menus are provided with the flexibility to opt for any of the dishes in the a la carte menu, such as fresh fish and meats. Some highlights include roasted squab and truffle Portuguese custard tart, aged beef loin or roasted red mullet.

Alongside the extraordinary food menus, guests can also take advantage of exploring new wines, with a diverse list of over 350 entries. From young, old, and rare wines, guests will appreciate the best that Belcanto has to offer. Around 80% of these extraordinary wines are sourced from Portugal, but Belcanto also offers a selection from around the world. True attentiveness while dining at Belcanto Restaurant is showcased with the team’s determination to pair the perfect wines for each dish, sure to be a true culinary match made in heaven.

Reservations are a must for those who don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to visit this Michelin star restaurant. United by team work, curiosity and the desire to discover all things new, Belcanto Restaurant makes history in the culinary world. Those who visit this two times Michelin-starred restaurant will be educated in Portuguese heritage and history while observing the pride of the Portuguese people. Like the opera, one may feel emotional and moved by the high-end performance provided by the team at Belcanto. Guests are sure to feel exclusive and will be keen to revisit the next time they travel to Lisbon, Portugal.