The 7 Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Lisbon

As Lisbon’s gastronomic landscape continues to gain traction, so does the Portuguese capital’s Michelin-starred restaurants. With sublime wine lists, exceptional tasting menus, and elegant surroundings, the Michelin-star restaurants in Lisbon are havens for culinary connoisseurs.

Those of you who know me from my Lisbon food tour you’ll know I’m a sucker for street food and local markets. However, sometimes, I love nothing more than a fine dining experience in a high-end spot. Next time you’re in Lisbon, set aside some time to check out these Michelin-star restaurants.

Alma

Photo credit: Alma

Not many of the best restaurants in Lisbon boast two Michelin stars, but Alma in Chiado sure does. Henrique Sá Pessoa is the chef behind the mouthwatering Portuguese-Asian fare here, which has made it among the most coveted Lisbon restaurants.

Their camel-colored seating, stone floors, and subdued lighting perfectly encapsulate the vibe at Alma, which mixes sophistication with refinement.

As it was my first time dining here, I had my heart set on the classic six-course tasting menu. This entire experience was top-notch, but the monkfish and lobster rice with a glass of encruzado from the Dão region were some of the highlights.

A serving of buttery, succulent lobster and meaty, delicate monkfish were beautifully presented alongside a portion of stew-like rice. Enriched with zingy tomatoes and floral cilantro, this dish seamlessly blended subtle and bold flavors.

The encruzado had a tropical aroma, with each sip bringing out notes of citrus and hazelnut. Its high acidity added a bright, refreshing tone to the seafood.

Alma (€€€€) – R. Anchieta 15, 1200-224 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am

Belcanto

Photo credit: Belcanto

Belcanto is another Lisbon hotspot that’s earned two Michelin stars. This Chiado institution is ranked among the top fifty restaurants in the world, and it was on my list for quite some time before I finally made it here.

Head chef José Avillez has crafted a dining area that, much like the menu, combines old and new Portuguese influences. The expansive windows and sleek furnishings create a modern, open atmosphere contrasted by historic stone walls and grand archways.

Whenever I think about Portuguese cuisine, which Belcanto specializes in, I typically conjure up images of fresh fish and shellfish. However, the meat dishes here were extraordinary. Their sirloin, in particular, was divine and paired well with the Sera Oca red wine.

This dish was exquisite and consisted of a juicy chunk of sirloin, a crispy onion tart, a creamy truffle sauce, and a smooth almond spread. It was a vivid mix of flavors, from the robust meat to the earthy truffle sauce, yet it wasn’t too rich or heavy.

I couldn’t have found a more fitting wine to complement the meal as the sour cherry notes paired deliciously with the succulent meat.

Belcanto (€€€€) – R. Serpa Pinto 10A, 1200-026 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Feitoria

Photo credit: Feitoria

Feitoria is one of the most sought-after Michelin restaurants in the Belém area. It’s where chef André Cruz showcases his passion for quality local ingredients and producers and is a must for anyone looking for innovative takes on classic dishes.

Nestled along the water’s edge, this swanky spot has a moody, upmarket ambiance. The dimmed lighting, muted furnishings, and minimalistic design mirror the restaurant’s understated aura.

I was endeared by the multitude of signature menus I had to choose from here, but the seafood-based option appealed to me the most. Although it was among the more simplistic dishes, the cod was especially memorable for me.

What I appreciated most was how the mildness of the cod shone through and was paired with the similarly soft flavors of silky creamed potato and woodsy mushrooms. None of the elements competed with one another, and each brought its own nuanced tastes.

Thanks to the sommelier’s suggestion, I washed down this dish with a crisp glass of Alvarinho, which had gentle hints of grapefruit and melon.

Feitoria (€€€€) – Altis Belem Hotel & Spa, Doca do Bom Sucesso, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Loco

Photo credit: Loco

Should you be spending time in the Estrela district towards the west of the city, you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to try out the beloved Loco.

Of the many Michelin-star restaurants in Lisbon, I think Loco takes the top spot in terms of decor. While black walls and matching furniture have the potential to look harsh, the open kitchen and bustling atmosphere bring this place to life.

Award-winning chef Alexandre Silva and his team have created two intricately designed 16-course menus. Both vary between seasons and adhere to Silva’s zero-waste policy. I could spend hours detailing the highs of this culinary adventure, but the pork neck, in particular, was divine.

Rich in umami flavors and remarkably tender, this cut of meat was cooked to perfection and covered in a sticky, soy sauce-based glaze. This melt-in-your-mouth meat was teamed with edible violet flowers and a low-tannin pinot noir with dark fruit and truffle notes.

Loco (€€€€) – R. Navegantes nº53-B, 1200-731 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am

Eleven

Photo credit: Eleven

My expectations for Chef Joachim Koerper’s Eleven in Parque Eduardo VII were pretty high from the start, but I had no idea how incredible this experience would be.

There was no evening availability when I made my booking, but this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The natural light shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows highlighted the striking artwork and clean, refined decor.

As I arrived early in the afternoon and wasn’t ready for a multi-course meal, I went for the a la carte option rather than the tasting menu. It didn’t take long for the challan duck to catch my eye, which I was recommended to pair with a glass of Burgundy red.

A little gamier than most duck meat, each bite had robust flavors and a moist consistency. Bitter endive, tart apricot, and a zesty lemon pepper sauce brought this dish to life. What made it even more delicious was the fragrant, acidic wine and its complex cherry hues.

Eleven (€€€€) – Rua Marquês Fronteira Jardim Amália Rodrigues, Parque Eduardo VII, 1070-051 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm, closed every Sunday

Kabuki Lisboa

Photo credit: Kabuki Lisboa

Kabuki Lisboa lies slightly south of Parque Eduardo VII. Their fusion of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines here left me eager to book a second visit immediately!

Once inside, I could sense the vibe of the menu from the decor. The faint lighting and simple black tables were reminiscences of a typical Japanese eatery, while the colorful art added some Southern European flair.

Head chef Sebastião Coutinho is the mastermind behind this unique Michel-star Lisbon restaurant and its extraordinary menus. Of the several meat and vegan offerings, I chose the namesake tasting menu. I was most excited about the otsukuri dishes, which included scarlet prawns.

A light, briny sauce made using the prawn’s head and sticky, salty sushi rice accompanied this sizable, vivid-red piece of shellfish. These temperate flavors allowed the sweet, firm prawn meat to take center stage.

When enjoyed with a glass of lime and honeysuckle-toned pinot grigio, the flavor of the prawns was enhanced by the wine’s minerality and acidity.

Kabuki Lisboa (€€€) – Galerias Ritz, R. Castilho 77B, 1070-050 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:30 pm to 12:00 am, and every Saturday from 7:30 pm to 12:00 am

Encanto

Photo credit: Encanto

Encanto is another of the Chiado district‘s Michelin-accredited restaurants run by chef José Avillez. Unlike most spots on this list, Encanto focuses on designing entirely vegetarian menus.

The dining area here is romantic and cozy. Each flower-patterned chair, polished wooden feature, and olive green wall felt homely yet opulent.

Avillez’s menus here celebrate the flavors and versatility of vegetables, and his crafty use of plants is spectacular. My first course remained my favorite and consisted of gold-coated, egg-shaped hummus balls in a bird’s nest made from dried flowers.

I felt it looked too good to eat, but the second I tasted the tangy, nutty, and luscious hummus, I forgot all about the presentation! After every few bites, I reached for a glass of Portuguese riesling.

This wine came from the nearby Quinta de Sant’Ana region, and its saccharine finish and fruity aromas boosted the flavors of the hummus.

Encanto (€€€€) – Largo de São Carlos 10, 1200-410 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Conclusion

As the city’s line-up of Michelin Guide-recognized establishments is ever-expanding, I’m willing to bet that Lisbon’s fine dining offerings will continue to lure more foodies in the coming years. You better get to one of these places before it’s too late!