Last Updated on November 17, 2021 by Angie
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Portugal is a culinary wonderland, so we knew we had to try and hit at least a few Michelin-starred restaurants on our recent trip.
Our first stop was in Lisbon at Belcanto - a two-star Michelin restaurant that is also one of The World's 50 Best Restaurants. Given these accolades, we had high expectations going into the meal, but Belcanto managed to even exceed those. From the impeccable service, intriguing wine pairings, and perfect mix of traditional and inventive flavors, we were simply in heaven.
Belcanto Isn't Just a Meal, But a Dining Experience
Stepping into Belcanto, we were awed by the stone walls and ceilings with dramatic arches- apparently the restaurant used to house a convent. The beauty of the space definitely complements the beauty of the food!
To start with we were offered a small bite of pillowy brioche topped with caviar, and a mini cocktail with elderflower liqueur, lime foam, and paprika salt that was reminiscent of a margarita.
We had a look at the menu and knew in approximately two seconds exactly what we wanted - the Evolution tasting menu with the add-on wine pairings. Belcanto offers two different tasting menus, one that leans more traditional and is at a slightly lower price point (the Belcanto menu), and one that is pricier and more innovative (the Evolution menu). Each has an optional wine pairing that is priced relative to the food menu. Although they also have a la carte options, when you start adding up the price of appetizers and entrees, to us it really made more sense to go for the tasting menu and worry about the bill later.
An espresso and a mini donut filled with orange cream topped it all off while we tried to comprehend everything that happened in the last three hours. The service component at Michelin-starred restaurants always fascinates me, and the service at Belcanto was no exception. Everything was seamless, helpful, unobtrusive, and extremely attentive to my nut allergy. We particularly enjoyed chatting with the sommelier who was so passionate about wine and food pairings, and we especially hit it off after discussing our own wine studies.
Belcanto strikes a flawless balance between whimsy and tradition, serving up plates that are intriguing yet somehow familiar, stunningly beautiful, and above all, mouth-wateringly delicious. If you are looking for a meal to splurge on in Lisbon, this one most certainly checks all the boxes for us.
In need of a hotel near Belcanto? Check out The Ivens by Marriott. We stayed there for a night during our stay in Lisbon and absolutely loved the ambiance, amenities, and wine list at the bar and, most importantly, it is quite literally just around the corner from Belcanto (~2 minutes by foot)!
Belcanto is located at R. Serpa Pinto 10A, 1200-026 in Lisbon.