Lisbon — By Alexandre Kühl Oliveira on January 24, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Filed under: Arts and Entertainment, dining, featuredarticle, Food & Beverage, Outdoors & Recreation, Restaurants & Bars

Lisbons Best Restaurants

Valentine Day is coming up. I thought this information would be especially relevant now, since you will want to make sure you take your loved one to the right place. Not only to a great restaurant, but also important, a great romantic atmosphere.

Here you can read about the best restaurants in Lisbon, chosen by two reputed private entities that have been doing so for a while – Lisboa à Prova made anonymous visits to the restaurants that entered the competition during 5 months; Mesa Marcada asked some of the most reputed personalities in the gastronomy business to elect their top 10 preferences of restaurants and chefs in Portugal… Here’s a cross list of ten between these two, with some of my personal reviews. I had to add my favourite along (for some reason it didn’t enter this year):

Tavares – Unanimous on both competitions, this is definitely one of the best restaurants in the city. After having received their first Michelin Star, Tavares under guidance of the young top chef José Avillez (elected the best chef in Portugal by Mesa Marcada) is most possibly the ultimate dinning experience in Lisbon, combining excellent food in a palatial atmosphere in its elegant golden decoration. Unfortunately prices meet the standard.

Panorama – Located on the top floor of Lisbon Sheraton Hotel, it has one of the finest views over the city. It also serves excellent food.

Eleven – The first Michelin star restaurant in Lisbon is set on Parque Eduardo Sétimo and is definitely a treat. With breathless views over Lisbon and the river, inside you can expect great comfort in a sophisticated atmosphere. At Eleven, its sophisticated and esthetical Mediterranean cuisine appeals to the senses, not only the taste but the eyes and ears too.

Casa da Comida – At Casa da Comida you can try some of the best Portuguese traditional food on a cosy, familiar atmosphere.

Alma – At Santos district (map), Alma brought a new concept into town – author cuisine to everyone, with decent prices. Read my review.

Feitoria – Set on Altis Belém Hotel, dedicated to discoveries, it’s no wonder that Feiroria is serving autor cuisine with a distinguished reflection on national gastronomy, but with a clear touch of international influences that keep to the motive. They have great view over the river.

Feitoria

Valle-Flôr – This awarded restaurant is set on Hotel Pestana Palace (map) and is serving Portuguese gastronomy.

Varanda do Ritz – This Hotel Ritz (map) restaurant is wide and full of glamour. Overlooking Eduardo VII Park and the Hotel’s terraces, Varanda Restaurant is favoured for business lunches and dinners and serves autor cuisine.

Flores – Right at the heart of Chiado and Bairro Alto (map), Flores is an oasis of chic tranquillity. Flores restaurant serves contemporary world cuisine, embracing the typical Portuguese culinary heritage and the Mediterranean influences.

Olivier Café – Although this restaurant didn’t show on any of these lists, it was my best dinning experience in 2009, along with Tavares. Olivier Café is still one of my preferences in Lisbon… Book well ahead because it seems to be the preference of a lot more people.

Hope I may have helped you enjoying you Valentine Day. You may find me on one of those restaurants…