Belcanto

Jose Avillez, one of Portugal's most celebrated chefs, runs this two-star Michelin restaurant. Young, creative, intelligent, and a perfectionist in the kitchen, Avillez is passionate about his craft. In 2011 he took over this famous establishment, which was founded 1958, and set about refurbishing the interior, adding stylish architectural flourishes but taking care not to blemish the sober and refined atmosphere Belcanto is noted for. Another recent makeover has lent the eatery a more contemporary design signature. Two inventive tasting menus are offered, plus an a la carte list that includes sea bass with seaweed and bivalves, 'salmonete' - red mullet, liver sauce, vegetable roe and cuttlefish ink dumplings, and 'cordeiro' - lamb with marinated vegetable puree and small casserole.