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Alma Lisboa Reviews
If you have the opportunity to dine at Alma even once, it
If you have the opportunity to dine at Alma even once, it is worth it. Their team is consistently providing services that go well beyond the expectations of fine dining. You can feel the care and investment they provide in every step from the first bite/sip to moment you walk out the door. I want to thank Diogo and the rest of the team for helping us to celebrate our engagement and going above and beyond to make our experience one to remember. We can't wait to come back. Thank you all so very much!
Amazing Experience! Staff was world class! Definitely
Amazing Experience! Staff was world class! Definitely recommend Alma and plan to visit again.
Eating at restaurants far from your home are always
Eating at restaurants far from your home are always special, especially Michelin based restaurants. We thought the restaurant was very plain and just ordinary inside. Think tables and silverware, period. The service was good and the food was good. For the price of the meal, I think I was looking for more. Has a tasting menu, two to choose from and it also has the a la carte menu. Unfortunately, the tasting menu does not show you what it is. Everything is a surprise. I think if I was to do it again I would choose the a la carte menu instead. We chose the classic tasting menu and unfortunately for us was heavy on the fish side. Is it a two Michelin, maybe with the a la carte menu. But usually, from my experience, Michelin is based on a tasting menus. I give it a four but definitely could be a three .
Alma was one of the reasons why we travelled to Lisbon and
Alma was one of the reasons why we travelled to Lisbon and I have to say I was fairly disappointed with my experience. I made a reservation for a party of 6. We had 4 adults and 2 children in our party. Their online reservation system only allowed to make a reservation for a maximum of 4 people, hence I emailed the restaurant to make my reservation. Through our email conversations, I was told that they can only accommodate large parties at their chef's table which required every guests to order their tasting menu. I agreed and successfully made the reservation. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted and directed to our table, which imo was not really a chef's table but just a table in the main dining room where you can peek into the kitchen through an opening. There were no interactions with the chef throughout our meal whatsoever nor did the chef came to greet or say bye at the end of our meal. There were 2 tasting menu options to choose from, and I personally ordered their costa a costa since I prefer seafood over meat. Before we started our first course, we were presented with 7 amuse bouche in which we were already half full before we even started on our first course. The little bites were solid, no wow factor but it was good. For the main tasting menu, I appreciate most of the dishes were well balanced texture wise, and none of them were left feeling too heavy. However, I feel the flavors were strong and too salty. Some of the ingredients listed in the description were also lacking and I couldn't taste it in the dish. Now onto the red flags. When we went to the restroom, we noticed there's another small room at the back which can definitely accommodate a table for 6. I did make the reservation months ahead which prompted us to question if the chef's table is really the only table option for us or did they lied to us because they wanted to ensure everyone orders a tasting menu to maximize their profit for the night. I did noticed that most tables ordered a la carte and tbh, the tasting menu was too much for an adult let alone my kids who are 8 and 10. They were so full that they hardly touched the last 4 dishes. In stark contrast to Azurmendi in Bilbao, they were very accommodating for children and even recommended us to order a la carte for our children. I would say our service started out great. Our server was attentive, was knowledgeable and spoke very clearly. But then our server changed mid way through our meal. I generally like to have the same person to serve our table throughout our meal and the server who served us during our second half of the meal did the bare minimum. We could hardly understand him when he explained the dishes to us and I needed to read the menu description myself to know what I'm eating. Then came the harsh and bitter ending. When we were presenting with the bill, we were told of the "suggestive" 10% service charge. I normally would leave a tip even in countries where it's not common practice but the fact they asked was a little bit of a turn off and made me question if the servers are not well paid for their salaries. We've been to other high end restaurants in Europe and was never asked or they would indicate it as mandatory so there's no surprises. Given all the red flags and the declined service, we decided to not give the service charges. And then everyone's attitude made a 180 degree turn. We couldn't finish our bread before and asked if we can take it back to our hotel as we didn't want to waste it and our server at that time said "that's what I'm thinking and I'm so glad we're on the same page". All of a sudden, they have no boxes for us to take home. As is the same for the petite fours which no one touched because were too full. In fact, the most ridiculous excuse I've heard was they don't allow it because it will melt. I've been to many Michelin starred restaurants around the world and have never once been rejected in taking the petite fours home. This is also the first time I've been to a Michelin starred restaurant and was not given a printed menu after we finished our meal. I honestly think if you want the 10% service charge, then it should be explicitly stated as mandatory in the menu. I would have no problem paying it. But if you make it optional, then don't throw a tantrum when someone doesn't give it to you. I am in shock on the level of food and service we received and wonder if the Michelin guide is either less stringent in Lisbon or straight out bribed for them to receive 2 stars. Overall, the food was forgetful, lacks creativity, there's not one single dish with a wow factor and the flavors were way too strong. Everyone had to keep drinking water after the meal because it was just too salty. Service was subpar and shocking. I am beyond disappointed and unfortunately would never return or recommend it to anyone.
Alma was simply one of the most exceptional dining
Alma was simply one of the most exceptional dining experiences I've ever had--likely the best meal of my life and, objectively, the finest Michelin-starred food I've encountered among the nine establishments I've visited to date. In fact, though I've nearly explored Lisbon to my heart's content, I would consider returning just to dine here again. For this visit, we opted for the à la carte menu and added the bread service and Chef's Surprises (€15)--an absolute must. The bread was accompanied by a uniquely nutty olive oil (so good I hunted it down at the market to bring home) and a deeply smoked butter that was truly out of this world. I won't spoil the "moments" and Chef's surprises that were sprinkled throughout the meal but they added an element of delight and anticipation throughout the night, with each one memorable and mouthwatering in their own special way. Alma's cocktail menu is uniquely rooted in Portuguese ingredients, but what impressed me even more was their thoughtful mocktail selection, a rarity at this level of dining. I got the Soul (elderflower, lemon, cucumber and egg white) a delightfully refreshing treat that I hope to one day recreate at home, while my boyfriend got the Tamashi, a cocktail made with Amêndoa Amarga Ámen (a local almond liqueur) and Angostura bitters--a lovely, marzipan-meets-citrus drink that gave us the chance to sample local spirits. On to the entrees... since we were dining a la carte, we chose an item each from their chef's classics menu and the seafood (Costa a Costa) menu. FOIE GRAS: seared and served with grilled apple, beetroot and granola... as well as an aromatic bitter coffee foam that cut through the unctuousness of the intensely rich and buttery foie gras to add a roasted, nutty, almost smokey flavor-- just wow. the textural contrast of all these elements made this a truly mind blowing and innovative concoction~ BLUE LOBSTER: poached to buttery smooth perfection, this was a more quietly elegant dish served with roasted leek and corn in a creamy nutty almond emulsion with bright orangey citrusy notes... a gentle symphony of well-balanced flavors Because I simply could not bear to have the meal come to an end, we had to finish off with dessert. The Bola de Berlim was essentially the Portuguese version of the German Berliner, fluffy doughnut holes filled with decadent egg custard (instead of jam) accented with a fragrant calamansi sorbet... a divine and elevated take on this classic Portuguese beach treat. While we only ordered drinks, two entrees and a dessert, our meal ended up being so much more due to the anticipation of the surprises and moments, which were all nothing short of amazing and turned the evening into an immersive journey. If you have one meal to splurge on during your time in Portugal, this is THE ONE. As alluded to earlier, Alma offers two tasting menus--one inspired by the Chef's classics, and the other centered around fish and shellfish (Costa a Costa). Dreaming of the chance to revisit and try the latter (or both?!) one day :')
Too many servers....
Good food and good venue, but 5 different servers and 1 somelier was too much. Was like sitting beside a busy street. One of the courses was not good but all in all food was high quality
I dined here and did the wine pairing.
Was a really unforgettable night. The courses came at a nice even pace and the wines paired with it were quite solid.
Flavorful Food
I decided to order à la carte at lunch. The meal started with four "surprises," all of which were very good. My appetizer of foie gras with apple and beetroot, among other ingredients, was outstanding; it is one of the chef's signature dishes, and that was readily apparent. The main course, barrosã tenderloin with bone marrow jus and other accompaniments, was also phenomenal. I ordered the chocolate "bomb" for dessert, and it was very good. The sourdough bread was good, but the butter smoked with cherry and applewood was exceptional. The meal concluded with four "sweets," as my server called them, with the chef's version of the ubiquitous (in Portugal) "pastel de nata" being one of the four. The service was attentive.
Great Meal!
The food and service were oustanding! The restaurant is located down a side street, to get in you have to ring a doorbell and someone will answer and take you right to your table. There are multiple people serving and waiting on you and the service is great! The food is also outstanding, it starts with about four of what they call "surprises" then your food comes coursed out at the perfect time. After it's all over you get more sweet surprises. As far as pricing, if you are going to a Michelin Star Restaurant, you know going in that it's not going to be cheap. I've been to many Michelin Star Restaurants and this one is probably the least expensive of them all. Maybe because it's Portugal, I don't know, but if you're in Vegas or Paris or basically anywhere else, it would be close to double the price if not more... If we are ever in Lisbon again, we will be back.
Best meal experience of my life
Best meal experience of my life. Be prepared to be there for a couple of hours at the least. But, you will not regret the time spent. Every dish, you began with one taste and it ended in another - I don't know how else to explain it. I let the restaurant know ahead of time that I did not eat fish and they were very accomodating. The staff is incredible. I am grateful to the restaurant for such amazing food and service. It will be a memory I will cherish.
Expensive, yes.
Worth it? This restaurant is reservation only and does not take walk ins. The service is incredible and the staff go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable. The food may not look filling, but I assure you that you will be leaving with a happy and filled tummy!
Excellent dinner in Lisbon
I came here with my wife for a very romantic dinner. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. The flavors were really amazing.. We ordered the two menus, so we had the chance to try everything . We particularly appreciated the main courses and the desserts. The technique by which all dishes are conceived and executed is absolutely amazing. The only detail that was not perfect from our point of view where the chef surprises at the beginning of the dinner, too many flavours and a little bit confusing, maybe too much to introduce the menu, which is already abundant. We strongly recommend this address in Lisbon, especially because the price it’s absolutely correct, when you compare it to other addresses in the city that are very expensive and not good at all.
We made reservation several months ago for our last night
We made reservation several months ago for our last night in Lisbon to serve as the perfect conclusion to our wonderful vacation. We arrived right on the 7 PM mark as they opened their door and were the first group seated in the restaurant. The service was impeccable as I would expect from a Michelin stared restaurant and you should expect any less. We chose the two different tasting menu so we could experience their entire portfolio. Each tasting menu includes 2 starters, 2 main courses and 2 desserts. But on top of the menu items they also provide surprises that were brought to our table intertwined with other dishes in the menu. The first surprise was a sweet and sour dish with very complex flavor, goat cheese, balsamic vinegar taste combined to create a very vibrant and rich flavor. I especially LOVED their smoky butter. I know the table next to us didn't like it since they did not touch the butter at all but we absolutely loved it and even asked for a second basket of bread so we could finish the smoky butter. For this dish they also provided olive oil but I think the smoky butter was way better. I would also like to see some vinegar to complement the olive oil too. The foie gra dish was not as rich and fatty as the ones I had before which I find this to be much better and enjoyable. It turned out they used duck instead of goose which is why the foie gra was more enjoyable than the ones I had before. Alma dishes has a theme throughout and that was their use of citrus and green apple. I really liked that they choose citrus in many of their dishes and throughout their presentation of each dish to provide a nice refreshing moment between rich flavors. Overall I think this is as a definitely a worthwhile experience. I've dinned at many Michelin 2/3 Star restaurants before and Alma is definitely near the top among them all.
Great gastronomic treat!
We had an amazing gastronomic journey at this fine dining gem! We came for lunch and had a wonderful lunch. The dishes were inventive and we paired well with the wines (we did wine pairing). We would love to come for dinner another time but we were not disappointed! Highly recommend!
This is the first 2-star Michelin restaurant I've ever been
This is the first 2-star Michelin restaurant I've ever been to in my life, and at 57 years old, that's really saying something! I was in Lisbon visiting my friend who lives there and she booked a reservation for us weeks in advance. We arrived later on in the evening. To enter, you need to ring the front doorbell. I've seen this at a couple other places in Lisbon, but it's still classy to know not everyone can just waltz on in. We were seated at a central table a bit out in the open. Not too much of a problem as the room we were seated (the front one just past the entry hall) was fairly intimate. We were easily both the best-dressed customers there that night, which I found a bit disappointing as everyone else looked like they should've been dining at Denny's. :-( Let's hope they elevate the dress code a bit to reflect their Michelin pedigree. There are two different tasting menus, costing 180 Euros each. Now before you go full-goose bozo over the price, realize that dining in ANY 2-star Michelin restaurant anywhere else on this lovely planet of ours is going to cost at least twice that amount. Heck, last December I went to Los Angeles for a weekend and had a simple dinner at a non-Michelin rated steakhouse (crab cake appetizer, filet, scalloped potatoes, and a Cabernet) for $250! So dining at Alma is a VERY good deal. My menu was the "Alma" (the one that got Alma their stars) while my friend got the "Costa a Costa" menu which focuses on local fish & shellfish. To quickly summarize, the Alma menu came in this order: Carrots, Foie Gras, Monkfish & Lobster Rice, Alentejo Style Pork, Sweet Potato, and Rice Custard. The "Costa a Costa" menu consisted of Stuffed Squid, Scarlet Shrimp, Octopus, Turbot, Pears, and Bola de Berlim (egg yolk cream, Buddha's Hand, and kalamansi). Okay ... so that's what was posted for those two menus. However, what they don't tell you about are the 4 "surprise" dishes they give you BEFORE they serve the menu, and the 3 more dessert "surprises" that follow afterward. At the end of the meal, you've eaten over a dozen different dishes! And, this being fine dining, you will wonder why you're so full after eating what appears to be small dishes of food. ;-) Alma is absolutely wonderful, and I can't wait to go back with my friend next time and swap menus!
For those of you that follow me, you know it pains me to
For those of you that follow me, you know it pains me to ever give a less than 5 star review. So let me begin by saying maybe it was an off night but it was a freezing cold March night and I don't want to be picky but I think 10 of the 12 dishes we were served were cold and not hot. I would have enjoyed a few warm dishes but that is not what Alma serves in these chilly months.. I was told they change menus every 6 months so how can they serve this cold dish menu in the Winter.. But I am I am getting ahead of myself. We were one of three couples waiting outside at 7 pm when the doors open. We were seated promptly in the long alley room adjacent to the kitchen and restrooms with absolutely no atmosphere and totally freezing. So for sure try not to sit in the long alley room. But then as I tried to warm up after surrendering my jacket, the phone rang loudly from the only other seated elderly couple in the alley and she cluelessly started to speak on her speaker phone. I called our nice server over and asked him to ask the woman to stop speaking loudly on her speaker and he seemed to panic. He told me that she would be off soon and he wouldn't approach her. After three or four minutes as I watched him talk to three other staff considering my request to be moved, he returned to me and told me she would be off soon and ignored my request. I again asked to me moved and he again told me basically it was my problem. How can a 2 Star Michelin restaurant make this my problem?? Good news. After 10 minutes she ended her call. So for atmosphere I have to rate a very low score if you sit in the very cold alley with echo and no atmosphere. So let's move on to the wine pairing. It's 120 euro add on but the kicker is you can't share. It's against the rules here to share. Now you are allowed to push the glass after you taste it towards your partner to taste but they can't have their own glass.. I am not making this up. After every pour and there are 6, I had a taste and pushed it over and she pushed it back to me for the entire evening. It crazy. And the Som was interesting. Another young person. He talked about the wine for 5 minutes and never showed the label of any bottle. So each time I actually asked him to turn it around so I could read it and then asked him to show it to my partner. The staff is incredibly dedicated and hard working but hasn't really been trained about fine dining. I think they could learn and they are super likeable but whoever really manages this place (the owner has 10 restaurants around the world and I think licenses his name) may not know themselves... Clearly the owner was not in the house the night we dined. But I don't want to digress. So on to the cuisine. It complicated but honestly most of the dishes done work. They are just too busy. Like the foie gras. It has coffee foam and chocolate and apple and served cold not hot and such a mess of flavors. I don't get it. Should be incredible and served hot on A freezing night but I think due to the prep almost all dishes are cold. Anyway this is a huge miss. So was the cold green gazpacho. There was so much Chile oil it was just hot and overpowering. And that was supposed to be the pallet cleanser The shrimp dish was an disaster and I actually told one of our many servers because they seem to trade around that the lemon grass flavor was so overpowering the shrimp broth I was sweating and couldn't taste anything else. And the smoke. They are in love with smoke. But the smoke overpowers the whipped butter that could just be plain whipped butter and much better. And everything is over salted. The suckling pork is so salty it isn't edible. And the sweet potato fries to dip into the delicious red humus also completely covered with salt. It's almost like the chef whoever this chef is, as I don't think the world famous chef flying around to all his restaurants approved this menu, is in love with gastronomy and not with cuisine. He just couldn't have tasted what I was tasting. No delicacy of flavors. No nuance. Just very heavy handed overpowering spices and seasoning and no distinction. And they repeat these flavors.. so the Chile oil will be a key ingredient in three courses, three courses will be smoked and several will have cauliflower or carrots and turmeric and ginger and maybe curry. Not unique from course to course. Almost like a repeat performance of an earlier course. The deserts are a complete disaster. I was hoping for some chocolate at the end rather that sweet potato something with cauliflower. Seriously I was done with my vegetables..... To recap to this point, the food is just way to busy with an incredible confusion of flavors, the atmosphere if you sit in the cave by the restrooms and kitchen is cold and not inviting, and the servers are wonderfully dedicated but completely robotic and soulless
Fine dining. Superior service. Pricy
Elevated dining. Superior service. Portions were petite yet our tummies were fully by the end. The meal included a few Amuse-bouche delights that were delightful. Additionally, they prepared a special small dessert for us in honor of our 50th anniversary. Quite expensive but also sophisticated cooking techniques, uncommonly delicious bites, and world class service. Worthy of your bucket list.
Impeccable experience that you shout not miss if you don't
Impeccable experience that you shout not miss if you don't mind the price. The experience is pure excellence. The service is magnificent. All of the servers are so kind and knowledgeable. The food was perfectly curated and original. We had a tuna "sandwich" that may have one of the best of bites of food in my life. Do not miss Alma! It's fantastic!
Disappointed guest who questions how they were able to get a star in the Michelin guide
Disappointment with tasteless main course. Good small dishes and good service. However, far from affordable. The food more fixed for the eyes instead of the palate. No Michelin restaurant in our opinion.
A great experience!
First of all i would like to say a big 'Thank you' - because you made it possible to create an menue adapted to my numerous nutricional allergies. It gets more difficult to do so with every step the cooking is elevated.... It was not completely without any problems - i got bell pepper although i noticed it on the list (but i did not eat it....) and clams (o.k. - i only noted mussels on the list.... - that i did not eat too) - the only thing that i really have eaten was the clam-sauce but as i had taken an antiallergic drug in advance nothing happened...... The hospitality was really extraordinary, the portugues sparkling wine and wine was excellent and the dishes were brilliant - not only the main courses but also the little surprises in advance and the pre-desserts. All in all the place was a bit noisy - not because of the staff but because of the guests and - just for our taste - some of the dishes had too much different textures at once. BUT: That does not affect that it was a real five-stars-experience and the two Michelin-stars are well-derserved. Thank you for a wonderful evening and - if it is allowed once again to produce so much extra-work in the kitchen due of my allergies - we will return......
Beautiful meal.
Flawless flavors. And best of all, the staff took such care with my daughter's severe pistachio and cashew allergies.
Top of Lisbon
The evening menu serves two menus in addition to à la carte dishes. There is always the option of exchanging a course for an à la carte dish. We opted for the "Alma" menu with wine accompaniment. The amuse bouche before the actual entrée was a real feast for the eyes and a delight for the palate. This continued through to the friandise and the coffee. The wine accompaniment to the fish and seafood starters is more white wine-heavy. However, unknown wines from Madeira, the Azores and even the Lisbon area are served. The 50-year-old port wine is not to be missed at the end. A delight for anyone who is into culinary things and is also prepared to pay the price for it.
What a treat Alma is! I can't recommend this place enough!
What a treat Alma is! I can't recommend this place enough! It's definitely a special occasion meal and the staff are well aware of this. Ever so attentive, the staff are there to guide you through each stage of the menu and wine/drink pairings. The meal will leave you very satiated and informed about Portuguese ingredients that are so thoughtfully incorporated into the menu. I had the best time and left with a full belly!
Food was nothing surprising given the Michelin 2 star
Food was nothing surprising given the Michelin 2 star rating. Was pretty average for this caliber. Service was great, with a lot of staff waiting on you and giving you more details. We went for lunch so it was calmer and not too noisy. Very clean.
Great experience
Intimate place, nice welcome. Succulent appetizers and starters, the dish (rice with lobster and prawns) a little disappointing because it lacked seasoning and flavors! The desserts are exceptional! Bravo to the pastry chefs!
So, from the second we entered, it was a special night.
From the Wonderful attention from the sommelier who set us up with some amazing champagne, to all of the servers who directed the experience, we were well cared for. The food was exactly what was expected from a Michelin star winner- exciting, unexpected, wonderful.
Our Unforgettable Night
We had the pleasure of dining at Alma, as a planned surprise proposal. The before and after service was like no other! We had a wonderful evening. We chose both options from the chef menu, Alma and Costa a Costa. From amuse-bouche to desserts each had their unique flavour stories to tell us, and our wait staff expertly served the dishes and described everything in detail. We can taste how each dish was carefully and painstakingly prepared, reflecting the dedication and passion each chef put in. A special thanks to Diogo, a true gentleman, who helped in great detail with this surprise proposal. From the beginning, crafting ideas for when and where to present the ring to meeting me in person to discuss the finer points of how the surprise will play out during our dining experience. I could not have asked for a better experience than this! Please give my appreciation to the staff who served us that night, without them the proposal wouldn’t be this perfect! Anthony
Alma: True Excellence In Every Way
Alma was close to perfection in every way imaginable - food quality, creativity, balance, and service. We ate at numerous restaurants in Lisbon during our stay, including other prominent Michelin stars. Alma blew them all away. We would go back in a heartbeat. The innovation, artistry and passion of Alma catch you up from the moment you enter. Its contemporary setting is elevated and serene, but warms the food experience rather than distracting from it. The wait staff and a particularly amazing sommelier are a brilliant team in action, refreshingly cheerful, friendly, and excited to share their food culture with you. We were waited on by at least 6 or 7 different staffers, and each brought his own character and enthusiasm into describing the food and the intentions behind it. The sommelier was particularly special, with a remarkably engaging way of discussing the wine pairings for each dish (in our case a different one for 3 different tasting menus). Discussing the thinking behind the chosen pairings with someone so clearly passionate on his topic is such a pleasure. His choices were, of course, consistently spot on. I had reached out to Alma in advance to request accommodations for a vegetarian member of our party. They met this request with an enthusiasm and eye for detail that went far beyond what I normally see. Our vegetarian said she had some of the best dishes of her life there. She deeply appreciated the thoughtfulness with which her personal wine pairings were arranged. This was an uncommon level of care. Our table ordered the Alma tasting menu (inspired by the chef’s signature dishes), the vegetarian version of the Alma, and the Costa a Costa (a ‘tribute to the fish and seafood of our coast’) and so were able to taste the full range of Alma’s offerings. The restaurants delights in many surprise snacks and amuse bouches. Our favorites were an unbelievably tasty and craveable red bell pepper squid ink tempura with pepper dipping sauce, an iced plant with ponzu for our vegetarian, a delightful cauliflower three ways dish that was a lesson in textures, and a palate cleansing bullet of a green curry gazpacho with cucumber. Every bite was a layer of flavors and consistencies and winsomely playful. As we moved into the starters, a dish of carrots with bulghur, apricot puree, goat cheese and cumin oil was lovingly paired with a Quinta de Sant’ ana Reisling 2016, and scarlet shrimp was served with roasted leek, corn, almond emulsion, and orange with a lovely XVIII Talha – Talha A 2022. However, the best starter and pairing of the night was a foie gras served with apple, granola, beet root and coffee, alongside a mind-blowingly excellent D’Oliveras Boal 1992 Madeira. After that plating, we knew were in for a brilliant night. The service pacing and delivery, consistent beauty of the plates, and artistry and balance in the food itself never wavered. An Alentejo style pork with red pepper paste and bulhao pato clam sauce was perfectly cooked and served with a Quint de Monte D’Oro Reserve 2013. For the Costa menu, a sea bass was prepared two ways with both fillet and belly, vegetable puff pastry and roast sauce, accompanied by a Bucacci-Reservado 2019. The desserts were equally lush and flavorful with an Acores pineapple, fava tonka cream, white chocolate and passionfruit dish for our vegetarian, a yuzu sorbet with crystallized algae, and citrus curd for our Costa, and a surprising cauliflower, lemon caramel walnut dish served with a perfectly matched citric, elderflower liquor and vermouth blanc cocktail for our Alma. Eating at establishments like this is expensive, but in our case we strolled away perfectly satisfied with our Alma experience. While we had some meals in Lisbon that tended towards being more technical and refined, the soulfulness, artistry and passion of this restaurant, kitchen and chef won us over completely. All of us would go back in a heartbeat. If you have to choose just one restaurant in Lisbon and can afford this level of fine dining, I suggest you make a reservation (well in advance) at Alma. You won’t be disappointed.
Alma - Unforgettable experience
We had a chance to dine at Alma when on a quick holiday break in Lisbon. It was a wonderful experience. As expected the service was second to none. We opted for a la cart as we wanted to have more of a choice. Every dish is s piece of art, both in terms of a presentation and flavors. Chief’s special creations were so interesting and so delicious. You go to restaurants like this for an experience: experience in fine dining in terms of service and ambience, as well as an adventure in food and flavors. This restaurant deserves both of the stars it was awarded so far, hope to see it awarded the third star as well. Bravo.
Not to missed! A gem of Lisbon
I have no words for how mind blowing this whole experience has been from start to finish! A very special thank you to Diogo for arranging us to be able to attend last minute for a birthday celebration! He was incredibly responsive to my emails. The food was exquisite we haven’t tried anything like this before. Every single dish was executed to absolute perfection. The service was impeccable, I couldn’t fault a single thing. The team at Alma were so incredibly attentive to us, I was simply blown away by the service. Every single dish was sublime, the combination of flavours, the way everything came together, honestly the chef is an absolute genius! Any negative review on here should be ignored there is a reason why they are booked up 2-4 weeks in advance. Alma simply should not be missed, they exceed expectations and they deliver on every single front. The food, the atmosphere, the vibe, the whole team, they have it all so spot on. They simply bring joy through food. You will love it there. I am so grateful to you all at Alma, and I promise any future visits I/we have to Lisbon you will certainly have me knocking on your door again!
Food like this is the greatest compliment to Portuguese gastronomy.
Well where do you start ? We don't have regular visits to Michelin 'macaron'd' restaurants and tend to reserve these experiences to special occasions (like most people of average means), but this being a special birthday (also marking just over 30 years as a chef myself) was a paragon meal. Flavours were so well-judged and nothing was out of place on the plate. In fact there were so many eye-opening compliments amongst the specific ingredients that inspiration was a sensory overload !! We both opted for the Costa à Costa menu, celebrating Portugal's fish & seafood and it was a work of art both in tastes, textures and presentation. The service was perfect in every tiny detail and we pay hommage to chef Henrique Sá Pessoa ! A special thank you, too, for the gorgeous little chocolate cake that was presented to me/us with it's candle ❤️ Much thanks to all at alma.
Nice experience overall but not worth it
The restaurant is lovely. The staff were phenomenal. The food was average at best and not worth the price. Way too much food and most is very bland.
Too fast and too much
We enjoyed our time at Alma overall but we did not like the speed of the courses. We could not relax and savour each course as the next one was presented to us too quick. Because of this, we really we couldnt enjoy the main dishes. The amuse bouche were amazing but over shadowed the mains. By the time the dessert came we couldnt even look at it (there was 3 dessert courses). Very rushed overall for what was an exspensive meal.
This was the best dinning experience we had in Lisbon.
Very creative cuisine, perfect balance, 5 star service and experience.
Excellent food and service.
The staff explained the complexity of the dishes very well which made us appreciate the food even more. Surprise dessert to celebrate my wife's birthday was a very nice touch.
Went here for my husband's birthday.
It was a 3.5 hours lunch but a nice break from our two kiddies. To enter, you need to ring the doorbell and the maître D will come greet you. The service is top notch and very attentive. They use utensils to serve your napkins, always provided new ones when you leave your seat and they notify you when the restroom is free (only one stall per gender). There are 2 rooms, we preferred the main room where the kitchen and bar were located. The other room was more narrow and close to the other tables, service stations and bathroom. Food was beautiful and creative, almost too pretty to eat! While the menu only indicated 5 courses, the snacks, amuse bouche and surprises added up to 13 courses total. We normally don't splurge like this but I have to say this 2 Michelin star restaurant was considered reasonable ($750 CAD for two with 2 drinks each) in comparison to a 2 Michelin star restaurant in North America.
Alma Restaurant located in Lisbon Portugal a Two Michelin
Alma Restaurant located in Lisbon Portugal a Two Michelin Star Restaurant has left my husband and I absolutely mesmerized, from the moment I stepped inside, we were greeted by an ambiance that exuded elegance and charm. The tasting menu at Alma is a testament to the chef's dedication to creating exceptional dishes. We embarked on a gastronomic journey by opting for their chef's tasting menu, and it was a decision my husband and I certainly did not regret. The courses were a delightful parade of flavors, each thoughtfully crafted and beautifully presented, a perfect balance of textures and tastes that danced on my taste buds. The service was impeccable, with a knowledgeable and attentive staff who guided me through the menu and my husband's wine pairings with expertise. The wine selection was extensive, featuring both local and international choices to complement every dish. Alma's attention to detail extended to its decor and atmosphere. The dimmed lighting, soft music, and comfortable seating created an intimate and cozy setting, perfect for a romantic dinner or a special celebration. For dessert, I savored a masterpiece, striking the perfect balance of sweetness and a subtle hint of savory. My kind of dessert! that was the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal. Excellent!!!
Truly memorable and unique experience.
From the all in perfect sync staff to the amazing dishes, Alma never ceased to impress us. We loved the amuse bouche and appetizers. Each masterpieces of flavors and textures. The main meals were almost too beautiful to take apart and eat!! The Cod as well as the suckling pig were truly a symphony of flavors. We will definitely come back!!
Embarking on a 7-course culinary voyage paired with
Embarking on a 7-course culinary voyage paired with exquisite wines was a treat for the senses. The overall experience was undeniably wonderful, with the amuse-bouche offerings leaving a lasting impression - their "amuse abuse" was a true delight, showcasing the chef's creativity. While the wine pairing was enjoyable, I'm considering opting out next time to fully savor the flavors of the courses. Why? Because I was buzzed by the third drink. Alma's experience is a good experience for any food enthusiast seeking gastronomic adventure.
Whenever I travel solo, I make it a point to check out all
Whenever I travel solo, I make it a point to check out all the street food, but also to check out any Michelin starred restaurants in the area. Alma was one of my bucket list restaurants as a two star restaurant. I got there super early, before opening and just chilled in front of the unassuming boarded doors. Once I got in, I was treated to a intimate and modern restaurant. Dining solo I went with the tasting menu and the alcohol pairing. I plowed through the alcohol courses pretty quickly and the staff was kind enough to give me refills. Nice! Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience from the food to the service. Highly recommend!
Totally get why they were awarded 2 Michelin stars.
Food was thoughtfully prepared with flavors that were simultaneously balanced yet will catch you off guard. Familiar yet surprising and delightful. Plating was elegant and novel. A true ophthalmic and gastronomic feast. The restaurant is down a side street in the highly fashionable neighborhood of Chiado. The restaurant decor was warm, modern minimalist. Last, but far from least, the team, and I do mean team, brought the entire dining experience to another level. Pleasant, spot on, attentive, informative, friendly, and funny. And fortunately NOT stuffy. Bring your special someone, bring your bestie, heck, bring someone you hate - good time will be had by all!
A small, tastefully constructed space with rough hewn stone
A small, tastefully constructed space with rough hewn stone floors juxtaposed with sleek, modern natural wood finishes. We each ordered the Prix Fixe menus, one was "mar" and the other "terra.". We often order this way to allow the chef to showcase his/her talents. We were not disappointed. We thought we were getting an eight course dinner. Which is plenty. However, by the time all of the "surprise" plates, "surprise, surprise" plates, amuse bouche, intermezzo and "surprise" dessert dessert courses were served, we ended gorging on something like sixteen courses! It was incredible both in the ranges of textures, flavor profiles and visually stunning presentations. Well deserved Michelin Two Star designation. The wait staff team was flawless, but also kept it light fun and relaxed. Truly a wonderful experience.
Maybe a 3.
75Expected an amazing 2 star experience at Alma but left feeling not so memorable.Service: attentive but almost too fast. I think we finish within 2hr 15 min. Got dessert right after entree where I felt like I was still eating the pig and watching my sorbet melt.Food:1. love all the Amuse Bouche - fun, texture, flavor, variety.2. Alma Tasting - foie gras was really overcooked tasted like tamago. Salted Cod felt undercooked. Overall felt okay, good but wasn't wow-ed.3. Costa a Costa Tasting - scarlet shrimp was to die for. But all the fish felt undercooked which was kinda confusing.Sommelier: He offered champagne like it was complimentary but ended up €27? per, and quite upselling the expensive bottles.Left feeling - okay, alright.We went to the 1 star LOCO in the same week and love it a lot more.
Wow! I loved my dinner at Alma.
It's a weird to start this off but the thing that stood out to me the most at Alma, was the SERVICE! Everyone who works there is really attentive, respectful, humorous, and super knowledgeable! The service here was better than some 3 michelin star restaurants I've been to. It's a small-medium size space so reservations are strongly recommended.My favorite was the pork skin dish, I could have had a few more pieces of that. They ended the night with many pots of tea.Highly Recommend!
The best restaurant ever.
We made the reservation about 4 months in advance and had contemplated canceling for fear that it wouldn't live up to the hype. We are so glad we didn't cancel.When you arrive, you have to ring the bell/knock and someone will come greet you at the door and take you right to your table. When you're sat, you're immediately greeted by the waitstaff. If you want to drink, they have someone there who will help you pick a drink depending on your wants/likes. At other restaurants when waitstaff provide drink recommendations, it's usually the most expensive, however, the waiters recommendations at Alma were brutally honest and, surprisingly, not the most expensive.After getting drinks, they explain the menu to you -- you can either da a la carte or you can do the tasting menu, but they that everyone at the table orders from the same menu (for example, if you get the a la carte menu, everyone at the table should get the a la carte menu, not the tasting menu). There are two tasting menus. We chose to do the tasting menu and we each got a different tasting menu. It was the best decision.They bring the food out to you dish by dish -- once you finish a dish, they bring another, and so on. When they bring you a dish, they explain what the dish is and how to eat it. Each dish is about 2-4 bites. We initially thought at the beginning that we wouldn't be full after, but, about 15 dishes later and we were stuffed. The tasting menu consisted of things that I would have never ordered on my own but they were all so good. There was not a single bad dish. You could also see the chef cooking which was very cool and the waitstaff are incredible and very attentive. It's pretty quiet and relatively small and intimate and a perfect date spot. It's worth the splurge -- you'll never find anything else like it.
The chefs of Belcanto and Alma are apparently rivals so I'm
The chefs of Belcanto and Alma are apparently rivals so I'm going to fan the flames of this rivalry by saying this: Alma is better in almost every way (service, pricing, all food except the dessert).You are greeted by an extremely friendly host, and the first thing you see as you walk in is the classy modern interior. Not too dark, not too bright, interesting modern decor such as a large glass mirror and bottles of alcohol in a mildly industrial interior. As you sit, the hosts move all the chairs out in unison and place your utensils in front of you in unison, like figure skaters or ballet dancers. The service is overall incredible and they were very accommodating towards dietary restrictions (one of us doesn't eat pork).The food is wild, as expected from a tasting menu that has earned 2 Michelin stars. We had all sorts of infusions, foam, charcoal products, but also some superbly cooked fish and meats that melted in the mouth. Every item on the meal was enjoyed by everyone at the table. In aggregate, we ordered both the classic "Alma" and the new "Costa a costa" courses, and both were equally enjoyed.
Connect with users posting reservations for Alma Lisboa
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the user has and how many percent of their transactions resulted in them issuing a refund.
If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Alma Lisboa at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Alma Lisboa page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* ImmortalStep65, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* ImmortalStep65 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to ImmortalStep65 for any questions Peter may have as ImmortalStep65 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* ImmortalStep65 now uses their connections at Alma Lisboa to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If ImmortalStep65 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, ImmortalStep65 receives the $200 reward which is credited to ImmortalStep65's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Alma Lisboa!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
