The Ultimate Lisbon Travel Guide with Portugal’s Most Celebrated Chef
Meet the chef behind the 25th-best restaurant in the world
The Relisher is the place where the world’s top chefs reveal their favorite spots in their home cities. This week, we spoke with Chef José Avillez, one of Portugal’s top chefs who has played a significant role in placing Lisbon on the culinary map through his impressive portfolio of seven restaurants.
Each of his restaurants offers a unique concept, including the two-Michelin-starred Belcanto, ranked as the 25th-best restaurant in the world. Belcanto showcases a fresh and innovative approach to traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Avillez’s also oversees Encanto, the first Michelin vegetarian restaurant in both Spain and Portugal, as well as Pizzaria Lisboa, where pizza receives a unique Portuguese twist.
José has always had a deep-rooted love for eating and cooking. He honed his craft in some of the world’s leading gastronomy establishments like El Buli, as well as through working alongside culinary titans, chefs Aline Ducass and Éric Fréchon.
We met with the Portuguese chef to get his take on his favorite culinary gems in his hometown of Lisbon, secrets held only by in-the-know locals. (Note: A Google Map with all locations listed is provided at the end of the interview.)