ELEMENTO

My mom and I did the tasting menu with wine pairing. Everything was amazing!! The food was incredible, the wine paired phenomenally to enhance the dishes, and it was very fun to sit at the bar and watch the chefs work. Food was local and delicious. The restaurant is warm from the wood fire for cooking which added to the ambiance. Fantastic meal and hopefully we will come back again!

Ariana, Sandra and their team were incredible. The service was second to none. They were so attentive and friendly. The atmosphere was exciting, lively, and the chef and his team were so fun to watch! The food was exceptional and extremely unique. Every dish was cooked perfectly. I would go back a million times!

This was a let down for me. We asked to sit at the bar so we could watch the chefs prepare the meal. We got the meal with the wine pairing and with the Wood fire in the name, I expected more cooked dishes. A lot of the dishes were raw and I am not a raw gal. I had to pass a lot of my dishes off to my partner because I cannot palate raw food especially raw seafood. He thought I offended the chef, but with the price I spent on my meal, I could not eat what I cannot eat. I think if I come to a Michelin star at a wood fire restaurant my food should be cooked on wood fire. I was able to eat 2 of the dishes and that was it, the rest I passed over for him to eat. He enjoyed it. I did try even the raw dishes, but that was a huge mistake as the next day I was very sick. My stomach cannot handle it and I should have known better. But I did my best to try not to offend the staff.

The below review was placed on the Fork website, through which i had booked, on march 25th. Unfortunately, I am assuming here, due to the marks scored; a 5.5/10 the restaurant had marked my reservation as cancelled(confirmed by The Fork) resulting in a deletion of the review on the Fork website. I will not alter the score because of this but mention it for your consideration. Sadly our experience wasn't what you would expect for fine dining. Warmly greeted, but after being seated we soon found out we could not have an a la carte order next to a tasting menu. We settled for the a la carte. Starting with a tasty white wine and a overly sweet moijito orange mocktail. Our starters of turbot and pork carbonara lacked seasoning and overall depth of flavor. Moving on to a wonderful red wine for the main course of pork and a lessor one for the duck. Unfortunately the lack of seasoning, flavor and a luke warm at best temperature of both meats, added to our disappointing experience. Once the chef appeared we saw different variations of the same dishes being prepared which seemed odd. For dessert the mille feulle of apple was served but here cuisson was just on point but flavor and temperature were merely present. All in all a ok experience that lacked consistency, seasoning, temperature and excitement. A shame since we could see how hard the chefs were working.

To be honest, the food was not bad, however, since the theme was “fire dining” as written on the menu and I could merely taste any wood/char-grilled element in the dishes, I would only give them a 3. More importantly, the service was not up to standard, and I found their response was quite rude to one of my friends, who made the reservation. Firstly, when they asked for her feedback, and she pointed out that most of the dishes were too salty, and the host asked her to visit the other restaurant where the chef is based at, does that mean without the chef here, the team couldn’t season the dishes appropriately? And for an upscale restaurant, when guests provide an honest feedback, I believe you can say something better than asking them to visit somewhere else. Secondly, when my friend made the reservation, she particularly pointed out that she would like to avoid brownie as dessert, I am not sure if the restaurant is flexible to offer something else but they didn’t address her specific needs, no response on whether they can alter the menu or not. Lastly, the interior decoration was nice but the environment was not pleasant. They need to improve their ventilation as 2 of my fds were uncomfortable with the smoke from the kitchen and that irritated my eyes too.

The kitchen is let down by the service. The food was really good but the servers provided terrible wine advice (they only recommended the most expensive bottles), were exceedingly pretentious, and overall, it was downright unpleasant. We appreciated that the chef checked in on us knowing the tasting menu service took four hours to deliver, but the servers did not try to remotely accommodate or treat us with respect. It’s not the service one would expect paying the prices required and what could have been a lovely experience was soiled, which is NOT par for the course in Porto. Disappointed that was the case.

We went there as a group of 3 and the experience started off pleasant with staffs welcoming us to our table in an elegantly decorated area immediately after we arrived. We then proceeded to complete our order for food. Soon after, a plate of patata that we didn’t order came alongside several main dishes as a side. I promptly pointed out to the waitress that we didn’t order it and she showed a reluctant and discouraging face then took it away. The manager in beige jacket then came back accusing adamantly that we did order the patata. I felt we were forced to take it on the chin as it was cooked and the restaurant didn’t want money down the drain even though it only costed €7. Eventually we accepted it out of courtesy as we didnt want to cause trouble but I just think a michelin guide restaurant with a relatively high price point should do better in accomodating customer’s requests and possibly a small misunderstanding. Overall food was mediocre at best with good soudough bread, pork rump and many tasteless dishes such as the suckling pig cabonara, fish and duck breast. A very disappointing night……

Beautiful decoration, amazingly friendly staff, and of course AMAZING food. We had some of the best food we have ever had here. The wood fire grilled dishes along with the desserts were perfection. The grilled Turbot was recommended from the appetizers by our lovely server and it was to die for. The sourdough ice-cream was so unique and just the most deliciously complex flavor combination I had ever experienced. They deserve that Michelin star!!

Walking into Elemento leaves no doubt about the method of cooking; the smokey smell permeates the air. I was dining solo and seated at the counter. As noted by others, the counter area is on the warmer side so dress accordingly! You can order a la carte or have the chef's 8 moments menu with optional Portuguese wine pairing. I opted to forgo wine for the night and appreciated that they offered mocktails! I tried the elderflower mocktail and gin & tonic mocktail. Both were really great mocktail options, although the elderflower was a little overly sweet. I came in specifically for the chef's tasting and it did not disappoint. From the fire toasted bread to the banoffee inspired dessert, everything was phenomenal. It is difficult to pick a favorite but the black pork rump was especially tasty . Also any place that has a pre-dessert dessert is right up my alley! The pre-dessert included a cauliflower ice cream that I was initially skeptical of but one bite had me sold. Service was friendly, timely, and unobtrusive. Highly recommend making this a stop on your trip to Porto!

We had a fantastic dinner at Elemento. The food was exceptional, each dish had different flavors and textures it was like a festival in our mouths! We took white wine that was recommended by our waiter that we absolutely loved and accompanied our dinner beautifully. The entire staff was professional and friendly, a perfect fit for a great restaurant experience. The place is tastefully decorated with a clean and modern look using different natural materials. It's a small place, I would say about 10-12 tables and it feels really cozy and intimate. We already recommended this place to friends who are to visit Port soon, and will def be back on our next visit.

If you're planning a trip to Porto. Reserve your spot at the Chef's counter at Elemento for a fiery experience. A team of 10+ chefs showcasing their skills working under extreme heat. Literally! Opt for the Chef's recommended tasting of course. All was delicioso! My faves: -Red prawn tartare - fresh red prawn in a delightful tasty guanciale roasted onion broth. -Entrecôte and braised beef cheek - perfectly prepared entrecôte accompanied with a fork tender braised beef cheek with an intense jus. -Smoked beetroot velvet - a unique dessert featuring beet as the prime ingredient. Refreshing, and a textural experience. As we say in the US, 'a party in your mouth.' Elemento is classy, and the service excellent! The entire experience was truly special. Thank you Chefs and service team.

We were fortunate to get in without a reservation, and on the recommendation of our tour guide Andre from Get Your Guide tours. Two of us had the Venison Loin, one had the Pork Rump and another had the Beef Tenderloin. Everything was fabulously prepared and presented. I wish I had room for dessert. The service was also excellent, timely and without being intrusive.

Amazing food !! Super friendly staff I was put off a little when I was told we were sitting at the counter in the kitchen. While it wasn't what I wanted it was an entertaining experience If you like to watch the chefs and don't mind a little heat or smoke. Do sit at the counter watch the magic in the kitchen unfold dish by dish

You walk in and are immediately greeted with the smell of wood-fire. Not the smokey stuff when you first light logs and get an uneven burn - it's the clean scent of hot embers. Elemento is a one-Michelin-star restaurant that uses wood-fire to cook all its dishes, and it doesn't miss a beat. Service was impeccable - dishes and silverware swapped like clockwork, dishes served and timed perfectly - everything moved along at a quick (but not rushed) pace. Make sure to book the chef's table - it was really interesting watching the team cook and prepare dishes. Dress lightly, as it gets very hot. We chose the tasting menu, which left me comfortably satisfied. There was the option to pair wines with 5 of the courses, but this would have left me quite sloshed and so I chose a white and red for the seafood and darker meats, respectively. The sommelier was great help and recommended some great pairings. The tasting menu was 8 courses long and consisted of 2 seafood and 2 "turf" courses. Everything tasted fantastic and was cooked perfectly. One highlight was the WreckFish, which was grilled with a small chunk of crunchy skin intact. I thought it paired very well with the grilled vegetables, which retained a good smokey flavor from the wood. Second highlight would be the Entrecote, which they brushed with a seasoning that I just can't quite make out, but brought out the meat flavor in a fantastic way. This paired with the sprinkle of salt on top and I didn't even need the puree to pair with the meat. Overall, the food was fantastic, and the dinner experience was a show as well. This is definitely a place to check out if you're in Porto for a visit.

Great food. Sit at the bar and see how it's made. Highly recommend this place. We shared a few plates but the wine pairing was excellent.

Delicious, upscale, great ambiance and service. Did the tasting menu that was incredible. Took off one star because it was a little overpriced but food was very high quality. Tasting menu was 90 euro per person

I generally do not seek out Michelin-starred restaurants out of concerns for their usual pretentiousness and overly-contrived (not to mention ridiculously overpriced) food. However, when this smallish restaurant in Porto with a concept that exclusively focuses on traditional wood- fired cooking with locally-sourced food was highly recommended by a trusted source, I had to try it. Well, it delivered on a recent evening. We sat at the long "show-kitchen" countertop and watched as the cooks and head chef (who personally skillfully assembled and finished each dish for all to see) created amazing looking plates of food in a small oven and several types of grills, all of which were (of course) wood-fired. Grilled sourdough bread was a hit. Crab tortellini starter was very good. My pork belly with white beans and mushrooms entree was sensational. Red snapper with fish bone broth and roe was a little to assertive for my taste but was very good. Grilled cabbage and potatoes au gratin sides were excellent. Cool unpretentious atmosphere. Service and ambience on point. Wine pairing suggestion excellent. All for what a very ordinary dinner would cost in almost any city in the USA. Highly recommended for adventurous foodies.

I have no criticism because this restaurant is divine in so many ways. First, the atmosphere is absorbing, the colors vibrant, the decor modern and trendy, the kitchen - visible and central - the heart of the restaurant if you will. The service is upscale, pleasant, attentive, and precise. I did not notice a fingerprint on my glass or a mark on the silverware. Everything was immaculate. Finally, the food - oh the food. The menu was one delightful page - starters, mains, desserts, and a multi-course tasting menu that is paired with 5 wines (70€ and a value if you ask me). However, we chose a la carte dining. All of the food is presented beautifully - focal masterpieces, enticing, interesting, and inviting. So at the very least you have that going. But, it tastes as good as it looks. Everything was flavorful and complex in a good way, thought provoking, and satisfying. I never once thought - hmm. . . I need salt or pepper. This is one to try as it is certain you will not be disappointed. My only complaint is is that I failed to try one of the desserts.

Saved Elemento for our last night in portugal. Greeted and seated on time for our reservation for our fourtop. Nice vibe. Good footprint. The smell of the wood fire grill embraces you as you walk to your table. Marcio our server was outstanding. Offered water and drink orders taken. Nice mixed drinks. Great wine list. Ordered several bottles from the Euro valley, highly recommended. A sparkling and a red, both were delicious. The kitchen prefers you place your entire order at once so the kitchen can slowly pace your dinner and reserve proteins as needed. We ordered four of the six appetizers to share. All spectacular. I had enjoyed fish everyday on our trip so I went with the wood fired grilled duck. Skin and fat nicely crispy and rendered. Perfect mid rare temp....delicious! My wife had the egg appetizer (5/6 apps) for her entree and loved it. We shared a lemon yogurt desert which did not disappoint. Ended with LBV port, of course. A perfect last Portugal dinner. Never a bad meal. Very highly recommended Slainte!!

Definitely an A+ dining experience! The staff was warm and accommodating to our two year old daughter. My wife and I opted for the tasting menu which was a home run. The food was well seasoned and executed to perfection. The whole experience was very memorable and easily one our best experiences in Europe. Thanks and keep up the great work!

We selected this restaurant for our anniversary dinner. It was disappointing. The food was good, but not great and service was uneven. We ordered cocktails at the same time as we ordered our meal. One of us got wine and that arrived in a timely fashion, then the bread arrived, still no drinks, then the starters arrived, still no drinks. We finally asked about the cocktails and were told the bar was very busy with cocktail orders. Not the response I would have expected from a Michelin star restaurant. When the drink did arrive (a mojitos) it was a strange shade of green and overly sweet and fruity. I thought they had given me the mocktail version as there had been some confusion with our server when ordering the drink. They did bring it back telling me that it was the correct drink but since it was so weak they would add another shot of rum. At this point our entrees had arrived and I said never mind but was told I would be charged for the drink. Maybe I'm being too American. It just seemed rude to me to charge for a drink that was so delayed and undrinkable. So rather than a good experience on our special night we have a good story.

Ok if you miss this restaurant when your in Porto you simply missed the most amazing experience ever. If you can take the heat sit at the kitchen bar and watch the chef and his team work magic all night. Don't skimp - buy the tasting menu and the selected wine package and you will be swept away to another place via cuisine that is absolutely amazing - the pairings are second to none and the presentation is spot on. If you even think you are a foodie then you will love this place. If you pretend to be a foodie then you won't like the use of endive, Kim Chi or the meat will be too rare (actually perfection) so I have never given a 5 but I do for this awesome restaurant.Everything and I mean EVERYTHING is cooked 100% on a wood fire!!! Great staff - what else can I say just GO.

Incredible, unpretentious restaurant. Had the tasting menu the other night. Unequivocally recommend. Everything was perfect from drinks, food and the staff.