ELEMENTO

From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, the Elemento staff ensured we were well taken care of. We sat at the counter overlooking the kitchen, which is a must. The cooks were very interactive with us, explaining various steps in the meal preparation process. The service was well paced, the servers expertly trained, and the explanation of the wine pairings was spot on. Each course was absolutely delicious! We will definitely dine at Elemento again on our next trip to Porto!

Genuinely our favorite dining experience in Portugal while my husband and I were there on our honeymoon. Made reservations at 9pm and chose to sit at the kitchen bar (highly recommend). Wasn’t planning to do the tasting menu because I am not a fan of fish, but the chef graciously offered to do a meat and vegetarian menu for me. We also opted to do the wine pairings with the meal. Everything was exceptional, including the wonderful service. Watching the kitchen team work together in sync added greatly to the overall experience. All of the food was incredible and we left feeling very full. 10/10 recommend and will be back if we visit again.

By far the best restaurant I went to last year. The food and wine was amazing! I would recomend the tasting menu! When you have a seat at the bar you can see what everybody is doing in the kitchen. Dinner and a show! Be sure you dress lightly then and be aware your clothes can smell a bit like you have been setting next to a fire.

Me and my wife had an excellent experience at Elemento! We did not go for the set menu, rather choosing our own plates. The staff were all very nice and welcoming. Would certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wishes to experience great fire food.

EXCEPTIONAL 3 Star Michelin level cuisine and service. Chef Ricardo is highly talented, creative and an amazing conductor in a perfectly choreographed team effort and all of this in front of the customers without any faux pas and in a very calm yet effective execution. We were extremely impressed and, I have to admit, moved by the kindness and the flavors / aromas of the delicate blend of FIRE cooking of exceptional quality products from fish to red meat. I was skeptical about the merit of wood fire with red snapper or other king fish, but felt overwhelmed by the result (I rarely experienced fish this good even at the Bernardin in New York). Please try the tasting menu @95 euros it is worth every penny. You will become emotional and remember this unusual experience for a long long time. From the start with the Tartelette with Red Prawn and Fluefin tuna till the end with Brownie Ice Cream sandwich the quality level never drops and as you try more wines throughout the menu your taste buds continue to be excited despite the constant fireworks of culinary moments. After the Black Pork Rump we asked the chef to add the Beef Tongue to the already comprehensive menu for our own delight … do the same you will not regret it. Beware do not have a hefty lunch that day.😉 BRAVO ! Someone please tell the Michelin inspectors to come and visit to grant Elemeno the 2 or 3 stars it deserves!

One of the most disappointing dining experiences we’ve had in Portugal. We booked a 9pm seating, and from the start the service was chaotic and rushed. Different servers kept interrupting us to take orders, and the whole experience felt disorganized and below the level of a Michelin-recognized restaurant. My friend ordered a cocktail with extra brine. It was made wrong, and even though we sent it back untouched, both drinks appeared on the bill. The manager insisted that “in Portugal you pay for whatever is on the table.” I refused to pay for a €12 cocktail I did not drink, but he kept arguing even though our total bill was nearly €250. Very unprofessional. The food was also poor. The steak and potatoes were cold inside. When we told the waiter, she took the plate to the kitchen and brought back the same one with the same bitten side still cold. We were even charged €1.50 for olive oil just because we asked for some with the bread. We have dined at many excellent restaurants across Portugal such as Pedro Lemos and Alma, but this place does not come close. Rushed service, cold food, arrogant management, and uninspired dishes make it absolutely not worth the price or reputation.

We tried the tasting menu with wine pairing and left absolutely delighted. The fire dining concept, with its focus on well-sourced local products and cooking over open flames, was truly remarkable. The menu was perfectly balanced and exquisite from start to finish, with original, well-balanced flavors that complemented the main ingredient without overpowering it. . We started with appetizers full of flavor, followed by a dish with lírio where, despite a very interesting mix of flavors and sauces, the quality of the fish still shone through. The wild corvina and rocaz were both outstanding, with the smoky notes from the grill, the central theme of the evening, clearly present. The presa de porco was also excellent, though if we had to choose, we’d lean towards the fish courses. The sweet finale began with a refreshing orange ice cream with beetroot and plum vinegar, a combination as surprising as it was delicious, and ended with a dessert celebrating two Porto classics: chocolate, here in the form of a brownie, paired with a superb 20-year-old tawny Port wine. The wine pairing was spot on, and the impeccable service from the entire team was the perfect finishing touch to a truly memorable experience that we fully recommend.

My wife and I dined at Elemento to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I mentioned the occasion when booking, not because I expected special treatment, but to give context to the experience. We were contacted ahead of time to confirm our reservation and told we could arrive early as the restaurant was not very busy. In hindsight, that set the tone for what turned out to be a quieter evening than expected for a restaurant of this caliber. We chose the tasting menu (€95) with the wine pairing, though my wife preferred ordering à la carte—and in retrospect, she may have been right. The setting itself is excellent: sitting at the bar watching the chefs cook over an open fire is engaging and well designed. However, on such a slow night, the experience felt slightly awkward at times, with long pauses and little activity behind the counter. The tasting menu leaned very heavily toward seafood. There were multiple raw seafood bites, followed by two warm seafood mains that, while featuring different fish, were prepared almost identically. The lack of variety made the menu feel repetitive. One of the warm dishes included a fennel salad that was actually the most memorable element of the course. The standout of the evening was the wild boar main course, which was genuinely excellent and easily the highlight of the meal. In fact, it’s something I would happily order again from the à la carte menu. Dessert consisted of two courses, the final one being a very rich take on an ice cream sandwich—so rich that neither of us could finish even a small portion. We also opted for the wine pairing (€65 per person). While the wines themselves seemed good, the pours were extremely small—around one ounce each. Between the two of us, we likely consumed the equivalent of half a bottle for €130, which felt difficult to justify at this price point. One small but noticeable detail was that after nearly every course, we were asked, “Was it good?” or “Did you like it?” While attentiveness is appreciated, the repetition became distracting, especially given the expectations that come with fine dining. Regarding the anniversary, I don’t expect special gestures, and I understand that pairing menus can limit flexibility. That said, placing a small candle meant for a child into the dessert felt awkward and would have been better omitted altogether. Overall, while there were moments we enjoyed—particularly the setting and the wild boar dish—the experience didn’t quite meet our expectations for a restaurant positioned at this level. If we were to return, we would likely order à la carte and choose a bottle of wine instead of the pairing. PS -I must have missed the Videovigilância notice, but thank you for letting me and all future guests know that they will be under video surveillance while dining at your restaurant.

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.