Essencial

Restaurant · Bairro Alto

Essencial

Restaurant · Bairro Alto

R. da Rosa 176, 1200-390 Lisboa, Portugal

Highlights

Essencial is a cozy gem in Bairro Alto, blending contemporary cuisine with French influences—where every dish feels like a crafted masterpiece.

R. da Rosa 176, 1200-390 Lisboa, Portugal Get directions

essencialrestaurante.pt

€50+

Reserve

@infatuation

"Essencial is a buzzy, tiny, and minimal restaurant in the middle of Bairro Alto that feels more like having dinner inside someone’s (very well-decorated) house rather than at an actual restaurant. Pick from two options: a full menu with dishes like oven-baked rice and scarlet shrimp or a three-course tasting for small plates of turbot with caviar and pigeon foie gras. " - rita geraldes

The 26 Best Restaurants In Lisbon 2024

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@michelinguide

"An intimate and informal restaurant with a kitchen that opens out on to the dining room. It offers two menus (Bistrot and Essencial), both with a contemporary focus, touches of French influence and based around local products." - Michelin Inspector

Essencial

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@infatuation

Essencial - Review - Bairro Alto - Lisbon - The Infatuation

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Rebecca Hiromi Teoi

Google

Small restaurant. Amazing food. Great value for money. Their Yuzu Paris Brest is incredible. Today was our 3rd time there and it has always been a nice experience - menu has some classics and yet they have somewhat seasonal dishes, so it is worth visiting in different times throughout the year. Hint: if they have the carabineiro shrimp rice, they can usually make it for 1 person as well, not just for 2 (although it is not explicit on the menu)!

Sarah Wills

Google

We stopped in for dessert and wine only shortly before they closed. The restaurant is intimate - less than ten tables, seats no more than 26 if every seat is taken. The millefuille and Paris Brest were incredible. The service was top notch. The atmosphere was excellent and the music was lovely and not distracting. The clientele was refined and obviously enjoying every moment. There were stacks of books in small places on the art of cooking and baking. The kitchen flows with the rest of the dining area, allowing you to watch the preparation, cooking, and plating. It almost feels like you’re in the kitchen - you get all the sights, sounds, and smells of the searing, plating, and preparation. All the dinner dishes I saw at the other tables were beautifully plated and clearly delicious. This was our last night and last food in Lisbon, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. They deserve the Michelin star on their door.

ajay midha

Google

It was really a remarkable to experience the true craftsman ship in creating such a wonderful menu. Most importantly Chef Andre and his entire happy team work to perfection and ensure that they present a culinary masterpiece. We visited from Australia and our daughter Naomi and son in law Seamus gifted us this beautiful dinner and the experience we will cherish for a very long time. We will visit you again in September. Muito Obrigado.

Olga Filina

Google

Must try! One of the best restaurants in Lisbon! Dishes are very tasty and full of flavour, you want to eat more and more. Wine pairing - perfect match. Desert…difficult to describe, just try. You won’t regret! Service is excellent - friendly but not annoying. I definitely want to return. Many thanks to the whole team!

Alisa B

Google

Really nice restaurant and delicious food, nice concept, beautiful service!!! But I ll try to explain why 3… we order tasting menu and it was too much of food. I can’t really enjoy cuz the dressing for all meal was so rich and u simple couldn’t enjoy ,

Duarte Pinto

Google

Essencial delivers an exceptional dining experience with creative, flavorful dishes. We chose: - Lírio, Crème Fraîche & Citrinos: Fresh, delicate, with a perfect citrus balance. - Cachorro de Lavagante & Caviar: A luxurious twist, playful and refined. - Arroz de Forno & Carabineiro: Rich, aromatic, and perfectly executed. While the food impressed, the €25 two-glass wine pairing didn’t feel worth it. Choosing wines by the glass individually would have been cheaper for the same selections. Overall, amazing food but the wine pairing pricing could improve.

O O

Google

Excellent food + Service. Our server was really friendly and attentive. She was good at explaining the dishes too. The Arroz de forno & carabineiro was exquisite. The Mil-folhas & caramelo salgado is the best Mille-feuille I had in my life. The wine list has superb choices.

Alma Tang

Google

The food here is amazing! My husband and I shared 1 tasting menu and 1 set menu so that we could try more dishes. Every dish that came out was phenomenal! Their sommelier also provided perfect wine pairings based on our dishes. Service was excellent!