Le Petit Chef - Lisbon — Restaurant in Lisbon

Underwhelming. A dinner for a total of 24 people in total, and 2 waiters.

Who are we? We are a couple who like to go fine dining in the price range of 100-200€ per tasting menu. Therefore, we have quite a bit of experience to compare. When dining and spending in total more than 300€, you can expect excellent service, a remarkable atmosphere and food that is amongst the best you have ever tasted.

My husband and I spent an evening tonight at Le Petit Chef. We had been wanting to go for a while, and finally went tonight. We chose the most expensive option, that was 20€ more than the simpler one, because of a single scallop and a slice of truffle in the second course.

The "Movie": It was a nice animation movie, that showed the food being prepared. It almost never corresponded with the actual meal however.

The drinks: No drinks were included, and the drinks we had were quite expensive for what we had. The cocktails from the bar were average at best, but with 16€ per drink in the higher segment in Lisbon. I can absolutely not recommend the southside fizz, because of the simple fact that they use ready-made lemon juice, which simply ruins the drink. The moscow mule was average. We ordered a glass of red wine for the 3rd course, and were asked if we want to receive it with the course (which was nice). They forgot about it, however, and after asking about it, they came with a fresh bottle of red wine, that they opened at the table. Needless to say, the food was already cold and the wine needed a good 15 minutes to breathe. So we ended up only having one glass, and not even finishing that together.

The food: My husband is a very good cook, and I have had much better food at home than here. Yes, the food was good. It was, however, neither excellent nor outstanding, which you would expect in that price range. The couvert was standard bread and some butter, and no couvert plates, which ended in us having plates full of crumbs to watch the videos on for the entire dinner. The first course was quite different than expected and described, but all in all good. The 2nd course came already cold. Apart from that, the ravioli dough was dry on top and very soggy on the bottom, which led us to believe that it had been done for a while, standing around. A family of 4 arrived late, and my guess is that they served them and delayed our meals. The scallop was good, but the truffle had absolutely no taste. It was without hesitation the worst truffle I have ever had. You couldn't smell it, you couldn't taste it. It is not worth the money!! The 3rd course was the wagyu beef, that arrived already medium-well done, so by the time you got to the second half, it was well done (see picture). A no-go for "the french part" of the dinner. The sauce bernaise had a clear "dry coating" as if it had been sitting there for a while. The lobster piece was warm, but turned cold faster than you could eat it. The whole dish seemed not to work together well. My potatoes were also burnt on top. The 4th course was the dessert, which was good. It was fresh, and had a nice mix of flavours. The presentation was nice too.

The atmosphere: A corner in the hotel lobby of sheraton, separated from the dining area by curtains. It was very irritating to hear - next to the music from our dinner, which seemed to be always the same song(s) - the clanking of cutlery polishing from behind the curtain, as well as loud live music from the lobby. That mix of two kids of music was extremely irritating!! There were also children yelling around, which was just bad luck.

The service: The staff was friendly and helpful, although they couldn't really help with the wine choice, and forgot to open the red wine on time to have it together with the food. Nobody cleaned breadcrumbs away, or a leak of red wine from serving. At this price range that would be a basic service.

All in all, we cannot recommend the experience to anyone. It is far overpriced. The food, the service, the drinks and the atmosphere do not match the price at all. We will...

I discovered Le Petit Chef in Lisbon one Friday evening, drawn by curiosity more than anything. From the moment I sat down, the projector on the table popped to life—an animated little chef walking across your plate, cooking each dish scene-by-scene. It felt playful, surprising, and somehow magical.

I was with two friends, and we all started laughing as we watched him “prepare” our first amuse-bouche—a tiny bite served just as his cartoon self finished chopping. The food itself? Impressive. A perfectly seared scallop followed, light risotto that felt comforting and refined, and a tender pork tenderloin finished with a delicate sauce. Each portion was small but thoughtfully balanced.

During the main courses, the projections grew more elaborate—tiny characters stirring pots, sprinkling herbs—and the sense of dinner as a show turned deliciously immersive. It wasn’t just a meal, it was a dining experience you’re unlikely to forget.

A week later, I went back solo, wanting to soak in the details. The energy was slower, the technology still played, and the chef’s creations stayed the stars. The service felt friendly and attentive, though I noticed a bit of waiting between projected sequences and actual service time—which was fine if you’re in it for the vibe, but might feel stretched if you’re hungry.

Price-wise, it’s definitely a splurge—each course almost feels like part performance, part fine dining—and the menu leans on the theatrical. If you're looking for bold flavors above all else, there are simpler restaurants that deliver a bit more punch. But if you want an evening that’s playful, creative, and almost theatrical in design, Le Petit Chef is a charming and memorable show...

One of the best dining experiences ever! If you come accross a Le Petit Chef during your travels, please splurge on the experience. You'll be glad you did. A unique dining experience like no other, you’ll be entertained for the entire meal process, a must for your bucket list! The whole concept is unique and entertaining. One of the first dinners we've had where we were not zoning out on our phones. We actually enjoyed the entertaining distraction and each other's company. The food was delicious, tasty and well presented. The dining area was not packed, only 3 or 4 other couples. This is not an experience you want to bring 24 people to and expect to have the undivided attention of your waiter. Every meal is timed to coincide with the ending of each of the chefs presentation. We had one waitress and she did an exceptional job taking care of the small quaint group we had. The food was really good and well prepared. If you want your steak done in a particular way put it in your notes when you make your reservations. If not it's going to come out med and juicy. Again the space is quaint so please make this an intimate experience as large groups would take away from the experience for...