Almeja — Restaurant in Porto

Made a reservation for a 1:30 PM lunch on a Thursday afternoon for two people. We were greeted promptly at the door and name checked off of a handwritten note for reservations. Most of the tables were filled, but we were asked to choose from two empty spots.

An English speaking waiter cater to us. He was very friendly and fast.

We sat in the window seat, which is very narrow, great for close talkers, but probably not too comfortable if you are of a bigger size.

We ordered the lunch menu pre-fixed with wine, €16 each, which included two pieces of their warm homemade sourdough bread with olive oil, a yellow vegetable soup with olive oil and sunflower seeds, a Brazilian raw shrimp curry with cherry tomatoes on rice sprinkled with crushed peanuts, a peach crumble with almond sauce and sorbet.

We both chose white wine and they were pouring a bottle labeled Piano.

Everything was beautifully presented and tasted good. A side of salt would have been preferable for those of us who are not used to bland food.

We asked for the check when we were done and the waiter came over with the credit card machine.

Their 10 course dinner menu looked attractive. Hope to try it next time.

You can also choose from the à la carte menu at lunch, or get the set menu without the wine for a more...

We had an incredible lunch experience at Almeja, opting for their 10 Moments menu, and it did not disappoint. Every course was meticulously crafted, bringing out bold and refined flavors that showcased both creativity and technical skill. Each dish felt like a thoughtfully curated experience rather than just a meal.

The service was truly exceptional—attentive without being intrusive. Small gestures, like ensuring our water glasses were always full and even bringing me a purse hanger when they noticed my bag had fallen, made a lasting impression. It’s these details that elevate a great restaurant to an outstanding one.

We also chose the wine pairings, spaced out every 2-3 courses, which complemented the food beautifully. The selection was well-balanced and enhanced the experience without overwhelming the palate.

One of the biggest surprises was the second dessert—a curry and coconut ice cream. We weren’t sure what to expect, but it completely shocked us in the best way possible. The balance of spice, creaminess, and sweetness was unexpected yet absolutely delightful.

For the quality of food, service, and overall experience, Almeja is very reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy a special meal in Porto. Highly...

I wanted so badly to love this place. I thought, here's my chance at a Michelin star restaurant at something resembling affordable. 96 euro, 9 "tastes" later...I felt like I was still waiting for an actual meal. Everything tasted excellent, but it was such a laughably small quantity (even with 9 courses) that I had to eke out a cheap fried bacalhau sandwich afterwards from some dive on the way home. There's plenty of good food, well prepared, that is both creative AND filling. I appreciate creativity, intention, expertise, but if those qualities replace actually providing a meal, I fear things have moved toward the pretentious, the self-involved. The service was lovely, the food tasty, but its purely "experiential" rather than satiating. If you can drop $100 euro, go home hungry, and not bat an eye, good on ya. I for one, would love to have an experience that's both tasty AND nourishing, and I don't think that's too much to ask for this price tag and number of "courses". Perhaps a Michelin star excuses a restaurant from the intention of feeding people, and allows a disappointing shift toward concept...