This is Chef Rui Paula's most iconic locations, built on the rocks adjacent to the Atlantic ocean with spectacular views. I recommend lunch only unless it is Summer.
We arrived and by chance Chef Rui Paula was there at the entry and greeted us. We were six and had a round table with a marvellous view. We did the 21 moments plus a few bottles of wine, not the pairing. The food was amazing, and we loved the games and culture that went with the courses.
The experience took four hours in total. Payment was in advance to secure a booking. For our children here at Christmas it was a highlight. With a modest gratuity the cost for this remarkable Michelin two star experience was just over €300 per person. It was our second visit and we loved it.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
€50+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Horse Mackerel
This was a disappointingly average experience, especially for a 2 star restaurant.
Let's start with the positives: the view from the property can't be beat, and the restaurant certainly adds little touches to deliver an experience that is more than just the food, like the design and sounds of the dessert cart, the mini game during the appetizers, and the bread made right at the table.
The service was a mixed bag. While attentive, I found it very rehearsed and impersonal. Every dish was explained with less than 10-15 words, that's how memorable it was.
The staff were even quite stifling and too formal at times. As an example, when I was returning from the washroom, I passed by a customer who was simply taking a photo of the coast from the window in the main lobby and the staff rushed out to ask her if she needed help finding her table, when it was clear from the context that all she wanted to do was take a photo. She wasn't disturbing anyone else, there were no tables nearby, she wasn't taking an annoyingly long series of selfies, but the staff acted with an urgency as if she was somewhere she didn't belong.
But the most disappointing part was the food itself. The portions were incredibly small, even for a Michelin star tasting menu. This is the only restaurant where I've left hungry after completing a 12-course tasting menu. And for the price, that definitely should not be the case. I came way feeling I overpaid even for a Michelin star experience.
The flavours were also not very refined. More than one dish had too many flavours competing with one another, with no clear direction on what the dish was trying to emphasize.
And the 2 dishes which featured the use of curry were completely overpowered by the curry flavour. I'd expect a kitchen of this standard to know that a little goes a very long way when it comes to using curry powder, especially when portions are this small.
I don't know how or why the Michelin guide rated them 2 stars again. Maybe the 2 stars sets diner expectations too high? Either way I've definitely had much better food at 1 star and Bib Gourmand restaurants, and I would not revisit.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
€50+
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
There will never be a better atmosphere than this. The service was absolute perfection. The food was absolutely superior in appearance and taste. I cannot recommend this treasure of an experience enough. Just Wow.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
€50+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
We had an outstanding dinner last night at Casa de Chá. I am not a food guide expert, nor am I trained about what eventually could or should be expected by a 2-starred restaurant: so I judge based on my taste, sensations and emotions. Casa de Chá really deserves a visit because here fish and seafood are treated with the outmost respect not changing their nature but rather adding flavours around them to enhance their characters. The place is beautiful but I’m happy that we went there for dinner rather than lunch, not to be distracted from food by the incredible sea view. Next time we’ll try lunch time 🤗 thank you chef Rui Paula and the crew for making our stay so delightful.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
The 2 star michelin restaurant in Portugal with the best view to the beach I’ve ever tried so far. We try the full set menu with many kind of seafoods: mullet, crab, fish, red prawn…. The ones we like the best is 3 types of prawn with different types of cooking.
After finishing the dessert with 03 dishes, we also received a very nice gift from restaurant.
Enjoy a good meal together with a super view is the beautiful memory in my life. :)
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
We had a dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Overall, we had the worst experience among the 2-3 Michelin star restaurants we visited. The food, service and atmosphere were all underwhelming.
We were seated in a small room - instead of the main dining area - despite our note that it was our wedding anniversary when we made the reservation. The part of the reason we chose this restaurant was to check out the architecture so it was a bit disappointing. CONCLUSION: We would not recommend it but if you do decide to go, would go for lunch and ensure you get seated at the main dining room at the time of the booking. In essence, you are paying for the architecture and the views, not the food.
We felt the service (especially the manager’s attitude) was superficial. Also, we felt pressured to order a 21 course meal when we didn’t want it. The staff was almost too formal and stiff - we didn’t feel comfortable or particularly welcomed.
The food was mediocre at best - certainly below expectations for a 2 Michelin star restaurant. Especially the main course, cod dish, was way too fishy. I couldn’t finish it.
We went to Belcanto a couple of days later - another 2 Michelin star restaurant in Portugal. We had much nicer experience there.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 2
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2
Very nice location and view. The staff is nice but the food is not at the level expected for this kind of price range restaurant. We felt as we were in the movie The Menu, but Ralph Fiennes was missing. Too much “experience”and not enough good food in the plates.
Food: 2
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Amazing experience! We chose to take “XII Cantos”. Loved the creativity, sensation and aesthetics of every single dish. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a special and relaxing meal with stunning views to the beach. Only regret is not ordering the “XXI Cantos” menu.
Service
Dine in
Price per person
€50+
We had the 21 course tasting menu, including the wine pairing, and we were astonished by it!! Each dish was a small artwork and tasted amazingly. The wine pairings complimented the food in a very good way. The sommelier explained every wine very enthousiast and even took the time to write the list of wines down on the menu that we took home.
The service was superb and very friendly. They took the time to chat with us and were very informal.
The architectural building and the view of the sunset made the whole experience even better. I don't understand why this restaurant isn't in the top 50 of the best restaurants. We've eaten a couple of the top 50, and Casa de Chá da Boa Nova is for sure better than a couple of them.
What a fantastic meal and service. From start to finish. The chef was able to accommodate some food allergies and provide us with a memorable experience. The service, provided for a friendly and relaxing atmosphere which we loved!!! Thank you for gorgeous experience.
I guess if I had to pick some of my top favorites it would be the stone bass, urchin, oyster tuna and scallop. I could honestly eat a soup-bowl portion of the urchin.
