LOVE this place. They have the best food. For you guys that need a Paleo/Whole 30/AIP friendly restaurant this is the best in my opinion. The food is great, the owner is a great guy, and the restaurant vibe is super chill and relaxed. Seriously, go here and get the lava rock, and if it's your birthday, be sure to tell them! I am beyond glad that this place exists, and everyone needs to give it a shot. :) read more

Bela Lisboa - Portuguese Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Absolutely loved it. For appetizer we had the goat cheese which I will absolutely get again and they have complementary hummus which was great. I had the Salmon on Stone. It's a fun way to eat dinner and you're able to cook it to your desired done-ness. Also had a glass of the Zinfandel- delicious. My husband had the seafood risotto. Best risotto either of us have ever had. Just phenomenal. Very low fat... ;) he had one of the Portuguese red wines- I think it was like Alentejo or something- but it was also just delicious. Only complaints- 1. would like a bigger alcohol selection. They have fantastic wines but no beer or cocktails. 2. The vegetables that came with meal were pretty basic but left something to be desired. We met the owner, Joe and he is from Portugal and so nice and friendly! Our server was Noah and he is top notch! Kind and attentive and knowledgeable about the whole menu! We can't wait to go back! read more

Bela Lisboa - Portuguese Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Excellent service,tasty food. My husband and I went here on date night and really enjoyed our experience. The atmosphere was relaxed.

We were looking forward to our dinner here because of all the good reviews and because we have been missing some good, authentic Portuguese cuisine.... Appetizers ended up being good, but each had something off about them - the cod croquettes were nice but were served with an acidic sauce that tasted like Mayo mixed with fake lemon juice. Octopus was tender with good flavor but really small in size, two end pieces half way burnt to a crisp. We shared the venison osso bucco which was supposed to come over mashed potatoes. It arrived way way way over-cooked, hard to break off the bone and hard to chew, in a stew of almost cold sauce from where we fished out two-three tiny pieces of potatoes... On top of that we ordered a bottle of white wine. The server poured - more like over-poured filling up most of the glasses with the white wine that was not cold enough, then took away the bottle to keep cold in a fridge in the kitchen because they don't have ice buckets ... which is fine, but he rarely came back to replenish the empty glasses. It was not a busy night at the restaurant, but staff seemed like they had other priorities. We overheard them complain to other tables about them being understaffed but in all reality we were five tables with two servers... you do the math... There was nice music playing, but we could also hear different loud music coming from the staff in the kitchen ... really weird and unprofessional. This place could be a gem, but they need to step it up. read more

Where do I start!!!! Me and my beautiful wife decide to come to our new favorite spot " Bela Lisboa on New Year's day and I will say not what we expected!! Greated at the door by some smart ass who didn't want to be at work and was very negative from jump street and made us forget about our wonderful previous experiences we enjoyed. We ordered a Red Sangria and he brought out white Sangria and then he started complaining about how busy it was on New Years Eve and could not believe that customers were back in restaurant. His attitude just made our early morning brunch outing uninviting and not a good start to our day, however our food was just as good as before, just wish we had our regular waitress named YaYa cause she's always friendly and happy to wait on us. I would give this establishment 5 stars but they do need to know about the bad experience we had today. read more

I am honestly very disappointed, I heard great reviews so we decided to come here for my birthday and all I can say is wow, what a joke. We ordered the on the stone meal that you cook yourself, after an hour and a half they tell us the party that came in AFTER US is using all the rocks so we'd have to wait at least another hour to get our food. So we all change our orders and it takes another hour for us to get our food. Two tables that came in well over an hour after us were served the lava rocks EVEN THO THEY APPARENTLY DIDNT HAVE ENOUGH. then once we got our food it was quite frankly shit. Everyone's steaks that were ordered medium rare were well done if not slightly charred. The garlic potatoes had no seasoning, and the creme Brule was NOT made correctly. Way over priced for such a dog shit experience. Definitely would not recommend to anyone from a date to a dinner party. read more

I stopped in for dinner while passing through Chattanooga and was well taken care of. My server, Noah, was the best and made sure they got me fed and out as quickly as possible. The food was also quite good (I had the French onion soup and chicken piri sandwich). Would highly recommend to anyone looking for excellent service and food!! read more

I really want to give this restaurant more stars, but with what we had tonight, I can't. We tried the goat cheese and fig appetizer, which I enjoyed but my husband thought was too sweet. Next we shared a the spinach salad which had lots of tasteless oil in it and very little nuts, tomatoes or cheese. Then my husband liked his seafood paella pretty well. I ordered the fettuccini Alfredo and asked for spinach to be added. I literally tried to eat it but it the sauce was so bland, I asked for it to go, brought it home and added the Asiago cheese it needed. Maybe they were out of garlic and cheese? I also didn't get the wine I ordered. Which was just a mix up by our waitress. I hope this was just a fluke and this restaurant does better! read more

A wonderful little hidden gem on Chattanooga's North Shore. Warmly and tastefully decorated, it's a very welcoming and inviting space. It's not very big, further adding to the ambiance. Although, we went on a Saturday, we were seated immediately. Everyone at our table had a different appetizer and and a different meal. We all ordered something of Portuguese origin to try something different. We were not disappointed. Everyone at our table (6) loved everything. The flavors were wonderful, the food was prepared just right, the service was attentive and to top it all off, the prices were more than reasonable. A definite "must try." We plan on returning for their everyday Happy Hour, another unique aspect of the restaurant. read more

We would have liked ti give this restaurant 5 stars. However, when we arrived a few minutes ago at 2:30 pm) we found it closed (supposedly open 11-10 on Tuesdays.) I hope they have not closed permanently. Maybe the next time we are in Chattanooga.... read more

Nice atmosphere and good food but what I appreciated the most was the service. Attentive but not overbearing and observant on where they seated customers. The atmosphere is a little loud but overall good. Good selection of wines and I had Alfredo with shrimp and our goat cheese appetizer was awesome. read more

Such a cool spot. Went with a group. I had the ahi tuna on the hot stone. I of course overcooked the tuna because I didn't know how to use the stone. Also a bit disappointed when I asked for soy sauce and they didn't have any. The reason I gave it only 4 stars is because I ended up with some severe tummy troubles. Be mindful, those tummy troubles could have been because I had no business cooking my food or it could have been mishandled food before I got it. All in all, I would go again, but I wouldn't order the tuna. read more

Very unique dining experience. Food is very good but the overall experience wins me over. From skewers of meat to cooking your meal on a hot stone it is a great place to dine. Surf and turf is my favorite and the goat cheese appetizer is so good. Full bar. read more

First of all, I am SHOCKED that this restaurant has received so many good reviews. I was EXCITED about taking my boyfriend here for his birthday, the menu selections looked incredible, the location is convenient, we had never been before and were looking forward to trying something new! I chose the restaurant based on the fact that ossobuco is on the menu, it's one of the birthday boys favorite dishes! Upon arrival we were seated promptly at our reservation time of 7pm, we waited until 7:15 until anyone approached our table to take a drink order. we ordered an espresso martini and the fig&goat cheese appetizer, appetizer was easily the best think we ate that night, it was awesome. My $12 martini came in a champagne flute, weird but eh, ok. When it came to ordering food my date excitedly ordered the venison Ossobuco, which was unavailable so he settled for the seafood risotto, I ordered the surf and turf option with scallops, was told that the filet cut was unavailable the substitution was a Brazilian cut, at the same price point as filet!? Food came out in a decent amount of time, hot stone cooking was neat, but not well thought out, there was no extra plate served with the hot stone, so once the food finished cooking I had to just set it on the wooden frame around the stone, I did not receive a steak knife with my meal, which may have been fine had I been able to order filet, but the Brazilian cut proved to be impossible to cut with the butter knife as it was tough and chewy. I was never offered another cocktail, on the reservation I mentioned that we were there to celebrate a birthday, that was not mentioned or acknowledged. We spent around $100 there and would have spent more had the experience been good at all. I've worked in restaurants for my entire career, I rarely write reviews, much less negative ones but this was just SO LAME. I get it, Covid changed things in restaurant world, but this was unnecessarily bad with not even a hint of effort. read more

We enjoyed the restaurant from beginning to end. I had the octopus which was perfectly prepared and fork tender.

I have lived in Chattanooga for 2 years and this restaurant has won the best high quality meals for a very reasonable price. The atmosphere, staff, and selection is extraordinary. We love coming for brunch because mimosas are just $1! read more

I was extremely disappointed in our visit this evening. We had made a reservation in advance. When we arrived, we almost turned around and left. The tables have zero distancing between them. The gentleman seated behind me and I kept bumping into each other with our chairs. We waited ten minutes for a server to come and bring us water and then he disappeared for another 15 minutes. I can't decide if the hostess poorly laid out his station or if he was just inept. Our food was tasty, but the portions were small. My husband ordered the Osso Buco and the meat and marrow were ice cold. read more

I don't know why it took us so long to finally check this place out, but we did and were absolutely thrilled with it. Fantastic ambiance and food. read more

If I could leave less then one star I would. Made reservations to take my mother her for mothers day, I've worked in the food industry for a long part of my life I understand being busy and short staffed it took an insane amount of time just to get menu still no water after waiter finally came and talked to us after waiting even longer we decided to put our appetizer and food in the whole time waiting for our food was never checked on once. Never asked if we needed anything while I watched the manager/sever check almost every other table and blatantly excluded us not just once but several times he could have easily just popped in and said sorry for the wait is there anything I can get you while your waiting for you food but no he never did that once. I went to the bar and asked for a drink because I couldn't get a sever to serve me and the manager was making the cocktails as well as doing all the serving and he got an attitude and pretty much rolled his eyes because I asked for 2 cocktails while he was busy the whole experience was so unprofessional for this to be considered a fine dining experience because it was everything but that the food came out my steak I ordered medium rare it was way over cooked the whole table ordered the surf and turf for the hot stone experience but for some reason today it was cooked to order. Never got streak knives for our meal even after we we're told they would be right back with them. Food was very sub par I could have easily cooked this meal better at home not to mention it's Mother's Day and for me and my mom to be treated like this on her special day I'll never be coming back to support this place again! read more

There with a group for a meal. Had not been before and had heard very little about the restaurant. What a wonderful little restaurant with a very nice staff. They paid attention to all of our needs! The food was a real treat! I had a Herb Crusted Salmon with salad. First time in ages that I have enthusiastically offered a bite to anyone! So good! Thanks! read more

Bela Lisboa - Panoramic of The Group - Portuguese Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Such a great find! We were in town for the Ironman event and went to Bela Lisboa the first night of our trip. It was a fabulous experience all around! I highly recommend the littleneck clams, fig goat cheese, surf and turf stone, osso buco and cocktails. We had such a great time the first night that we ended up going back two nights later! read more

Terrific very authentic food. We happened upon this restaurant as result of a yelp search. We had a late lunch, with very attentive and pleasant service. We splurged and had some Portuguese table wines recommended by the server; they were excellent. We split a salad, gazpacho, spicy shrimp, and clams. All were excellent, fresh, delicious, especially that clam broth. It was so good that, despite being tourists and having tons of choices for places to eat, we returned for brunch the next day. At brunch, my husband had eggs benedict, the eggs were perfectly cooked. I had a chorizo that is brought out and charred at the table, that was great fun and delicious. Again, excellent service. I wish this place was in my hometown! read more

The shrimp truffle pasta is unseasoned pasta with shrimp and one small piece of lobster. Not worth the $20 bucks, I would not even pay $10 for that. The goat cheese appetizer is great though. read more

Bela Lisboa - Black Truffle Lobster and Shrimp Pasta - Portuguese Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bela Lisbad should be the name! We wanted to try something new, and Portuguese sounded like fun. It wasn't. It would be a good choice if your power was out, you didn't know how to start a fire, but were still determined to cook your own food with little to no seasoning. My husband and I both ordered the Sunday surf and turf special, which is described as cooked at the table. It was not made clear that you had to cook it yourself on a hot stone brought to your table. It consisted of three small pieces of steak and four shrimp, with a tasteless chimichurri sauce, a bland herb butter and A1 for cooking and flavoring the food. I have made better chimichurri and herb butter myself and I generally avoid needing to destroy a piece of filet by dunking it in A1. The vegetables that come with it are also bland and sad. As we were discussing this review, we realized the reason we were still hungry was because they forgot the rice and beans we were supposed to receive. The most memorable part of this this dish was our burnt tongues from trying to eat straight from a hot stone. My oldest son got the chicken piri piri sandwich and he said the chicken was dry and the sauce lacked the flavor and spice it was described as having. My younger son chose the Belgian waffles off the brunch menu and it was decent. But again, there was nothing on his plate I couldn't make at home, possibly even better. The two youngest split the fettuccine, and it was evidently good, but that's hard to screw up. Even Olive Garden can pull off fettuccine alfredo. Basically, I left still hungry, irritated, with a headache and almost 70 dollars lighter. I even tried to call and give the manager a heads up about our experience and was basically told that, yeah sometimes we forget the rice and beans, remind us us next time. Do yourself a favor. Make dinner at home. read more

After a number of excellent meals at Bela Lisboa, we recently had a disastrous dinner. Well, almost dinner. We had a 6:45 reservation before 8:00 theatre performance across the street. We arrived at 6:40 and ordered both appetizer and entree right away. Our delicious appetizer arrived, and that was it. No server, no checking back, calamari bowl long empty on the table. At 7:30, we found a server to ask--we were told meals any minute now. At 7:40, the news was meals coming in 5-10 minutes. We had to get to the play. Bill delivered with zero in regret from staff. No apology, no explanation, nothing. We went to the theatre hungry. The staff attitude could best be called indifferent and not sorry. I wrote an email day or so later. No response. After two weeks, I sent a Facebook message. Again, no response. I hesitate to criticize any small business with staffing issues--I get the challenge. It's amazing what an apology or kindness or excellent customer service can do to improve a disastrous dinner. read more

Went for a quick beginning to date-night. Server was extremely acquainted with their menu and style of food. Food was delish, fresh, and very quick service. We will definitely return! read more

They ran out of all vegetables for their side dishes and all vegetables for inside their dishes at 7:30 pm on a Sunday night. And the restaurant was more than half empty at that time, and open until 10 pm on Sundays. read more

I ate there yesterday it was great food you cook on a hot plate that's what I called it . I had Filet mignon and salmon it takes a few minutes to cook the vegetables were delicious the potatoes were delicious everything was just great. read more

Absolutely fabulous! Food was impeccably prepared. Service was excellent. Prices are very reasonable -- especially given the superior food and service. We recommend most highly. And don't miss out on the chocolate mousse with the pink himalayan salt. You'll think you died and went to heaven. read more

Bela Lisboa - Portuguese Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Ambiance, service, and food were all awful. Salmon and "filet" were the worst I've ever had chewy and almost inedible. They told us they only had 2 sides - half of an unseasoned skin on potato and seasonal vegetables which were literally just undercooked almost cold squash and zucchini. Definitely don't recommend :( read more

I think that this place is a total scam. Scamming Chattanoogans into believing that this place is serving Portuguese food. I don't know what Portuguese food is like, never been there or eaten the food here in the US. But one thing I know is spice because I am from south east Asia. My wife, a vegetarian, ordered veg Pallela which is made with saffron, an expensive spice. The Pallela rice was yellow, but made with turmeric. We know turmeric because we never cook without it. They couldn't fool us. The rice was loaded with raw turmeric. Yellow rice with vegies and turmeric. Pathetic, absolutely cringing. I ordered seafood dish called Fruits of the sea, which was served in a fancy copper dish. All it was, was tomato puree with few pieces of fish and clams. For almost a $22 dish this was a joke. Watery tomato puree right out of the can. I couldn't eat it and got is packed for take out. My fellow Americans, do not fool yourselves into believing that this restaurant is serving you authentic Portuguese food. Folks have given rave reviews but these folks don't know the difference between the divine fragrance and flavor of saffron from turmeric. Just go there for drinks. This place is hideous and a disgrace to the restaurant community! THIS PLACE SHOULD SHUT DOWN! read more

Nice atmosphere, friendly owner, interesting way of serving the meat! Sure must try. I had the meat inter picanha cut. Delicious. read more

This place is awesome. Wife got the filet skewer and I got Ahi tuna on hot rock. Both were excellent and fun. Great restaurant for a date night. read more

Not only the tastiest in North Chat; but one of the finest culinary experiences in all of Chat. Solid!!!

My wife & I ate there over the weekend. Bela is just OK . Nothing special. Service is great. Wife got the salmon which was fine and I got the cod which wasn't as good as it should have. read more

We arrived on time for our reservation. The server took our order 30 minutes later. The appetizer arrived 20 minutes later. When my entree arrived, an hour after we took our seats, the food was room temperature, and the fish was dry. Overall, a very disappointing experience. read more

Me and my brunch crew were excited to try Bela Lisboa. We went Sunday for brunch. Have to say we were a little disappointed. Our server was great, just stayed really busy at times since he was the only waiter/hostess. So wait time was long due to that. Once we ordered food took 45-50 min to come out and no one received food at same time, so there were 3 of us eating and other 3 waiting at least 10 more minutes. Taste of food was good, temp was cold on several entrees.. The surf and turf was very neat because you cook it on a hot stone yourself at the table. And last but not least they ran out of champagne, brunch foul for sure... read more

This place has been hiding. We live within walking distance and had no idea what we were missing. Food was spectacular. Ya ya was our server and she was extremely knowledgeable and helpful navigating the menu. It was a unique experience. I had the pork tenderloin skewers and my wife had the filet skewers. Both were superb. The goat cheese appetizer will bring us back. Parking was a bit confusing, but evidentially you can park in the lot next door in the evenings. The lot in the back also has an elevator that will bring you right up. We will be back. read more

We had a phenomenal experience at Bela Lisboa. Our waitress, Miranda, was perfect. She never missed a beat and made the experience there even more amazing. I had the filet, my husband had the prime rib. Both were great! We will definitely be back, both for the great food and the off the charts service! read more

Really cool experience, great service. The food was above average. The wine prices are great!