What a perfect experience for my first night in Porto. This is food theater! I had the pleasure of sitting at the bar right next to where the chef prepared each dish. His masterful craftsmanship and artful care with each ingredient was an inspiration to witness. Everyone in the kitchen participated in a delightful choreography that kept the service running seemingly without effort. My server was a doll, and helped me choose the most complimentary wines for the dishes I ordered, as I opted not to go for the tasting menu or pre-determined wine pairings. However, seeing the dishes that came out for those that did order the tasting menu, I was both endlessly jealous as well as relieved that I wasn't faced with eating that much food. (Be sure to come here very hungry.) I settled on the sourdough bread with smoked butter, potato terrine with béchamel, and the wild croaker with kale and noisette. I enjoyed the bread and potato terrine the most (what can I say, I'm Irish). The wines were also delightful. I didn't love the croaker, as it was a bit tough and meatier vs. flaky and buttery, which is the texture I tend to prefer; but it was the first time I'd had that type of fish, and it might just be personal preference. I wish I'd ordered something different but the service and atmosphere made up for my disappointment with the main dish. I was too full to order dessert, but what I saw coming out for other patrons looked divine. I instead enjoyed a Porto suggested by the server, and it was seriously the best dessert wine I've ever had. It's a gorgeous restaurant, with each detail being carefully considered. I felt a bit guilty taking any photos since it was almost like a secret speakeasy -- romantic mood lighting and tables privately tucked away in the back of the building past the kitchen. Compared to prices in the U.S. or UK, this place was very reasonable for the elevated quality. I would come again to do the tasting, read more

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Walking into Elemento leaves no doubt about the method of cooking; the smokey smell permeates the air. I was dining solo and seated at the counter. As noted by others, the counter area is on the warmer side so dress accordingly! You can order a la carte or have the chef's 8 moments menu with optional Portuguese wine pairing. I opted to forgo wine for the night and appreciated that they offered mocktails! I tried the elderflower mocktail and gin & tonic mocktail. Both were really great mocktail options, although the elderflower was a little overly sweet. I came in specifically for the chef's tasting and it did not disappoint. From the fire toasted bread to the banoffee inspired dessert, everything was phenomenal. It is difficult to pick a favorite but the black pork rump was especially tasty . Also any place that has a pre-dessert dessert is right up my alley! The pre-dessert included a cauliflower ice cream that I was initially skeptical of but one bite had me sold. Service was friendly, timely, and unobtrusive. Highly recommend making this a stop on your trip to Porto! read more

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We had a fantastic dinner at Elemento. The food was exceptional, each dish had different flavors and textures it was like a festival in our mouths! We took white wine that was recommended by our waiter that we absolutely loved and accompanied our dinner beautifully. The entire staff was professional and friendly, a perfect fit for a great restaurant experience. The place is tastefully decorated with a clean and modern look using different natural materials. It's a small place, I would say about 10-12 tables and it feels really cozy and intimate. We already recommended this place to friends who are to visit Port soon, and will def be back on our next visit. read more

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If you're planning a trip to Porto. Reserve your spot at the Chef's counter at Elemento for a fiery experience. A team of 10+ chefs showcasing their skills working under extreme heat. Literally! Opt for the Chef's recommended tasting of course. All was delicioso! My faves: -Red prawn tartare - fresh red prawn in a delightful tasty guanciale roasted onion broth. -Entrecôte and braised beef cheek - perfectly prepared entrecôte accompanied with a fork tender braised beef cheek with an intense jus. -Smoked beetroot velvet - a unique dessert featuring beet as the prime ingredient. Refreshing, and a textural experience. As we say in the US, 'a party in your mouth.' Elemento is classy, and the service excellent! The entire experience was truly special. Thank you Chefs and service team. read more

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This restaurant has a special place in our heart. Before pandemic, we had booked dinner there for our 50th anniversary. It didn't happen till post pandemic but it was a most wonderful meal. We loved many, many meals in Porto but this one was perfect because of staff, food and ambiance. We recommend it to anyone who says they are going to Porto. read more

You walk in and are immediately greeted with the smell of wood-fire. Not the smokey stuff when you first light logs and get an uneven burn - it's the clean scent of hot embers. Elemento is a one-Michelin-star restaurant that uses wood-fire to cook all its dishes, and it doesn't miss a beat. Service was impeccable - dishes and silverware swapped like clockwork, dishes served and timed perfectly - everything moved along at a quick (but not rushed) pace. Make sure to book the chef's table - it was really interesting watching the team cook and prepare dishes. Dress lightly, as it gets very hot. We chose the tasting menu, which left me comfortably satisfied. There was the option to pair wines with 5 of the courses, but this would have left me quite sloshed and so I chose a white and red for the seafood and darker meats, respectively. The sommelier was great help and recommended some great pairings. The tasting menu was 8 courses long and consisted of 2 seafood and 2 "turf" courses. Everything tasted fantastic and was cooked perfectly. One highlight was the WreckFish, which was grilled with a small chunk of crunchy skin intact. I thought it paired very well with the grilled vegetables, which retained a good smokey flavor from the wood. Second highlight would be the Entrecote, which they brushed with a seasoning that I just can't quite make out, but brought out the meat flavor in a fantastic way. This paired with the sprinkle of salt on top and I didn't even need the puree to pair with the meat. Overall, the food was fantastic, and the dinner experience was a show as well. This is definitely a place to check out if you're in Porto for a visit. read more

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Amazing food !! Super friendly staff I was put off a little when I was told we were sitting at the counter in the kitchen. While it wasn't what I wanted it was an entertaining experience If you like to watch the chefs and don't mind a little heat or smoke. Do sit at the counter watch the magic in the kitchen unfold dish by dish read more

We were fortunate to get in without a reservation, and on the recommendation of our tour guide Andre from Get Your Guide tours. Two of us had the Venison Loin, one had the Pork Rump and another had the Beef Tenderloin. Everything was fabulously prepared and presented. I wish I had room for dessert. The service was also excellent, timely and without being intrusive. read more

Delicious, upscale, great ambiance and service. Did the tasting menu that was incredible. Took off one star because it was a little overpriced but food was very high quality. Tasting menu was 90 euro per person read more

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Great food. Sit at the bar and see how it's made. Highly recommend this place. We shared a few plates but the wine pairing was excellent.

I generally do not seek out Michelin-starred restaurants out of concerns for their usual pretentiousness and overly-contrived (not to mention ridiculously overpriced) food. However, when this smallish restaurant in Porto with a concept that exclusively focuses on traditional wood- fired cooking with locally-sourced food was highly recommended by a trusted source, I had to try it. Well, it delivered on a recent evening. We sat at the long "show-kitchen" countertop and watched as the cooks and head chef (who personally skillfully assembled and finished each dish for all to see) created amazing looking plates of food in a small oven and several types of grills, all of which were (of course) wood-fired. Grilled sourdough bread was a hit. Crab tortellini starter was very good. My pork belly with white beans and mushrooms entree was sensational. Red snapper with fish bone broth and roe was a little to assertive for my taste but was very good. Grilled cabbage and potatoes au gratin sides were excellent. Cool unpretentious atmosphere. Service and ambience on point. Wine pairing suggestion excellent. All for what a very ordinary dinner would cost in almost any city in the USA. Highly recommended for adventurous foodies. read more

Saved Elemento for our last night in portugal. Greeted and seated on time for our reservation for our fourtop. Nice vibe. Good footprint. The smell of the wood fire grill embraces you as you walk to your table. Marcio our server was outstanding. Offered water and drink orders taken. Nice mixed drinks. Great wine list. Ordered several bottles from the Euro valley, highly recommended. A sparkling and a red, both were delicious. The kitchen prefers you place your entire order at once so the kitchen can slowly pace your dinner and reserve proteins as needed. We ordered four of the six appetizers to share. All spectacular. I had enjoyed fish everyday on our trip so I went with the wood fired grilled duck. Skin and fat nicely crispy and rendered. Perfect mid rare temp....delicious! My wife had the egg appetizer (5/6 apps) for her entree and loved it. We shared a lemon yogurt desert which did not disappoint. Ended with LBV port, of course. A perfect last Portugal dinner. Never a bad meal. Very highly recommended Slainte!! read more

I have no criticism because this restaurant is divine in so many ways. First, the atmosphere is absorbing, the colors vibrant, the decor modern and trendy, the kitchen - visible and central - the heart of the restaurant if you will. The service is upscale, pleasant, attentive, and precise. I did not notice a fingerprint on my glass or a mark on the silverware. Everything was immaculate. Finally, the food - oh the food. The menu was one delightful page - starters, mains, desserts, and a multi-course tasting menu that is paired with 5 wines (70€ and a value if you ask me). However, we chose a la carte dining. All of the food is presented beautifully - focal masterpieces, enticing, interesting, and inviting. So at the very least you have that going. But, it tastes as good as it looks. Everything was flavorful and complex in a good way, thought provoking, and satisfying. I never once thought - hmm. . . I need salt or pepper. This is one to try as it is certain you will not be disappointed. My only complaint is is that I failed to try one of the desserts. read more

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Definitely an A+ dining experience! The staff was warm and accommodating to our two year old daughter. My wife and I opted for the tasting menu which was a home run. The food was well seasoned and executed to perfection. The whole experience was very memorable and easily one our best experiences in Europe. Thanks and keep up the great work! read more

Ok if you miss this restaurant when your in Porto you simply missed the most amazing experience ever. If you can take the heat sit at the kitchen bar and watch the chef and his team work magic all night. Don't skimp - buy the tasting menu and the selected wine package and you will be swept away to another place via cuisine that is absolutely amazing - the pairings are second to none and the presentation is spot on. If you even think you are a foodie then you will love this place. If you pretend to be a foodie then you won't like the use of endive, Kim Chi or the meat will be too rare (actually perfection) so I have never given a 5 but I do for this awesome restaurant.Everything and I mean EVERYTHING is cooked 100% on a wood fire!!! Great staff - what else can I say just GO. read more

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We selected this restaurant for our anniversary dinner. It was disappointing. The food was good, but not great and service was uneven. We ordered cocktails at the same time as we ordered our meal. One of us got wine and that arrived in a timely fashion, then the bread arrived, still no drinks, then the starters arrived, still no drinks. We finally asked about the cocktails and were told the bar was very busy with cocktail orders. Not the response I would have expected from a Michelin star restaurant. When the drink did arrive (a mojitos) it was a strange shade of green and overly sweet and fruity. I thought they had given me the mocktail version as there had been some confusion with our server when ordering the drink. They did bring it back telling me that it was the correct drink but since it was so weak they would add another shot of rum. At this point our entrees had arrived and I said never mind but was told I would be charged for the drink. Maybe I'm being too American. It just seemed rude to me to charge for a drink that was so delayed and undrinkable. So rather than a good experience on our special night we have a good story. read more

Incredible, unpretentious restaurant. Had the tasting menu the other night. Unequivocally recommend. Everything was perfect from drinks, food and the staff. read more