Cantinho do Avillez

Cantinho do Avillez is a casual bistro by chef José Avillez on Rua Duques de Bragança in Lisbon's Chiado district, a few steps from the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos and the Chiado shopping streets. It was the first of the chef's restaurants to bring his cooking to a wider audience, offering the creativity of a Michelin-starred kitchen at an accessible price. The cuisine is contemporary Portuguese with international touches, set out as a menu of sharing plates and main courses. Frequently ordered dishes include tuna tataki, black pork secretos (the tender cut from Alentejo black pork) and confit cod, which reinterprets Portugal's national fish, bacalhau, in a softer and more delicate style. Desserts, including chocolate-based plates, are also well regarded. The dining room is bright and relaxed, with a simple, modern design, and the mood is cheerful and sociable, with a noise level that rises at busy times. It suits couples, families and small groups. The wine list is Portuguese-focused, with many bottles by the glass, and cocktails and beer are also available. Because of the chef's reputation, tables fill quickly, and reservations are recommended, especially for dinner, weekends and the evenings before performances at the nearby theatre. The restaurant is open daily from noon to midnight, and a lunch menu is often available at a lower price than dinner. Prices are in the mid range for central Lisbon and offer good value relative to the quality of the cooking, making it a common choice for visitors who cannot reserve the chef's more expensive restaurant nearby. Combining it with a walk up through Chiado, Carmo and Bairro Alto makes for a full day of eating and sightseeing in the centre of the city.