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Mini Bar de José Avillez

4.4 (87 reviews)
Ultra High-EndGastropubs
Closed 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Mini Bar de José Avillez Photos

MINI BAR DE JOSÉ AVILLEZ ATMOSPHERE

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Recommended Reviews - Mini Bar de José Avillez

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Large foie gras pearl
Janet C.

Fun and hidden away at the back of a restaurant, the entrance to this spot was through a bookshelf, giving it a speakeasy vibe. The decor and ambience are great. Tables are small and a little cramped. The food was delicious - we had the large foie gras pearls, tuna tartare cones, truffle dries, asparagus tempura, steak, passion fruit globe. Wonderful flavors! Portions are small so it felt a little overpriced but I guess you're paying for the experience. Our waiter was very attentive and helpful with recommendations. Overall, one of my four favorite restaurants from the trip!

Mini Bar once again blue wide remains one of Lisbon's most memorable dining experiences. What began as a spontaneous stop on Friday evening-after discovering the restaurant doing a December 2025 trip-quickly turned into two consecutive nights of exceptional hospitality and cuisine. Even without a reservation, the host welcomed us graciously, arranged a table f following night, and set a standard of professionalism that carried through the e weekend. The staff, from management to our server, delivered polished, attentiv that elevated every moment. The menu continues to shine. The coastal prawn ceviche was bright and refreshir exploding olives playful and delicious, and the octopus-tender, flavorful, and pe executed-was the best we tasted in Lisbon. The tiger prawn curry offered rich, b flavors, while the mushroom risotto emerged as the unexpected star of the evenir performances on Saturday added a vibrant layer to the already sophisticated atmosphere. By the end of the night, we were sharing dishes with the table beside us and laugh over drinks-exactly the kind of experience that makes a restaurant unforgettable. I later posted photos, friends immediately responded: "Mini Bar... love that place!" now 1 understand why the sentiment is universal.

Duck curry
Dar Z.

From the entrance can tell this is a great restaurant. The menu seemed very complex at first but our server Joaquinn was great in helping us and his recommendations. For me, the absolute delicious showstoppers were the tuna tartare cone, the octopus and the passion fruit desert! My friends also really enjoyed the beef tartare and the duck curry. Notable mentions would be the Al pastor tostada and cod fish tempura. We decided against the chefs tasting menu because we wanted to sample a little bit of everyone even though it would cost a little more. But if it's just 2 of you the chefs menu is a great option. If you're a fan of octopus this is the best I've had my entire trip. It was super tender, flavorful and juicy along with some char which I have no idea how they were able to do all of that. And the tuna tartare cone is fresh tuna at its finest. Passion fruit dessert was one of the bigger portions we had out of everything we ordered. The duck curry was also plentiful. The decor and vibe is unlike most restaurants and very cool. I didn't have anything to drink but my friends said the mint martini was outstanding! I do not recommend either of the tuna belly. They weren't very good at all. Had a bad aftertaste. Overall a great experience and great food

Oxtail rice
Ashley C.

My husband and I went here Monday night, the last night of our trip and Lisbon. We were so excited and this restaurant did not disappoint. Walking in the restaurant is indeed hidden as it seems like we walked through a couple of restaurants before getting to the hidden bookcase. Once inside, we were set quickly with our reservations And explain the menu. We chose to go à la cart and order dishes for each act on our own each of the dishes for small plates with a Unique and exciting presentation. For the first few acts, we ordered the beef tartare, which we are not used to, but did taste great. We also ordered foie gras which though presented well with the pearls, was not our speed & after googling, will definitely not order again. The shashimi was excellent and very fresh. My husband wanted to order more. We also enjoyed the al Pastor tostadas. For the last act, my husband ordered the beef which had a horse radish like sauce, and I ordered the oxtail rice. Both were excellent and very tasty. The service was friendly and informative. We really enjoyed our night, though we had to leave early.

Lynn B.

Service was slow, but the bar was packed. There was a stage, but no entertainment. You'd think that a bar that size inside a restaurant and another restaurant would have entertainment. Could really be nice. We didn't eat, but had a couple of drinks.

10-4-23 Inside
Trent N.

YELP HAS WRONG LOCATION! Use the address listed on Google maps as yelp is incorrect and takes you to a hotel. You can make a reservation on their website. Most bizarre bar I've ever been to. First of all you have to walk through 2 other restaurants to even get to the bar. The bar is hidden in the back of another restaurant. The door is hidden as a a book shelf and then one of the staff members will open it for you. Once inside look right and you'll see the girl on the wall behind the bar. To the left is a stage. We tried the 8€ Croquettes- Really good, but you can eat all 3 in 20 seconds or less. Next, the 6€ "roasted chicken" with avocado cream, smoked cottage cheese, piripiri and lemon. Absolutely weird. Where is the chicken? Then, the 8€ small potatoes with kimchi mayonnaise were excellent. Next, the 15€ grilled vegetables curry tasted great, but another tiny dish. We didn't try any drinks, but they looked good. This is definitely a date lounge spot for drinks. The food was great, but I'd need to spend 300€ to even feel full. The portion sizes are for a baby.

Michael M.

Located in the back of another restaurant, Mini Bar feels tucked away but once you're inside it's absolutely the main event. Live music early in the evening, a dj later. The food is fantastic. The service amazing. People are partying and eating and drinking and it's an event that you don't want to miss. There's a tasting menu so you don't have to make tough decisions, and as the night continues you can sing along or dance and enjoy the atmosphere.

Cotton Candy Foie Gras - interesting & good
Wendy B.

When a celebrity chef open too many restaurant and food was mediocre. All the dishes probably more delicate and fun and interesting for the scene and local, but they were executed poorly. - Chocolate Cream dessert was probably the worst dessert we've ever had in our life - frozen Choco cream as ice cream?? - El Bulli Olive bottom grade version (had tried much better ones in Spain) - Avocado Tempura - avocado quality was so so and flavorless. - Tuna Tartar come was interesting but over seasoned slightly. It was an unnecessary stop for us in Lisbon we think.

The bar
Bob K.

Honestly good, but definitely overhyped... some food delivers, but much are aimless gastronomic explorations. Came here with much hope but don't need to come back. Highlights were the beef with fried egg and surprisingly the foie gras with cotton candy. Prawn was also nice. Olive and hummus pearl were one note and unnecessary. Sea bass and chicken were unmemorable. Overall, more ceremony and ambiance than substance and even the service (possibly because of my terrible Portuguese) was spotty. Unfortunate overall.

Brandon H.

We felt the price for the amount in each serving was a little high, BUT, the food was very very good, a nice combination of flavors. The cocktails were creative and tasty, it was hard for me to decide which to have next, and the atmosphere was nice. Advertised as a "hidden" restaurant (behind a bookcase in the main restaurant). Our server was very informative and helpful in helping us choose what dishes and drinks to try. Also, looks like a good place for lots of occasions. We were 2 couples, we saw one woman by herself enjoying her time, a couple of dates, and a group of 4 guys hanging out.

Hummus egg, caviar
Erin W.

My friend and I were so excited to dine here - everyone who has visited Lisbon has recommended this restaurant for us. Don't get me wrong, the food was great and the experience was awesome but both my friend and I woke up with severe food poisoning after dining here at 8pm on 9/24. Posting pictures of everything we ate here for reference. I reached out to the restaurant to flag getting very ill just hours after dining here and I have yet to get a response. If you or anyone you know also got sick from eating here in this day or shortly after, I apologize and hope you also didn't get as sick as we did.

Rose K.

Okay, this is a MUST VISIT in my book. It's mysterious for a reason, and they definitely did a good job making it feel like a speakeasy. It's apparent that José Avillez hails from El Bulli. Reserve this for a special occasion- it's expensive but worth the experience. The decor is stunning, and you definitely feel transported. It felt burlesque-y in all the right ways. I would have loved better music (they do live music at 10:30pm on Thursdays) but we had a great time nonetheless. The cocktails are beautiful, and they have an extensive wine and champagne list for your celebration. The food is meant to be surprising, and the waitstaff almost abstains from explaining anything until you ask- which I can see from other reviews, might be frustrating if you're not sure. I asked plenty of questions, and made sure I understood which items didn't have dairy. The foie gras com algodão doce e framboesa lyo (foie gras with cotton candy and raspberry)- wow. I could have ordered more of this, it was stunning. The Tempura avocado with dehydrated kimchi and coriander sprouts, ALSO delicious, sopped all that sauce up. And highly recommend the tuna tartare cone as well. Next time I would go back for a full several-course meal. Thank you, José Avillez, stunning experience.

Adam B.

Highly recommended the tasting menu, gets you a little something like of everything. Cocktails are delicious. Never seemed rushed, but also didn't wait much between courses.

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Navegadoors - Iberian pork cheek croquettes with blueberry bbq sauce and their summer signature cocktail.

Navegadoors

3.9(34 reviews)
0.4 kmRossio - Baixa - Chiado, Baixa
€€

I've been in Lisbon five days and it's on my last day that I discover this place. :-(…read more Every bite of every dish I was served here made my tongue do somersaults! My taste buds got together and learned Portuguese they could write a thank you note to the kitchen staff. I took photos of everything including the signature cocktail and made my social media friends look at them. This place rocks! (Literally. They have a rocking playlist and live music at night.) No matter your appetite, this place has snacks and full entrees that span a range of palate-pleasers. You cannot go wrong here ordering something out of the ordinary or sticking with what's familiar. The staff are always in motion serving patrons and checking on tables. They seem very happy working together as a team. Their smiles were not just for guests but for each other. Comfortable indoor seating as well as relaxing outdoor seating to accommodate any size of party. Happy Hour specials and 2-for-1 pizza Sundays after 7 PM make this a great spot for anyone on a budget. They do not skimp on creativity or flavor. Treat yourself and try them early in your stay. You'll be better off than me with the option of returning here once more before you have to go back home. Manga!

Great find located in the center of downtown. Love the vibe and the ambiance. Very modern and…read moreeclectic. Didn't have much expectations thinking it was gonna be a tourist trap but I was wrong everything came out to be exceptional. My group got 2 pitchers of their sangria and it was delicious and tasty. Their seafood is pretty fresh and everything came out to be very flavorful. I personally enjoyed the camarones y cahuil which is shrimped drenched in garlic and butter. Only mistake we had was the pizza and ceviche but nonetheless everything else was delicious. Big plus is the atmosphere. Music was on point and the vibe was what we needed after a long day. Would recommend this place if your in the area. Take note they have happy hour for drinks and their cocktails are exceptional.

Photos
Navegadoors - Interior right before dinner/happy hour rush on a Sunday.  2x1 pizza after 7 PM.

Interior right before dinner/happy hour rush on a Sunday. 2x1 pizza after 7 PM.

Navegadoors - 5-cheese pizza with Parma ham.

5-cheese pizza with Parma ham.

Navegadoors - Orange tiramisu

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Orange tiramisu

Mini Bar de José Avillez - gastropubs - Updated May 2026

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