Awarded with a Michelin star in 2017, the VISTA restaurant with its delightful seascape, invites to join a romantic journey through Mediterranean and national cuisine, respecting the original taste and freshness of the ingredients.
VISTA is a restaurant of the Bela Vista Hotel & Spa, located on a cliff in one of the most emblematic places Praia da Rocha in Portimão, Algarve (Portugal) at the junction of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
The restaurant, like the hotel, got its name from the stunning ocean views from them.
Elegant and romantic in style, the design of the restaurant combines blue and white tones of the sea. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with ceramic plates in the form of marine life.
In the Photo: Chef João Oliveira
VISTA Restaurant brings modern innovation and creativity to its cuisine. Head Chef João Oliveira, who is inspired by the ocean, prepares exceptional dishes that are always original and rooted in traditional Portuguese flavors.
“I got my culinary diploma in 2006 as Technician of Culinary from Escola Profissional Infante D. Henrique in Porto. I have worked in the main gastronomic references of Portugal, such as Largo do Paço restaurant in Amarante, awarded with one Michelin star, as Sous-Chef at the Yeatman Hotel in Porto, also with one Michelin star, as well as at Hotel Vila Joya, awarded with two Michelin stars. In 2015 I took over the leadership of VISTA, and in 2017 I received my first Michelin star, — says João. — And in 2019 I was awarded by the International Academy of Gastronomy with the “Chef de L’Avenir” award and the Golden Fork award presented by Boa Cama Boa Mesa”.
João implements in cooking process a movement, based on the sustainability of the ingredients used, from creation to collection, which he calls “sustainable Portugal”.
His menu is carbohydrate and gluten free, showing respect for flavors and manufacturers, with 95% Portuguese ingredients in a perfect symbiosis between land and sea. All João’s dishes are focused only on the marine theme.
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, then this special moment should be spent by tasting the signature VISTA Menu created by João Oliveira and his team in their unique environment.
The restaurant sommelier has carefully selected wines for the set menu, also focusing on Portuguese producers. A welcome glass of sparkling wine Herdade do Rosim Brut Nature Rosé Portugal 2019 is recommended to start the dinner.
Amuse bouche serving: Yellow Horse Mackerel — White Garlic, Carrots
Recommend wine: Vale da Capucha Fossil, Fernåo Pires & Arinto, Doc Torres Vedras, Portugal 2018
Mackerel — Green Olives
Recommend wine: Poeira Desalinhados, Riesling Duoro, Portugal 2015
Organic Tomatoes — Chamomile
Recommend wine: Royal Palmeira Loureiro Vinhos Verdes, Portugal 2009
Turbo — Old Oysters from Alvor, Cauliflower
One course off the menu is so-called “Chef’s Special”.
The dish, where main ingredient is a “catch of the day”, is prepared in front of the guest and is changed for every dinner.
For the bread tasting, the sommelier offers to try Musa Bread Combo — Belgian Bread Pale Ale — in collaboration with Gleba Bakery.
Biological Bread — Olive Oil D.P.C., Butter, Anchovies.
This Olive Oil is a special pride of VISTA, while it’s produced by the Hotel owners and comes from their own olive gardens in Alentejo.
“The olive oil comes from our own Alentejo Farm exclusively for VISTA Restaurant, — says João.
Recommend wine: Qta. do Barranco Longo Remexido №3 Multi-Vintage Arinto Chardonnay & Viognier Algarve Portugal
Mediterranean Scarlet Shrimp — Rise from Setúbal
Recommend wine: Horàcio Simôes Moscatel Roxo Superior Peninsula de Setúbal, Portugal 2005
An icon in the menu since 2015 — Oranges from Algarve
Recommend wine: Barbeito Harvest Malmsey Madeira, Portugal 2002
Carrob — Sand Perpetuae, Cuttlefish
Upon guest’s request a plate of exceptionally selected Portuguese cheese delicacies can be served before the last dessert.
Chef’s selection of Cheese: São Jorge 24 month, Azeitao sheep milk, Veludo goat milk
At the end of the evening — Dom Rodrigo — a Portuguese dessert in Chef’s interpretation, the one which is traditionally associated with the Algarve region, where it’s been made since the 18th century. It is prepared with a combination of egg yolks, sugar, ground almonds, cinnamon, and fios de ovos — a traditional confectionary product consisting of thin egg threads.
João Oliveira: “Northern Portugal and Mediterranean cuisine are my source of inspiration, — says João. — First of all, I try to bring to the fore the authentic taste and natural freshness of each ingredient. I try to give my guests an unforgettable and varied experience, sending them on a gastronomic journey through the tastes of Portugal.”
VISTA Menu — 160€ per person
WINE Pairing — 95€ per person
CHEESE Suplement — 10€ per person
VISTA Restaurant
Address: Av.Tomás Cabreira, Praia da Rocha 8500-802, Portimão, Algarve, Portugal
Contacts: +351 282 460 280; chef@hotel-belavista.com
Instagram: @vistarestaurante
Editor-in-chief: Patricia Kolari
Text Writer: Marina Timoshevskaya
Technical Director: Evgeny Fedorov
Photos: EATWEEK GUIDE
