Arkhe

Lisbon, Portugal

Named after the ancient Greek word meaning ‘beginning’ or ‘origin’, this vibrant spot puts a decadent spin on vegetarian and vegan dining. Raised in Brazil by a Portuguese father, chef João Ricardo Alves travelled through Asia and Europe where he spent time as a butcher in a French restaurant. This may have been enough to see him swear him off meat for good, but there’s definitely a whiff of classical French cuisine about the umami-laced richness of his sauces and broths. Three, five or seven-course menus are sourced directly from small producers throughout Europe who use regenerative growing techniques, and many of them are celebrated by name on the restaurant’s own website – always a good sign. The wine list is as tight as the service, hardly surprising as both are overseen by Alejandro Chávarro who has previously worked at Mugaritz and Hotel Eden Roc.

Key Information

Location

Rua de São Filipe Néri 14, Lisbon, 1250-227