Even Michelin star chefs dream of opening a pizzeria! This is certainly true for one of Portugal’s most beloved chefs, José Avillez. The culinary master and owner of Lisbon restaurants two Michelin starred Belcanto and Cantinho do Avillez, among others, follows in his father’s footsteps by opening a pizzeria on the first floor of his popular Bairro do Avillez.
Avillez attributes his passion for pizza to his father, who had a pizzeria in Cascais. With Pizzaria Lisboa he fuses the memories of his father’s creations with his own interpretation of a Mediterranean Italian restaurant.
Avillez’ pizzas are of the utmost finest quality. First, he has imported a wood oven from Italy. (It was so large that Lisbon police had to close the streets to move it into the restaurant!) Avillez has selected the finest ingredients to use on the pizzas, including San Marzano tomatoes, the finest 00 Italian flour for the crust, and fior di latte mozzarella. He has also put in place a full-time pizziaolo.
Avillez serves traditional pizzas, such as the always-popular Margherita, as well as a menu of his own combinations based on local inspiration, such as the Fado, Bica, Alfama, Mouraria, St. Anthony, Grace, 28, Ladra, Figueira, Carmo, Madragoa, Freedom, Seven Hills, Castle, Beato or Chiado.
Yet, Avillez leaves his mark on haute gourmet creations such as: Molecular (tomato, buffalo mozzarella, onion, explosive olives and oregano: Gigi (tomato, burrata cheese, basil, garlic and Algarve carabineiros; and Gourmet (mozzarella, buffalo mozarella, Jerusalem artichoke and Pérogord truffle.
If pizza really isn’t your thing, Avillez also offers a selection of pastas, risottos, calzones and salads.
For more information, visit the José Avillez website.
Pizzaria Lisboa
Bairro do Avillez
Rua Nova da Trindade, 18
Chiado
Lisboa
Phone: +351 211 554 945
Hours: Everyday – 12:30 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 24:00
Photo Credits: Grupo Avillez