Henrique Sá Pessoa Opens His Signature Lisbon Restaurant in 2026

Henrique Sá Pessoa Opens Namesake Restaurant in Pátio Bagatela

After the closure of the iconic Alma, chef Henrique Sá Pessoa debuted his eponymous restaurant in February 2026 at a new location in Pátio Bagatela. The space serves as the perfect stage for the renowned and award-winning chef's creative vision, with every detail meticulously crafted under his direction. The dining room, bathed in hues of blue and gold, exudes sophistication, where harmony and discretion reign—supported by an attentive front-of-house team ready to guide guests through each dish.

At the time of opening, Sá Pessoa told Boa Cama Boa Mesa that he felt "particularly anxious" about the launch. He viewed it as "a project entirely my own, without partners, at a pivotal moment in my career, with added responsibility." For the first time, he was involved in every decision, from the bathrooms to the washing stations, the trays to the plates—details he had previously left to others while focusing on the kitchen.

The restaurant employs 26 professionals, with wine pairings overseen by Manuel Cambournac, a long-time collaborator from Alma. The à la carte menu reflects Sá Pessoa's long-standing philosophy: he has never favored fixed menus, instead championing flexibility as essential to the dining experience, allowing guests to tailor their meal at their own pace.

Among the offerings is the new "Encontros Menu" (€140). The "Snacks" section features "Timeless Classics", including Beetroot, Peppers, and Piri-Piri Chicken, alongside "Journeys – A Dialogue Between Territories", where Gazpacho makes an appearance. For starters, diners can choose between Squid with chorizo, aromatic broth, and sun-dried tomato, or Foie Gras with apple, granola, beetroot, and coffee. The main courses present Megrim Sole with eggplant and pica-pau sauce, alongside Barrosã Pork Loin, served with cauliflower, horseradish, and bone marrow jus. Desserts include Sweet Rice with lemon caramel, bay leaf, and cauliflower, competing for attention with Chocolate, paired with hazelnut and miso.

The restaurant also retains the two signature menus that earned Alma two Michelin stars and a Golden Fork from Boa Cama Boa Mesa. The "Clássicos Menu" (€220) gathers dishes Sá Pessoa considers milestones in his career, beginning with "Small Bites/Snacks"—Beetroot, Peppers, Piri-Piri Chicken, Escabeche, Bread Soup (Açorda), and Fish Stew (Caldeirada), alongside Crab with Gazpacho. Starters include Carrot with buckwheat, goat cheese, and apricot, and Foie Gras with apple, granola, beetroot, and coffee. Standout mains are Cod with black garlic and kale, and Alentejo-Style Pork Cheek with pepper paste and Bulhão Pato sauce. For dessert, the Sweet Rice returns.

Meanwhile, the "Costa a Costa Menu" (€220) pays homage to Atlantic seafood. It begins with "Alma Portuguesa", a trio of Escabeche, Bread Soup (Açorda), and Fish Stew (Caldeirada). Starters feature Squid with chorizo, aromatic broth, and sun-dried tomato, as well as Lobster with garlic butter, almond emulsion, and corn. The mains present Sea Bass with parsley, saffron, and lime, alongside Megrim Sole with eggplant and pica-pau sauce. The dessert, "Sea & Citrus 3.0", blends yuzu sorbet, crystallized seaweed, and citrus curd.

Henrique Sá Pessoa's Restaurant: A 30-Seat Culinary Haven in Pátio Bagatela

With just 30 seats, Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa's restaurant in Pátio Bagatela features a private dining room for up to 12 guests, which can be integrated with or separated from the main space. This is also where the finishing kitchen is located, dedicated primarily to desserts. The interior design was handled by Rebeca Perez of Ibiza's Tabula Rasa Design Studios. The space is still awaiting a few final touches, including a piece by Mário Belém to be installed above the kitchen's wheel and, from September onward, a work by a widely acclaimed artist for the main wall.

On the opposite side, part of the chef's personal library is on display, alongside gastronomic awards and two autographed basketballs from his childhood idols—Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond of the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat eras. The private room also showcases a Michael Jordan jersey.

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In 2022, Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa was named Chef of the Year in the Boa Cama Boa Mesa Guide. In an interview with the guide, published by Expresso, he urged his fellow professionals to unite in promoting Portuguese cuisine internationally: "Our identity will never be lost, and we've never seen our chefs prouder of our products and gastronomy than they are today. It's up to us to be a united front, speaking for all with a clear direction. We're finally gaining the recognition we deserve—and we can go even further," he declared.

A Trailblazing Career Sá Pessoa first made his mark in 2005 by winning the Chef of the Year competition. Two years later, he received the Arte da Cozinha award from the Portuguese Gastronomy Academy. He rose to greater prominence with Panorama, the restaurant atop Lisbon's Sheraton Hotel, while also making his television debut with the show Entre Pratos (Between Dishes). In 2009, he struck out on his own as both chef and entrepreneur with Alma, a project in Lisbon's Santos neighborhood. Open from 2009 to 2013, Alma served as the creative lab where he honed the culinary identity that would define his career.