Manu Buffara Brings Award-Winning Brazilian Flair to Portugal's Alentejo Coast

Renowned Brazilian chef Manu Buffara is set to open a new restaurant, Elemento Atlântico, on Portugal’s Alentejo coast. The venue will launch on June 6, 2023, bringing her award-winning approach to Comporta’s thriving food scene. Known for her work at Manu in Curitiba—ranked among Latin America’s top 100—Buffara now turns her focus to a beachside location with a strong local ethos. The invitation to open Elemento Atlântico came from Xavier Padovani, part of the Experimental Group, a French hospitality collective. Buffara embraced the chance to create a space on Pego Beach, a key spot within the Comporta tourist area. The restaurant’s design, by Philippe Starck, includes seating for 80 indoors and 30 on the terrace, plus a dedicated aperitif area.

Buffara has long championed biodiversity and social causes in Brazil through initiatives like the *Manu Buffara Institute* and *Alimenta Curitiba*. For this project, she worked closely with local chefs to source ingredients and build supply chains. The menu will feature signature dishes such as *Creamy Cashew Rice with Scarlet Shrimp* and *Choux Pastry with Cod, Local Herbs, and Charred Peppers*. Drinks will include original cocktails like *Sweet Tide*, *Rio Express*, and *Trouble in Comporta*. Beyond food, Buffara aims to strengthen ties in Comporta, focusing on education, sustainable food systems, and community partnerships. The restaurant will operate daily from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM, blending her Brazilian roots with Portuguese coastal flavours.

Elemento Atlântico will open its doors on June 6, 2023, offering a mix of refined cuisine and local engagement. The project reflects Buffara’s commitment to sustainability, collaboration, and culinary innovation. Diners can expect a menu that highlights regional producers alongside her signature creative dishes.