Michelin is delighted to present the 2024 selection of The MICHELIN Guide Portugal. This marks the first time in the history of The MICHELIN Guide that the Portuguese announcement has been accompanied by a MICHELIN Guide Ceremony. The event took place on 27th February in Algarve, at the NAU Salgados Palace & Congress Center in Guia, Albufeira.
This year, The MICHELIN Guide Portugal recommends a total of 167 restaurants, of which 30 are new to the selection. The international team of Inspectors, after reaching a consensus on their verdict, confirmed that Portugal is experiencing a moment of great culinary maturity. The gastronomic dynamism here is evident, leading to new openings and intriguing culinary offerings across the territory, not only in large cities such as Lisbon and Porto.
At the same time, the Inspectors have highlighted the fact that young chefs who are starting their own businesses come with the bonus of having been trained in large restaurants. Collaborations are on the rise too and there’s a noticeable increase in the number of gastronomic restaurants within hotels, as they are seeing that haute cuisine is not just another offer within their services but a truly differentiating element.
A New Two Michelin Star Restaurant
With the new addition to the selection, and the existing Two Star restaurants retaining their awards, The MICHELIN Guide Portugal now has 8 establishments at this level.Antiqvvm, Porto
Vitor Matos is the chef-of-the-moment in Portugal right now – not only for his outstanding work at Antiqvvm, but also for his other culinary successes, launching new businesses and various collaborations under his watchful eye (Blind, Hool, 2Monkeys, Salão Nobre, Onze). In Antiqvvm – a restaurant that stands out for its wonderful terrace views of the Douro and its unique location in the same palace where the Museu Romântico is located – Vitor brings to light all his creativity, technical mastery and culinary expertise. He also displays a particular obsession with offering dishes that are original, remain natural and harmonious, and are in communion with the finest seasonal produce. His cooking invites diners to go 'around the world' with their palate, transcending the purely gastronomic, because, as he points out, through his dishes Vitor seeks to "promote the values of a cultural, natural, evolutionary, social and artistic cuisine".4 Restaurants Newly Awarded One Michelin Star
The MICHELIN Guide Portugal 2024 confirms the country's gastronomic growth with four new One Star restaurants. The total number of establishments in this category now stands at 31.2Monkeys, Lisbon
Chefs Vitor Matos and Francisco Quinta have revolutionised Lisbon's gastronomic scene with this restaurant, located inside the Torel Palace Lisbon Hotel. Here, the experience takes on a new dimension as they attempt to present the flavours of Portugal from a creative perspective and all served at a counter, so the atmosphere is more informal and there is a constant dialogue with the diner.Desarma, Funchal
On the rooftop of The Views Baía Hotel in Funchal is a restaurant with magnificent views of the coastline that exudes originality from every pore. Chef Octávio Freitas' proposal reimagines the culinary experience as a battle between the senses and each flavour, always highlighting the splendid larder of the Madeira archipelago.Ó Balcão, Santarém
In this establishment, which is reminiscent of an old tavern, Chef Rodrigo Castelo defends the essence of Ribatejo cuisine. His cooking values the region's produce and seeks authenticity, focussing on defending native river species, which has led him to take a stand against invasive species that upset the natural balance.SÁLA by João Sá, Lisbon
Chef João Sá invites diners into what he considers his home, to discover other lands and other flavours, inspired by the travels of the Portuguese. His cooking celebrates locally sourced produce and Portuguese techniques, but some dishes also incorporate an exotic touch, with several to Asian cuisine.8 New Bib Gourmands and 2 New Green Stars
If there's one distinction that diners all over the world are in love with, it is the Bib Gourmand, represented by the iconic Bibendum (the 'Michelin man') smiling. This award, which appeared in 1997 to highlight the restaurants with the best quality/price ratio, has been bestowed upon 32 establishments in Portugal, 8 of them new this year.The new recipients of this award are: Flora (Viseu), Inato Bistrô (Braga), Norma (Guimarães), Olaias (Figueira da Foz), OMA (Baião), O Pastus (Paço de Arcos), Patio 44 (Porto) and PODA (Montemor-o-Novo).
Regarding the Michelin Green Stars – the distinction that recognises a commitment to sustainable gastronomy – this year's selection features a total of 5 restaurants, 2 of which are new: Malhadinha Nova (Albernoa), where they defend the traditions of Alentejo with a focus on circular economy; and Ó Balcão (Santarém), also awarded this year with its first Michelin Star, which impresses with its dedication to river fish, trying to maintain the fluvial balance of the region and eradicate invasive species.
21 New Recommended Restaurants
This news is the one that best demonstrates that Portuguese cuisine is enjoying a moment of splendour, with many restaurant openings scattered throughout the country. Of the 96 recommended restaurants listed in The MICHELIN Guide Portugal 2024, it is a pleasure to note 21 newcomers. There are places that celebrate local produce – such as O Palco (Coimbra) or Horta (Funchal) – those inside hotels or beautiful estates that are perfect for a getaway – Quinta do Tedo Familia Geadas, in Folgosa; Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos, in Pinhão; Blind, in Porto; Vinha, in Vila Nova de Gaia – and those capable of making us travel the world with their cooking, such as Ma (Coimbra) or Downunder by Justin Jennings (Lisbon).3 Special Awards
There are individuals and teams who have particularly impressed the Inspectors during their travels, so their names came to the fore when it came to awarding these special prizes.
• Michelin Young Chef Award – Presented by Makro
Rita Magro – who is the resident Chef at the Blind restaurant under the tutelage of award-winning chef Vitor Matos – has attracted the attention of the Inspectors both for her cooking, which is not lacking in personality, and for her attitude. She sets herself challenges every day, leading to constant improvements in the conception of the dishes.• Michelin Service Award – Presented by Michelin
The Yeatman in Vila Nova de Gaia, with Two Michelin Stars, is one of the most luxurious restaurants in the Porto area. This is where the daily work of Pedro Marques shines, a man who understands the importance of passion in service and who has been able to instil in his team, through leadership, the values of the profession to enrich the work of the chefs.
• Michelin Sommelier Award – Awarded by NX Wines & Spirits
Choosing wine that matches a dish and intensifies the flavours is no easy task and Leonel Nunes, the Sommelier of Il Gallo d'Oro (Funchal), with Two Michelin Stars and a Green Star, does it perfectly. His ability to expand the restaurant's excellent cellar with unique bottles, and to find those Madeiran wines that are capable of telling us stories, allows him to further enhance the already excellent gastronomic offering of Chef Benoît Sinthon, which makes him worthy of this recognition.The restaurants in The MICHELIN Guide Portugal are complemented by the selection of hotels, which is available, free of charge, on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. This selection presents unique and truly exciting destinations both in Portugal and around the world. Each hotel has been chosen by the MICHELIN Guide selection team for its extraordinary style, service and personality – and they can all be booked directly on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. Some of the highlights of this selection in Portugal include intimate boutique hotels, such as the Solar Egaz Moniz Charming House or the Sublime Comporta, and truly unique establishments within our 'Plus' collection, such as the Vila Foz Hotel & SPA, the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa or the Bela Vista Hotel & SPA. The MICHELIN Guide, a benchmark in the world of gastronomy, now sets a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website or download the free mobile app on your phone to discover all the MICHELIN Guide selections and book unforgettable hotels and restaurants.
Hero Image: © Gonçalo Santos/Fortaleza do Guincho
