Updated: May 31, 2024
Portugal’s culinary scene boasts a rich tapestry of flavors, blending tradition with innovation. From family-owned restaurants to fine dining experiences, you’ll find a wide range of options. And, for such as small country, Portugal’s gastronomy is immense, from the hearty food of the north to the sublime seafood and fish dishes straight from Portugal’s coast. The food is also very much linked to the past, for example, with Moorish influences in many of the dishes in the south that are now core aspects of Portuguese gastronomy.
Amongst the country’s rich cuisine, Michelin star restaurants in Portugal stand out as beacons of excellence, showcasing the best of Portuguese cuisine. From Lisbon’s bustling streets to the sun-kissed shores of the Algarve and the charming seaside town of Cascais, these restaurants are some of the very best in the world.
In this guide to Michelin-star restaurants in Portugal, we delve into the finest Michelin star restaurants in Lisbon, Cascais, the Algarve and Porto, where you can find sophisticated, elegant, and, most importantly, delicious dining experiences.
Whether these restaurants provide a set menu where you can explore flavors that you have never experienced before, a tasting menu to provide a unique dining experience or focus on local produce fresh from the sea or straight from the restaurant’s garden to your table, you are sure to be spoilt for choice.
Lisbon, Portugal, Michelin Star Restaurants
Lisbon, the stunning Portuguese capital, has the largest selection of Michelin-starred restaurants in the country. Below you can find a list of the very best Michelin-starred restaurants in Lisbon.
- Belcanto: Renowned for its innovative Portuguese cuisine and with chef José Avillez at the helm, this elegant restaurant boasts two Michelin stars.
- Alma: Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa offers sophisticated dishes blending traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist in this two Michelin star restaurant.
- Fifty Seconds: Located atop the Vasco da Gama Tower, this restaurant by Martín Berasategui delivers stunning views and exquisite cuisine.
- Eleven: Chef Joachim Koerper presents Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a focus on high-quality ingredients.
- Cura: A modern dining experience led by chef Pedro Pena Bastos, emphasizing local and seasonal produce.
- 100 Maneiras: Chef Ljubomir Stanisic’s eclectic and creative menu offers a unique dining adventure that you will remember fondly for years to come.
- Loco: Chef Alexandre Silva’s innovative approach to modern Portuguese cuisine in an intimate setting. The Portuguese will know Silva from the popular Top Chef program.
- Epur: French chef Vincent Farges brings elegance and refinement to his contemporary dishes, where each dish looks like a piece of art.
- Eneko Lisboa: Basque chef Eneko Atxa combines traditional techniques with modern flair, creating the perfect blend of merging the old and the new.
- Feitoria: Located in the Altis Belém Hotel, this restaurant offers a luxurious dining experience with a global perspective.
Michelin-starred Restaurants in Cascais
Below are some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants based in Cascais, the well-known charming seaside town a short 30-minute drive from the bright lights of the capital.
- Fortaleza do Guincho: Elegant dining with stunning ocean views, offering a refined menu focusing on seafood and the freshest local ingredients.
- Kappo: Named after the Japanese term “to cut and to cook”, here you will find a sophisticated Japanese seafood restaurant delivering exquisite dishes with a minimalist approach.
- Porto de Santa Maria: Specializes in seafood dishes with a modern touch, where you can enjoy mesmerizing views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Michelin-starred Restaurants in the Algarve
The Algarve has long been sought-after for its endless sandy beaches, incredible climate, and high quality of life. However, its food scene is now turning heads with many heading to the region just to sample the delightful cuisine. Below you can find some of the very best Michelin-starred restaurants that you can find in the Algarve, in the south of Portugal.
- Vila Joya: A two-star restaurant offering an exquisite blend of Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant beachfront setting.
- Ocean: Located in the Vila Vita Parc Resort, this two-star restaurant provides a luxurious dining experience with a focus on modern cuisine.
- Bon Bon: This ambitious one-star restaurant in Carvoeiro features innovative dishes that highlight local ingredients with a contemporary flair.
- Vista: Situated in Portimão, this restaurant offers a fine dining experience with panoramic sea views and a menu inspired by Portuguese flavors.
- Gusto by Heinz Beck: Located in Quinta do Lago, Gusto blends Mediterranean cuisine with the creative flair of its three-Michelin-starred head chef in a Scandinavian-inspired setting.
Michelin Star Restaurants in Porto, Portugal
The North of Portugal is renowned for its hearty food and fine wines. But Porto and the North of Portugal can also deliver when it comes to fine dining.
You will also find excellent in Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, such as The Yeatman in Porto, where the chef Ricardo Costa presents a menu bursting with creativity that has earned the restaurant two Michelin stars, The Antiqvvm restaurant is another two Michelin starred restaurant Porto, where chef Vitor Matos focuses on unleashing creativity, pleasure, and emotion in his dishes.
Below are some of the other top Michelin star restaurants in Porto.
- Casa de Chá da Boa Nova: An exquisite seafood-focused Michelin starred restaurant with stunning ocean views, led by Chef Rui Paula.
- Vila Foz – Located in a luxury hotel, this restaurant serves contemporary dishes with a focus on local ingredients, curated by Chef Arnaldo Azevedo.
- Euskalduna Studio: An intimate and creative dining experience where Chef Vasco Coelho Santos blends Portuguese flavors with global influences.
- Le Monument: Housed in the prestigious Monumental Palace hotel, this restaurant offers an elegant tasting menu crafted by Chef Julien Montbabut, featuring refined French cuisine with local touches. Tasting menus allow you to enjoy a wide range of the kitchen’s specialties.
Michelin Star Restaurants Portugal: Home to Exceptional Fine Dining Experiences
Portugal is home to 39 Michelin-starred restaurants, with many restaurants presenting food that looks like art on a plate and many international chefs seeking out Portugal given the country’s incredible produce. Fine dining restaurants are also boosting tourism in Portugal as tourists and expats eagerly seek out the very best eating experiences. From restaurants focusing on local ingredients to others where creating the perfect flavors and texture combinations takes center stage, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding on your next culinary journey in Portugal.
From utilizing traditional Portuguese fare to contemporary cuisine, you’ll find a wide range of fine dining restaurants that focus on innovation, modernity, creativity, and maximizing flavors, looking inward to the finest Portuguese produce and outward to explore cutting-edge world culinary techniques.
For a complete rundown of Michelin-starred restaurants in Portugal, you can consult the Michelin guide here.
