Portugal’s culinary scene continues to evolve with eight new restaurants earning one Michelin Star, one restaurant earning a Green Star, and five new Bib Gourmands
Last night, the city of Porto hosted the Michelin Guide Gala, during which the iconic guide revealed its new restaurant selection for 2025.
Presented by television personality Marta Leite Castro, the ceremony saw eight restaurants newly awarded one Michelin star: Arkhe (Lisbon), Marlene (Lisbon), Yoso (Lisbon), Grenache (Lisbon), Palatial (Braga), Oculto (Vila do Conde), Blind (Porto), and Vinha (Vila Nova de Gaia).
This brings the total number of establishments in this category in Portugal to 38.
One restaurant was newly awarded the Green Star, a nod to sustainable practices, and five newly received Bib Gourmands. Although hopes were high for a second star for some, or even a third star, these weren’t awarded last night. However, the eight establishments in Portugal with two Michelin stars maintained their standing.
Ocean, Vila Vita Parc. Photo: Vasco Célio/Stills
“The Michelin Guide is pleased that Portugal’s culinary level remains stable and that the eight restaurants with two Michelin stars continue to offer exceptional cuisine that is worth a detour,” expressed the organisation. These are Alma (Lisbon), Antiqvvm (Porto), Belcanto (Lisbon), Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (Leça da Palmeira), Il Gallo d’Oro (Funchal), Ocean (Porches), The Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia), and Vila Joya (Albufeira).
One of the night’s biggest highlights was the attribution of a first star to Marlene Vieira for Marlene in Lisbon and Rita Magro for Blind in Porto, making them the first female chefs to receive the accolade in 30 years. (The first Portuguese female chef to earn a Michelin star was Maria Alice Marto in 1993 at the restaurant Tia Alice in Fátima).
Marlene, Lisbon
When she received the award, Marlene Vieira was visibly moved and thanked “all the mothers who cook”. “Dreams rule life, and this is a dream come true,” she emphasised.
Rita Magro, who, together with chef Vítor Matos, helped the Blind restaurant win a Michelin star, describes the journey as “long, hard and painful”.
Blind, Porto
According to the guide, during their pivotal collegiate meeting, “the international team of inspectors who visited the country emphasised chefs striving to preserve their gastronomic and culinary heritage by reinterpreting classic dishes with modern techniques, embracing new international influences, and utilising their own identities to promote the finest quality local ingredients”.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of Michelin Guide, said: “Portugal is on a clearly upward trend and is gradually developing into a reference gastronomic destination for foodies from all around the world.”
One Green Star and five new Bib Gourmand awards
The concern for sustainability continues gaining devotees, and chefs increasingly demonstrate their commitment to environmentally responsible measures and recipes.
With the additional Green Star for Encanto in Lisbon, six establishments are paving the way for sustainability in Portugal. This establishment offers surprising aesthetics and gastronomy, led by the famous chef José Avillez, and is located right next to his two Michelin star restaurant, Belcanto. Its highly technical culinary focus is entirely centred on working with seasonal organic vegetables, many coming from small local producers like the Casa Nossa farm in Alentejo. The restaurant focuses on a single, 100% vegetarian tasting menu that speaks of sustainability, biodiversity, using the product to the fullest, reusing packaging, etc.
The Bib Gourmand is the most sought-after distinction by foodies worldwide, recognising the best quality/price balance.
This year, five fascinating establishments were awarded the distinction: Canalha and Pigmeu in Lisbon, Contradição in Bragança, OMA in Porto, and Terruja in Alvados.
Thus, the total number of Bib Gourmand establishments in Portugal is now 28.
35 newly Recommended restaurants
“It is a pleasure to see the selection revitalised with 35 new Recommended restaurants (bringing the total to 116 in this category), providing a glimpse of the country’s culinary dynamism and ongoing progress,” says the organisation.
“There is something to suit every taste here: the intriguing Cibû (Leça de Palmeira), the contemporary Mediterranean flavours of Le Babachris (Guimarães), or the surprising, tradition-inspired creative cuisine at the far-flung Mapa (Montemor-o-Novo).
“Several Asian-inspired restaurants stand out among the new additions, showcasing the growing appreciation for Oriental cuisine among both Portuguese and international guests. Many are local fusion establishments, such as Avista Ásia in Funchal, Izakaya in Cascais, Kaigi or Tokkotai in Porto, and Omakase RI in Lisbon.”
The Michelin Guide Portugal 2025 at a glance:
** – 8 restaurants
* – 38 restaurants (8 new)
Green * – 6 restaurants (1 new)
Bib Gourmand – 28 restaurants (5 new)
Recommended – 116 restaurants (35 new)
The Michelin Guide Portugal 2025 selection is available free of charge on the Michelin Guide website and mobile app.
The restaurant selection is accompanied by the Michelin Guide hotel selection, which highlights the most original, beautiful, and comfortable places to stay, both in Portugal and the rest of the world.
Article originally published on Portugal Resident.
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