Portugal’s Culinary Stars Shine Bright: New Michelin Honors Unveiled

Portugal, renowned for its cuisine, has recently garnered new accolades for its delectable food and meticulously prepared dishes. The prestigious ceremony happens in Albufeira, Algarve, marking a significant milestone: it was the first-ever Michelin gala held exclusively in Portugal. Prior to this, the galas were jointly hosted with our neighbouring country, Spain.

The Michelin Gala 2024, which took place on February 27th, was hosted by Catarina Furtado, a well-known figure among the Portuguese audience. With these fresh distinctions, Portugal’s list of Michelin-starred restaurants now stands at 39, including 8 establishments boasting two stars and 31 adorned with one star.

Among the victors, the spotlight shines brightly on Antiqvvm, helmed by chef Vítor Matos, who clinched his second Michelin star. This achievement propels the restaurant into the coveted two-star category, alongside other establishments such as The Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia), Ocean (Porches), Alma (Lisboa), Belcanto (Lisboa), Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (Leça da Palmeira), II Galo D’Oro (Funchal), and Vila Joya (Albufeira).

The winners, now part of the Michelin Guide with one Michelin star, include the following restaurants:

• 2Monkeys, led by chefs Vitor Matos and Francisco Quinas (Lisboa)
• SáLa de João Sá, by chef Pedro Sá (Lisboa)
• Desarma, by chef  Octávio Dias (Funchal)
• Ò Balcão, by chef Rodrigo Castelo (Santarém)

There are new awards beyond the Michelin Stars, and some of them have been included in The Portugal Michelin Guide 2024. While Michelin Stars recognise restaurants with exceptional cuisine, there are additional categories, such as the Michelin Green Star. This distinction is conferred upon establishments committed to sustainable gastronomy. Notably, at the 2024 Gala, Medalhinha Nova (Albergoa) received a green star for its dedication to the circular economy in the Alentejo region. Also, Ò Balcão (Santarém) focuses on preserving the region’s river ecosystem and eradicating invasive species.

Another category, the Bib Gourmand, celebrates restaurant-friendly establishments offering delicious food at moderate prices. Eight restaurants were honoured with this prize, bringing Portugal’s total to 32 recognised establishments. The winners include:

• Flora (Viseu)
• Inato Bistrô (Braga)
• Norma (Guimarães)
• Olaias (Figueira da Foz)
• OMA (Baião)
• O Pastus (Paço de Arcos)
• Pátio 44 (Porto)
• Poda (Montemor-o-novo)

The Service Award recognises a restaurant personality who possesses a genuine passion for service, ensuring that all customers feel special and enjoy an exceptional dining experience. Pedro Marquês at The Yeatman clinched this prestigious award.

The Young Chef Award celebrates young culinary talents with impressive potential. Rita Magro, from The Blind (Porto), emerges as the winner of this prize.

The final accolade of the gala is the Sommelier Award. It is given to a sommelier who possesses a profound knowledge of wines. Leonel Nunes at II Galo D’Oro (Funchal) proudly received this distinction.

In addition to Michelin Stars, the Michelin Guide Portugal 2024 features 96 recommended restaurants, with 21 new additions to the list. The guide now encompasses a total of 167 restaurants, each rewarded with these diverse prizes and recommendations.

This remarkable achievement exemplifies the ascent of Portuguese gastronomy on the international high-quality cuisine stage. With a rich culinary culture, Portugal aims to surpass its borders and share the incredible flavours found within our country. We extend our sincerest congratulations to all the laureates and wish them continued success in maintaining their exceptional culinary standards.

If you are considering moving to Portugal and making the most of everything this beautiful country has to offer, get in touch with us. We would be delighted to assist you with your move to Portugal.