28 Mar Discover Michelin Starred Restaurants in Portugal: Part 3
A guide to some of the best Michelin starred restaurants in Portugal by Just Explore…
Portuguese cuisine is heavily influenced by its position on the Atlantic coast of Europe, meaning there is an abundance of fresh seafood—considered by many to be the best in the world—as well as a deep-rooted use of the freshest local ingredients, with olive oil the basis of Portuguese cooking. The fusion of these quality ingredients can only mean one thing: Portugal should be on every foodie traveller’s list.
For this, Just Explore offers a third, and final, instalment of a carefully selected guide to some of the best Michelin starred restaurants found on the Iberian Peninsula.
Our first two guides can be found here:
- Discover Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Spain: Part 1 (Andalucia & Valencia).
- Discover Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Spain: Part 2 (Basque Country, Cataluña & Madrid)
Portuguese food may once have been one of the most underrated cuisines in Europe, but these days Portuguese culinary art has become pretty trendy and, with a total of 44 stars awarded to 37 restaurants across the country, Portugal from 2024 will have a Michelin guide dedicated solely to its own culinary scene.
So now it’s time to discover our pick to some of the best!
Michelin Starred Restaurants in Porto
The Yeatman Gastronomic Restaurant** – Porto
For a once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic experience, check-out one of the best restaurants in Porto boasting two Michelin stars and a beautiful view of the river and Porto, even on a dark rainy day, from where you can enjoy the city of Porto’s timeless, almost magical charm.
Chef Ricardo Costa presents a creative cuisine on a single tasting menu which starts with drinks and appetisers in the bar and kitchen and is based around two key pillars: traditional Portuguese cuisine (with a nod to the chef’s home town of Aveiro), and premium seasonal.
Notable mention: The wine cellar is one of the best in Portugal where there are 1,300 references from a 27,000-bottle cellar.
Casa de Chá da Boa Nova** – Porto
Located in the village of Leca da Palmeira, in the municipality of Matosinhos in the Greater Porto area, a detour to this restaurante rewards the visitor with an outstanding gastronomic experience and postcard views of the Matosinhos seashore to match.
Of the two tasting menus, the most popular is influenced by the extraordinary fish and seafood from the Atlantic, which comes as no surprise considering that the restaurant couldn’t be located closer to the Atlantic coast and where the term “bringing the sea to your table” couldn’t be more apt. The other menu is vegetarian.
Both menus, of 6, 12 or 21 dishes, have a strong focus on presentation, textures and flavours. One of our Michelin starred restaurants in Portugal.
Pedro Lemos* – Porto
Pedro Lemos opened doors in 2009 and since the beginning became one of the most prestigious restaurants in Porto. In 2014 was consecrated with a star in the Michelin guide becoming the first in the city. Located in Foz, one of Porto’s most beautiful and emblematic historical neighbourhoods, in a house classified as architectural heritage.
This modern new restaurant is steeped in the flavours of old Portugal but redefined in the ambiance and cuisine of owner and Michelin star chef Pedro Lemos.
The cuisine at Pedro Lemos has a focus on three tasting menus, one of which is vegetarian, and each plate and every mouthful a delightful creation of local foods presented in unique and creative ways. Pared with local wines specially selected for each dish.
A heads-up, we suggest catching a taxi to get there as the restaurant is situated in an historic district of the city with narrow streets where parking can be a challenge.
Michelin Starred Restaurants in Douro
Antiqvvm* – Douro
The restaurant sits on top of a hill overlooking the Douro river in a 19th century Port Wine Manor named Quinta da Macieirinha and has one of the best views of the River Douro from its garden.
Not only does Antiqvvm stand out for its food quality, style, imagination and flavour, but also for its variety in vegetarian friendly, Vegan and gluten free options apart from the set menu.
The restaurant was opened by Chef Vitor Matos who uses local ingredients to produce dishes, picking out produce by season and the service is flawless. One of our Michelin starred restaurants in Portugal.
Michelin Starred Restaurants in Lisbon
Alma** – Lisbon
A signature cuisine restaurant occupying an 18th century building that served as a warehouse for the famous Bertrand bookshop which first opened in 1732 and is considered to be the world’s oldest.
Here, you can enjoy contemporary cuisine served informally in a sophisticated ambience; choose between a seasonal à la carte and two tasting menus (“Alma”, featuring the chef’s signature dishes, and the maritime-inspired “Costa a Costa”).
Alma is an invitation for diners to relish a culinary journey with traditional, Mediterranean and international touches showcasing local ingredients.
Belcanto** – Lisbon
Diverse and creative, the culinary art at Belcanto, an award-winning restaurant located in the romantic neighbourhood of Chiado since 1958 and fully renovated in 2012, offers a modern à la carte and two extensive set menus (Evolução and Belcanto).
Belcanto has the reputation to be one of the best, or even the best, restaurant in Portugal and offers impeccable service, intriguing wine pairings, and perfect mix of traditional and inventive flavours; a true slice of heaven.
With this selection of some of the best Michelin starred restaurants in Portugal, we conclude this three-part food-guide, we hope you’ve enjoyed reading it and it helps direct you to an ‘egg-cellent’ restaurant when you are travelling in the area.
For any more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, we are always on hand for any travel enquiries, food related or not.
