Portugal's 8 New Michelin Star Restaurants, Revealed

Portugal’s gastronomic scene has once again been thrust into the international spotlight with

the unveiling of the 2025 Michelin Guide.

This year’s ceremony, held at the historic Alfândega do Porto on February 25, celebrated the nation’s culinary excellence, awarding eight new restaurants their first Michelin star and bestowing a prestigious green star for sustainability upon another.

These accolades not only underscore Portugal’s rich culinary heritage but also highlight its evolution into a premier destination for discerning gourmands.

There is a moment, just before the first bite, when time seems to pause. A glistening spoon

hovers over a dish, the delicate aroma of saffron and sea air lingers, and the anticipation builds. It is at this moment that dining transforms into something greater than sustenance. It becomes storytelling, artistry, an invitation to experience a place through its flavours.

In 2025, Portugal’s dining scene has reached such a moment. With eight new Michelin stars

illuminating its culinary landscape, the country is no longer just a destination for sun-drenched coastlines and winding vineyard roads, it is a pilgrimage for those who seek the extraordinary on their plates.

These newly anointed restaurants are more than places to dine; they are sanctuaries of indulgence, where chefs craft poetry in the language of taste, where every dish is a love letter to heritage, and where the true essence of Portugal unfolds in every course.

A New Era of Culinary Excellence

For the discerning traveller, Portugal has always whispered of quiet luxury, the kind that does

not demand attention but lingers in the way a glass of wine tastes different when sipped

beneath ancient olive trees, or how the Atlantic breeze carries the scent of freshly grilled

seafood through the streets of a coastal village. Now, this understated opulence finds its

truest expression in the country’s Michelin-starred restaurants, where culinary masters

redefine what it means to dine at the highest level.

Among them, Marlene in Lisbon stands as a triumph, a stage upon which chef Marlene

Vieira weaves nostalgia and innovation into a single plate. To dine here is to taste the echoes of childhood memories reimagined with the precision of haute cuisine.

In Porto, Blind by Rita Magro dares to challenge perception itself, asking diners to surrender to the unknown, to trust in the alchemy of flavour and sensation. Their Michelin stars are more than accolades; they are the recognition of a new chapter in Portugal’s gastronomic narrative: one where tradition and reinvention coexist in perfect harmony.

Beyond Lisbon and Porto, Portugal’s newly starred restaurants reveal a country deeply

connected to its land and sea, where every ingredient carries the weight of history and the

promise of something new. In Braga, Palatial offers an experience that feels almost regal,

with dishes that elevate northern Portuguese flavours to a place of rarefied elegance. Ó

Balcão in Santarém transforms rustic traditions into a celebration of contemporary artistry,

each plate a bridge between Portugal’s past and its future.

The Rise of Sustainable Luxury

Luxury today is not only measured in decadence but in integrity, the ability to create something extraordinary while honouring the land it comes from. This ethos is woven into the fabric of Portugal’s Michelin stars, none more so than Mesa de Lemos, which has been

awarded the coveted Green Star for sustainability. Tucked away in the Dão wine region, this

estate restaurant proves that true indulgence is found in purity, seasonal ingredients, wines

with a story, and a deep reverence for the earth that provides.

Portugal: A Global Culinary Destination

With these new Michelin stars, Portugal has not just claimed its place on the world’s fine dining map: it has redefined it. This is a country where the act of dining is a sensory journey,

where every course tells a tale of heritage and innovation, where luxury is not about excess

but about authenticity, precision, and passion.

For those who seek not just a meal, but an experience that lingers long after the last bite,

Portugal is calling. In its restaurants, among candlelit tables and the gentle murmur of

conversations that stretch late into the night, something magical is happening. This is more

than fine dining. This is Portugal’s moment, and it is exquisite.

The full list of winners from the 2025 ceremony are below, For the full list of Michelin

restaurants in Portugal visit the guide here.

● ARKHE, João Ricardo Alves, Lisboa

● Blind, Rita Magro e Vítor Matos, Porto

● Grenache, Philippe Gelfi, Lisboa

● Marlene, Marlene Vieira, Lisboa

● Oculto, Vítor Matos e Hugo Rocha, Vila do Conde

● Palatial, Rui Filipe, Braga

● Vinha, Henrique Sá Pessoa e Jonathan Seiller, Vila Nova de Gaia

● Yõso, Habner Gomes, Lisboa