Travel Tips
Where to Eat in Portugal: Exclusive Restaurants You Can’t Miss
03.09.2025
Discover Portugal’s exclusive restaurants from Porto to the Algarve. Michelin-starred dining, iconic chefs, and exclusive gastronomic experiences await in the country’s finest culinary destinations.
Exclusive Restaurants in Portugal
Portugal’s culinary landscape is thriving, and nowhere is this more evident than in its exceptional restaurants spanning from Porto to the Algarve. With celebrated chefs, Michelin-starred dining, and unforgettable gastronomic experiences, here are the restaurants you can’t miss on your next journey through Portugal.
Porto
Escama – Chef Vítor Matos
Although listed under Porto in the Michelin 2024 guide, Escama is located in Lisbon. This restaurant is dedicated to showcasing the very best of the sea, with fresh seafood delivered daily. The dining concept is based on sharing, creating not only flavors but also memorable experiences around the table.
Escama reinterprets classic seafood and shellfish dishes through contemporary techniques, often bringing fire to the forefront of its culinary creations. Complementing the cuisine, Escama’s exclusive wine selection highlights exceptional wines crafted by both Portuguese and international boutique producers.
Casa de Chá da Boa Nova – Chef Rui Paula
Perched dramatically on the rocks of Leça da Palmeira, Casa de Chá da Boa Nova is one of the most ambitious projects by Chef Rui Paula. With two Michelin stars, this restaurant is a true icon of Northern Portugal’s fine dining scene.
Guests are invited to immerse themselves in a unique experience where creative gastronomy meets extraordinary service and breathtaking ocean views. Since earning its first Michelin star in 2016 and its second in 2019, Boa Nova has been celebrated as a beacon of innovation and exclusivity in Portugal.
Lisbon
Midori – Chef Pedro Almeida
Located in the Penha Longa Resort, Midori is one of Portugal’s oldest Japanese restaurants, reinvented with a modern approach. Awarded one Michelin star, Midori pays homage to traditional Japanese cuisine while embracing Portuguese influences.
The restaurant’s name means “green,” reflecting both its lush surroundings in the magical Sintra mountains and its philosophy of freshness. From kaiseki-style tasting menus to intricate seasonal creations, Chef Pedro Almeida delivers an experience that combines intimacy, authenticity, and breathtaking views.
Kabuki Lisboa – Chef Paulo Alves
At Kabuki Lisboa, Japanese tradition is reimagined with Portuguese flair. With one Michelin star, the restaurant combines refined techniques with local ingredients, offering a dining experience that is both authentic and innovative. From sushi artistry to inventive hot dishes, Kabuki Lisboa has quickly established itself as one of the capital’s standout addresses.
CURA – Chef Pedro Pena Bastos
Located at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, CURA has become a temple of culinary artistry in Lisbon. Awarded one Michelin star, the restaurant focuses on meticulously chosen seasonal ingredients, which are transformed with creativity. Each dish is a result of rigorous curation, highlighting purity, texture, and depth of flavor. Dining at CURA is a sophisticated encounter between art and gastronomy.
Intemporal – Chef Miguel Laffan
The newest project of Chef Miguel Laffan, Intemporal, is a fine dining concept designed with Michelin ambition. With limited seating and panoramic views, the restaurant offers an intimate experience where time, seasonality, and creativity define the menu.
The tasting menus change with equinoxes and solstices, combining Portuguese heritage with global influences. Through land and sea, Chef Laffan creates a dining journey that aims to remain truly timeless.
Alentejo
Restaurante São Lourenço do Barrocal
Situated in a luxury countryside estate, São Lourenço do Barrocal embraces the farm-to-table philosophy. Using seasonal, local ingredients, the restaurant offers a contemporary interpretation of Alentejo’s rich culinary traditions. Authentic yet modern, this dining experience reflects the soul of the region and its distinctive flavors.
Algarve
Al Sud – Chef Louis Anjos
Set within the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf resort, Al Sud is a Michelin-starred restaurant where creativity and precision define the cuisine. Chef Louis Anjos draws on his experience in Michelin-starred kitchens to craft tasting menus that are both technically refined and deeply expressive of the Algarve’s natural bounty. With stunning views over Lagos Bay, Al Sud is an unforgettable gastronomic destination.
A Ver Tavira – Chef Luís Brito
Overlooking the historic town of Tavira, this Michelin-starred restaurant showcases Chef Luís Brito’s flair for surprising flavor combinations. The elegant setting, paired with his inventive dishes, makes A Ver Tavira a must-visit in the Algarve for those seeking modern Portuguese gastronomy with a twist.
Gusto by Heinz Beck – Chef Libório Buonocore
Inside the Conrad Algarve, Gusto by Heinz Beck delivers an Italian-Mediterranean fine dining experience infused with the philosophy of one of Europe’s most acclaimed chefs. With one Michelin star, the restaurant offers sophisticated tasting menus, à la carte options, and a private bar. Signature dishes, such as Beck’s famous Fagottelli Carbonara, ensure an experience that blends indulgence with innovation.
From the northern coastline to the sun-drenched Algarve, Portugal is home to an extraordinary array of restaurants led by visionary chefs. Whether Michelin-starred or rising stars with bold ambition, these dining destinations embody the creativity, heritage, and excellence that make Portugal a world-class culinary destination.
