Michelin-star restaurants in Portugal you have to try in 2026

Portugal is experiencing a gastronomic golden age, gone are the days when the country’s cuisine was defined solely by the rustic simplicity of grilled fish and traditional stews. Today, a new generation of chefs is elevating the country’s humblest ingredients: Atlantic salt, Alentejo black pork, seafood from the cold coastal waters, into art forms worthy of stars.

For the discerning traveler, these are the tables that define the Michelin landscape in Portugal for 2026, where tradition meets the avant-garde.

Belcanto, Lisbon: An Epic of History

In the heart of Chiado, Chef José Avillez continues to rewrite the history of Portuguese gastronomy. At Belcanto (two Michelin stars), every dish is a narrative that takes us on a journey from the caravels of the Discoveries to contemporary Lisbon. The service is impeccable, but what truly captivates is the ability to transform a classic "Cozido à Portuguesa" into a light, technical, and absolutely surprising sensory experience. It is undoubtedly the most coveted reservation in the capital.

The Yeatman, Porto: The Best of the Douro in Glass and Plate

With a panoramic view over the Douro River and the Port wine cellars, Ricardo Costa’s restaurant at The Yeatman hotel is a tribute to the North. Here, the focus is precision. Flavors are clean, intense, and deeply connected to seasonality. The wine cellar is one of the best in the world, allowing for pairings that elevate the gastronomic experience to a near-spiritual level.

Dining here at sunset is a rite of passage for any food lover visiting Porto.

Vila Joya, Algarve: Barefoot Luxury and Creative Mastery

There is something magical about Vila Joya in Albufeira. Chef Dieter Koschina, a living legend in European gastronomy, has held two Michelin stars for over two decades. His cuisine is a celebration of the freshness of the Algarve sea combined with the rigor of European technique. The menu changes daily, depending on what the ocean offers that morning. It is luxury without pretension, where the sound of the waves serves as the soundtrack for dishes that are explosions of color and flavor.

Casa de Chá da Boa Nova: The Sea at Your Table

Designed by Pritzker winner Álvaro Siza Vieira and led by the charismatic Chef Rui Paula, this restaurant is a masterpiece of architecture and palate. Built upon the rocks, the sea is literally at your feet. The "Sea and Land" menu is an ode to the Atlantic. Seafood and fish dishes are treated with almost religious delicacy. In 2026, Casa de Chá remains the ultimate place for those seeking a visceral connection between nature and haute cuisine.

The Future of Portuguese Gastronomy

What makes Portugal’s Michelin scene so vibrant in 2026 is the commitment to sustainability and origin. Chefs are not just cooking; they are protecting ecosystems, recovering forgotten seed varieties and supporting small local producers. When you book one of these tables through Splendid Portugal, you are not just securing a dinner; you are participating in the preservation of Portuguese culture and heritage through the senses.