The 2015 Michelin Guide, widely considered to be the world’s most prestigious list of restaurants, has awarded Portugal a record 17 stars, with three restaurants boasting two-star prestige - two of which are in the Algarve.
At the Iberian unveiling of the 2015 guide in Marbella, Spain, last night (November 19), the Michelin Guide’s international director Michael Ellis said both Portugal and Spain are “two of the most gastronomically dynamic destinations in the world”, considering 2015 a “record-breaking” year for both countries.
Together, 183 Iberian restaurants received Michelin stars.
In Portugal, once again among the coveted two-star category are the Algarve’s Vila Vita Parc’s Ocean restaurant (Porches) led by Chef Hans Neuner (pictured) and Vila Joya (Albufeira) led by Chef Dieter Koschina, as well as Lisbon’s Belcanto, which reached the two-star ranking for the first time.
On the list of one-starred restaurants are the Algarve’s Willie’s (Vilamoura) and Henrique Leis (Almancil) restaurants, as well as Casa da Calçada (Amarante), Eleven (Lisbon), Feitoria (Lisbon), Fortaleza do Guincho (Cascais), Il Gallo D’ Oro (Funchal), L’And Vineyeards (Montemor-o-Novo) and The Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia).
Almancil’s São Gabriel restaurant in the Algarve regained its Michelin-star after its ownership and chef changed in 2013, while Porto’s Pedro Lemos received its first star.
In Spain, 169 restaurants received Michelin stars - eight of which now boast the maximum number of three.
