Portugal currently has seven restaurants with two Michelin stars (“excellent cuisine, worth the detour”), 26 with one star (“top-level cuisine, worth a stop”) and no restaurant with the highest rating (three stars, “a unique cuisine, justifies the trip”).

In the 2022 edition, five Portuguese restaurants won the first star – Al Sud (Lagos), A Ver Tavira (Tavira), Cura (Lisbon), Esporão (Reguengos de Monsaraz) and Vila Foz (Porto) –, all remaining like previous distinctions.

Michelin Guide source told Lusa that this will be “a historic year” for Portugal.

The organization of the publication told the Spanish news agency EFE that, in the 2023 edition, there will be “many stars”, which will be “widely distributed, both in large cities and in smaller towns” in both countries.

They return as ‘green stars’, for the third consecutive year, an initiative by the Michelin Guide to assume a commitment to sustainability. In 2022, the Portuguese Il Galo d’Oro (Funchal, two Michelin stars) and Esporão (Reguengos de Monsaraz, one star) were awarded.

The prizes that distinguish a ‘chef’ mentor and a young cook, launched in the previous edition, are again given, and this year there is, as a novelty, an award that highlights the work of the room to achieve a perfect gastronomic experience.

To award the stars to the restaurants, the inspectors, who work anonymously, value the quality of the products, the mastery of cooking points and textures, the balance and harmony of flavors, the personality of the kitchen and regularity.

This year, Toledo was the city chosen to host the presentation gala, with around 700 guests and which will take place at the El Greco Congress Palace.

After the gala, a meal will be served, which will highlight products from the Castile-La Mancha region, coordinated by the chefs of two local restaurants, both with two stars: Ivan Cerdeño (Iván Cerdeño restaurant) and Fran Martínez (Maralba) .

The Michelin Spain and Portugal Guide 2022 includes 1,362 restaurants in Spain, Portugal and Andorra, of which 11 have three stars, 40 have two stars and 211 have one; 29 with the ‘green star’; 284 Bib Gourmand (good value for money) and 816 recommendations for the quality of its cuisine.

Created at the beginning of the 20th century to help travelers on their journeys, the Michelin Guide is now considered a world reference in the quality of restaurants. Portugal entered the script in 1910.

JH // MCL

Portuguese/late