Michelin Star Restaurants in the Algarve
Portugal’s reputation as a foodie destination is increasing year after year and with such an abundance of fresh ingredients and quality produce, from both the land and sea, some of Europe’s most talented chefs are now making the move to the country to improve their culinary skills. Portuguese wines are becoming more recognised for their quality and seafood is becoming a more popular choice for diners, which is only adding to the success of the Portuguese food scene.
The Algarve is famous for its fresh seafood and local delicacies, so it is no surprise that there are 7 Michelin-star restaurants on the Algarve alone. In these award-winning restaurants, you’ll find dishes and service like nowhere else in the world, thanks to the best chefs in the country offering their skills and passion. If you are planning a holiday to the Algarve and want to experience fine dining during your stay, then here is everything you need to know.
Vila Joya
When it comes to Michelin star restaurants in the Algarve, this one cannot be missed. Located in the Vila Joya Hotel in Galé, this restaurant holds two Michelin stars thanks to head chef Dieter Koschina. Dubbed as a “gastronomic paradise by the sea” this world-renowned restaurant offers classic European dishes but with a modern twist. The Vila Joya restaurant is perhaps the best Michelin Star restaurant on the Algarve and exudes both style and luxury.
With a beautiful view across the Atlantic Ocean, the decor of Vila Joya provides diners with a subdued and relaxed dining experience. With dishes such as smoked Norwegian salmon with caviar, potato gnocchi with tomato broth, octopus and mascarpone cream with cardamom coffee ice cream and pear, you’re truly in for a taste sensation with a visit to Vila Joya.
Pricing
€275 per person (Four courses excluding drinks)
Location
Vila Joya, Estrada da Galé
8200-416 Albufeira
Algarve
Opening times
Monday – Sunday / Lunch sitting at 13:00 / Dinner sitting at 19:30.
Ocean Restaurant
The Ocean Restaurant is another one of the most highly recommended Michelin Star restaurants in the Algarve, earning two Michelin Stars in eight years. Inspired by the sea, the menu changes on a monthly basis and includes tasting dishes such as red mullet, oysters, violet prawns and Atlantic sole. Fresh fish and seafood are selected from the Algarve coast on a daily basis and are paired with local products and fresh herbs from further inland. The Ocean Restaurant is paired with another resort in Alentejo which produces quality olive oil, organic fruit and vegetables and award-winning wine.
The Ocean Restaurant can seat 30 tables, which creates a feeling of exclusivity and luxury, but tables need to be booked well in advance to ensure that you secure a table. This layout means that every diner enjoys individual and unique service and that true fine dining is maintained during each and every service. If you’re looking for a true luxury dining experience during your holiday, then a visit to Ocean Restaurant is highly recommended.
With every aspect from the décor to the presentation and the surrounding views of the Ocean, its fine dining, elegance and sophistication are enough to dazzle anyone. The mastermind behind this culinary journey is Austrian Chef, Hans Neuner who presents a unique take on traditional favourites and exotic recipes.
Their menus, past and present, have been inspired by many adventures to explore the origins and influences of global cuisines. Currently, the chef takes diners through Asia in his “Expedition to Asia” menu, featuring dishes such as ‘No Tokyo Drift’ which is Sea Bass with Lobster Gyoza, Sweet Kombu and Broccoli. This 15-course tasting menu is a treat for the palate.
Pricing
€275 per person. An additional €175 per person for wine recommendation, or €360 per person for premium wine recommendation, or €125 per person for non-alcoholic drinks recommendation.
Location
Anneliese Pohl Street, Alporchinhos
8400-450 Porches, Algarve
Portugal
Opening times
Wednesday – Sunday / 19:00 – 21:00
Gusto by Heinz Beck
If you want to taste top-quality Mediterranean cuisine during your stay on the Algarve, then Gusto by Heinz Beck is the place to go. Located in the Conrad Algarve Hotel, this restaurant boasts a team of connoisseurs in fine dining and wine, so it isn’t surprising that the hotel has earned a Michelin Star in recent years. This restaurant is unique in that all the tables are facing the open kitchen, meaning that you can see the chefs cooking and preparing your dishes whilst you wait. The chefs create seasonal menus involving innovative Mediterranean cuisine and take full advantage of the local fish, fresh fruit, vegetables and oils.
Seafood is a strong feature, as is the best meat and game that the Algarve has to offer, but everything is crafted in style, whether it’s the addition of lobster medallions on top of a bed of couscous, a duck breast paired with fresh persimmon or a veal tenderloin infused with jasmine tea. The restaurant is sleek and stylish, which is to be expected in the Conrad Algarve hotel, but is also very welcoming, which is perfect if a visit to a Michelin Star restaurant on the Algarve is your first step into Michelin dining.
Pricing
9 Courses: €180 / with wine pairing: €280
7 Courses: €165 / with wine pairing €250
Location
Estrada da Quinta do Lago
Almancil, Algarve, 8135-106 Portugal
Opening times
Wednesday – Sunday / 19:00 – 22:30
Restaurante Bon Bon
Renowned for being one of the best Algarve Michelin star restaurants, Bon Bon offers a relaxed dining experience with a succession of imaginative, tasty dishes, from tuna, mussels and Baeri caviar to Alentejana Pork. Each ingredient comes together to create a beautiful harmony of art on the plate and an explosion of flavours within the mouth.
Bon Bon is currently headed up by Chef José Lopes, and his visions are really brought to life when you opt for their ‘Moments Menu’. If you’re into your wines, then don’t forget to add the wine pairings to your booking. You won’t be disappointed.
Pricing
Lunch:
- 3 Courses: €90 / Wine pairing: €45
- 4 Courses: €125 / Wine pairing: €75
Vegetarian Lunch:
- 4 Courses: €125 / Wine pairing: €75
Dinner:
- 3 Courses: €90 / Wine pairing: €45
- 6 Courses: €155 / Wine pairing: €95
- 9 Courses: €175 / Wine pairing: €105
Vegetarian Dinner:
- 6 Courses: €155 / Wine pairing: €95
- 9 Courses: €175 / Wine pairing: €105
Location
Estrada de Sesmarias, Lagoa, 8400-525, Portugal.
Opening times
Monday, Thursday & Friday / 19:00 – 20:30 / Saturday & Sunday / 12:00 – 13:45 & 19:00 – 20:30.
A Ver Tavira
A Ver Tavira is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in the heart of Tavira, overlooking the Gilão River. Chef Luís Brito’s innovative cuisine is inspired by traditional Algarve flavours and ingredients.
The restaurant offers two tasting menus that showcases the best of the region’s produce. These are ‘The Whole Trip’ and ‘The Journey of Flavour’, featuring dishes such as “Angulata” which is Oyster from the Ria Formosa, anchovy and citrus.. A Ver Tavira also has an extensive wine list, featuring both Portuguese and international wines.
Pricing
Lunch:
- The Journey of Flavor: €170 per person / Wine pairing €107 per person / Portuguese cheese plate supplement €18 per person
- Between moments: €145 per person / Wine pairing €85 per person
- Menu 3 Mmentos: €85 per person / Wine pairing €65 per person
Dinner:
- The Whole Trip: €225 per person / Wine pairing €135 per person
- The Journey of Flavor: €170 per person / Wine pairing €107 per person
- Á Lá Carte: Prices are varied
Vegetarian:
- Seasonal Menu: €155 per person / Wine pairing €95 per person / Portuguese cheese plate supplement €15 per person
Location
Calçada da Galeria 13, Tavira, 8800-306, Portugal
Opening times
Tuesday – Saturday / 12:00 – 14:30 & 18:30 – 21:30
Al Sud
Al Sud is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf resort. Chef Louis Anjos’ cuisine is a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian flavours, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. He has worked in a number of world-class restaurants around the globe, including London restaurant Viajante, and Martin Bersategui restaurant in San Sebastian.
The restaurant offers a tasting menu with dishes such as tuna with oysters, Imperial Caviar, and cucumber. The expertly crafted dishes look superb, and we’re sure they taste exquisite too, so why not try it for yourself?
As well as the food, Al Sud also has a stunning terrace with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, creating the perfect backdrop for a special meal.
Pricing
Memorable Moments: €175 per person / Wine pairing: €95 per person.
Location
Resort Clubhouse, Lagos, 8500-250, Portugal
Opening times
Open for dinner from Tuesday – Saturday.
Vista
Vista is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in the Bela Vista Hotel & Spa in Portimão. Chef João Oliveira’s cuisine is inspired by the Algarve’s coastline, with a focus on sustainability, fresh seafood and local produce, bringing the restaurant its first Michelin Star in November 2017.
The restaurant offers two tasting menus, Terra (Vegetarian) and Vista, featuring dishes such as Mackerel & Bluefin Tuna. Each dish is a piece of art, with chefs continuously looking to enhance their creations for both the eyes and tastebuds. At restaurants like Vista, it’s not just a meal — it’s a complete experience. Chef João Oliveira is taking you on a sensory journey, providing your palate with tastes you’ve never had before.
Vista also boasts a beautiful terrace with stunning views of Praia da Rocha, as it sits on a promontory looking down on the ocean.
Pricing
View Menu: €200 per person / Wine pairing: €110 / Cheese supplement: €20
Terra Menu: €175 per person / Wine pairing: €110 / Cheese supplement: €20
Location
Avenida Tomás Cabreira, Portimao, 8500-802, Portugal
Opening times
Tuesday – Saturday / 19:00 – 21:00
What is a Michelin Star?
Michelin stars are a globally recognised symbol of culinary excellence, awarded by the Michelin Guide to restaurants that meet their rigorous standards. The Michelin Guide, founded in France in 1900, is a series of travel guides published by the Michelin Group. The guides rate restaurants, hotels, and other tourist attractions based on a set of anonymous assessments by their inspectors.
There are three levels of Michelin stars:
- One star: Awarded to restaurants offering “very good cooking, worth a stop.”
- Two stars: Awarded to restaurants offering “excellent cooking, worth a detour.”
- Three stars: Awarded to restaurants offering “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
Michelin stars are awarded based on five criteria:
- The quality of the products: Are the ingredients fresh, seasonal, and of the highest quality?
- The mastery of cooking: Are the dishes well-prepared and presented?
- The harmony of flavours: Do the flavours complement each other well?
- The personality of the chef: Does the chef’s unique style and personality come through in the food?
- The consistency of the experience: Is the quality of the food and service consistent from visit to visit?
Michelin stars are highly coveted by chefs around the world. The Michelin Guide is updated annually, and restaurants can lose stars as well as gain them. There are currently over 3,000 Michelin-starred restaurants in 29 countries worldwide.
Book your luxury Algarve stay today!
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