What to Expect from the Michelin Guide Ceremony 2025 in Porto

The Michelin Guide has chosen Porto. Not Paris, not Madrid, not even Lisbon, Porto. And that means something. It means that Portugal’s second city, a place once known only for its wines and azulejo-covered streets, is now commanding the world’s attention. On February 25, 2025, the Alfândega do Porto will become the epicenter of global gastronomy.

Alfandega Congress Center

But this is more than a night of stars and speeches. This is Portugal’s moment. A culmination of decades of passion, precision, and reinvention. A sign that our chefs, our restaurants, our traditions, and our innovations are no longer rising, they have arrived.

The question is: what happens next?

The Michelin Guide’s Journey

It began with tires. That’s the unexpected truth behind the world’s most coveted culinary award. When the Michelin brothers launched their guide in 1900, their goal was simple, get people to drive more. More driving meant more tires, and to encourage travel, they published a booklet filled with maps, service stations, and, crucially, recommendations for where to eat.

What started as a practical tool evolved into something far greater. By the 1920s, the Michelin Guide had begun awarding stars to restaurants, creating a hierarchy of excellence that transformed the way the world thought about dining.

A century later, what began as a marketing tool is now the ultimate measure of gastronomic greatness. And in 2025, Portugal takes center stage in that legacy.

Michelin in Portugal

Portugal’s relationship with Michelin has been a slow burn. The first Portuguese stars appeared in 1974, but for decades, the country’s culinary reputation remained overshadowed by Spain and France. The world saw Portugal as rustic, traditional, a place of hearty stews and simple seafood, not fine dining.

But the past decade has rewritten that story. A wave of visionary chefs, a rediscovery of local ingredients, and a fearless approach to innovation have propelled Portugal into the global spotlight. Today, our restaurants are not just gaining stars; they are redefining what Michelin-starred dining can be.

Now, with Porto hosting the Michelin Guide Portugal 2025 ceremony, the stage is set for a new chapter.

What to Expect

The Yeatman Gastronomic

The Michelin Guide is famously secretive, but here’s what we know:

• The Venue: The Alfândega do Porto, a neoclassical landmark on the banks of the Douro, will set the stage. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto Moura, it’s a symbol of Porto’s ability to honor the past while shaping the future.
• The Chefs Leading the Charge: Three of Portugal’s most celebrated chefs, Rui Paula (Casa de Chá da Boa Nova), Vítor Matos (Antiqvvm), and Ricardo Costa (The Yeatman), will orchestrate the Michelin dinner. Each of them already holds two Michelin stars. Could 2025 be the year they break through to three?
• New Stars, New Destinations: Michelin’s eyes are no longer just on Lisbon and Porto. The Douro, Alentejo, and even the Azores are contenders for new stars. Will Michelin expand its reach across the country?
• The Green Star Movement: Sustainability is at the forefront of Michelin’s modern vision. More Portuguese restaurants are focusing on local sourcing, ethical practices, and reducing waste. Will we see a surge in Green Star awards this year?

Portugal’s Culinary Icons

Antiqvvm

The Michelin Guide is about more than stars, it’s about the people behind them. In 2025, these are the chefs and restaurants that define Portugal’s gastronomic landscape:

• José Avillez (Belcanto, Lisbon) – The pioneer. The first Portuguese chef to earn two Michelin stars in Lisbon, his influence spans from contemporary fine dining to casual reinventions of Portuguese classics.
• Henrique Sá Pessoa (Alma, Lisbon) – A master of precision, technique, and flavor. His Alma restaurant has become one of the capital’s most revered dining experiences.
• Hans Neuner (Ocean, Algarve) – The Algarve’s two-star genius. His approach to seafood and coastal flavors has set new standards for modern Portuguese cuisine.
• Rui Paula (Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, Porto) – A guardian of the sea, transforming Atlantic flavors into Michelin-worthy creations. Could he claim a third star?
• Vítor Matos (Antiqvvm, Porto) – The man redefining Porto’s fine dining scene, blending history with cutting-edge culinary artistry.
• Ricardo Costa (The Yeatman Gastronomic Restaurant, Porto) – The chef who made The Yeatman Gastronomic Restaurant a temple of Portuguese gastronomy, curating one of the most impressive wine cellars in the country.

These chefs, and many more, stand on the edge of a historic moment.

Michelin Beyond the Stars: Experience Portugal Like an Insider

Casa de Chá da Boa Nova

Want to dine like a Michelin inspector? Here’s how to experience Portugal at its most refined:

• Douro Valley Wine & Dine: Pair Michelin-starred meals with Port and Douro wines in a landscape that feels almost surreal. A stay at The Yeatman is essential.
• Algarve’s Coastal Elegance: Ocean, Vila Joya, and Bon Bon are redefining fine dining by the sea. Taste seafood like never before.
• Lisbon’s Culinary Evolution: From Belcanto to LAB by Sergi Arola, the capital is a playground for Michelin-starred innovation. Each meal tells a different story.
• The Rising Stars of the Interior: With Herdade do Esporão already on the Michelin map, Alentejo and the North are proving that excellence thrives beyond the cities.

The Year That Changes Everything

February 25, 2025, will mark a turning point. The night when Portugal proves, once and for all, that it belongs among the greats. But Michelin is not just about a ceremony, it’s about legacy.

For decades, Portugal’s culinary identity has been whispered about, admired in hushed tones. But now, the whisper has become a roar. The world is watching. The stage is set. The stars are waiting.

And for those who seek to taste, feel, and live this legacy beyond the gala, Wine Tourism in Portugal curates experiences at the very restaurants and regions that define this new era of Portuguese gastronomy. From the Michelin-starred tables of Lisbon and Porto to the vineyard-draped landscapes of the Douro and the Algarve’s coastal sanctuaries, each moment is crafted to celebrate the brilliance of Portugal’s finest.

And Portugal is ready.