The Algarve once again asserted itself among the most prestigious gastronomic destinations in Portugal with the results revealed at the Michelin Guide 2026 Gala. This year’s edition brought a new Michelin star to the region, confirmed the presence of seven Algarve restaurants among the elite of national gastronomy and also marked new entries from the Algarve in the selection of recommended restaurants.
The main news is the award of the first Michelin star to the Alameda restaurant, in Faro, led by chef Rui Sequeira. The distinction recognizes the trajectory of the chef and his team, marked by contemporary cuisine that values local products, seasonality and the gastronomic identity of the territory.
The Michelin Guide itself highlights the restaurant for its homage to the flavors of the Algarve sea, presented in a contemporary and rigorous style.
With this new distinction, the Algarve reinforces its presence in the national gastronomic panorama. The region currently has two restaurants awarded two Michelin stars: Vila Joya, in Albufeira, by chef Dieter Koschina, and Ocean, in Porches, by chef Hans Neuner.
These are joined by five Michelin-starred restaurants: Gusto by Heinz Beck, in Almancil, by chef Heinz Beck; Bon Bon, in Lagoa, by chef José Lopes; Vista, in Portimão, by chef João Oliveira; A Ver Tavira, in Tavira, by chef Luís Brito; and Alameda, in Faro, by chef Rui Sequeira, which appears as the novelty of the 2026 edition.
New recommended restaurants in the Algarve
The 2026 edition of the Michelin Guide also highlights the dynamics of Portuguese restaurants by including 34 new Recommended restaurants in the national selection.
In the case of the Algarve, this category includes Coral, in Porches, by chef Diogo Pereira; austa, in Almancil, by chef David Barata; Authentic, also in Almancil, by chef Ricardo Luz; the Duoo Gastro Theater, in Portimão, by chefs Catarina Monteiro and Leandro Silva; Cafezique, in Loulé, by chef Leandro Araújo; Mesa Farta, in Tavira, by chef João Viegas; and Pearl, in Faro, by chefs João Silva and Domingos Camara.
Presence in this selection constitutes, in itself, an important seal of international quality, as any restaurant included in the Michelin Guide becomes part of a particularly demanding universe recognized on a global scale.
Gastronomy reinforces the Algarve’s international notoriety
For the president of , André Gomes, “recognition from the Michelin Guide once again confirms the quality, creativity and consistency of Algarve gastronomy. These distinctions value the talent of our chefs and their teams, project the products and identity of the territory and reinforce the importance of gastronomy in affirming the Algarve as a premium, authentic destination and increasingly oriented towards high-value-added experiences”.
The distinctions now granted reinforce the region’s international notoriety and confirm gastronomy as one of its strategic assets. By valuing the local product, the creativity of the chefs and the excellence of the experience at the table, the Michelin Guide contributes to qualifying the tourist offer and affirming the Algarve for audiences seeking authenticity, sophistication and high added value.
With a new Michelin star and new entries in the Recommended selection, the Algarve confirms the dynamism of its gastronomic scene and consolidates its claim as a reference destination for gastronomy in Portugal and southern Europe.
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