Portugal's 2026 Boa Cama Boa Mesa Guide Crowns Top Chefs and Luxury Stays
Matosinhos Cruise Terminal, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Hosts Launch of the 2026 Boa Cama Boa Mesa Guide with Platinum, Gold, and Silver Fork and Key Awards
The 2026 edition of the Boa Cama Boa Mesa (Good Bed, Good Table) Guide was unveiled at the Matosinhos Cruise Terminal, with 39 restaurants and 22 accommodations across Portugal honored with Platinum, Gold, and Silver Fork and Key awards. Five Platinum Forks, 14 Gold Forks, and 20 Silver Forks were presented, along with four Platinum Keys, seven Gold Keys, and 11 Silver Keys.
"Ego has no place in the kitchen. We need others—alone, we are nothing. I work harder every day to share and pass on knowledge," emphasized Vítor Matos, named Chef of the Year 2026, who also earned a Gold Fork for his restaurant Antiqvvm in Porto.
Alexandre Marto Pereira received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to hospitality as an entrepreneur, manager, and industry leader. "This award belongs to the thousands of small business owners who work under incredibly tough conditions in highly seasonal destinations—those who fight daily to no longer be the ugly ducklings of tourism," he remarked in his acceptance speech.
Hosted by Bárbara Guimarães, the ceremony included a tribute to Francisco Pinto Balsemão. "After Coimbra, we're now in Matosinhos. For the second consecutive year, we've moved beyond Lisbon. In line with our guide's mission, we're decentralizing to showcase every corner of the country," said Francisco Pedro Balsemão, CEO of Impresa, framing the awards that mark the guide's annual launch.
For Matosinhos City Council's Tourism Alderman, the host city is "not just a place where you eat well—it's a territory where gastronomy is identity, and people are our greatest asset."
Platinum Fork Winners The top-tier Platinum Fork restaurants include: - Belcanto (Lisbon), helmed by José Avillez - Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (Matosinhos), led by Rui Paula - Ocean (Lagoa, Algarve), with Hans Neuner at the helm - The Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia), under Ricardo Costa - Vista Restaurante (Portimão), directed by João Oliveira
Newcomers to the guide also made their mark: Fifty Seconds (Lisbon), where Rui Silvestre secured a Gold Fork, while Silver Fork honors went to 3 Pipos (Tondela), A Cozinha do Paço (Évora), Canalha (Lisbon), Cozinha da Terra (Paredes), and O Forno de Jales (Vila Real).
Platinum Key Honorees In the Boa Cama (accommodation) category, Platinum Keys were awarded to: - Areias do Seixo (Torres Vedras) - Herdade da Malhadinha Nova (Beja) - São Lourenço do Barrocal (Reguengos de Monsaraz) - Six Senses Douro Valley (Lamego)
Notable first-time winners include Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia (Porto) and Torel Quinta da Vacaria (Vila Real). The ceremony also announced the 2026 Newcomer of the Year awards: Restaurante Henrique Sá Pessoa (Lisbon) and Casa da Calçada (Amarante).
A Trusted Guide Since 2003 The Boa Cama Boa Mesa 2026 recommends 602 restaurants and 356 accommodations, organized by district and municipality with detailed descriptions and practical tips. Beyond listings, the Boa Mesa section now features culinary previews for each region—highlighting signature recipes and local products as a tantalizing introduction to its gastronomic offerings. New thematic lists help readers find budget-friendly spots, pet-friendly venues, family-friendly options, or places to impress.
This edition also debuts a "Flavors of the Lusophone World" section, showcasing restaurants specializing in cuisine from Portuguese-speaking countries, alongside a new "World Cuisines" category that maps global gastronomy trends reflecting Portuguese diners' evolving tastes.
An indispensable companion for exploring Portugal, the Boa Cama Boa Mesa 2026 guide invites travelers to savor the country's diversity—one meal, one stay, and one discovery at a time.
To curate this selection of lodgings and restaurants, a team of journalists travels the length of Portugal each year—from the northern border to the southern coast, including the autonomous regions—seeking out and evaluating standout projects defined by their quality, authenticity, deep ties to the land, and contributions to local development. The result is an invitation to discover the very best Portugal has to offer.
