The Best Chefs Awards 2025: 16 Portuguese Chefs Shine
Last night in Milan, the culinary world gathered for the The Best Chefs Awards 2025. It was a glamorous evening full of emotion – and a proud moment for Portugal. No less than 16 Portuguese chefs earned a spot in this prestigious knife-ranking system (an alternative to Michelin stars). That’s a big jump from 13 in 2024, and a clear sign that Portuguese gastronomy is gaining global momentum.
What stood out to me is that this recognition is not just for a few big names, but a confirmation that Portuguese haute cuisine has come of age. Two chefs kept Portugal firmly at the very top: Hans Neuner of Ocean (Porches) and José Avillez of Belcanto (Lisbon). Both retained their three knives, the highest award. Importantly, both now offer, alongside their regular tasting menus, a 100% vegan tasting menu.
It fascinates me how different their styles are, yet both set an international benchmark. Neuner with his refined and increasingly innovative tasting and vegan tasting menus, proving that plant-based dining can be pure haute cuisine. Avillez with Belcanto, where Portuguese tradition and modern creativity meet – now also with more plant-based options on the table. This is a trend that’s here to stay, and honestly, it makes fine dining fresher and more exciting.
🔪🔪🔪 Three Knives
🔪🔪 Two Knives
🔪 One Knife
And here’s the issue: out of 16 names, only one female chef made the list – Marlene Vieira from Lisbon. She fully deserves her place, but it also means 15 men dominate the rankings. In a country where more and more talented female chefs are shaping the future of gastronomy, this imbalance feels striking. It’s time for greater visibility and recognition of women in haute cuisine, in Portugal and beyond.
On the international stage, Rasmus Munk of Alchemist (Copenhagen) once again claimed the top spot. The podium was completed by Ana Roš (Hiša Franko, Slovenia) in second place and Himanshu Saini (Trèsind Studio, UAE) in third.
Portugal has every reason to be proud. The scene is vibrant, global recognition is growing, and a new generation of chefs is on the rise. The move towards vegan and plant-based fine dining is impossible to ignore, with Neuner and Avillez leading the way by showing that you don’t need animal products to create a world-class dining experience.
But there’s still work to do. With only one female chef on a list of sixteen, the industry is missing out on talent, diversity, and new perspectives. That might just be the biggest challenge Portuguese gastronomy faces in the years to come.
A: Lisbon is home to several world-class restaurants. At the top stands Belcanto by José Avillez (3 knives, Michelin 2 stars), where tradition meets modern creativity. Other highlights include Alma by Henrique Sá Pessoa, Loco by Alexandre Silva, and SEM by George McLeod, each offering a different take on contemporary Portuguese cuisine.
A: The Algarve shines internationally thanks to Ocean in Porches, led by Hans Neuner, which holds 3 knives and 2 Michelin stars. Also worth noting is Vila Joya in Albufeira by Dieter Koschina (2 knives), and Vista in Portimão by João Oliveira. These restaurants combine stunning sea views with world-class dining.
A: Porto is more than wine; it’s a rising culinary hub. Euskalduna by Vasco Coelho dos Santos and Pedro Lemos are highlights, while Antiqvvm by Vítor Matos and Casa de Chá da Boa Nova by Rui Paula offer breathtaking settings paired with refined menus.
A: Yes – increasingly so. Leading chefs like Hans Neuner (Ocean) and José Avillez (Belcanto) now offer full vegan tasting menus alongside their traditional menus. Sometimes it’s featured directly on the card, other times it requires advance notice (usually 24 hours). Plant-based fine dining is a growing trend, and Portugal is catching up fast.
A: Introduced in 2024 by The Best Chefs Awards, the knife system works similarly to Michelin stars but uses knives instead:
A: In the 2025 awards, only Marlene Vieira (Marlene, Lisbon) was recognized, earning one knife. While this highlights ongoing gender imbalance, it also shows her strong influence as one of Portugal’s leading female chefs.
A: A record-breaking 16 chefs were awarded in 2025, up from 13 in 2024 – a sign of the growing recognition of Portugal on the global gastronomy stage.
A: It’s here to stay. From Lisbon to the Algarve, more chefs are embracing plant-based tasting menus. Diners demand sustainable, lighter cuisine, and Portugal’s top chefs are proving that vegan haute cuisine can be as luxurious and creative as any traditional menu.
The Best Chefs Awards 2025: 16 Portuguese Chefs Shine
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