Monday night was a festive one in Santarém. As the Repsol Guide returned to Portugal after a ten-year hiatus, 194 restaurants were recognised, 70 of which received one, two or three Suns – the highest distinction went to Belcanto, Il Gallo D’Oro, Ocean, and The Yeatman. In Cascais, six restaurants were highlighted. Fortaleza do Guincho, by Gil Fernandes, and Maré by José Avillez, with Filipe Pina at the helm in the kitchen, were awarded one Sun, while Sult, Monte Mar, Porto de Santa Maria, and Furnas do Guincho were included in the guide as recommended restaurants.
While Gil Fernandes — who also holds a Michelin star at Fortaleza do Guincho — took to the stage to collect his Repsol Sun, José Avillez left the spotlight to Filipe Pina. Of the former, the guide highlights “the finesse of techniques and ingredients, cooked and presented with precision, all thanks to the work of chef Gil Fernandes and his team.” As for Maré, it praises the “excellent gastronomic experience, author-led cuisine with strong traditional Portuguese roots and a few dishes with Eastern influences.” The service, it adds, is “impeccable and attentive.”
In total, 49 restaurants received one Sun, spanning both traditional and fine dining styles. One Sun is awarded to “a restaurant you’d recommend to friends and want to return to again and again.” These restaurants feature “quality ingredients and honest, consistent cuisine that continues to evolve.” Furthermore, “service is attentive and professional, and the wine list offers some pleasant surprises.” In short, “it’s more than worth making a detour mid-journey.”
Among the recommended restaurants — those which, according to the guide’s criteria, “offer vibrant quality and heartfelt cooking” — 124 were included this year. In Cascais, Furnas do Guincho is described as “a must-stop for fish and seafood lovers,” as is Monte Mar, praised for its “competent and professional service.” At Sult, led by Nelson Soares, the guide notes the “quality ingredients and well-executed recipes, served in generous portions at prices that reflect the location and target clientele.” Finally, the experience at Porto de Santa Maria is said to be “absolutely worthwhile,” thanks to “exceptional produce, such as salt-baked fish and fresh seafood,” Repsol assures.