European Michelin Star Restaurants

Algarve  

Vila Joya, Albufeira

For a fabulous dinner or lunch in a spectacular location, Vila Joya in Albufeira is hard to beat. A boutique hotel with a two Michelin starred restaurant (the only one in Portugal), and ranked in the top 50 in the world, its Austrian chef Dieter Koschina combines local produce with northern European cooking techniques. For a truly memorable meal, why not try the Chef’s table? This only sits four people and needs to be booked very well in advance.

Restaurante São Gabriel, Quinta do Lago

Restaurante São Gabriel in Quinta do Lago was awarded a Michelin star over 15 years ago, and the standards have remained high ever since. São Gabriel serves modern, Mediterranean cuisine, combining fresh, local produce. Enjoy dining al fresco on the beautiful terrace among the lush Thai garden, and try the tasting menu – it’s delicious.

Henrique Leis, Almancil

Many of our guests have raved about Henrique Leis, a one star eponymous restaurant in Almancil. Inspired by a Swiss-chalet, it is a mix of sophisticated elegance and rustic charm. This cosy venue, which is only open for dinner serves very good value food with French influences, all created by the very talented Brazilian Chef Henrique Leis. It’s our Pine Cliff’s GRM Louise Watson’s favourite.

Mallorca 

Restaurante Jardin, Puerto Alcudia

Macarena de Castro at Restaurante Jardin in Puerto Alcudia, not far from Pollenca, was awarded a Michelin star in 2012 - a first for a female head chef in Mallorca. She has had extensive international experience and her cooking has strong Mallorcan and Mediterranean influences. We recommend the tasting dishes, which are very good value and you won’t be disappointed by the wine list. The garden is a fabulous setting for summer dining and is a real treat on your villa chef’s day off.

Es Racó des Teix, Deià

Es Racó des Teix in the beautiful village of Deià is definitely worth the drive for lunch or dinner. Just over an hour away from Pollenca, this one starred restaurant serves classic Mediterranean dishes with a modern twist. Owned and run by German chef Josef Sauerschell, with his wife Leonor as the Maitre d’, the food and service are both fabulous. Dine on the terrace with spectacular views.

Es Moli den Bou, Sa Coma

Another restaurant we think is worth getting in the car for is Es Moli den Bou, in Sant Llorenc near Manacor, surrounded by orange and almond groves, less than an hour from Pollenca. The chef, Tomeu Caldentey was the first Mallorcan to receive a Michelin star, four years after opening his restaurant. Open just for dinner during the week, and lunch at the weekends, the food is distinctly traditional Mallorcan. Children under ten are unable to eat here.

Plat d'Or, Son Vida

Located at the Sheraton Mallorca - the 5 star Arabella Golf Hotel in Son Vida, Plat d'Or restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine with Mallorcan influences created by Rafa Sánchez. This restaurant was awarded a Michelin star for seven consecutive years and its chef is one of the finest in Mallorca. The restaurant has been recently re-decorated and the kitchen offers elaborate cuisine based on local Balearic produce; there are lovely views over the golf course from the terrace. The hotel has an on-going agreement with local co-operatives and producers so that it can always feature the best local ingredients in its culinary creations.

Tuscany 

Trattoria Toscana, Tuscany

If you’re not staying at Tenuta La Badiola, think about making a detour for dinner at Alain Ducasse’s famous restaurant Trattoria Toscana. Using produce from its own gardens, the emphasis here is on traditional Tuscan cookery, and the resulting in wonderful aromatic. The wine list includes wines made on the estate, and you should ask to see the cellar, which holds over 150 wines from around the world. If you are staying, you could book yourself or your children onto one of their cookery courses and learn how to make some classic Italian dishes. Pasta and pesto will never be the same again.

Ristorante Arnolfo, Colle di Val d'Elsa

Set just outside Colle di Val d’Elsa, Ristorante Arnolfo is an elegant restaurant with two Michelin stars, the food on your plate looks like a work of art. For a change from a stone oven pizza or bowl of fresh pasta, this is certainly somewhere to try. (However, their pasta is amazing too!)