Blind wins Michelin star
The Blind restaurant at Torel Palace Porto just received its first star at the MICHELIN Guide awards ceremony, which took place tonight at the Alfândega do Porto Congress Center.
2Monkeys, the fine dining restaurant at Torel Palace Lisbon that won its first star last year, has maintained its prestigious seal, thus guaranteeing two stars in the Guide under the Torel Boutiques label.
After Blind had much of its prestige and hard work recognized last year – with the Young Chef of the Year award for chef Rita Magro, and the inclusion of the gastronomic project in the list of restaurants recommended by the MICHELIN Guide -, 2025 brought new reasons to be proud for the entire Blind team, which has just won its first star in the famous red guide. The fine dining project at Torel Palace Porto thus confirms the consistency and solidity of the team led by chef Vitor Matos with the support of chef Rita Magro, guaranteeing two stars in the Guide within the Torel Boutiques group, which also maintained the star won last year at the 2Monkeys restaurant, at Torel Palace Lisbon, also led by chef Vitor Matos, this time with the support of chef Guilherme Spalk.
“Only projects with special and united people overcome challenges. And the path may be long or short, but when we are together, we find each other. It’s time to share the best moments of our lives. Above all, I want to thank those who support us and our team,” says chef Vitor Matos enthusiastically. Chef Rita Magro adds: “Receiving this MICHELIN star is a dream come true. Furthermore, it is a recognition of the work of the Blind team. It is a celebration of all our dedication to each dish, a reflection of years of evolution. It will be the beginning of a journey in which, together, each challenge will be an opportunity to exceed expectations.”
Inspired by José Saramago’s work “Ensaio Sobre a Cegueira”, since 2020 Blind has been surprising with the quality and irreverence of the combinations presented. With two surprise menus available – one with 10 and the other with 12 courses – each dinner is a journey that challenges all the senses, always enriched by the excellence of the technique and origin of the products.
With this distinction, chef Vitor Matos is in charge of four gastronomic projects awarded by the MICHELIN Guide, representing five stars in total (1* MICHELIN at Blind, in Porto; 1* MICHELIN at the 2Monkeys restaurant, in Lisbon; 2*MICHELIN at the Antiqvvm restaurant, in Porto; and the recent star won at the Oculto restaurant, in Vila do Conde). His mastery, which had already been awarded on several occasions – such as in 2011, with the “Prix Chefs de l’Avenir” award from the Académie International de Gastronomie; or even in 2014, when he was named Best Chef in Portugal (Arco Atlântico Gastro Awards) -, he was once again distinguished with this world-renowned award, which thus confirms Vitor Matos’ talent and expertise in the arts of preparing haute cuisine.
It is with great pride that the chef duo Vitor Matos and Rita Magro receive this distinction, a feeling shared by the entire Torel Boutiques group family, which equally recognizes the enormous talent, perseverance and dedication of the entire team. “Receiving this prestigious distinction is a reflection of our tireless commitment to the pursuit of excellence and innovation. It is also a moment of profound celebration of our perseverance, teamwork and the pursuit of perfection that characterizes us so much,” says Ingrid Koeck, partner and spokesperson for the group.
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