The Convento do Beato, in Lisbon, hosted the second edition of TheFork Awards. The gala distinguished several restaurants in the country and also paid tribute to some prominent figures in the national gastronomic scene.

The TheFork Awards gala was presented by Vasco Palmeirim and brought together 200 guests.

Winners

The jury, composed of 53 Portuguese chefs, nominated several national establishments. Polémico was the winner of the People’s Choice Award, the favourite restaurant of the Portuguese in 2025. "We opened 10 months ago, we are 5 partners, the oldest being 26 years old. Receiving this distinction among such renowned restaurants is a real source of pride. We offer a gastronomic fusion where excellent food is for everyone within an informal environment with cloth napkins, stainless steel plates and chef-prepared cuisine," revealed chef António Lobo Xavier.

The top 10 restaurants most voted for by the public were also revealed. They are: Marina com Noélia, Olhão; Belos Aires Praia, Arcozelo; Carvoaria, Lisbon; Bougain Avenida, Lisbon; De Raiz, Almada; Renascimento, Guimarães; Raio, Lisbon; Timeless, Paço d’Arcos; and Bonança, Lisbon.

Chef’s Choice

The Chef’s Choice Award was another award at TheFork Awards. In this case, Santa Joana was the winner. "This award is a huge source of pride for me and our team. We've been building a place for a year, where we are the hosts of a convent with over four hundred years of history. We try to create a space with a bohemian and fun atmosphere, where we honour the place we are in, inspired by Portuguese cuisine, but also by our travels to all the places we've been to get to Lisbon today," revealed chef Nuno Mendes as he took the stage.

Also noteworthy were Largo do Paço, which won the Excellence in Wine List award, and Fitapreta – A Cozinha do Paço, which won the Roots award. The gala also honoured several figures in Portuguese gastronomy, such as Maria de Lourdes Modesto, Noélia Jerónimo, Nuno Mendes, and Dieter Koschina.