Lisbon's restaurant "Prado" has claimed the coveted first place in the Mesa Marcada gastronomy awards, a prestigious recognition in the culinary scene.

António Galapito, the chef leading Prado, secured the top spot in this year's edition, marking the 15th anniversary of the awards. Prado had previously ranked second in 2020 and 2021.

Last year's winner, "Ocean" (two Michelin stars), led by Austrian chef Hans Neuner, has now moved down one position in the rankings. The list includes a new entry, "Cozinha das Flores" in Porto, by Nuno Mendes, securing the ninth spot and receiving the Sogrape New Restaurant of the Year Special Award.

João Rodrigues, known for "Canalha" in Lisbon and the itinerant project Residência, once again claimed the title of the favorite chef, a position he held for six consecutive years while at the helm of "Feitoria" (Lisbon, one Michelin star). Rodrigues' new restaurant in the capital was also honored with the Special Queijo São Jorge DOP Mesa Diária 2023 Award, recognizing the best affordable restaurant.

Vasco Coelho dos Santos, from "Euskalduna" in Porto (one Michelin star), who topped the list last year, secured the second position among the favorite chefs.

"Vista" (Portimão, one Michelin star) by chef João Oliveira, climbed 12 positions to eighth place in the restaurant rankings, earning the Special Estrella Damm Highlight of the Year Award.

This edition of the Mesa Marcada awards marked a milestone with 280 voters, including chefs, industry professionals, journalists, critics, bloggers, and gastronomes. The awards ceremony, held at the Estoril Congress Center, was the most attended ever, with around 450 guests. Photo by Hotel de la Paix Genève, Wikimedia commons.