Vitor Matos is one of Portugal’s most awarded chefs, the man behind Antiqvvm, the two-Michelin-star restaurant set in a historic estate above the Douro in Porto. Celebrated for creative cooking of apparent simplicity that conceals real depth, he has become, by star count, the most Michelin-decorated chef in Portugal.
Trained in Switzerland and honoured repeatedly as Chef of the Year, Matos combines classic Portuguese ingredients with international modernity, turning Antiqvvm into one of the country’s essential dining destinations.
TL;DR
- Portuguese chef, chef of the two-Michelin-star Antiqvvm in Porto
- Chef at Antiqvvm since 2015; second star awarded in 2024
- By star count, the most Michelin-starred chef in Portugal
- Trained in cooking and pastry in Neuchatel, Switzerland
- Named Portuguese Chef of the Year multiple times
Vitor Matos key facts
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Restaurant | Antiqvvm, Porto (2 Michelin stars) |
| Chef since | 2015 (2nd star 2024) |
| Trained in | Neuchatel, Switzerland |
| Known for | Creative Portuguese cuisine, product-focused |
A career built on craft
Vitor Matos began his culinary career in the 1990s, studying cooking and pastry in Neuchatel, Switzerland. Over the following decades he built a reputation as one of Portugal’s most accomplished chefs, collecting the Prix Chefs de l’Avenir from the Academie Internationale de Gastronomie in 2011 and being named Chef of the Year in 2003, 2013 and 2014.
Antiqvvm
Since 2015 Matos has led Antiqvvm, housed in the former Solar do Vinho do Porto, a historic estate overlooking the Douro. Under his direction the restaurant earned a Michelin star and then a second in 2024, making Matos – by number of stars – the most decorated Portuguese chef. The setting, with its river views and heritage architecture, matches the ambition of the cooking.
A product-driven cuisine
Matos champions creative cuisine of, in his words, only apparent simplicity – elegant dishes that quietly conceal an ode to the product. He works classic Portuguese dishes and ingredients together with touches of international modernity, letting prized ingredients such as scarlet prawn, red mullet, caviar and black truffle shine through refined, carefully composed plates.
Signature style
Matos’s style balances Portuguese tradition with contemporary technique and international influence. His food looks deceptively simple but rests on deep craft and impeccable produce, an approach that has kept Antiqvvm at the summit of Portuguese gastronomy and earned him the country’s highest recognition.
Vitor Matos in context
Matos is one of the leading names in Porto’s dining scene, alongside chefs featured on Pickup Table 4 such as Ricardo Costa and Henrique Sa Pessoa.
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Vitor Matos FAQ
Who is Vitor Matos?
A Portuguese chef leading the two-Michelin-star Antiqvvm in Porto.
What is Antiqvvm?
His restaurant in a historic estate overlooking the Douro in Porto.
How many Michelin stars does it have?
Two – the second awarded in 2024.
Where did he train?
In cooking and pastry in Neuchatel, Switzerland.
What kind of food does he cook?
Creative, product-focused Portuguese cuisine with international touches.
