8 Best Restaurants in Sintra, Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula

Incomúm

$$ Fodor's choice

Not far from the town's main train station, this restaurant's location on one of Sintra's major thoroughfares means that it is always busy. The dining room is elegantly lighted with crisp linens on the tables, but the favorite seats are on the street. While the á la carte options are reasonably priced, it's the three-course set lunches that are the best value.

Café Paris

$$$
With an enviable location near the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, this elegant bistro has been attracting a well-heeled crowd since the 1920s. There's a covered area for outdoor dining, while the mirrored walls, ceiling frescoes, and crystal chandeliers of the interior are in keeping with the sense of opulence.

Café Saudade

$
A short stroll downhill from the train station, this cozy spot has marble-topped tables and an elaborately decorated ceiling. It serves delicious scones, cakes, and pastries in a setting that evokes the grandeur of another era. The strong coffee and hearty breakfasts are good fuel for a day climbing the town's steep hills.
Café Breakfast Brunch Dessert Quick Bite $ Family
Av. Dr. Miguel Bombarda nº6, Sintra, Lisbon, 2710-590, Portugal
210 150 055
saudade.pt
Known For
  • wine is available by the glass or the bottle
  • strong coffee and hearty breakfasts
  • retro-chic interior and outdoor seating on the terrace
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner

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Cantinho de São Pedro

$

Inside white stucco walls beneath a barrel-tile roof, this tavern is said to be one of the oldest in Portugal. The interior has exposed brick walls, expansive windows, and a huge fireplace that keeps the place cozy in cooler weather. The menu is Portuguese with a French accent, and the fair prices ensure a steady flow of locals alongside the daytrippers.

Portuguese Lunch Dinner $ Family
Praça Dom Fernando II 18, Sintra, Lisbon, 2710-483, Portugal
914 996 114
cantinhosaopedro.com
Known For
  • anything from the grill is excellent
  • long and interesting history
  • plenty for vegetarians
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed., Recommended

Loja do Vinho

$$

One of the city's first wine shops, Loja do Vinho has a cozy cellar lined with hundreds of bottle from all over the world. Plates of cured meats, boards of local cheeses, and bowls overflowing with olives make good companions to the many varieties of wine on offer here or on the tiny outdoor terrace. If you enjoy the bottle you had with your meal, you can buy another to take home.

Neptuno

$$

One of the best oceanside restaurants in nearby Praia das Maçãs, glass-fronted Neptuno is where sandy-footed diners can feast on freshly grilled fish that was swimming in the surf just hours before. Try the octopus ceviche, and the seafood-rich arroz de marisco.

Seafood Lunch Dinner $$ Family
Rua Pedro Álvares Cabral, Sintra, Lisbon, 2705-300, Portugal
219 291 222
facebook.com/rest.neptuno.praiamacas
Known For
  • huge variety of shellfish dishes
  • diners can take their pick from daily catch
  • lovely beachfront location
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon., Accepted

Tacho Real

$$$

Locals make their way up a steep hill to this restaurant for traditional dishes like bacalhau à brás (salt cod with eggs, onions, and sliced potato) that are cooked with panache and served by a friendly staff. Steaks are a specialty, as are the mouthwatering desserts that include house-made cakes and tarts. On warm days the small terrace is delightful, and there is often live guitar music welcoming you at the door.

Portuguese Lunch Dinner $$$
Rua do Ferraria 4, Sintra, Lisbon, 2710-517, Portugal
219 235 277
facebook.com/RestauranteTachoReal
Known For
  • elegant dining room bordered with azulejo tiles
  • good advice on Portuguese wines
  • terrace is an escape from the crowds
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed. No dinner Tues. during winter

Tasca Saloia

$$

At this restaurant in the center of town, the handful of tables in the convivial dining room spill out onto the sidewalk in warmer weather. Seafood petiscos (the Portuguese version of tapas) and a good wine selection are the main attractions. Don't expect the speediest service in town, but relax with a bottle of the house wine as waiters hurry past.