Sintra is unique - that’s a fact that will remain for years to come. This little Portuguese town is not only known for its incredible monuments and natural beauty, but it is also home to delicious dishes and truly original sweets that delight anyone who is lucky enough to taste them. And why shouldn’t you taste them too? We’ve made a list of the 10 best places where you can eat in Sintra. They range from cafés to patisseries to restaurants. There’s no excuse for you to have a simple sandwich or a burger when there are so many great places for you to try something that is unique to the country you’re visiting. Portugal has a very strong culinary identity that you should definitely not shy away from. Go ahead and have a bite of some of the best Portuguese treats at the places we’ve curated for you!
1. Casa Piriquita
Casa Piriquita is about 160 years old and has served the best ‘queijadas’ (traditional Portuguese pastries made of cheese) in Sintra all these years. In the 1940s, the founder’s daughter created 'travesseiros’ (or pillows - puff pastries filled with almond cream), which became another traditional favourite. The full recipe for this popular sweet is still a family secret. You can’t leave Portugal without trying both of these pastries and Casa Piriquita is one of the best places to get them, along with many other delicious treats.
Casa Piriquita
Address: Rua Padarias 1, 2710-533 Sintra, Portugal
Website: Casa Piriquita
Opening Times: Monday - Sunday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Average Price: 9.50 USD (8 EUR) for two people
2. Incomum by Luís Santos
If you love fancy restaurants, you’re really going to love this one. Incomum offers incredibly delicious dishes created by the talented Portuguese chef Luís Santos and shows you what Portugal has to offer in terms of quality restaurants. Here, you’ll have plenty of choices for a variety of quirky, uncommon dishes and you’re sure to love every single bite. And don’t worry, you’ll find the bill to be surprisingly reasonable for this kind of quality!
Incomum by Luís Santos
Address: Rua Dr. Alfredo da Costa 22, 2710-523 Sintra, Portugal
Website: Incomum by Luis Santos
Opening Times: Sunday - Friday: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Saturdays: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Average Price: 47 USD (40 EUR) for two people
3. Estefanea Café
You’ll probably walk past this place without noticing it but if you go in, you’re guaranteed to find the largest and most amazing toasts you’ve ever had! Estefanea Café is known for its XL-sized toasts and tasty tapas, and is a great place to go for brunch or a yummy snack after exploring the town centre.
Estefanea Café
Address: Largo Afonso de Albuquerque 11, 2710-572 Sintra, Portugal
Facebook: Estefanea Café
Opening Times: Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Average Price: 9.50 USD (8 EUR) for two people
4. Fábrica das Verdadeiras Queijadas da Sapa
This patisserie is another amazing place where you can get the best Portuguese sweets. Everything is so tasty that you will dream about their ‘queijadas’ for two weeks straight. The place has an old, classic look that will take you back in time. And you’ll be served by the nicest people on the planet. If you don’t have enough time to sit down for a coffee, pick up some sweets for later! They’re not to be missed.
Fábrica das Verdadeiras Queijadas da Sapa
Address: Volta Duche 12, 2710-630 Sintra, Portugal
Facebook: Fábrica das Verdadeiras Queijadas da Sapa
Opening Times: Tuesday - Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Average Price: 9.50 USD (8 EUR) for two people
5. Curral dos Caprinos
Curral dos Caprinos used to be a cattle shed for sheep. Now, it’s a fantastic restaurant that serves the best of Portuguese cuisine. The place is very pleasant, with rustic décor and a menu full of delectable dishes. This restaurant is known for its delicious roasted lamb but it also offers a variety of other options to tantalise your taste buds. Whatever you choose, you’ll devour!
Curral dos Caprinos
Address: Rua 28 de Setembro, 2710-125 Sintra, Portugal
Website: Curral dos Caprinos
Opening Times: Monday - Sunday: 12 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Average Price: 47 USD (40 EUR) for two people
6. Gourmet da Maria
Gourmet da Maria is a lovely place to have a tasty, well-deserved breakfast. Choose from pancakes, crepes, scones, croissants and a variety of delicious toasts, and you’ll be surely satisfied. You can also enjoy a delicious cold tea while lounging outdoors on the deck chairs and enjoying the view of the hills. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Gourmet da Maria
Address: Rua Padre Amaro Teixeira de Azevedo 46, 2710-153 Sintra, Portugal
Website: Gourmet da Maria (in Portuguese)
Opening Times: Monday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Average Price: 24 USD (20 EUR) for two people
7. Tascantiga Sintra
At Tascantiga Sintra, you’ll have the best Portuguese tapas you could ever find along with a great glass of wine. This traditional, rustic place serves the tastiest snacks including breaded prawns, octopus salads and stuffed mushrooms. You can also try the famous ‘caldo verde’ (a creamy potato and kale soup) and have delicious apple crumble for dessert. This is a great place to end your day with yummy food after visiting the palaces and exploring Sintra’s natural beauty.
Tascantiga Sintra
Address: Escadinhas da Fonte da Pipa 2, 2710-557 Sintra, Portugal
Facebook: Tascantiga Sintra
Opening Times: Monday - Saturday: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Average Price: 18 USD (15 EUR) for two people
8. A Raposa
A Raposa is a pretty, modern restaurant perfect for a romantic dinner. Although it has contemporary furnishings, the ambience is very cosy and charming, and the meals are exceptional. Although it’s not the cheapest restaurant in Sintra, the quality you get is completely worth every penny you spend. A Raposa will not disappoint you!
A Raposa
Address: Rua Conde Ferreira 29, 2710-556 Sintra, Portugal
Facebook: A Raposa
Opening Times: Tuesday - Sunday: 1 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Average Price: 47 USD (40 EUR) for two people
9. Dona Maria
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Já provou os pratos do nosso novo menu? Esperamos por si #donamaria #restaurantedonamaria #sintra #travel #food #drink #foodporn #bifeaportuguesa
Posted by Dona Maria on Sunday, December 9, 2018
Dona Maria is a stunning, classy restaurant that will amaze you through both its menu and décor. You can choose to have your meal at one of the tables on the lovely terrace and enjoy your food with a great view, or if you choose to stay indoors, you’ll also have plenty of beauty to look at. The walls of the restaurant have incredible hand-painted landscapes that make you feel like you’re at many places at once. There are crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and every table seems to be strategically placed for your utmost enjoyment. Dona Maria is an exquisite restaurant that you will love as soon as you get in, but the food will make you love it even more. You’ll get a generous meal with fresh, healthy Mediterranean ingredients. It is a wonderful choice for a lunch or dinner after visiting the National Palace, as the two are located very closely.
Dona Maria
Address: 511, Largo Ferreira de Castro 3, 2710 Sintra, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Average Price: 24 USD (20 EUR) for two people
10. Restaurante Metamorphosis
This restaurant is beautiful, inexpensive and the food is simply delicious. You can try the famous ‘francesinha’ (traditional sandwich from Porto, stuffed with meat and melted cheese) and many other dishes, including typical Portuguese snacks and yummy desserts. Metamorphosis is a very affordable restaurant considering the quality of the food and the location, which very close to the city centre. It is one of your best choices if you’re on a budget and would still like to have a well-deserved, hearty meal.
Restaurante Metamorphosis
Address: Rua João de Deus 43, 2710-580 Sintra, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday - Sunday: 12 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Average Price: 24 USD (20 EUR) for two people
Sintra: from queijadas to caldo verde
If you thought Sintra was only good for places to visit and parks to explore, you’re very wrong. Sintra will surprise you with its variety of restaurants, cafés and tapas bars where you can eat the most delicious meals, desserts and snacks. From traditional Portuguese cakes and sweets to strange but yummy salads and stews, Sintra is a great place to find out what Portuguese cuisine has to offer. It has no lack of amazing places to eat the most iconic Portuguese dishes and it certainly doesn’t fall short on quality. Get ready to have a feast!
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