Sintra draws millions of visitors each year to its lavish palaces and castles, but the town's restaurant scene tells an equally compelling story. From historic pastry shops serving secret recipes since the 1860s to Michelin-starred restaurants hidden within luxury resorts, Sintra offers far more than typical tourist fare for those who know where to look.

Sintra's massive tourist numbers have created a clear divide in its restaurant landscape. The historic center, particularly around the National Palace, is packed with establishments designed for quick turnover and tourist volume. Many serve predictable menus at inflated prices, banking on location rather than quality.

However, this tourist pressure has inadvertently created something special: a parallel dining scene that locals zealously guard. The best restaurants cluster just outside the main tourist flow, a five-minute walk from the palace near the train station, or tucked into the residential São Pedro neighbourhood. Places like Incomum and Apeadeiro have built devoted followings by offering superior food at fair prices to those willing to walk an extra 300 meters. This pattern repeats throughout Sintra: the most rewarding experiences require effort to escape the crowds.

 

 

This guide covers 21 of Sintra's best restaurants across all price ranges and styles. Each has been selected based on consistent quality, positive reviews, and what they offer beyond standard tourist fare. Price indicators: € (under €15), €€ (€15-30), €€€ (€30-50), €€€€ (€50+).

Fine Dining
LAB by Sergi Arola (Portuguese/Creative, €€€€)
Sintra's only Michelin-starred restaurant occupies a privileged position at Penha Longa Resort. Chef Sergi Arola, who trained under Ferran Adrià, presents theatrical tasting menus that journey "from mountain to sea" across Portugal. Expect playful presentations and serious technique. The experience lasts 3+ hours. - labbysergiarola.com

Midori (Japanese/Portuguese Fusion, €€€€)
Portugal's first Japanese restaurant to earn a Michelin star takes an unusual approach: Japanese techniques applied to Portuguese ingredients. Founded in 1992 at Penha Longa Resort, Chef Pedro Almeida's "Japanese with a Portuguese soul" philosophy produces dishes like tomato nigiri and scorched aubergine that shouldn't work but absolutely do. - midoripenhalonga.com

Contemporary Portuguese
Incomum by Luís Santos (Portuguese/Mediterranean, €€-€€€)
The smart money eats here. Located near the train station away from tourist crowds, Chef Luís Santos combines international training with seasonal Portuguese ingredients. The smoked duck carpaccio and mushroom-scallop risotto justify the short walk from the center. Modern décor with an open kitchen. incomumbyluissantos.pt

COMO Restaurante (Portuguese/International, €€-€€€)
Overlooking the National Palace, COMO succeeds where many tourist-trap neighbours fail by focusing on quality shared plates. The seafood rice feeds two generously, while premium steaks satisfy meat lovers. Stylish interior, professional service.- comoorigins.com

Arola (European/Tapas, €€€)
Sergi Arola's casual concept at Penha Longa Resort offers creative tapas without the formality of LAB. Think modern interpretations of Spanish and Portuguese small plates in a relaxed but upscale setting. www.morecravings.com/en/venues/arola

Lawrence's Restaurant (Portuguese/European, €€€)
Set in Portugal's oldest hotel (1764), the dining room maintains its historic elegance with mountain views. The menu sticks to well-executed classics - nothing revolutionary but consistently good for a special occasion. - lawrenceshotel.com/en/lawrences-restaurant

Traditional Portuguese & Petiscos
Tascantiga (Portuguese Tapas, €€)
Sintra's worst-kept secret packs locals and tourists into a tiny space for good reason. Chef Vitor Paes reimagines Portuguese petiscos with modern flair. The confit pork cheeks melt off the fork, while the pumpkin petit gâteau with cheese ice cream proves dessert creativity. Arrive early or expect to queue - tascantiga.wixsite.com/tascantiga

Romaria de Baco (Mediterranean/Portuguese, €€)
This atmospheric wine bar provides refuge from the historic center crowds. The petiscos menu covers Portuguese favourites alongside Mediterranean options, backed by an excellent wine list focusing on small Portuguese producers. - romariadebaco.pt

Tacho Real (Traditional Portuguese, €€-€€€)
Set in a 17th-century building, Tacho Real delivers on atmosphere with stone walls and traditional décor. The menu runs through Portuguese classics - caldeirada fish stew, grilled octopus, beef medallions. Portions are generous, prices fair for the location.

Nau Palatina (Portuguese, €€)
Run by a couple who treat guests like family, this small restaurant outside the tourist zone offers personalized takes on Portuguese comfort food. The owners cook everything themselves and clearly care about each dish. - naupalatina.pt

Apeadeiro (Traditional Portuguese, €€)
For 46 years, this unpretentious spot near town hall has fed locals authentic Portuguese cooking at fair prices. No Instagram moments here, just generous portions of perfectly grilled fish, hearty stews, and the kind of rice dishes Portuguese grandmothers make.

Cantinho de São Pedro (Traditional Portuguese, €€)
This family-run restaurant in São Pedro neighbourhood exemplifies why venturing beyond the center pays off. Rustic décor, zero pretence, and soul-warming dishes like codfish gratin and tender pork cheeks.- cantinhosaopedro.com

Metamorphosis (Portuguese/Casual, €-€€)
Don't let the former barn setting fool you - this budget-friendly spot serves legitimate Portuguese cooking including Porto's famous francesinha sandwich. Good vegetarian options set it apart from traditional competitors.

Seafood & International
Restaurante Azenhas do Mar (Seafood, €€€)
The location 9km west in Azenhas do Mar village justifies the journey. Perched on cliffs with Atlantic waves crashing below, this is sunset dining at its most dramatic. The seafood-focused menu includes excellent cataplana stews and whole grilled fish. Book ahead for terrace tables.. - azenhasdomar.com

Bacalhau na Vila (Portuguese/Codfish, €€)
An entire restaurant dedicated to Portugal's beloved bacalhau, prepared dozens of ways from traditional to creative. Located in the historic center but maintains quality despite the tourist location.

Aroma Sushi Lounge (Japanese, €€)
Sintra's sushi scene surprises with several strong options. Aroma leads the pack with fresh fish, skilled preparation, and one of the highest ratings.

Spices (Pan-Asian, €€€)
Penha Longa Resort's Asian restaurant tours India, Thailand, China and Japan with separate kitchens for each cuisine. The setting impresses more than some dishes, but it's a reliable upscale option for spice lovers. - www.morecravings.com/en/venues/spices

Casual Dining & Cafés
Café Saudade (Café/Brunch, €-€€)
This whimsical café in a former cheesecake factory captures Sintra's bohemian spirit. Giant scones, hearty brunches, and walls covered in vintage posters create an atmosphere that attracts artists and writers. The connection to Sintra's cultural history runs deep. - www.saudade.pt/cafesaudade.html

Villa Craft Beer & Bread (Craft Beer Bar, €-€€)
A welcome modern addition featuring Portuguese craft beers and simple bread-based snacks. The knowledgeable staff helps navigate the rotating tap list.

The Essential Pastry Shops
Casa Piriquita (Pastries, €)
Operating since 1862, Piriquita is mandatory visiting for two items: the historic Queijadas (cheese tarts) and the legendary Travesseiros (puff pastry pillows filled with secret-recipe almond cream). Lines are constant but move quickly. The second location, Piriquita II, helps with overflow. - piriquita.pt

Queijadas da Sapa (Pastries, €)
Piriquita's historic rival traces its recipe to 1756. Some locals insist these are the true original Queijadas. Try both and decide for yourself.

For those seeking a deeper dive, these detailed reviews explore some of Sintra's most compelling and essential dining experiences, from Michelin-starred artistry to historic pastry pilgrimage sites.

LAB by Sergi Arola
Cuisine: Modern Portuguese, Creative Tasting Menu
Price: €€€€ (Michelin-starred splurge)
Vibe: Theatrical, Sophisticated, Celebratory
Location: Penha Longa Resort, Estrada da Lagoa Azul
Website: www.labbysergiarola.com/

Sitting within the luxurious confines of the Penha Longa Resort, LAB by Sergi Arola offers theatrical fine dining with elaborate presentations. Chef Sergi Arola, who trained under Ferran Adrià, leads the creative kitchen. The ambiance is modern, sophisticated, and intimate, with a privileged view over the resort's immaculate golf course. The drama begins upon arrival, when guests are often ushered to a large table with a map of Portugal carved into its surface, a prelude to the gastronomic voyage ahead.

The meal itself is a multi-hour adventure, structured around one of three tasting menus that fuse international techniques with distinctly Portuguese flair. The concept is a journey "across Portugal from the mountain to the bottom of the sea". Dishes are playful, creative, and packed with textures and flavours that photos cannot capture. Past menus have included imaginative creations like a course representing a ship burning and sinking to the ocean floor, and a stunning array of petit fours, each inspired by a different region of Portugal and Barcelona.

This is a destination for a significant splurge or a momentous celebration, designed for those who appreciate food as a narrative art form. The experience is complemented by an encyclopaedic wine list featuring over 550 references from around the world.

Midori
Cuisine: Japanese-Portuguese Fusion, Tasting Menu
Price: €€€€ (Michelin-starred value)
Vibe: Refined, Innovative, Cultural-bridge
Location: Penha Longa Resort, Estrada da Lagoa Azul
Website: www.midoripenhalonga.com/

The existence of a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in historic Sintra might seem surprising, but Midori is no simple import. I It combines Japanese techniques with Portuguese ingredients. As Portugal's oldest Japanese restaurant (founded in 1992) and the first to earn a Michelin star, its concept is "Japanese with a Portuguese soul".

This philosophy is brought to life by Chef Pedro Almeida, who applies the discipline and techniques of Japanese gastronomy to the finest local Portuguese ingredients. The restaurant's name, meaning "green," pays homage to the lush Sintra mountains visible through its large windows. The decor reinforces this cultural fusion, featuring a hand-painted mural that depicts the arrival of Portuguese sailors in Japan in 1543.

Diners choose between two tasting menus: the seven-course "Kiri" or the nine-course "Yama". These are not fusion in the conventional sense, but rather a distinct cuisine where Portuguese products are reimagined through a Japanese lens. Dishes like roasted tomato nigiri or Kakuni-style beef tongue served with scorched aubergine demonstrate a bold, original, and consistently high-quality approach that has captivated critics.

For the adventurous foodie, Midori offers a singular experience that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply delicious, representing the pinnacle of Sintra's surprisingly global culinary scene. Reviewers have noted that for the level of artistry and innovation, it offers exceptional value.

Incomum by Luís Santos
Cuisine: Portuguese/Mediterranean, Contemporary
Price: €€-€€€ (Mid-range to Upscale)
Vibe: Sophisticated, Modern, Local-favorite
Location: Rua Dr. Alfredo da Costa 22 (Near Train Station)
Website: www.incomumbyluissantos.pt/

Incomum has established itself as the savvy traveller’s choice, a sophisticated haven of modern cuisine strategically located near the train station, away from the crush of the historic centre’s tourist traps. At its helm is Chef Luís Santos, whose international experience, including time in Switzerland, informs a refined and creative culinary style. The restaurant's ambiance is sleek and contemporary, with an open kitchen that adds a touch of culinary theatre to the elegant dining room.

The menu is a masterclass in accessible gourmet dining, offering a fusion of Mediterranean and contemporary Portuguese flavours built on seasonal ingredients and bold combinations. Dishes are consistently praised for their creativity and execution, with standouts including smoked duck carpaccio, tender stewed octopus, and an exceptional scallop and mushroom risotto that earns rave reviews.

Incomum successfully delivers a high-end, imaginative dining experience without the formality or stratospheric prices of the Michelin-starred establishments. Its location and quality make it the perfect choice for a memorable lunch after arriving from Lisbon or a sophisticated final dinner before departure.

Tascantiga
Cuisine: Portuguese Tapas, Creative Petiscos
Price: €€ (Mid-range)
Vibe: Buzzy, Intimate, Worth-the-queue
Location: Escadinhas da Fonte da Pipa, 2 (Historic Center)
Website: www.tascantiga.pt/

Tascantiga is the vibrant, beating heart of Sintra's modern tasca scene. Tucked away on a small staircase in the old town, this tiny, no-frills bistro is perpetually buzzing with a mix of in-the-know locals and delighted tourists. The key piece of advice for anyone wishing to dine here is to arrive early or be prepared to wait in line; its popularity reflects its quality. The atmosphere is casual, welcoming, and perfect for a social meal.

The culinary concept, driven by Chef Vitor Paes, is a creative and modern reinterpretation of traditional Portuguese tapas, known as petiscos. The menu encourages sharing, with diners ticking their choices on a paper menu in a fun, interactive fashion. Consistently lauded dishes include the tender confit pork cheeks, fried cuttlefish with aioli, and inventive codfish cakes.

For dessert, the pumpkin petit gâteau served with cheese ice cream is a surprising and unmissable highlight. Tascantiga offers a flavourful, authentic, and high-energy taste of contemporary Portuguese dining, making it the ideal spot to sample a wide array of innovative dishes.

Restaurante Azenhas do Mar
Cuisine: Seafood, Traditional Portuguese
Price: €€€ (Upscale)
Vibe: Dramatic, Romantic, Scenic
Location: Lugar das Azenhas do Mar, Colares
Website: azenhasdomar.com/

The single most defining feature of Restaurante Azenhas do Mar is its breathtaking location. Perched dramatically on the cliffs of the eponymous coastal village, a short drive from Sintra, the restaurant offers unparalleled panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The iconic image of the whitewashed building clinging to the cliffside is matched by the spectacle of the sunset from its terrace. This is a place where the ambiance is dictated by the majestic power of nature.

The menu is a celebration of the "bounty of the sea," focusing squarely on the freshest fish and seafood available. This is the definitive destination for classic Portuguese seaside dishes prepared with expertise. Signature offerings include seasonal grilled sardines, hearty seafood rice (arroz de marisco), a traditional copper-pot fish stew (cataplana), and codfish roasted in olive oil (bacalhau à lagareiro).

While it is considered a splurge, the combination of the spectacular setting and the high quality of the ingredients makes for a truly unforgettable dining experience. It is the top recommendation for a romantic dinner or any special occasion that calls for a dramatic natural backdrop.

Casa Piriquita
Cuisine: Traditional Portuguese Pastries
Price: € (Budget-friendly)
Vibe: Historic, Iconic, Always-packed
Location: Rua das Padarias 1/18 (Historic Center)
Website: www.piriquita.pt/

To visit Casa Piriquita is to take a delicious step back in time. This is not merely a pastry shop; it is a 160-year-old institution woven into the fabric of Sintra's royal history and a landmark you can taste. Founded in 1862, it was King Carlos I who encouraged the original owners to perfect their Queijadas, transforming a humble bakery into a legendary pastelaria.

Today, the shop is almost always bustling, with lines often snaking out the door, proof of its enduring popularity. A second location, Piriquita II, was opened on the same street to help manage the crowds.

While the historic Queijadas are excellent, the true pilgrimage is for the Travesseiros ("pillows"). Developed in the 1940s from an old family recipe, this rectangular puff pastry is filled with a luscious almond and egg cream whose exact ingredients remain a closely guarded family secret.

Served warm and dusted with sugar, it is a singular, iconic taste of Sintra. A visit to the town feels incomplete without trying one. While the crowds can be daunting, enduring them is part of the essential Piriquita experience.

Our most popular guides to Sintra