Restaurants in Sintra

Sintra is deservedly one of Portugal’s greatest tourist magnets, with flocks of visitors coming to see the city’s historical and architectural wonders. The city also has a booming gastronomical culture, with dozens of restaurants and cafes tucked away.

This small coastal town was formerly a fishing village and it stays true to its roots by offering a vast array of fresh and delicious seafood. But Sintra was also once a playground for Portuguese royalty and adheres to the bastions of luxurious living. Visitors should be prepared for superior culinary experiences that include the finest ingredients prepared by sophisticated and creative chefs.

Sintra is not a party town; the most intriguing soirees are private. A worthy bar in the center of town, where you might meet people from any country in Europe, is Adega das Caves, Praça da República. The establishment is a restaurant that does a busy lunch trade. After dark, it mellows into a likable bar and bodega, specializing in beer and Portuguese wine. It's open every day until around 2am.

A nearby competitor is the Taverna dos Trovadores, Largo D. Fernando II, São Pedro, which lies in the center of the tiny hamlet of São Pedro, less than 2km south from the center of Sintra. Popular and convivial, it incorporates aspects of an old-fashioned tasca (tavern) with a modern singles bar and it features recorded and (on rare occasions) live music, a long drink list, and a cross section of residents from throughout the region.