The Mediterranean Insider

Cascais, Portugal

Cascais’s 5 best restaurants (and must-try dishes)

The Mediterranean • Eat & drink • Cascais’s 5 best restaurants (and must-try dishes)

Dig into Cascais’s delicious bites at these top restaurants

Cascais is a seaside town in the Lisboa region of Portugal that offers dining experiences that capture both tradition and innovation. This stunning little town offers a diverse range of dining establishments, from laid-back spots by the ocean to lively tascas tucked into the old streets, there’s no shortage of great places to eat. We’ve rounded up the restaurants that capture the best of Cascais and highlight the dishes that we believe are worth a try – from classic bacalhau à brás to simple, perfectly grilled fish, these are the meals that define the local food scene.

Top photography courtesy of Kappo

Fortaleza do Guincho

Housed in a 17th‑century fortification within the Parque Natural de Sintra‑Cascais, Fortaleza do Guincho brings a sophisticated touch to Portuguese dining by combining tradition and history with a contemporary setting. Renowned for its Michelin‑starred tasting menus – Memórias: Degustação and Experiência – this elegant, panoramic restaurant pays homage to the Atlantic. Chef Gil Fernandes, whose culinary journey spans renowned kitchens and Michelin‑accolades, curates dishes that highlight the region’s best seafood and local produce. If you are not in the mood to try one of their tasting menus, we highly recommend the Domingueiras dish from their à la carte menu, consisting of sea bass, cabbage and cozido à portuguesa broth.

Fortaleza do Guincho
Estrada do Guincho 2413
Cascais
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Fortaleza do Guincho

Furnas do Guincho

Set along the renowned Guincho Highroad, Furnas do Guincho offers a cosy, seaside dining experience where interior design and cuisine celebrate authenticity. The interior comes alive with rustic warmth featuring wooden furnishings, soft ambient lighting and a design that mimics the relaxed vibe of a traditional Portuguese home. Its décor – marked by natural textures and subtle maritime details – provides a welcoming backdrop to enjoy uninterrupted views of the Atlantic. While the atmosphere is unpretentious, the food is anything but ordinary. Standout dishes here are the signature fish dishes served on a salt bed, the traditional seafood paella and the signature Octopus Cataplana with sweet potato.

Furnas do Guincho
Estrada do Guincho
Cascais
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Furnas do Guincho

Kappo

Kappo transports you into a world where Japanese aesthetics and contemporary design converge in Cascais. The restaurant’s name, Kappo, translates to cut and cook, reflecting a traditional Japanese culinary approach that emphasises close interaction between the chef and guests across a counter. Under the guidance of Chef Tiago Penão, who brings extensive experience from esteemed establishments like the Swedish Frantzén and Portugal’s Midori, Kappo presents an Omakase menu. This chef’s selection varies based on seasonal ingredients, ensuring each dish highlights peak freshness and flavour. The restaurant also offers à la carte options, with highlights being the Yakimono Wagyu and Zukuri Sashimi.

Kappo
Av. Emídio Navarro 23 A
Cascais
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Kappo

Cantinho do Avillez

Cantinho do Avillez is helmed by acclaimed chef José Avillez – a culinary powerhouse whose empire includes Belcanto, a two‑Michelin‑starred restaurant that has redefined modern Portuguese cuisine. Its modest red façade belies an interior bursting with natural light and spacious design – featuring a high, atrium‑style glass ceiling that floods the dining area with warmth. Artful touches and contemporary décor elements evoke a sense of home while paying homage to Portuguese heritage. The restaurant’s menu reinterprets classic Portuguese comfort food with international influences and personal nostalgia. Standout dishes include inventive takes on codfish, signature pregos (steak sandwiches) and creative desserts where hazelnuts are showcased in multiple textures – from ice cream to mousse and foam.

Cantinho do Avillez
R. da Palmeira 6A
Cascais
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Cantinho do Avillez

Hífen

Hífen has quickly become one of Cascais’s must‑visit dining spots, blending the casual ambience of a gastropub with the sophistication of a modern eatery. The restaurant is distinctly split into two zones: a chic lower level designed as a lively bar area with high tables, upbeat music and a creative cocktail menu and an intimate upstairs dining room that offers panoramic views of Cascais Bay. The interior design cleverly balances industrial-chic – exposed brick and modern lighting – with coastal influences such as natural wood accents and soft, neutral tones. The menu features some interesting dishes, some must-try dishes include the Pica-Pau veal with mustard sauce and sweet potato and the Polvo à Lagareiro octopus with avocado and sugar snap peas. Complementing the food is an extensive cocktail menu, crafted to pair seamlessly with the dishes.