The 10 Best Restaurants In Ericeira, Portugal

Hidden away beneath the cliffs of the Assenta Beach you will find the fishermen’s club and its restaurant. The interior is unassuming, even austere, but it just adds to the feel of being in an authentic restaurant beloved by those in the know as this is where fishermen go to eat their fresh catch of the day. The owner, Gardel, welcomes all patrons and has perfected the technique of grilling swordfish and cooking up the best octopus salad. The excellent food and conviviality make up for the hassle of finding this restaurant and reveals what is so great about this little secret.

Tik-Tapas is a curious blend of Brazilian steakhouse and Spanish-style tapas restaurant, where you can taste high quality small plates or a big main meal. What distinguishes the restaurant from its neighbours are the paintings and sculptures decorating its walls and corners, most of them produced by local artists, and reflecting life in Ericeira. Although mainly a restaurant, Tik-Tapas also serves as a bar where you can get exquisite caipirinhas and enjoy DJ sets later on in the evenings.

Placed on top of some rocks slightly above ocean level, Furnas is an institution in Ericeira, just a few steps away from world-famous nightclub Ouriço, and serving up some of the best fish in town. Its quaint decoration is nautical in nature, with rope-laced walls, sails and miniature fishing boats, but the main attraction would have to be the sound of waves crashing against the pier about 50 meters away. Enjoy grilled sole with local, sparkling white wine, before dancing the night away in Ouriço.

Ericeira, as anyone may expect, has many sea-themed restaurants, but Tasca da Boa Viagem is perhaps the one that finds the best pitch in combining tasteful decoration with tasty fare. Featuring azulejo panels encased in wood-lined walls – it doesn’t get more Portuguese than that. The restaurant serves traditional Portuguese food, and not necessarily fish as barbecues and fresh soups are always on the menu. On the walk that lines Ericeira’s oceanfront, tables and chairs set outside overlook the fishing bay, where in early evening you can watch the ships slowly sailing in.

For 25 years Mena and Vasco have been running what is probably the definitive restaurant with a view. Situated in São Lourenço, Golfinho Azul serves some of the best seafood in Ericeira, as usual served with crisp, fresh vinho verde, but its majestic view over the Atlantic is a notch above any of its rivals. As if that wasn’t enough of a selling point, legendary jazz, blues and bossa nova concerts start a little before sunset, providing the perfect background music to a wonderful culinary and scenic experience.

Offering petiscos and fine wines, Adega Bar 1987 distinguishes itself by its vivid nights of folk music concerts, featuring artists from all around the world. This includes fado evenings that can give you a feel of the famous Portuguese bittersweet nostalgia. Unusually for Portuguese restaurants and bars, on cold, rainy nights it has an open log fire, sheltering visitors from Atlantic storms with warmth and a glass of wine.