The Best Restaurants in Estoril, Portugal

Hefty wooden beams criss-cross exposed brick walls at this old-school, half-timbered Estoril institution. Recline on cushioned chairs on the long, slender terrace for a knockout sea view as waiters talk you through the hearty, traditional menu – a creamy, shellfish-packed soup here, a partridge soaked in Madeira wine and rosemary there. It’s one of the pricier establishments in town, but you get leather-bound menus, a vast wine list and reverent service that feels unchanged since it opened in 1952.

For affordable Portuguese and pan-Mediterranean classics cooked to perfection, this sweet, unassuming side-street restaurant is worth seeking out. Tuck into sauteed octopus with sweet potato, duck doused in port, or pesto-stuffed mushrooms at simple tables dressed in mint green and backed by a huge blackboard scrawled with guest compliments in dozens of languages. The fixed-price lunch menu is a godsend for travellers on a shoestring.

You’ll eat a lot of seafood, grilled meats and rich stews in Portugal. For something entirely different, seek out this cult Italian in the town centre, near the Jardim do Estoril. Its light, peppery Caprese salads, zingy wines and delicately sauced ravioli have left the locals buzzing – and you’ll love the friendly team and bright dining room that’s styled like a home kitchen, with primary-coloured chairs. Head to the counter to peruse the trays of freshly made pasta before you order.

On Praia do Tamariz – the seafront just east of Estoril’s central beach – this cavernous restaurant is inlaid with glossy blue-and-white tiles and has a serene patio facing the promenade and sea beyond. Glowing-gold sunsets are not uncommon and it’s worth staying on after your well-timed aperitif for affordable plates of local sardines, clams, dorada or cuttlefish, served with chips or new potatoes.

With a sprawling, sunkissed terrace facing the manicured Jardim do Estoril gardens, there’s definitely an “I’m on holiday” feel to this glam Chinese restaurant that’s some way back from the beach. It’s part of the historic Casino Estoril, catering to the high-rollers and inhabitants of the five-star hotels in the area. Expect a zesty, aromatic take on the cuisine – like bamboo steamers of dainty dumplings or shredded duck with bean sprouts and radish. You’re here as much for the luxurious, well-heeled atmosphere as for the food.

This laid-back beach bar and restaurant on the promenade between Estoril and Cascais is great for a laid-back lunch or a relaxed family meal where no one will tut at your boisterous toddler. A friendly young team furnishes you with chunky jugs of sangria, comfortably priced draught beers and a huge selection of Portuguese wines by the glass, as you peruse the enormous menu. This is a good spot for lighter and healthier dishes after a week of indulgence – think tuna salads and monkfish kebabs.

Venturing out for dinner in livelier Cascais is a must and this minimalist spot on the east side of town is the raved-about reservation of the moment. Book well in advance to devour its flavour-packed inventive tapas, divided into quirky menu sections – such as From the Garden or Share with Friends. Greatest hits include the pork belly with paprika and clams and the peanut butter parfait with black chocolate nougat. Tiffany-blue seating and overflowing planters bring a luminous, millennial vibe, too.