Princesa

Caparica, Portugal

Princesa is a beach restaurant filling a historical gap in the Lisbon / Cascais region: think inventive and flavourful dishes served in a cool, nature inspired setting, striking the right balance between relax and hip… Overlooking the expanse of the beautiful beaches of Caparica, Princesa reminds us of some of the nice places in Mykonos or Ibiza, without losing its cool and Portuguese heritage. That said, stick around as the sun sets and the places does become as happening as those other destinations…

Restaurant / Beach

Hífen

Cascais, Portugal

Hífen can be misleading from outside: what looks like a traditional and old fashioned Portuguese restaurant is actually one of the most interesting additions to the Cascais scene (can we already talk about a scene ?). The modern and surprising restaurant is split between a happening downstairs, with louder music and high tables, and a more quiet upstairs with one of the best views of the fishing port of Cascais. The food is delicious: based on sharing, it is inventive, mixing unexpected flavours together. Very successfully.

But one question remains: why do Portuguese restaurants, even those we prefer, need to have a TV ? Could certainly do without.

That said, Hífen is a great place for inventive food and good time.

Restaurant

O Picadeiro

Cascais, Portugal

The restaurant is quite simple, but serves good traditional Portuguese food. The real find here is where the O Picadeiro is located. In a horse riding heaven, surrounded by large expenses of woods, sand dunes, pines everywhere and traditional stables scattered around the domain. The place is taken care of by people who are passionate about horses, not business people trying to make a quick buck from tourists. Genuine, peaceful, authentic. The place reminds us of Argentina (even though we have never been to Argentina !). To top it of, the school for the kids is the right balance between teaching the right technical skills while providing a relaxing and fun environment. 15 minutes away from Cascais, the Centro Hipico Quinta da Marinha is a beautiful experience.

Restaurant / Equestrian Centre

Farol Hotel

Cascais, Portugal

Former private residence turned modern quirky hotel perched on a cliff. With 2 restaurants (with a preference for the Mediterranean one).

Hotel

LOVit

Cascais, Portgual

A small, simple restaurant on top of a cliff with breathtaking views. If you ignore the screen to follow the football (!?), LOVit serves unexpectedly good sushi, sashimi and ceviches. Fresh, original and creative. For great value as well. Very good surprise for such an un-assuming place.

Restaurant