The 10 Must-Try Restaurants In Sintra


 

Whenever I look back on my first ever visit to Lisbon, the day trip I took to Sintra is always one of my fondest memories. I tackled the Quinta da Regaleira first; a castle I still battle to find words to properly describe. 

Sintra is quite literally this mystical Portuguese valley inhabited by abandoned castles and unfathomable scenery. I’ve been back many times since that first visit, and always look forward to the different things to eat while there. If you don’t know where to go it’s easy to get sucked into the tourist traps; read on!

1. Nau Palatina in Sintra

This charming little Portuguese tapas restaurant is situated right on the outskirts of Sintra, before you venture into the valley toward the castles. Tourists hardly see this side of the village.

Nau Palatina is a very small, family run business where they pour the love into their food. It’s tangible. A really wonderful spot to eat after a long day of exploring the sights.

Nau Palatina in Sintra – Nau Palatina – Uploaded by them


PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Saturday — 7pm to 12am
ADDRESS: Calçada São Pedro 18, 2710-501 Sintra, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

2. Villa 6 in Sintra

Villa 6 is right in the village center, where all of the tourists tend to flock before and after their castle excursions. The restaurants here tend to be overpriced and overrated, but Villa 6 is the anthesis.

Great bistro-style food, cold beers and a vibrant atmosphere where you feel less like a tourist and more like a local enjoying their hometown. The menu is condensed but sufficient, and they’ve made an effort to include some vegan options as well.

Villa 6 in Sintra – by Villa 6 – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — Various Times
ADDRESS: R. Ferraria 6, 2710-555 Sintra, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

3. Sabot Lucky Burgers in Sintra

This burger spot is right next to the train station that will bring you between Lisbon and Sintra.

It’s nothing fancy, but the food is consistently good. This is probably the best spot to eat in Sintra for anyone who is visiting with children; they are wonderfully accommodating to them.

Every burger comes with fries for free. Seems unnecessary to point out, but in Portugal this is a rarity; fries are always extra charge.

Sabot Lucky Burgers in Sintra – by Sabot Lucky Burgers – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday — 12pm to 7pm
ADDRESS: R. do Vigário 18, 1100-405 Lisboa, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

4. Kebabish in Sintra

“Cheap and cheerful” are two words that come to mind when I think of this little kebab house at the entrance to Sintra.

A tiny hole-in-the-wall where you can do fantastic kebab plates, shawarmas, curries, pizzas and ice cream sandwiches for next to nothing. It’s one of few places in Sintra where you can eat for well under €10.

Kebabish in Sintra – by Kebabish – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 11am to 11pm
ADDRESS: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

5. Indian Palace in Sintra

In the cooler months, having an Indian feast while in Sintra is a wonderful way to warm up, and there are quite a number of Indian eateries within the area.

The Indian Palace is definitely the best when it comes to both food and price, but their opening hours are incredibly precarious. They only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and the hours on each day are ever-changing.

Leave this one to chance!

Indian Palace in Sintra – by Indian Palace – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Various
ADDRESS: 46 Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, London NW3 1NH, United Kingdom
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

6. Garagem Café in Sintra

Bagels, burgers, croissants, salads; Garagem Cafe is the daytime dream of Sintra, with a patio overlooking the lush valley in the distance.

What’s more, Garagem Cafe seems to be largely overlooked by tourists; so there is always space, always peace and always fast service.

Garagem Café in Sintra – by Garagem Café – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Wednesday to Monday — 11am to 7pm
ADDRESS: Alameda Combatentes da Grande Guerra 12 A b, 2710-426 Sintra, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

7. TULHAS in Sintra

THULHAS is deeper into Sintra and my recommendation for anyone wanting to eat authentic Portuguese food during their visit. Their seafood in particular is incredibly well done.

It’s not the cheapest place to eat in the valley, but by no means the most expensive either. A restaurant for indulging a bit, like the royals who lived in these hills did on the regular.

TULHAS in Sintra – by TULHAS – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 10pm
ADDRESS: R. Gil Vicente 4 6, 2710-568 Sintra, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

8. Mammasantissima in Sintra

For really great Italian food there is none other than Mammasantissima in Sintra. Ten points if you can say the name out loud without hesitating.

The restaurants overlooks a quiet lake in the tiny district of Quinta da Beloura. Again, rarely flooded with tourists; Sintra’s “off the beaten track” part of town.

Mammasantissima in Sintra – by Mammasantissima – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday —12pm to 4pm // 7pm to 10:30pm
ADDRESS: Viela da Beloura, loja 12, Quinta da Beloura, Sintra, 2710-693 Sintra, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

9. Hao Ri Zi in Sintra

I like Hao Ri Zi for a very quick, very cheap Chinese meal just as I enter or depart from Sintra. It’s outside of the valley, in the more inhabited residential streets.

The ambiance can be a little cold but if you’re with a lively enough group you won’t be bothered. Really great chow mein!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 11am to 3:30pm // 6:30pm to 11pm
ADDRESS: R. José Bento Costa 3A, 2710-436 Sintra, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

10. Casa Piriquita in Sintra

As always, I can’t leave you without at least one decent spot to get an authentic pastel de nata.

In Sintra, that spot is Casa Piriquita. You can find this bakery in the foothills of the Sintra National Palace, where they’ve been for decades. They are renowned for their pastries, expect a line out the door.

Casa Piriquita in Sintra – by Casa Piriquita – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Thursday to Tuesday — 9am to 7:30pm
ADDRESS: R. das Padarias 1/18, 2710-603 Sintra, Portugal
TRAIN STATION: Sintra

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