Given its wonderful location on the coast, it´s no surprise that seafood and fish feature highly on the menus of most Cascais restaurants. Freshly caught by the fishermen of this picturesque Portuguese town, the quality is unbeatable. The Portuguese are famous for their salted cod and, while it´s worth a try as a national specialty, eating out in Cascais should really be all about making the most of the catch of the day. There are abundant seafood restaurants in Cascais, ranging from inexpensive and cheerful to upscale--meaning that travelers on any budget will have a chance to try the delicious dishes. Vegetarians are less well catered to in Portuguese cuisine, but with a increasing number of international restaurants in Cascais, no one need go hungry. At the very least, most places will be happy to prepare a quick omelet and salad.  

Best for an Expensive Meal

  Cascais is a rather refined resort, and there are plenty of formal restaurants catering to the well-to-do who flock to the city during the summer months. Baluarte, at Rua Tenente Valadim, serves an excellent brunch, is an elegant restaurant and bar, and offers excellent choices for entrees. Try the feijoada , a bean stew that is typically made with meat but in Cascais features seafood and rice, which is seasoned to perfection. Baluarte's fish dishes are good and their deliciously rich pastries and desserts are famous throughout Cascais.

Best on a Budget

There are plenty of informal, family-run cafes and restaurants in Cascais where hungry travelers can refuel without spending a fortune. Set-price meals are usually good value, even at the pricier restaurants, and a bowl of tasty Caldo Verde (soup made with green cabbage and sausage) will rarely set you back more than a few euros. For something special that won´t make too much of a hole in the budget, try Restaurante B&B at Rua Poco Novo. Although its name suggests a guest house, this is in fact a great restaurant, much-loved by locals. Diners have a view of the kitchen and are able to watch the chef assembling the wonderful fish and seafood dishes that the restaurant is famous for. Expect to pay around 20 euros per person for 2 or 3 courses with coffee.

More than Seafood

Those who have had their fill of seafood will find plenty of other dishes to enjoy because there´s an international flavor to the menus in Cascais. French, Italian and Spanish dishes are all readily available, and there´s no shortage of places where people can grab a quick sandwich, burger or slice of pizza. Head to Praca Luis de Camoes to find scores of restaurants, which means some very good prices because of the stiff competition for customers.