It’s been a slow and steady transformation, but the riding arena area in Quinta da Marinha, Cascais, has quietly been reinventing itself over the past few months. Back in October, the Polo 1921 pizzeria – once just a modest kiosk – took on a new lease of life under fresh management. By February, a charming café called El Cafecito had opened its doors in the same spot, and by April, the duo launched Freddy’s, a gelato bar with cocktails on the side.
Behind these ventures are two friends, Daniella Nieto and Krysia Mezger, united by two things: Colombian roots and a deep love for Cascais. Daniella, whose father is Colombian and mother is Portuguese, grew up in the town; it’s also where she met Krysia, That came from Miami on a friend’s recommendation – said friend swore Cascais was "the best place to raise kids and live as a family". "We met and instantly became family", Daniella recalls.
About a year ago, over a casual coffee, Daniella and Krysia began hatching a plan. "We wanted to create a community space – for families, for kids”, say the friends, frequently finishing each other’s sentences. At the time, Krysia and her husband were already investors in the former Polo pizzeria, run by a couple. "The pizzas were great, but the operation was small – it only opened a few days a week, and the owner had a full-time job on the side. Eventually, they moved back to Miami, and my husband said, 'I can pay you what I owe and sell this on, or you can take it over yourselves'. I called Daniella right away: 'You wanted a little café... How about an entire pizzeria?'" Krysia recalls.
From the start, they set their sights high. The goal was to take over the existing operation and fully realise the potential of the space. After all, there aren’t many places in Cascais with easy, free parking, open green space for walking and play, a proper playground, plenty of tables for relaxed dining – and the cherry on top: horses strolling by, much to the delight of little ones.
Since taking over in October, they’ve nearly quadrupled revenue. But Daniella and Krysia aren’t your typical owners – they say they don’t take a single cent from the project, choosing instead to reinvest all profits into improving the business, the team (which is nearing 40 people), and their training and working conditions.
"Well, we’ve been lucky enough in life not to need the income – but more importantly, we want to build something different, something rooted in community, and really change people’s lives", the pair explain. "It’s not just about sharing profits, it’s about education and leadership. A few weeks ago, for example, we organised a training session on financial markets. We want to help our team take the next steps in their own lives. One of our staff dreams of opening their own pizzeria one day – so we’re getting them involved, helping them learn the ropes. We’ve got a fashion designer on the team? Great, she can help with the uniforms. This is more than a restaurant, it’s a community".
That same ethos is behind Polo 1921’s newest initiative: a 25% discount programme for workers from the nearby stables, riding school, golf courses and health club at Quinta da Marinha – people who are part of the area’s daily rhythm.
They’re also starting to host events – this weekend, for example, they’ll be screening the Wimbledon semi-finals and final (Friday to Sunday), and they’re planning to welcome live bands and DJ sets too. "It’s a place for families – you always bump into someone you know. Tables get pushed together, the sangria starts flowing, and the kids are off playing happily", says Krysia.
"It’s not that easy to go into central Cascais with young children", Daniella adds. "It’s not safe – too many people, too many cars. They want to run around and it becomes chaotic. Then they need the loo and everywhere’s full. You can’t really enjoy anything because you’re constantly on edge. Here, it’s a safe space – but still cool enough for people without kids to enjoy".
With over 220 seats and a new terrace opening for the winter months, the space has a rich local history too. For over a century, it served as storage and viewing stands for the polo matches watched by the Cascais and Lisbon elite. The name of the café-pizzeria –Polo 1921– comes directly from the original blue-painted word “Polo” still visible on the building’s only original door. And yes, 1921 is the year it was built.
So, what’s on the menu at Marinha?
From one management to the next, Polo 1921’s pizza line-up hasn’t changed dramatically – but there have been a few additions and some name tweaks. Case in point: the El Perfecto (€15.50), a controversial pizza topped with caramelised pineapple and ham, inspired by Krysia Mezger’s "perfectionist husband".
You’ll also find the Dani’s Anchovies (€15), Daniella’s favourite – a pizza topped with anchovies and capers; the Parma (€15.50), with Parma ham, rocket, Parmesan cheese, and basil; the Polo Pesto (€18), featuring the house pesto sauce, artichokes, rocket, burrata, and lemon zest; and the bestselling Pepperoni (€15), which includes an olive paste.
If you prefer a white pizza without tomato sauce, two standout options are the Tartufo (€28), made with a homemade mascarpone truffle cream, finished with truffle shavings and olive oil; or the classic Quattro Formaggi (€18).
All pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven and use "top-quality ingredients" that arrive fresh from Italy every week. "What makes our pizzas fantastic is the flour, the tomato, and the cheese we use".
They also serve salads – which pair perfectly with the range of cocktails from the kiosk, currently being revamped into a proper cocktail bar – as well as sangrias, wines, beers, kombuchas, and fresh juices. Finish your meal with a homemade tiramisu (€7), a Nutella pizza topped with crunchy nuts (€9), or a walnut brownie served with a scoop of ice cream (€8).
If you drop by Quinta da Marinha just for a visit to El Cafecito, where specialty coffee is served, you can try the avocado toast topped with cherry tomatoes and rocket (€8); the granola bowl with Greek yogurt, seasonal fruit, and a drizzle of honey (€10); the slow-cooked soft-boiled egg served with sourdough bread, butter, and crunchy cucumber (€8); or the nut butter toasts. There are also croissants and other pastries available.
"They’re things you’d make at home, but sometimes you just want to go somewhere that does the kind of food you’d eat at home. It’s real food – we’re not here trying to impress anyone, we just want to offer comfort and good vibes", says Krysia. Soon, they say, they’ll try using the pizza dough to make paninis for the café. "And we’ll start adding more salads and lunch options".
Freddy’s, the newest addition to the business, is set apart near the Quinta da Marinha Health Club. It’s housed in a space that used to be a bike rental shop, which used the nearby ground as a track – the new owners completely transformed the area, smoothing the floor, installing tyre swings, and adding large tables perfect for family moments.
At Freddy’s – still “developing its little personality” and named in honour of Krysia’s father – they serve ice cream in cones and cups, mostly classic flavours like strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate, as well as fruit sorbets. Next door, they’ve built a small bar offering cocktails and juices, designed with both parents and kids in mind.
Opposite the stand, run by other entrepreneurs, a Moroccan ceramics shop is promised soon. "We’ve done a lot already, but we still have big dreams" say the friends who have truly revolutionised Quinta da Marinha.
Polo 1921: Estacionamento Norte, Rua Quinta, Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. Thu 5–9pm, Fri–Sun 12–10pm. 913 938 784 El Cafecito: Estacionamento Norte, Rua Quinta, Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. Mon–Thu 8am–1pm, Fri–Sun 8am–12pm. 913 938 784 Freddy’s: Rua das Codornizes, Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. Mon–Fri 3–7pm, Sat–Sun 10am–7pm. 913 938 784