For 18 years, hot dogs were served from this corner of Avenida Valbom, right in the heart of Cascais. However, since the start of 2025, the space has reopened as Bodega Brava, a vibrant Iberian tapas house that has completely revamped the venue and is already making waves – even during the typically quieter month of January.
It's a project by three friends from Cascais with strong ties to Spain. In charge of the kitchen is chef Henrique Rosa, who lived in Barcelona for several years and even worked as a trainee at Ferran Adrià's former El Bulli, one of the most famous restaurants in the world. The Portuguese chef also trained at the Basque Culinary Center in Spain and worked at the renowned Noma and Kadeau in Denmark. In Portugal, he’s held positions at Sheraton Lisboa and as a chef for Sonae.
“When I was working in Michelin-starred restaurants and fine dining, after all those hours and the exhaustion, all I wanted was to go somewhere relaxed where I could just have a few drinks”, says Henrique to Time Out. He’s behind the project he’s always dreamed of, alongside his friends João – who’d also lived in Madrid and was the former owner of Paradigma in Cascais – and Cláudio, who used to run the steakhouse La Lombonera in Estoril and has deep connections to Spanish culture thanks to his Ribatejo roots.
At Bodega Brava, the idea is simple: to make things easy-going. It’s all about creating a relaxed, familiar vibe, with drinks and tapas, and Spanish tunes ranging from Alejandro Sanz to Manu Chao. It’s the perfect spot for socialising — even for customers meeting for the first time. “We knew exactly what we wanted: a place to unwind, to have a caña at the end of the day, where you end up grabbing a bite too. A classic bodega”, they explain.
The kitchen is open all day, and the owners wanted to create a "democratic" space, with something “for everyone and anyone.” The menu, mainly inspired by Catalan cuisine, features plenty of Spanish ingredients, although, for instance, the Ortodoxo cheeses are 100% Portuguese.
You can start with Iberian ham croquettes (€3/three pieces), a classic pan con tomate (€5.50), boquerones in vinegar (€12), or escalivada, which combines anchovies and sherry vinegar (€8). Other great choices include the Barceloneta bomba (€6), stuffed with spiced minced meat, Burgos black pudding (€9), the tavern-style chorizo with spicy honey (€11), or the Bodega’s huevos rotos (€15).
For the more substantial dishes, it’s worth trying the mussels with tomato and vermouth (€16), the prawns with lime (€16), the salted cod cheek with chickpeas (€15), oxtail (€16), the Bravo steak (€15.50), or the sirloin served with a brandy and Roquefort sauce (€14.50).
Then, there are the hand-sliced Maldonado cured meats, alongside various cheeses, which you can enjoy on a mixed platter for €45. Also on the menu are an Iberian ham and cheese bocadillo (€16), a Galician beef bocadillo (€15), and the Ti’Henrique bifana (€14).
To finish off (in style), there’s a burnt tart served with a torrão (€6) or a dessert combining the typical Girona sweet, the xuixo, with what chef Henrique Rosa considers to be the ultimate dessert in Cascais: Santini hazelnut ice cream (€5.50).
And because no bodega is complete without a good drink, you can choose from a selection of Portuguese wines, which, to keep things laid-back, are not served in high-stemmed glasses. These are the most popular choice, along with beers, though they also serve spirits and plan to have draft cocktails available very soon.
The space underwent major renovations for six months to transform into Bodega Brava. They installed a suspended window, just like in traditional Spanish bodegas, opening up to the terrace, which can accommodate around 30 people standing.
Inside, there’s a counter with a direct view of the kitchen, which is completely open and “totally transparent,” with a handful of seats; plus another eight seats in the main room. Soon, they’ll also have a small mezzanine with space for an extra dozen guests. The décor focuses on elements that pay homage to Iberian traditions, with a mix of vintage items and modern touches scattered throughout.
Avenida Valbom, 9, Cascais. Tue-Sun 12.00-23.00. 927 770 776
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