On Friday, 5 December, we did exactly what any sensible person would do when told “there’s a Christmas dinner at Don Alfonso 1890 Cascais”: we went. Not to see the lights, nor to debate the best bolo-rei, but to put the restaurant’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus to the test.
The setting is exactly what you’d expect: Don Alfonso’s relaxed elegance wrapped in the warmth of the Legacy Hotel Cascais. Nothing over the top – just comfort, colour and that easy-going sophistication people say makes this the perfect backdrop for the season.
We started with the Christmas Eve menu (€95), and there was no hesitation here: the Goat’s Cheese Puff Pastry with pistachios and maple syrup disappears in seconds. The Prawn Lollipop with coconut and lime sauce will leave you wondering why we don’t eat prawns like this more often, and the Octopus with Smoked Paprika Purée and olive powder proves that some combinations don’t need much to shine. Then came a Velvety Prawn Cream that does exactly what it should: warming, rich and spoon-by-spoon comforting.
The main course shouts Christmas: Cod with Serra Cheese and broa crust, served with chickpea mash and cabbage – a polished take on Portuguese classics without losing what makes them tradition. To finish, there’s a Christmas Dessert Buffet, which also includes cheeses and fresh fruit. The good news? No arguments about who gets the last slice.
For Christmas Day lunch (also €95), the line-up changes but the generosity stays the same. Seared Scallops with pea purée open the meal with freshness, and the Cauliflower Cream with truffle oil and almond crumble is a light, flavourful follow-up. The two mains are: Grilled Sea Bass with citrus risotto and beurre blanc, and a Chunk of Veal with parsnip-and-vanilla purée. And yes, it ends again with the dessert buffet, because Christmas absolutely calls for plenty of sweetness.
Both menus offer 50% off for children up to 12, which means fewer mental calculations and more time actually enjoying the table.
The verdict? If your goal is to spend Christmas with no pots, no stress and plates full of flavour and finesse arriving exactly as (and when) they should, this is a very well-thought-out plan.
Avenida 25 de Abril 528, Cascais. 210 540 560