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The 17th edition of the Mesa Marcada Awards 2025 brought together around 500 guests at the Estoril Congress Centre and, as tradition dictates, crowned national talent – with Cascais making its presence felt on the gastronomic stage.
Among the local honours, the Special Restaurant of the Year Cascais award went to Kappo, the omakase-inspired restaurant led by Tiago Penão in the heart of the town. The recognition comes a year after Izakaya took home the same trophy, confirming that, around these parts, Japanese cuisine isn’t a passing trend, it’s serious business.
Cascais also shone on the entrepreneurial front. Miguel Garcia was awarded the Lexus Special Restaurateur of the Year prize, acknowledging his track record and consistency at the helm of projects such as Bougain, Café São Bento Cascais and Corleone. Each with its own distinct style, these venues help cement Cascais as a singular destination for dining out.
And when it comes to serious cooking, the Chef No. 1 2025 distinction can’t be ignored. José Avillez returned to the top of the list of favourite chefs with Belcanto. In Cascais, meanwhile, he stands out with Cantinho do Avillez and Maré, two spots bearing his signature in a more relaxed setting, just steps from the sea.
Beyond Cascais, there’s plenty more to savour. The 2025 edition of the Mesa Marcada Awards highlighted a host of other national winners – from restaurants in Lisbon and Porto to rising chefs across the country.
All told, it was more than an awards ceremony. It was a showcase of the very best in Portuguese gastronomy, with Cascais proving that here, flavour and innovation always have a seat at the table.