The best Japanese restaurants in Cascais

And to prove that Japanese cuisine is about much more than sushi, here’s a small space packed with attitude. A counter for fewer than 20 diners, partly lit by red neon signs. The vibe is electric: music up, chatter louder, and in the open kitchen in front of you, it’s hard to keep up with the fast-paced (yet highly disciplined) rhythm of it all. This is Izakaya – the other restaurant by Tiago Penão, chef of Kappo, just a few metres away – and this is exactly what izakayas are like in Japan.

Put simply (and maybe a little too simply), Izakaya is a place where food is served to go with your drink. As a proper Japanese tavern should, there’s no shortage of sake to pair with your meal, along with classic izakaya cocktails. As for the food, there’s plenty to choose from: small plates meant to be shared at the counter. “It’s very much about everyday food. A big focus is on yakitori, and then we have otsumami, which are essentially bar snacks,” explains the chef. When in doubt, trust the pros and go for the Omokase tasting menu.

MOA Sushi brought a breath of fresh air to the Japanese food scene in Cascais. It’s got good vibes, a sunny patio perfect for lunch, bossa nova playing through the speakers, and a menu crafted by surfer-turned-sushiman Nuande Pekel (just Pekel, if you’re friendly). The kitchen leans into fusion Japanese, with a few detours into other raw fish favourites – think ceviche, tacos and poke bowls. What to order? Go for the mixed kimuchi, salmon tartare, or seared salmon gunkan – or dive straight into one of the chef’s special combos, which offer variety, flavour and, above all, the freshest ingredients.

Olivier da Costa is a household name in Lisbon, known for the restaurant empire he’s built over the past two decades. His journey into Japanese cuisine gave rise to Yakuza – first in Lisbon, and later in Cascais, tucked inside the Sheraton Cascais Resort in the lush surroundings of Quinta da Marinha. With its luxurious, Asian-inspired décor and a sushi counter staffed by expert sushimen, Yakuza’s menu is a parade of high-end Japanese fusion. Expect inventive dishes like the Sakana (a fish taco with guacamole), sashimi drizzled with flavour-packed sauces (don’t skip the truffled ponzu), or the decadent kobe gunkan with wagyu, foie gras, confit onion and teriyaki. The latest addition? A full Omakase tasting menu.

It’s a local institution in the heart of the town, with a breezy, shaded terrace that stays cool even on the hottest days. The menu features plenty of fusion sushi options, but there’s also something for purists who prefer the classics – all best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand.

If you’ve been browsing Time Out Cascais, chances are the name Farol Hotel has popped up more than once. That’s because, beyond the comfy beds, this spot offers plenty of reasons to drop by – and Sushi Design is one of the best. The hotel’s Japanese restaurant delivers top-quality fish, five-star (hotel-level) service, and a menu that ventures into fusion territory with things like tacos and pokes, while still honouring Japan’s culinary roots. 

Set on Monte Estoril’s prettiest and most happening street, Avenida de Sabóia, this charming house-turned-restaurant spreads across a series of cosy rooms and lounges. The project is the brainchild of well-known Portuguese actor Lourenço Ortigão. The menu is split in two: on one side, international crowd-pleasers like risottos, pastas, codfish dishes and steaks; on the other, the reason it makes our list – Japanese cuisine. Expect a mix of fusion favourites and traditional classics, from hot rolls and gunkans to temakis and other familiar bites.

Right in the heart of town, Sushíssimo is one of those no-fuss Japanese fusion spots that taps into a universal craving: eat well, eat a lot, and don’t break the bank. Whether you're dining in, grabbing takeaway or going for delivery, the deal is the same. Start with sunomonos or gyozas to whet your appetite, then dive into temakis and hot rolls. But the real action is in the house combos, where the sushi chefs let their creativity shine. Go on – take the plunge.