The best terraces in Cascais

The restaurant José Avillez opened in Guincho in 2023 has a spacious terrace made for summer days. The menu goes all in on the sea, somewhere between contemporary cooking and tradition. To drink, there are signature cocktails and a well-stocked wine list.

Does the idea of lying on a sofa for therapy put you off? What if it came with a table full of healthy food instead? That’s the concept behind The Therapist in Monte Estoril. After opening in Alvalade and LX Factory, Joana Teixeira’s project has now landed on Avenida Sabóia. It stays true to the foundations laid over eight years ago, but with a refreshed mantra: Eat With Purpose. Bright and laid-back, the menu is designed to be inclusive, with each dish labelled according to its function – detox, power, immunity, mind or beauty.

Created by siblings Santos and Ágata Trzaska, the project brings together a neighbourhood fishmonger and a fresh petiscos spot inspired by Peniche. Set on Largo Amália Rodrigues, it has already won over the local community and, when the weather warms up, makes a strong case for light meals – think oysters, crab and ceviche – with a glass of wine, ideally after the beach. The goal is to keep the local spirit alive and host tasting events.

We are not talking about one restaurant here, but three, with three terraces between them, all following the same vegetarian line with Middle Eastern touches. There is a rooftop for lunch, a juice or an afternoon stretch; a roof garden with much the same purpose, only here you can smoke and bring the dog; and the terrace of a more proper restaurant, let’s say, with a hot and cold buffet. A whole family of outdoor tables worth getting to know.

Rain or shine, whatever the season, whether the sea is calm or raging, the view from Furnas do Guincho is always spectacular and worth the trip on its own. And it is from the sea that the good stuff on the menu comes too, whether fresh or cooked shellfish – the excellent paella, for example – or fish. Here, the best move is to keep things simple and order the salt-baked fish, one of the house specialities. As if that were not enough, there are other must-tries too, including the lobster açorda and the octopus cataplana, to be eaten inside or out on the terrace, weather permitting.

Right on Avenida Valbom, it's unlikely that anyone in Cascais isn't familiar with Casa da Pérgola, a beautiful century-old mansion protected by a garden. Outside the gate, photos have always been taken of the facade, which stands out with hand-painted tiles. In 2023, the Bougain Restaurant & Garden Bar opened, discreetly occupying the garden with a terrace where you can relax. The menu features classics, and the service is attentive.

Viviane Rocha has brought one of Cascais’ historic spaces back to life, with Portuguese cooking shaped by Mediterranean influences and a clear focus on quality ingredients. The project preserves the house’s traditional identity, with classic dishes reworked under the supervision of chef Benjamin Villaças and an atmosphere made for long, unhurried meals. The unexpected terrace at the back is a romantic little oasis – and a seriously stylish one too.

Set in Jardim Carlos Anjos, better known as Jardim dos Passarinhos, this café, terrace and neighbourhood meeting point has been driving the social life of perhaps the prettiest neighbourhood in the Cascais municipality for decades. Recently renovated, it has options for every time of day, from brunches, pokes and bruschettas to cheese and charcuterie boards, juices, wines, sangrias and cocktails. From the terrace, you can watch the kids playing on the slides and swings.

Among Cascais locals, this is said to be the best terrace of all for bringing the kids. It is easy to see why. The space is huge, enclosed by walls but still with views of the sea and the marina; there is a lighthouse, which comes with a ready-made history lesson – and plenty of requests to go inside; and the menu has all the things they like to pick at: cakes, croissants, pancakes and the like. There is also speciality coffee and its own radio station, hence the name – which may well lead to another educational moment: how does a radio station actually work?

It's an icon among locals, with people frequenting it no matter the weather. On sunny days, to maximize vitamin D absorption, on windy days, for sheltered and sunny lunches, and on cold days, to enjoy the fireplace. On any of these, you can start with appetizers and finish with a Guincho toast, with a fried egg inside. During the bathing season, they open an extension right on the sand, with a short menu of sandwiches and bean bags to relax while watching the sea.

The neon sign hanging on one of the walls sets the tone for this Mexican spot: La puta fiesta. Often photographed as shorthand for lively nights fuelled by tequila and the like, it also has one of the busiest terraces on Rua Amarela. Try the jalapeños stuffed with cheese, the chilaquiles or the pure cheese quesadilla to start, then move on to the tacos, with classic options such as carnitas, al pastor or tinga de pollo. For larger groups, the Al Centro options, with DIY taco kits, are the way to go. Save room for the churros with dulce de leche and the lemon tart too.

Souldough, which won over many a stomach during its long stay at Aldeia da Praia, in Colares, Sintra, moved to Legasea, in Cascais, in March 2023 – and it feels as though it has always belonged in this setting. The Neapolitan pizzas are slow-fermented, which makes them easier to digest, of course – helped along by the secret terrace, where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a fresh cocktail.

Marisco na Praça was born in Mercado da Vila – where, yes, it has a terrace too – and, a few years later, spread to Cascais Marina. There are worse ways to tackle a plate of clams Bulhão Pato-style than with your eyes fixed on a handsome sailing boat, even if it is not yours. The shellfish is chosen by customers at the counter by the entrance, depending on what the sea has provided, then weighed and taken to the kitchen to be cooked, making the whole business of eating seafood even more interesting.

Charming is the word that best fits the terrace at one of the town’s most famous Japanese restaurants. Bougainvillea provides the necessary shade for the tables set behind a low wall, the Portuguese pavement helps set the scene, and then all that is left to do is order the house specialities one by one, stretching out your time in the open air for as long as possible. Anything to make the most of this idyllic – and very popular – little corner whenever the temperature rises.

Tucked away on a typical village backstreet, Enoteca 19 began life as a wine bar, but quickly evolved into a fully-fledged Italian restaurant – authentic to its core. The menu ranges from generous boards of salumi e formaggi to hearty pastas and crisp pinsas, all served from 11.30am through the day. Regular Italian wine tastings are held too – just keep an eye on their socials to stay in the loop.