The best of Mercado da Vila in Cascais

Barnacles, clams, oysters, razor shells, bruxas, prawns, carabineiros, spider crab, lambujinhas – and, because no self-respecting marisqueira would dare skip them, steak sandwiches. This restaurant, set within the fishmonger’s at Cascais Market, works almost like a trip to the shops: first you pick the seafood you want, the quantity and how you’d like it cooked. Then you decide whether to tuck in on the spot or take it home.

Diogo Vaz Chocolates is a premium chocolate brand and one of the few worldwide to control the entire production process – from cocoa plantation to finished bar. After running a shop in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto that was forced to close during the pandemic, the company opened a new space at Cascais’ Mercado da Vila, where its full range of products is now available.

Healthy, beautifully presented food made with fresh seasonal ingredients, locally sourced from responsible and sustainable producers, and with options to suit a range of dietary preferences – that’s the promise at Local – Your Healthy Kitchen. The menu features plenty of vegetarian dishes, from organic tofu and vegetable red Thai curry to a black bean burger with quinoa and guacamole, alongside recipes built around animal protein – including various types of fish, prawns, octopus and free-range poultry. There are also 12 different poké bowls on offer, plus a DIY option with seemingly endless combinations to choose from. To finish, expect desserts free from refined sugar and homemade ice creams.

This family has been selling flowers at Mercado da Vila for 60 years. It all started with the grandmother, Maria Lourdes Neves, who sold flowers every week at a stall in the old-style market. Her daughter, Maria Rodrigues, carried on the tradition, and now it’s the granddaughter, Rita Vidigal, who’s running the show. Nineteen years ago, they opened a permanent space in the market, where they sell flowers for every occasion – from home décor to parties, weddings, christenings and even funerals.

If you’re looking for a restaurant to embrace the tapas trend, look no further. In the middle sibling of the restaurants that have won over the locals (the oldest is in Torre, the newest at Guincho), a flurry of waiters moves between the indoor dining area and the terraces - one facing the inside of the market, the other outwards - carrying platters filled with potato skins, Padrón peppers, eggs with asparagus, alheira croquettes, prego sandwiches, or steaks. It doesn’t get more Portuguese than this. And it’s hard to find better prices.

It’s a bicycle that serves speciality coffee. This is the project of Aryelle Bastos, a Brazilian who, after several trips around Europe, fell in love with the concept and combined it with her dream of one day owning a café. She serves a variety of coffees and related drinks, along with homemade vegan, sugar-free pastries.

In 2022, this project, where Delta coffee grounds are used to cultivate Pleurotus and Shiitake mushrooms - thus contributing to a more sustainable ecosystem and reducing waste - arrived at Cascais Village Market. It is at this "urban farm" that you can purchase high-quality mushrooms, with Nãm products also available for purchase online.

Located in the heart of Mercado da Vila, this space aims to preserve the gastronomic heritage of the municipality of Cascais. The idea came about after the publication of the book Receitas de Reis e Pescadores (2017), written by Raquel Moreira and Cláudia Silva Mataloto, and since late 2021, it has hosted numerous activities related to local cuisine and beyond. There are events for children and young people, workshops with chefs, wine pairings with Carcavelos wine, and more technical events, such as training on how to license your kitchen and courses on food photography.

Open to everyone, of all ages, whether locals, Portuguese, or visitors from around the world, the Food Lab would be delighted to welcome you. Check the schedule to see if any of the events catch your interest, or send an email for something more tailored to your needs.

The famous roast suckling pig from Negrais has long been served at Mercado da Vila, but since 2014, it has had its own dedicated space. HM Caneira is a company founded in the 1980s to formalise a family tradition that had been around for at least 50 years by that time. Despite all the changes of the modern world, they continue to serve what they do best: roast suckling pig, delivered fresh daily from their factory. They also offer other products made with the same meat, such as croquettes and roast pig sandwiches, and you can find a selection of national products, from olive oil to tea, and even ginja liqueur.

The concept is very simple: beers from around the world. For the past decade, this has been the case at Beer Cascais, where you can currently find around 90 different beers from various countries and continents, available both bottled and, in some cases, on tap. German and Belgian beers are among the most popular, but there are various specialties, ranging from more or less bitter, light and heavy, to both craft and industrial options. When in doubt, just try them.

Discovering wines. And drinking them, of course. These are the main ideas behind the Castas da Vida project, which focuses on independent producers. By joining the club, you can have wine delivered directly to your door.

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Since 2016, Cascais Village Market has been home to a traditional sushi restaurant where you can also try various fusion options. In addition to sushi platters and individual pieces, they serve ramen, chicken satay, pad thai, and other Asian specialties.

It’s the perfect place for anyone looking to stock up on nuts. Everything you can imagine can be found at Lugar dos Frutos Secos, a traditional shop that sells bulk items and includes specialties (and countless derivatives) that aren’t available everywhere. Since 1952, it has been selling its products at Mercado da Vila.

It’s called Pão com Coração, and it’s a social entrepreneurship project that’s found a home at Cascais’ Mercado da Vila. Think of it as a bakery-meets-pastry-shop, where you can pick up fresh bread, cakes, pastéis de nata and other sweet (or savoury) treats. But it’s more than just a place to grab a loaf or indulge your sweet tooth. The project’s mission is to promote the inclusion of young people with special needs in the job market, giving them hands-on training in a real-life setting. It’s all about fostering autonomy and offering professional experience through direct contact with the public – with the added bonus of delicious carbs along the way.