Taberna Económica de Cascais — Restaurant in Cascais

This is my first restaurant review just so I can say bad food, horrible service, worst meal I’ve had in Portugal and maybe ever. I would give 0/5 if I could. We picked this place because it was scored 4.4/5 and all I can say is HOW?!? We didn’t receive all of our terrible tasting starters over the matter of an hour and a half of patiently waiting for service.

THE SERVICE - To start, the waitress forgot our waters (we had to remind her 10 minutes after getting our cocktails.) We only received 2 of the 3 very simple starters that we ordered (we ordered octopus salad, mussels in butter and wine, and general tapas board made of cheeses and meats). Our simple food arrived one hour after ordering and it notably arrived after 3 other tables received their food, who ordered big entrees much later after our simple order. The restaurant was only 10-12 table absolute maximum - tables were full when we started but emptied over the long time we were there. Our waitress left mid-way through our meal and no one replaced her. Once we finished the food we received, the boss asked us if we wanted the tapas that we initially ordered but never received, at the very end of the meal…

THE FOOD - as mentioned, we only received 2 of the 3 items we ordered. The octopus salad was warm (I wonder if it was sitting out for a while? Time will tell…) and bland. The mussels tasted wrong so we didn’t eat them for our safety.

At the end of the meal, the boss had rung up to charge us for two items we never ordered so we needed to clarify the items so we weren’t overcharged. Then he had the audacity to ask us how the mussels were and blamed the bad ordering, slow kitchen, and terrible food on one person who “just started today.”

Terrible. 0/5. I really hope we...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Hidden Gem with Exceptional Service!

We had an unforgettable dining experience at La Taverna Economica, and a huge part of that was thanks to Victor. From the moment we arrived, he made us feel incredibly welcome — warm, professional, and attentive without ever being overbearing.

Victor went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect of our meal. He offered fantastic recommendations, answered all our questions with a smile, and somehow managed to anticipate what we needed before we even asked. It’s rare to find someone so genuinely passionate about what they do.

The food, of course, was delicious — fresh, flavorful, and authentic. But Victor’s service took the whole experience to another level. If you’re lucky enough to be served by him, you’re in for a treat.

Highly recommend La Taverna Economica — and be sure to...

We recently dined at Taberna Económica De Cascais, and it was an unforgettable experience! The restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere and charming ambiance, perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal.

We tried the octopus and codfish dishes, both of which were incredibly tasty. The octopus was tender and flavorful, cooked to perfection, and the codfish was equally impressive, seasoned just right and wonderfully fresh.

The staff were extremely helpful and friendly, guiding us through the menu and helping us choose the perfect dishes to try. Their recommendations truly made our meal special.

If you're looking for authentic Portuguese cuisine in a welcoming setting, Taberna Económica De Cascais is a must-visit! For a more detailed review, check out our YouTube video review where we dive deeper into our dining experience....