Casa Portuguesa — Restaurant in Mafra

We did not feel welcome here, and that feeling came from two different people in the staff. Regarding the atmosphere we experienced non. We were going to sitt on the empty terrass but were not allowed to sit on the side close to the other guest and in the sun, but were told to sit on the opposite side because ”two people couldn’t sit on the 4-people table”. I could understand that if it was busy but we were the only people sitting on the little terrass, it was between lunch and dinner hours, and we were moved to another 4-people table.

The second waitress who were taking our orders gave me a lesson on that ”you don’t serve tap water in Portugal”, which is not true because we’ve been travelling in Portugal for almost 3 months and it’s never been a problem before, so it would have been enough with just a ”we don’t serve tap water”. And she basically rolled her eyes when I ordered beer, bread and seasoned butter. Which again I could understand if they were busy but they were not and my boyfriend still ordered a main. I just wasn’t that hungry.

We cancelled our order and left for a much kinder place. They even served tap water in a jug on...

(EN) 🇬🇧🇺🇲 Not recommended until urgent improvements)

FOOD: Excellent, but the service ruins the experience. The kitchen is the only positive highlight: high-quality ingredients, authentic traditional Portuguese flavors, and well-executed dishes. The roasted cod flaked into tender, soft pieces – truly memorable. The kitchen team deserves all praise.

SERVICE: Unacceptably poor. Arrogant attitude: The Head Waitress treated us with coldness, indifference, and a superior tone (e.g., refused to assist with a soup order, rudely stating, "That’s not my job"). Absurd delays: We waited 10 minutes ignored at the entrance, and 13 minutes at our table before our order was taken. Lack of organization: Slow, uncoordinated, and visibly overwhelmed staff. Internal conflict: Witnessed an undignified argument between staff in the dining area near customers. Zero empathy: No courtesy or attention from the floor team. The energy was tense and uncomfortable.

ATMOSPHERE: Small space but calm (when ignoring the tense vibe among staff). Ideal for families if service weren’t so chaotic.

CONCLUSION: The food quality does not compensate for the terrible service. Until they: ▶ Train staff in basic hospitality, ▶ Fix delays and disorganization, and ▶ Replace the arrogant leadership attitude.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND. A shame that kitchen talent is sabotaged by such negligent service.

(PT) 🇵🇹🇧🇷 Não recomendo até melhorias urgentes.

SERVIÇO: Inaceitavelmente deficiente. Atitude arrogante: A Chefe de Sala tratou-nos com frieza, indiferença e tom superior (ex.: recusou ajudar com pedido de sopa, dizendo "Isso não é comigo" de forma grosseira). Demoras absurdas: Esperámos 10 minutos parados na entrada (sem sermos atendidos) e 13 minutos na mesa até registarem nosso pedido. Falta de organização: Equipa lenta, descoordenada e visivelmente sobrecarregada. Conflito interno: Presenciámos uma discussão deselegante entre funcionários na sala, perto de clientes. Falta de empatia: Zero cortesia ou atenção por parte da equipa de sala. A energia era pesada e desconfortável.

COMIDA: Excelente, mas o serviço arruína a experiência. A cozinha é o único destaque positivo: ingredientes de alta qualidade, sabores autênticos da tradição portuguesa e pratos bem executados. O bacalhau assado desfazia-se em lascas macias – verdadeiramente memorável. A equipa da cozinha merece todos os elogios.

ATMOSFERA: Espaço pequeno, mas tranquilo (quando ignoramos o clima tenso entre funcionários). Ideal para famílias, se o serviço não fosse tão caótico.

Conclusão: A qualidade da comida não compensa o mau atendimento. Até que: ▶︎ Treinem a equipa em básicos de hospitalidade, ▶︎ Corrijam a lentidão e desorganização, e ▶︎ Substituam a postura arrogante da liderança.

NÃO RECOMENDO. Uma pena que talento na cozinha seja sabotado por um serviço...

I set out to have a seafood meal because after all in Portugal the seafood is so fresh and I’ve heard delicious. When I looked at the menu I saw that they had a hamburger made of veal. I had to try it for myself because I’ve honestly never had a real burger. And while I’m not a big meat eater I do need an occasional boost of meat to keep my B12 and iron levels in a good place. So the seafood dinner will have to wait for another night because tonight I had the veal burgerand it was truly delicious. I gave thanks to the little calf that gave its life so that I could have this meal. I probably committed sacrilege though when instead of having a red glass of wine I ordered white. But to each his own as they say and you don’t have to follow convention because I thoroughly enjoyed my veal burger with my glass of white wine.

I went back a second time for the grilled octopus with the baked...