Adega das Azenhas — Restaurant in Sintra

I was showing the sites to a friend from out of town and we came upon this place. It looked nice and it was about half full, so we decided to give it a try. I mention the half full, because we sat for a good ten minutes, with waiters going back and forth, and finally I had to flag down someone just to get a menu. I looked around and everybody was treated well, people seemed happy, there were people who obviously had been there before, all good. Still, we had to keep getting people to come to our table. Now, we were in NO hurry, but after a while of seeing the waiters just go by I was beginning to wonder. We finally got some olives and bread, but had to ask yet another waiter for the little fritters they were putting on all tables as Couvert, except ours. Ok, maybe they ran out, but we HAD to ask for it and they came after our meal was served. The meal... I went with one of the daily dishes, in this case a Fritata de Peixe. Not good, the little carapaus may have been fresh, but they did not taste fresh. The other bits of fish were no better. Rice was ok. Salad not great. My friend had Carne de Porco a Alentejana. It looked ok, tasted ok. Just ok. The little fritters, by the way, were just not good. All in all I think every single waiter had to come by at some time and bring something that was missing. Like glasses, after the bottle was grought and left on the table. As for the waitstaff, some were nice, others did not care. I realize things not always work out. It may have been bad luck. From reviews, and from people who were there, every body likes it. I, unfortunately, will not be going back. By the way, I speak fluent Portuguese, so there wad no confusion there, at least...

The restaurant is awesome, big with good decoration rustic, and no TV (big nice bonus). It's very lively and very popular indeed... I spend around 90mns inside and there was always queue to come in. I was lucky to find a table... better get a booking to be sure. Besides the generous wine list you can choose between starters/fish/meat. I order lamb stew (today's dish) - it was very good, tasty and a good portion. Nice wine. As downside - some of the waiters seem lost - I gave the sign that I was ready to order.. and they just crossed by my table for a long period of time without any notice - until what it felt like one of the owners came to get my order. Good person that one. He gave me a bit of dessert.. since the one I wanted was sold out. Feels like it's The Restaurant of the village (and the area for that matter).. besides the thumbs down for service, it's easy...

If you're looking for an authentic Portuguese culinary experience, look no further than this hidden gem! Despite its unassuming exterior, this place surprises with its warm and inviting ambiance once you step inside. The local food here is nothing short of exceptional, delivering the true flavors of Portugal. Although we encountered a slight miscommunication hiccup during our visit, the owner's unparalleled dedication to customer satisfaction left us in awe. They went above and beyond to resolve the issue, making our dining experience even more memorable. With delicious dishes and outstanding service, this restaurant has earned its spot as a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable taste...