Café Paris — Restaurant in Sintra

This was recommended by our tour guide. The atmosphere is fab, and was seated quickly by one of the staff (curly hair), but the service - if there was a negative star I would give that. We ordered octopus w/ aoili starter and linguine pasta for my friends and me. The shrimp/clam linguine came out first, and we started eating, but it wasnt until halfway our meal, our octopus starter still not been served. I was waiting patiently to get one of the staffs(black hair, tied back,w/ glasses) attention, but she seems busy with other things, such as sorting napkins and cutleries. I ended up coming to her to ask for the octopus, she said, "it wasnt served?" She then said, 1 minute. Like how did she not know it wasnt served, shes the one that served out linguine. She asked a few other tables, is everything ok?, but not asked us. We waited, and waited for the octopus up to the point that i nearly cancelled it. Then it came, and no apologies for it being late. The octopus was a starter, and it came after we have finished eating the linguine. We did asked for service water, but was given bottled water, unsure if she didnt hear me. I am unsure if it mattered, as we are the only Asians there, BUT we are a paying customer. Its such as a shame as the food and ambience is great, but the service is such a let down. I would not...

This place was recommended by our guide and is directly across from the Sintra Castle. The view is fantastic from their patio. They had a large amount of seating on their patio. We got seated near where they make desserts and it was fascinating to watch them make crepes and prepare other desserts. Because the area is heavy with tourists, the prices do reflect this but we did receive high quality of food. I was worried after quickly reading some reviews. The bread was fresh and tasty. We also had olives. (Please note, butter is extra €, we didn’t realize that right away!) The Caesar salad with chicken was excellent. A huge portion of food. I was only able to finish about 1/3. The dressing tasted like fresh anchovies were used. My husband’s cod + potatoes/spinach met his approval. He said the spinach was well seasoned with fresh garlic. My children split the steak and chips. They both liked the steak and ate the whole thing.

They were packed when we came at lunchtime. Therefore, the servers were quite busy. Our server was kind and polite and suggested entrees for my husband. She also cut and separated the steak into two for my kids, which was very nice of her.

On a side note: The bathrooms were very clean and my daughter wasn’t nervous using the bathroom in...

During my recent trip to Portugal, I revisited Café Paris, a place I first discovered eight years ago. Nostalgia led me back, but it was the extraordinary dining experience that made me stay. Just as I remembered, the food was exceptional, and this time it felt even more sublime.

The highlight of my meal was the octopus—cooked to absolute perfection. Its tenderness was unlike anything I've had before, and it was seasoned with just the right touch of salt to bring out its natural flavors. Paired with simple, perfectly boiled potatoes, the dish was a masterclass in balance and simplicity. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, creating a memory that lingered long after the last morsel was gone.

The experience was so delightful that I found myself tempted to ask for the recipe, just to relive the moment whenever nostalgia calls. Café Paris has managed to capture the essence of Portuguese cuisine with grace and authenticity.

If you're ever in Portugal, especially near Sintra, this restaurant is a must-visit. It’s not just a meal; it’s a journey back to the roots of flavor and craftsmanship that define great...