Cajó — Restaurant in Sintra

Tried Cajo in Sintra and here’s how it went:

We ordered quite a bit to share, and while some dishes were great, others were just okay.

The mussels "à Bulhão Pato" were the most disappointing – they didn’t taste fresh, almost like they were on the verge of spoiling, which was a letdown.

The duck croquette with orange mayo and sardines on toast were average. Flavours were decent but nothing memorable – I did enjoy the sweetness of the roasted peppers with the sardines though.

The grilled octopus was okay too, but I personally prefer it more charred – texture-wise, not bad at all.

The standout dishes were definitely the codfish with hummus – really well-cooked, no fishy smell, moist and went really nicely with the spring salad and corn bread – and the slow-cooked beef shank, which was tender, juicy, and super flavourful. Just note, the portion is quite big!

We also had a bottle of Flor Linho white wine recommended by the restaurant – very pleasant, light, and went well with our food.

The vibe of the restaurant is cozy, but the table was quite small for the amount of food we ordered, and unfortunately we were seated near the toilet entrance – not ideal since people passing by kept bumping into our backs.

Overall, food was a mix of hits and misses, but worth a try if you’re around Sintra and looking for a...

I don’t even know where to start—Cajó is one of those places that just feels right the moment you walk in. It’s cozy and homey, not fancy or pretentious, but full of life.

The staff—everyone from the waiters to the cooks—are incredibly kind and welcoming, and you can tell they actually care about what they’re serving.

You can watch the dishes come out of the kitchen, and everything looks generous—big portions and beautifully plated. The prices are surprisingly affordable, especially considering the quality of the ingredients and the creativity of the recipes.

I started with the duck croquettes, which were packed with flavor and paired perfectly with a tangy orange mayo. I honestly wish they had given me a little more of that mayo—it was that good. After that, I was craving something fresh, so I went for the roasted peach salad with goat cheese, walnuts, roasted peanuts, and honey. Every bite was perfectly balanced, and even the olive oil stood out—clearly high quality.

To top it all off, they brought me a little almond liqueur as a digestive, and it was the perfect sweet, nutty ending to the meal.

If I were staying in Sintra for five nights, I’d eat at Cajó five times. No question. Come here and try as much as you can—you...

Must go if you are in Sintra!!! Best meal we had in Portugal!!! Very kind and quick service in an unassuming location. We got the octopus, shrimp, beef shank, and pavlova for dessert, and all were incredible. The octopus was very tender and came with broccolini that was perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce. The shrimp were extremely fresh, meaty, and juicy, and were served in a very flavorful broth. The beef shank was very unique, the meat was falling apart, and it was paired with a poached egg on top of a cornbread stuffing and the most delightful sweet pear. Finally, the pavlova was stunning. The interplay of texture and temperature was fantastic, with the crunchy shell of the pavlova and the fluffy meringue interior, the light airy ice cream and the frozen berries, garnished with fresh mint. Our only regret was not trying the whole menu. Already dreaming of returning to Sintra just to...