Cantinho Gourmet — Restaurant in Sintra

Cantinho Gourmet is a cozy little gem that offers a well-rounded dining experience, though with some room for improvement in certain areas. My recent visit left me with mixed feelings—while the service was impeccable and the atmosphere charming, the food itself didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Food – 3/5

Let’s start with the most important aspect of any restaurant: the food. Unfortunately, this was the one area where Cantinho Gourmet didn’t fully deliver. While the menu was diverse, with a selection of both local and international dishes, the execution was somewhat inconsistent.

I ordered a main course that sounded promising—a grilled steak with a side of roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes. The presentation was decent, but the steak was slightly overcooked, which made it tougher than I would have liked. The seasoning was also a bit underwhelming; it lacked the bold flavors I was hoping for. The roasted vegetables were well-prepared, offering a nice contrast in texture, but the mashed potatoes were a bit too creamy for my taste, almost bordering on runny.

Dessert fared slightly better. I tried a house-made chocolate cake, which was rich and indulgent. However, it was accompanied by a vanilla ice cream scoop that had started melting before it even reached the table, which made me suspect it had been sitting out for a while before being served.

Overall, the food was decent but lacked the refined touch that would have elevated the experience. With a bit more attention to seasoning, texture, and presentation, this restaurant could easily improve in this category.

Atmosphere – 4/5

Where Cantinho Gourmet truly shines is in its ambiance. The restaurant is designed to be warm and inviting, with tasteful décor that strikes a balance between modern and rustic. Soft lighting, carefully placed artwork, and comfortable seating all contribute to a relaxed dining experience.

The layout of the space is well thought out, offering enough room between tables to create a sense of privacy while still feeling lively. Whether you’re dining with friends, family, or on a romantic date, the setting works well. There was some background music playing—a mix of mellow jazz and soft instrumental tunes—which complemented the mood without being too overpowering.

The only minor drawback was that during peak hours, the noise level can rise significantly. The restaurant was quite full when I visited, and the lively conversations from other diners sometimes made it difficult to hear my companion clearly. If you’re looking for a very quiet, intimate dining experience, it might be better to visit during off-peak hours.

Service – 5/5

If there’s one aspect where Cantinho Gourmet truly excels, it’s the service. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted warmly and promptly seated. The staff was incredibly attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that our table was always taken care of.

Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and provided helpful recommendations. They also checked in at appropriate intervals—not too frequently, but enough to ensure we had everything we needed. What impressed me the most was their genuine friendliness and professionalism.

When I mentioned that my steak was slightly overcooked, the server was quick to offer a solution, demonstrating that customer satisfaction is a priority. Small gestures like promptly refilling water glasses and ensuring that each course was timed well made a significant difference in the overall experience.

Final Verdict

Cantinho Gourmet has a lot of potential. While the food wasn’t as impressive as I had hoped, the excellent service and pleasant atmosphere make it a restaurant worth visiting. With some refinements in the kitchen, this could easily become a top-tier dining destination.

Overall Rating: 4/5 Would I return? Possibly—but I’d be more selective with my menu choices next time. If you value great service and a cozy atmosphere, this place is definitely worth considering. However, if your main focus is outstanding cuisine, you might find yourself wishing...

Cantinho Gourmet restaurant is amazing!!! Fantastic service with outdoor and indoor seatings. We sat outside and watched people meandering through the streets. The food was amazing! We loved the duck and rice dish. It was full of flavours, so it was inhaled by my son, a fussy eater. The red wine was smooth and delicious. It paired well with a board of cheese, chiziso, pates, and pumpkin jam.

DO NOT confuse it with Casa Prego, which is wedged between Cantinho Gourmet. Please refer to the photo I've attached, crossed out in red (a no-go zone). At first, I thought it was the same restaurant, but what stood out was the rudeness of a lady (owner) standing by the railing in front of "her" restaurant (casa prego) with a fake smile. Life must have dished her the wrong plate in life...What a sour person!

I will head back to Cantinho Gourmet for another glass of wine and...

The services were friendly and atmosphere was nice but the food was terrible. We ordered their specialties of the day - a codfish dish and a pork dish because we were told these two were special Portuguese dishes they had. The pork was extremely dry and not having much flavor. The pork and codfish with rice all tasted like reheated ones. The salad was fine. In general it feels like they didn’t even try to prepare the dish well but just want to make quick money from tourists. (I didn’t taste any spices or seasoning of the pork itself except for a few dots of sauce on it.) As tourists we’ve stayed in Portugal for a few days already and had a few meals here. The food at this restaurant is not just overpriced. I don’t think what we got should be the taste and quality of Portuguese dish. It feels like a scam for tourists because we can’t be sure what the food should look...