Caricato — Restaurant in Sintra

One week into our trip, this is by far the best restaurant we’ve been to! As the the only non Portuguese people in the restaurant we were excited to finally get some real food - and this did not disappoint! The octopus here is the best I’ve had in Europe and a massive portion for the price (we still ate it all) and their pasta was great as well. Dessert was also superb (sawdust pudding) and they were nice enough to write out what went into so we could try to make it at home. The bill for two, with wine came out to just $31 euros.

The waitresses we interacted with were excited to have English speakers and were kind, eager, and attentive during our meal. They let us Definitely the best service we’ve received in Portugal and just a really nice environment to have dinner in. Finally after our great meal, we tried to get an Uber home and failed because we were staying far outside of Sintra, and nobody accept the fare. We asked our server to call a taxi and she said fine just wait. Next thing we know she’s outside in her car and told us to get in and she’d drive us home. After she got to our hotel, she wouldn’t take any money from us. What an amazing experience that we’re still thinking of days later! I hope this review inspires someone else to enjoy this family-run restaurant and their...

We arrived at Caricato around 18:50 without a reservation, knowing they opened at 19:00. Even though the restaurant was fully booked, the staff kindly found a spot for us right as they opened — a great first impression.

The place is small and incredibly cozy, with a warm, home-style atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re dining in a family kitchen. As we sat down, we noticed a small bowl of olives already on the table — simple, but full of flavor and a nice touch to start the experience.

We ordered five different dishes for four adults and two kids. Every single dish was excellent — well-prepared, generously portioned, and clearly made with care. We’ve been traveling through Portugal for the past 10 days, from north to south, trying all kinds of local cuisine, and this was easily one of the best meals we’ve had.

Even our 5-year-old daughter said it was the best restaurant of the trip — and that says a lot!

Service was warm and extremely fast, and the prices were more than fair for the quality and experience. Caricato is a hidden gem in Sintra, and we would absolutely...

We had a fantastic experience at Caricato! Stephanie and Nunu were absolutely amazing, so friendly and welcoming. They took the time to explain so much about the food and desserts, which made our visit even more special.

The first night, we came without a reservation, but they still found a way to seat our family of three. On the second night, they kindly made space for us again. The food was incredible. We tried the fish, octopus, European hamburger, and picanha, and everything was delicious. The desserts were also a highlight!

They even celebrated our son’s birthday by singing to him and sharing their lovely candle tradition. It was such a thoughtful touch.

Highly recommend this local gem. Great homemade style food, warm hospitality, and a...