Santa Cruz isn't a food tourist destination — and that's exactly why the food here is so good. There are no gimmicky fusion restaurants or overpriced terraces trading on a view. What you'll find is honest Portuguese cooking, fresh ingredients from the ocean and nearby farms, and prices that make Lisbon feel like a different country.
Here's where we eat when we're not cooking at the apartment. These are places we've been to many times and would send our friends to without hesitation.
Restaurants — Right in Santa Cruz
Mirante Santa Cruz
Right on the beach with unbeatable ocean views. Mirante is one of those places where you sit down for a quick lunch and end up staying for three hours. Good fish, good drinks, and the kind of setting that makes everything taste better. Open until late, so it works for dinner with a sunset too.
La Fontana
When you're in the mood for pasta or pizza instead of fish, La Fontana is the answer. Local food alongside Italian dishes, served in a cosy space. Open for lunch (12–3 PM) and dinner (7–10:30 PM). A good option for families or when someone in the group doesn't want seafood again.
Cervejaria Restaurante Boca Santa
A local favourite with a terrace looking straight out at the Atlantic. Fresh fish and seafood, well-prepared without fuss. Open for lunch and dinner daily. On Sundays they serve straight through from noon — perfect for a long, lazy meal.
Steakhouse Mar de Carne
If you've had enough fish and want a proper steak, this is the place. Good quality meat, straightforward preparation. Open for lunch and dinner. A reliable choice when you're craving something hearty.
Holy
The vegan and vegetarian option — and a surprisingly good one. Fresh plant-based meals and sushi in a relaxed space. Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Even if you're not vegetarian, it's worth a visit for something different.
On the Beach
Plaj Beach House
A beach restaurant in the truest sense — right on the sand at Praia da Física. The vibe is relaxed and sun-soaked, perfect for a long afternoon with food and drinks after a surf. Open late during summer. The kind of place where you go barefoot and nobody minds.
Bronzear Beach Bar & Restaurant
Fish, seafood, meat, salads — a solid all-rounder right on the beach. Open Friday to Tuesday for lunch and dinner. Good for a relaxed meal with your feet practically in the sand.
O Navio
A café and restaurant at the beach with ocean views. Nothing complicated — coffee, light meals, and the sound of the waves. Open from 9 AM to 11 PM. A lovely spot to stop during a coastal walk.
A Short Drive Away
Alvarinho Restaurante & Petisqueira
One of our absolute favourites. Traditional Portuguese petiscos (small plates) and full meals done really well. Worth the short drive — this is the kind of place that reminds you why Portuguese food has such a good reputation. Open for lunch and dinner.
Clube Naval Praia da Assenta
A naval club turned restaurant at a beautiful, quieter beach. Fresh fish, ocean views, and a local atmosphere that feels a world away from anything touristy. If you have a car, make the trip — you won't regret it.
A Bica
A cervejaria (beer house) with great food and a relaxed atmosphere. Good for a casual meal with cold beer and honest Portuguese cooking. Open from early morning until late evening.
Coffee & Pastries
Café Parque
One of the best pastry shops in the area. Big selection of Portuguese pastries, good coffee, and the kind of morning ritual that gets you out of bed. Perfect for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. Opens at 7 AM — for the early risers.
Il Tempio L'Italiano
Italian-style café with excellent ice cream and pastries. A great spot for a leisurely breakfast or an afternoon gelato. Feels a touch more refined than the other cafés, in a good way.
Santy Parque
Another solid pastry and coffee spot. Open from 8:30 AM until midnight — so it covers everything from morning espresso to a late-night sweet tooth. Central and convenient.
Bars & Evening
Pisão Beach Club
Beach bar with food, drinks and sunset views. The summer meeting point in Santa Cruz. Grab a cocktail, sit in the sand, and watch the day wind down. Open during the warmer months, Wednesday to Sunday.
Arde Bar
The go-to spot for drinks in the evening. Good atmosphere, stays open late (until 2–3 AM on weekends). Simple, unpretentious, and where the locals end up after dinner.
Nosotros Bistrô Bar
A bistro bar with character. Good for a cocktail or a glass of wine in a more intimate setting. One of those places you discover on your second or third evening and then keep coming back to.
Groceries & Market
The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, and cooking at home is part of the experience. The Mercado Municipal (daily morning market, open until 1 PM) has fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, cheese and pastries from local vendors — all at very fair prices. O Meu Super is a grocery store right in the village where you can also buy ready-made soups and meals, and they have a small café with outdoor seating for breakfast.
Our favourite meal? Buy fish at the market in the morning and cook it at the apartment in the evening with a bottle of Torres Vedras wine. That might be the best dinner of your stay.
Wine
The Torres Vedras wine region is right on your doorstep, and you should take advantage of it. The wines — mostly earthy reds and refreshing whites — are unpretentious, excellent, and shockingly affordable. Most restaurants in the area serve house wine from a local producer, and it's almost always good. Ask the waiter for their recommendation — they'll appreciate it. If you want to visit a vineyard for a tasting, we can point you to our favourites.
Whatever you're in the mood for — a lazy seafood lunch by the ocean, a quick pastry with espresso, or a late-night drink at a beach bar — Santa Cruz has you covered. And we're always happy to share more recommendations when you arrive.
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