3 Best Restaurants in Caldas da Rainha, Estremadura and the Ribatejo

Behind a vintage tiled facade is a widely acclaimed restaurant that has long been among the country's most popular destinations for Italian food, where everything is homemade—from the bread and pasta to the ice cream. Among mouthwatering starters are vitello tonnato and goose liver with stewed figs and port wine sauce, while delicious main dishes include shrimp pansotti with a mascarpone and dill sauce, and breast of duck with port wine sauce and tangerines. For desserts there is the ever-popular baked raspberries with lemon sorbet and a sinfonia de pêra Rocha (featuring a local pear variety, three ways).

This bustling tavern in the delightfully named village of Imaginário is no place for fussy eaters: it is renowned for regional dishes such as polvo na telha (octopus grilled on a roof tile) and morcela de arroz (a type of blood sausage). Leave some space for the eggy desserts, which are all homemade and delicious. Note that reservations are only accepted by phone, not by email.

This elegant, spacious restaurant with a name that is Portuguese for "fireplace" is nestled in pinewoods between Caldas da Rainha and the Foz do Arelho beach; it's a favorite with locals for special occasions. From the à la carte menu, try the tornedó de novilho tenderloin with one of various sauces. Seek assistance to get the best from the 300-strong wine list. Note that on weekends the set menu is a little more expensive, at €17.50.