3 Best Restaurants in Fátima, Estremadura and the Ribatejo

One of Fátima's longest-established restaurants (open since 1968), this place just outside the inner ring road is above all known for the quality of its grilled meat and fish. The vine-shaded esplanade is another big draw, creating a real family ambience. Leisurely lunches—either outside or in one of the four wood-and-stone dining rooms, all with fireplaces—are made possible by the fact that the kitchen keeps going throughout the afternoon. Top sellers include the mixed espetada (brochette), tender vitela Mirandesa steak, and bacalhau à lagareiro (cod baked with onions, potatoes, and olives).

A big brick fireplace, wood paneling, and stone walls set the mood in this cozy hunter's lodge, where the food is simple, but portions are hearty and the flavors are tantalizing. This is the best place in town for fresh game, especially codorniz (quail) and coelho (rabbit), which comes casserole-style with rice or potatoes, but they also offer grilled fresh fish.

Considered one of Portugal's best traditional restaurants, whose eponymous chef was in 2022 decorated by the country's head of state, "Aunt Alice" is in an inconspicuous house with French windows across from Fátima's parish church, just over 2 km (1.3 miles) from the shrine. The famed arroz de pato (duck rice) and bacalhau gratinado (baked salt cod with béchamel sauce) each serve two, but there are several other fine dishes worth trying. A flight of wooden stairs inside leads down to an intimate dining area with stone walls.