2 Best Restaurants in Nazaré, Estremadura and the Ribatejo

Owner Dona Celeste likes to personally greet guests—who have included record-breaking U.S. surfer Garrett McNamara—at the entrance to her seafood restaurant on the Atlantic seafront. Among popular dishes here are espadarte à Celeste (swordfish with cream-and-mushroom sauce) and squid or monkfish on the spit. This coast is famous for its caldeirada (a Portuguese version of bouillabaisse with nine kinds of fish). Perhaps the most spectacular dishes here are the cataplana de peixe com camarão e amêijoas for two (fish stew with shrimp and clams, served with a flourish). In summer, it's a good idea to book ahead.

The main draws at this smart restaurant in Pederneira, on a hill south of town, are the stunning ocean views and the octopus---grilled, roasted, stewed, or prepared in several other ways. There is also a wide range of other fine seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes, with another favorite of regulars being the veal loin tataki served with ponzu sauce. For dessert, choose from a large tray of homemade sweets.