4 Best Restaurants in Estremadura and the Ribatejo, Portugal

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).

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.

If you're a fan of hearty meat dishes, it's worth making the trip two kilometers (1.5 miles) south-west of Batalha to this famed purveyor of suckling pig---a regional favorite; its also offers a range of other traditional meat and fish dishes, and some vegetarian ones, too. There's a kids' menu, too. If you want to do as the locals do, order some Portuguese sparkling wine to go with your tender leitão assada.

Tucked away on a side street far from the touristy seafront, this tavern attracts diners from far and wide with delicious fresh fish and meat dishes cooked in its wood-burning oven. There are changing daily specials, but regular dishes include bacalhau à tasca (fried codfish with onions and potatoes) and rice-stuffed cuttlefish.