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We've compiled the best of the best in South of the River - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
With tables and chairs set out on a narrow jetty jutting out into the waters of the Tagus, Ponto Final makes a visually dramatic spot to enjoy tasty fish and seafood. It's located on the waterfront a short walk from the ferry terminal, and tables are in high demand. Book well in advance, or just show up early for lunch or dinner and sip a glass of something chilled as you wait. In case no tables become available, neighboring bar-restaurant Atira-te ao Rio is a pleasant alternative.
Trafaria is a tiny fishing village with a charming view of small boats and Lisbon in one direction and a huge grain silo in the other. Hidden down a back street, cozy Casa Ideal has been welcoming diners for more than 40 years with a humble menu of grilled fish and delicious seafood rice dishes. Take the ferry from Belém and always reserve a table on weekends.
In this relaxed fishing village with charcoal grills on every corner, Casa Mateus offers a refreshing reinterpretation of seafood. The Sesimbra favorite is well-known for plating local flavors and traditional dishes with a more refined chef flair. Order the oxtail croquettes, then choose from daily specials and a fish-heavy seasonal menu.
Creativity and chemistry combine at this Italian-style gelato shop on Sesimbra’s waterfront. Choose from 18 traditional and fun flavors, including many that make use of fresh fruits. Two brothers—a pharmacist and a pastry chef—returned from a Bologna gelato course to create ECHO.
Since 1942 this bakery has been a cornerstone of the Costa da Caparica community. Sit out on the terrace beneath the pine trees, where you can taste its famous pastéis de Santo António (custard tarts with coconut), along with coffee roasted on-site.
Calm and cool Princesa is one of Caparica's most picturesque beachfront spots. A vast outdoor terrace is filled with sun loungers and comfy chairs where you can relax with a jug of sangria while watching the waves roll in. Browse the menu for a selection of simple-yet-tasty salads, fresh seafood, and grilled fish.
This highly regarded seafood spot has sea views, speedy service, and a bright modern interior with lots of colorful mosaics. Grab a table on the esplanade to dine with the sea breeze in your hair and magical sunsets over the ocean just steps away. Sushi and grilled fish are the specialties, but there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, too.
A paper tablecloth stuck to the window detailing the day’s dishes is almost always a good sign. At lunch, this chic tavern and marisqueira fills with a crowd of well-dressed regulars who return for the high-quality food and friendly banter.
The huge queues that form outside this tiny family-run tavern are a testament to the fact that the fish served here is the best in town. There's no menu, but the daily catch is written on a blackboard and cooked to perfection on a charcoal grill out on the flagstones.
