This concept might be uncommon in Portugal, but it’s caught on in the USA and across Europe. Now, Cascais has its very own Ceramica Café—where anyone can buy a ceramic piece and decorate it to their liking, painting it with whatever colours or patterns they choose.
Opened on July 5th, the space is run by Maayan Amitai, a Californian who swapped London for Cascais three years ago. “This is something I’ve always done and always took my kids to do,” she explains. “It became a cool trend in London, Paris, or Madrid. It’s not necessarily just for kids. It’s one of the few places where young adults can gather for a fun and relaxing activity.”
With three children, Maayan Amitai and her family moved to Portugal during the pandemic when her husband’s job began requiring regular travel here. “Cascais reminded me a lot of California. And we didn’t want to stay in London forever.”
The venue was formerly a clinic. After some remodelling, it became the Ceramica Café, spacious and bright, with tables and chairs for people to sit and paint their pieces or grab a drink—they serve cocktails, wines, coffees, juices, or water.
“It’s been very popular among the expat community here in Cascais, some come here to celebrate their birthdays with friends, but the local Portuguese residents are still warming up to the concept,” admits Maayan Amitai.
From jugs, mugs, plates, glasses, pet bowls to decorative items, customers only pay for each piece and can use all the available painting materials to customise it as they wish.
Afterwards, Maayan sends the pieces to a kiln to be finished—a process that usually takes between 7 to 10 days, after which people return to Ceramica Café to collect their pieces.
The plan also involves establishing partnerships with local artists who can sell their ceramics there. And Maayan Amitai intends to host more evening events, with movie nights, themed painting sessions, or activities combining painting with the world of wines. The outdoor space hasn’t been utilised yet, but it will soon feature a terrace surrounded by plants.
Praceta Astrolábio, 109, Cascais. Tue-Fri 11.00-20.00; Sat-Sun 10.00-19.00. 960 139 129