The best ice cream shops in Cascais

If you have never heard of Santini, there is a good chance you have been living under a rock. Some people swear blind it is the best ice cream shop in Portugal. The brand was born on Tamariz Beach, in Estoril, in 1949, founded by Attilio Santini – an Italian who moved to Portugal and brought his family’s historic recipes with him. From there, it jumped to Avenida Valbom, right in the centre of Cascais, creating legions of fans who would cross the country just to try these ice creams and even wait six months for the shop to reopen – until the mid-2000s, the business was seasonal. Years have passed, new counters have opened – even in Lisbon and Porto – and dozens of flavours have been created, but the umbilical link to Cascais remains untouched, with the headquarters, aka the factory, based in Carcavelos, the always-busy Baía shop, the picturesque little kiosk in Aldeia de Juzo and the newest terrace at the Citadel, where, as well as the famous ice creams, cocktails are also served.

Tapping into the booming frozen yoghurt trend, this street-side counter has become an essential stop in central Cascais for anyone after a lighter, fresher alternative to traditional ice cream. The concept focuses on smooth-textured frozen yoghurt with a natural base, served on the spot. The big draw is the freedom to customise it exactly as you like, with a huge range of toppings, from fresh fruit cut that same day to chocolate sauces, nuts, crunchy chocolates and handmade biscuits.

After making a huge splash on Portas de Santo Antão, in Lisbon – now closed, though for a long time the queues outside were practically part of the scenery – the 100% vegan artisanal doughnut and ice cream brand from brothers Darchite and Jimite Kantelal headed to the Cascais line with all its classics in tow. The colourful, fluffy doughnuts may still be the stars of the show, but the ice creams are not exactly hiding in the background. Made with plant-based drinks and natural ingredients, they are surprisingly creamy, in flavours such as salted caramel and chocolate chip. For those with a serious sweet tooth, there is also the famous ice cream sandwich – a filled doughnut – and the doughnut waffle, pressed to order and served with ice cream, whipped cream and raspberries.

It is one of Cascais’ oldest and most emblematic ice cream parlours. Tchipepa dates back to 1977, when it was opened by the Costa family, who, after returning from Angola and determined to make an old dream come true, travelled to Italy to train in the art of artisanal ice cream. For decades, endless queues formed at its former home in Galerias da Tranquilidade, on the iconic Rua Direita. The original shop closed in 2013, but was given a second life the following year, when Carlos Costa, the founders’ son, reopened the business on Rua Visconde da Luz, overlooking the garden and the carousel. The production method remains strictly artisanal, though the ice creams now contain less sugar. Tchipepa usually has 18 rotating flavours, from vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and pistachio to dulce de leche, fig, walnut and plum. There are always special editions too, as well as crepes, waffles and monumental fruit sundaes on the menu.

For more than a decade, Avenida Valbom, right in the centre of Cascais, has been home to Fabio Lupi’s artisanal Italian gelato. The flavour counter changes with the seasons, with sought-after options such as blueberry, plum, fig, sour cherry, salted caramel, açaí, pistachio and coconut. One of its strongest cards is a careful approach to dietary inclusion, with a wide range of ice creams and cones suitable for coeliacs, as well as a menu packed with crepes, waffles and açaí bowls.

Italian in spirit, Sofiale is devoted to artisanal ice cream and speciality coffee. Flavours include cream, chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, but also tiramisu, pistachio, mango, coffee with cherry, coconut with chocolate, wild berries and a curious combination of vanilla, biscuit and pumpkin. The flavours rotate regularly and there are usually special editions throughout the year.