Attention, sweet tooth! The best pastry shops in Cascais

Scones, puff pastries with egg custard called maravilhas, parras, jesuítas, Sintra cheesecakes (queijadas), queques, trouxas de ovos, quindins, and strawberry rolls—we could spend all day listing the specialties of this iconic Estoril establishment, founded in 1934, but it’s best to visit and dive headfirst into this sweet sea of sugar. During Christmas, the queues for Bolo-Rei have become a cherished tradition of the pastry shop.

The areias—classic crumbly cookies that, when crushed, resemble a child’s sand bucket—have their earliest records in Cascais dating back to the 19th century. The nozes de Cascais—moist cakes—are believed to have originated in the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, built in the 16th century (now the Cascais Cultural Centre). They feature a glazed sugar coating, a crispy texture, and a half walnut on top. Both of these typical delights are available at Bijou de Cascais, a classic pastry shop in the heart of the town, which opened in 1929. Recently, the shop expanded—taking over the back area, which was once a games room and a home goods store. They now have a dedicated coffee roasting section and their own brand featuring various specialties.

It's a well-established pastry shop in Bicesse, known for its traditional recipes like cakes, bread, and savoury snacks. Over the years, it has evolved to include a delicious brunch option. They are particularly strong during festive seasons like Christmas and Easter but also offer salads and light meal options for everyday dining.

Ask anyone in the Linha about Pastelaria Ribeiro, and you're sure to hear something about their homemade cakes (which, admittedly, don't help much with maintaining a figure), whether for eating at the counter or for birthday parties. With over 100 years of history, it’s run by the Nunes family and has served several generations of customers. Some praise the pastéis de nata and the húngaros, others wait for the right occasion to order a birthday cake, and some count the days until Christmas to get a Bolo-Rei, reportedly the favourite of Miguel Esteves Cardoso. In a 2017 column for Público, he described it as “sumptuously traditional,” “tall and fluffy, made of cloud-like raisins perfectly soaked, without the coarse white sugar stains that some frugally use to save a few cents.”

Known for its cheeses and cured meats, Cantinho da Luísa has locations both in Mercado da Vila in Cascais and in Estoril, at Vale de Santa Rita. They offer a wide range of sandwiches, toasts, bread, savoury snacks, and various pastries—many people take advantage of this extensive selection for a quick or lighter meal. Cantinho da Luísa also features a considerable selection of regional products to take home.

Only the quality of what they serve can explain the success of Pastelaria Girassol, which has locations in São João do Estoril, São Pedro do Estoril, Parede, and Carcavelos. They sell cakes, pastries, croissants, and homemade biscuits. They are particularly renowned for their pastéis de nata, birthday cakes, and the special editions they offer during festive seasons such as Christmas and Easter.

French franchise Paul settled in Cascais around a year ago in one of the town’s prize locations, right across the City Hall and the Bay. It is a good spot for a baguette, a croissant or one of the delicious house viennoiseries. Also available are hamburgers and salads, if you feel like a more substantial meal.