Bring your appetite: these are the best spots for an afternoon bite in Cascais

On the menu at Nicolau Cascais — already a favourite in Lisbon and Porto — you’ll find some of the signature classics of this all-day café, like the Amélia eggs, the Flower Power Bowl, and, of course, the pancakes and waffles, perfect for an afternoon treat.

It’s well worth heading to Estoril for a proper afternoon treat at the iconic Garrett, one of the region’s most emblematic pastry shops, serving delights since 1934. The hardest part? Choosing just one cake. From bolas de Berlim to jesuítas, from queques to quindins, everything comes highly recommended. The delícia folhada is exactly what its name promises – and then some. And if you’re visiting someone for tea, you can’t go wrong bringing a box of pratas – delicate, crispy, and utterly addictive.

Cascais’ best terrace sits atop this shop-café-gallery, which serves vegetarian, vegan, and raw dishes. It’s worth a visit whether you’re shopping for ceramics, sipping a drink while taking in the views, or trying one of their freshly made juices, cakes, or teas — always crafted according to the owner’s creativity. Looking for the perfect post-beach snack? This is the spot.

Ask anyone from the Linha about Pastelaria Ribeiro, and they’ll surely have a story to share about its homemade pastries — whether enjoyed at the counter or as the centrepiece of a birthday celebration. With over 100 years of history, it’s run by the Nunes family and has welcomed generations of loyal customers. Some swear by the pastéis de nata and húngaros, others wait for the perfect occasion to order a birthday cake, and many count down the days until Christmas to pick up their bolo-rei — a favourite of Miguel Esteves Cardoso, who wrote in Público in 2017 that it is “sumptuously traditional,” “tall and fluffy, like a cloud of perfectly soaked raisins, without the crude white sugar stains that some use to save a few cents.”

Do you live in Cascais and dream of a life filled with pancakes, waffles, and croissants? Then we’ve got just the place to put a smile on your face. Between Guia and Bairro do Rosário, you’ll find Ophelia, a cosy spot where you can sit down and enjoy brunch at any time of day. Besides their irresistible sweet treats and other tempting options, Ophelia also hosts events, from birthday parties and baby showers to corporate brunches.

Located in Jardim Carlos Anjos — better known as Jardim dos Passarinhos — this café-terrace-meeting spot has been the heartbeat of the social scene in what is perhaps Cascais’ most charming neighbourhood for decades. Recently renovated, it now offers something for every time of day. You’ll find brunches, poké bowls, bruschettas, cheese and charcuterie boards, fresh juices, wines, sangrias, and cocktails, alongside queques, pastéis de nata, toasties, and classic buttered toast.

This bakery in Bicesse, with over 30 years of history and a reputation for quality, offers a traditional selection of cakes, breads, and savoury treats, along with a well-stocked brunch menu. Everything is homemade and utterly indulgent.

Located in Adroana, just minutes from CascaiShopping, you'll find one of the most renowned bakeries in the Lisbon region. Every day, they bake nearly 30,000 loaves of slow-fermented bread, using a sourdough starter that’s reused and refreshed, all baked in wood-fired ovens following traditional recipes. Originally, they only supplied business clients, but they realised their “dream” of selling directly to the public when they opened a café in the factory seven years ago. They produce cakes, sweets, and savoury treats, and have become one of the most popular bakeries in the area.

In 2022, Brazilian pastry chef Lis Sadalla introduced herself to the Linha with Da Lis com Amor, a bakery in Alcabideche. In 2023, she opened a new space at One Market Cascais, within the luxury One Living development built on the site of the old bullring. While the Alcabideche location primarily offers sweet treats, the Cascais spot expanded its menu to include savoury options, from pão de queijo and toasties to tapiocas. "Afternoon snack" is the word here—you just have to choose the time and location.

At the Gleba store in Cascais, you'll find over 20 types of slow-fermented, naturally leavened bread, made with grains sourced from small local farmers. All of them are delicious, but the most popular are the Alentejo wheat bread, the Barbela wheat bread, and the cornmeal broa. The panettone, chocolate chip brioche, cookies, and French croissants also make for a fantastic afternoon snack.

The success of Pastelaria Girassol, with locations in São João do Estoril, São Pedro do Estoril, Parede, and Carcavelos, can be attributed solely to the quality of what they serve. They offer a variety of cakes, pastries, croissants, and biscuits made in-house, and are especially famous for their pastéis de nata, birthday cakes, and limited-edition treats released during Christmas or Easter, for example. If for you, a snack means afternoon tea, dive into their scones — you won’t regret it.

With a sea view, right by the Marginal in Parede, you can try the specialties at this brunch spot opened by three Russian partners. The standout dishes include wheat porridge, black currant pancakes, and the Russian specialty syrniki—cheese fritters that can be served with cherry jam and rum, yoghurt and dark chocolate, or ripe plums with agave syrup, mascarpone cream, and lime zest.

Known for its cheeses and charcuterie, Cantinho da Luísa has locations at Mercado da Vila in Cascais and in an independent space in Estoril. They also offer sandwiches, toasties, light bites, savoury treats, and a variety of pastries — making it a popular choice for a quick or lighter meal. Cantinho da Luísa also boasts a considerable selection of regional products, perfect for taking home.

The French brand Paul opened its doors in Cascais in 2017, in one of the town’s most prime locations, right next to the town hall and the bay. As a French pastry shop, it’s the perfect spot to try a baguette, croissant, pain au chocolat, or one of their delicious viennoiseries. They also serve burgers and salads if you're in the mood for a more substantial meal.