The best Asian restaurants in Cascais

The restaurant that has set the standard for Japanese gastronomy and has held a Michelin star since 2018 welcomed a new resident chef in 2023. While Pedro Almeida remains on board as a consulting chef, he is now based in Portland, USA. Taking the reins is Tiago Santos, leading the kitchen with finesse and crafting delicate dishes. Guests can choose between two tasting menus: Kiri (€144 for eight courses) and Yama (€177 for nine courses).

It was in the summer of 2023 that this Chinese restaurant opened right in the heart of Cascais, serving cuisine specifically from the Canton (or Guangzhou) region — one of the largest cities in this vast country. With a sophisticated ambiance and refined presentation, it offers truly authentic food. Unlike other Asian culinary styles, this cuisine focuses on minimalism and the fresh flavours of the ingredients, steering clear of heavy spices or overly sweet-and-sour creations.

The younger sibling of Kappo is Izakaya, led by Isaac Jorge — who happens to be the younger brother of Tiago Penão. At this Japanese-style tavern, the chef presents an omakase menu (€65), a selection of dishes chosen by him, ideally featuring seasonal ingredients but also tailored to the diner. The intimate setup of the L-shaped counter, with just about 20 seats, makes this personal connection easier. With lively music, neon lights, and lucky cats setting the tone, the vibe is sociable and dynamic, encouraging camaraderie and the enjoyment of sake, Japanese beers, and wine.

Olivier da Costa is a household name in Lisbon, renowned for the restaurant empire he has built over the past 20 years. His foray into Japanese cuisine gave rise to Yakuza, first in Lisbon and later in Cascais, located within the Sheraton Cascais Resort in the stunning Quinta da Marinha. With its luxurious oriental décor, a bustling sushi counter, and garden seating, the restaurant offers an endless array of high-quality creations. Must-tries include the Sakana fish taco with guacamole, sashimi drizzled with a variety of sauces (don’t miss the truffled ponzu), and the Kobe gunkan featuring wagyu, foie gras, caramelised onion, and teriyaki.

At a time when Japanese restaurants were far from ubiquitous and sushi was still something of a novelty in Portugal, Confraria was born in Cascais. Now a local institution, its charming and breezy terrace makes it the perfect spot for those who enjoy fusion cuisine while maintaining respect for top-quality ingredients. That’s not to say purists won’t find their place here — there’s plenty on the menu to satisfy traditional tastes. For those who’d rather leave the choices to the experts, the combos are a perfect pick.

Located in the Casino Estoril, this is one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in Lisbon, offering the true flavours of the Kuong Tong region with over a hundred specialties. At lunchtime, the legendary dim sums are the crown jewels, always fresh and ready to serve. Come dinner, the options are too many to list, so we’ll make it easier for you: Peking duck and shark fin soup are two of the standout dishes.

It’s an Asian restaurant on Rua Amarela in Cascais, offering traditional dishes from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and India. The business is run by Tingting "Tina" Zhang and Ming Lin, the Chinese couple behind the Soya Noodle Bar chain and Shoyu Ramen + Izakaya, also in Cascais. This time, they’ve decided to focus on a more upscale concept, with more refined dishes and carefully presented, served in a space decorated to the finest detail.

YAM is a restaurant dedicated to the flavours of Southeast Asia, and sharing is at its core. Whether it's starters or more complex dishes - from Vietnam to Thailand, Indonesia, China or Japan - the idea is to share at the table. The space has four areas: a terrace, a very Asian-style counter, an indoor dining room and a future Asian garden, which is still being prepared and will become a lounge area with direct access to the bar, where cocktails are served.

Since Cascais lacked a dedicated ramen spot, Chinese couple Tingting "Tina" Zhang and Ming Lin opened Shoyu Ramen + Izakaya in Jardim Visconde da Luz in 2022. From pork to chicken, seafood ramen (prepared with seaweed), and a vegetarian option, there's no shortage of delightful Japanese broths. Additionally, the menu at this laid-back restaurant includes salads, tempuras, gyozas, bowls, miso soup, and matcha desserts, catering to all tastes with an Asian flair.

This is a Japanese restaurant with a creative fusion sushi menu. Saiko is tucked away in a wing of the Estoril Congress Centre, featuring modern decor and an open kitchen typical of sushi restaurants. They also serve gyozas, seaweed salads, Japanese noodles, duck dishes, and of course, the chef’s sushi combos.

If you haven’t yet explored Vietnamese flavours, here’s a perfect excuse with a great view. SEN Estoril offers a wide range of sharing starters, including spring rolls, rolls, fried shrimp, or chicken wings. Some of the main dishes are Cá Mú Nướng Lá Chuối (€29.90), a grilled grouper fillet wrapped in banana leaf with lemongrass and piri-piri sauce; Vit Quay (€25.90), a crispy roasted duck fillet with five spices, served with sauce on the side; or Cá Tuyết Đen Sốt Cà Chua (€39.90), black cod cooked Hanoi-style with tomato sauce, dill, and crispy shiitake mushrooms. They also serve noodles, salads, soups, vegan dishes, and wraps. This is the restaurant of Nguyen Kieu Trang and Pham Hieu, a couple from Hanoi who have been living in Portugal for eight years.