From the beach to the table: the best things to do in Carcavelos

The long sandy beach is ideal for everything and everyone. No, it's not one of the quietest destinations, you might spend the afternoon listening to loud music and other people's conversations, but access is easy and you can even play a game of volleyball, go skateboarding, do a bit of jogging, join in a surf lesson, eat a Berlin ball and buy trinkets or pareos.

Take a Break could have been just another brunch spot along the coast, but the quality and uniqueness of its menu are the secrets behind the success of the project. It all started during the pandemic in 2020 when Nicole Lourenço suddenly found herself unemployed in the restaurant industry. Confined at home and noticing the new trend for online orders, she decided to start a homemade pancake project according to her own style. It quickly became a hit, especially for being among the first to sell brunch boxes, but sales began to decline as consecutive deconfinements occurred.

That's when she decided to take a step forward and open Take a Break's physical space in Carcavelos with her partner, chef Júlio Roque. They kept the pancakes, of course, but added many other options to the menu, which now includes various meal choices, many of them ideal for sharing. Highlights include the bao Break (10€), with slow-cooked pork belly, kimchi, scallion, crispy onion, and teriyaki sauce reduction; the taco Break (9,50€), wheat tortillas with avocado, Chinese cabbage, shrimp, pico de gallo, and satay with cassava chips; or the Mush Rosti (11,50€), made with sweet potato, Portobello mushroom, sun-dried tomato, caramelized onion, low-temperature eggs, and a mix of greens.

They also serve bowls, bruschettas, and other dishes. In the pancake department, it's worth trying the Break P (8,50€), with mascarpone cream with lime, vanilla, and red berries; the Citrus (8€), with lemon cream, red berries, and meringue, which evokes a dessert from the restaurant where the couple met; or, among others, the P. Pumpkin (8€), made with roasted pumpkin dough, cottage cheese, pumpkin jam, and walnuts. They aim to introduce new items to the menu every summer and winter.

In February 2024, considering Take a Break's growth, they decided to move to another space in Carcavelos where they could have more seating. Soon, they plan to also take over the building's first floor to expand the project.

The new campus of the Nova School of Business & Economics, right in front of Carcavelos beach and with a direct access tunnel to the sand, could well become one of the most coveted universities in Europe, with surfing and diving in between classes. It has a gym, a catering area, a library, an auditorium, a student residence and will also serve as an incubator for start-ups. 

You don't even have to go down to the beach. Capricciosa has its own beach lounge, with beds (20€) and hats and sunbeds (12,5€), which will make you want to stay here all day on this sort of private beach. The list of cocktails at the seafront pizzeria is also refreshing, from the Forest Mojito to the Sunset, with various sizes, from the smallest glass (6€) to the 3-litre XXL jug (50€), ideal for sharing. The garlic bread with cheese and oregano (3,5€) is a novelty, as are the salads such as carpaccio (12,5€) or salmon (12€).

It is Hurley's first street store in Portugal. The big difference from the previous store, which was located in Centro Colombo, is that here, in addition to the various clothing items – from shirts to socks, including coats – you can also find technical material for surfing and skateboarding.

Right next to Carcavelos train station, the street market has been going on for many years with all kinds of knick-knacks on display. Every now and then you hear a "it's good and it's cheap!" call from the sellers who want their customers to open their wallets. You'll mainly find clothes there - things to blow your mind and fill everyone's wardrobe at home. Don't forget to haggle, it almost always works.

There are sun loungers facing the beach and even some hanging armchairs, so this is the place to stay for wraps (from 7,5€), toasties and salads or be more demanding and go for the fish of the day (13,5€). There are also snacks, such as sautéed squid rings or roast beef bruschetta, and a street-facing bar that promises drinks late into the night. Or night in, as you prefer.

It's a burger restaurant originally from Brazil, but it arrived in Carcavelos in 2022. Between signature fast food and gourmet, they serve burgers with 100% Black Angus beef such as the Lumberjack (9,90€), with bacon, cheese, pickles and house sauce; the Bullguer (8,70€), with cheese, pickles and house sauce; or the Super (11,90€), with a double portion of burgers, cheddar cheese, bacon and sauce. There's also a chicken option, the Chicken Hot Honey (9,20€), with mayonnaise, spicy honey and sweet and sour pickles; or, for those who prefer a fish version, the Fisherman (9,90€), a breaded patty with cheese and tartar sauce.

The new rooftop in Carcavelos, at Universidade Nova, has sea views and cocktails to cool off after a swim. The space opened at the end of February 2020, but had to close its doors soon after. It has now reopened with a cocktail list that includes the Avô Varela (10€), with Abuelo Añejo rum, Disaronno and pineapple, or the Mary Basil (10€), with vodka, strawberry, tomato and basil foam, and various snacks to share.

General Eisenhower was installed here in 1951 and Marshal Montgomery the following year. The walls tell much of the country's military history, from the time construction began on the Fortress - opinions are divided between 1553 and 1556. In addition, the Fort served as a military and political prison, with the famous case of General Gomes Freire de Andrade, who was held in São Julião da Barra and executed on the land next to the fortification. It was in 1951 that the fort lost its military function to take on state functions, and it can be visited by prior appointment (21 303 8520).

In a sea dominated by boys and surfboards, it's always good to recognise the difference. Like Boogie Chicks, the women's bodyboarding school at Aqua Carca, which began catching its first waves in the 1990s as a project to promote the sport, the brainchild of athletes Dora Gomes and Catarina Sousa. In 2005, Catarina Sousa, the first Portuguese woman to win a race on the world bodyboard circuit, decided to continue the events and opened this school for girls in Carcavelos, next to Pastorinha. 

Dallas, whose hamburgers have already conquered Cais do Sodré, Anjos and São Bento, has now arrived in Carcavelos. It's the brand's first space outside Lisbon, but with the usual menu, which can be consulted online.

Inside this bar run by twin brothers, there is a tavern-style set of wooden benches and tables. But the food here is much lighter than the decor suggests: salads, toasts on rustic bread, hamburgers (from 4,85€) and hot dogs (4,10€) are served with natural juices and mango, banana and strawberry smoothies.

The factory where the famous Santini makes its ice creams is in Carcavelos. What better reason to go there? The facilities, which can be visited, also have a shop, making it one of the best reasons to visit this part of the Cascais coastline. 

With new owners (it belongs to the SANA group), A Pastorinha is still one of the finest places for lunch with a sea view and a safe harbour in Carcavelos - all seafront restaurants should be like this. Peeled seafood rice (48€/two people), mariscada (140€ for two people with shrimp from Espinho, the Algarve, prawns, lobster, barnacles, oysters, langoustines and stuffed crab shells) or Pastorinha-style grilled mixed fish (53€/kg). Start thinking about what you're going to eat.

It's the beach in Carcavelos closest to the São Julião da Barra fort and a favourite with many people who want to escape the crowds. At high tide the sand is scarce. At low tide there are those who have fun exploring the rocks and, with a lot of luck, even find a starfish. The beach has a bar, also called Moinho, with sun loungers and sofas, ideal for those who don't want to touch the sand.

Castiço Wine Bar, reads the frame of the counter. A unique piece, it stands out in the food court where it was installed in the summer of 2021, in the Carcavelos Municipal Market. We are welcomed by Vítor Santa and Francisco Figueirôa, who invite us to discover their wine and gastronomic proposals, all from small national producers. The menu still has just over a dozen references, but it was created in conjunction with a friend of the owners, who has been a distributor for over 30 years, and is set to grow in line with what's new. Among the reds and whites, Aneto Reserva stands out as the most expensive, at 8€ a glass and 30€ a bottle. But there's also green, port, sparkling wine, rosé - Dory, "for those who don't like to drink much" - and even wine from Carcavelos, Villa Oeiras, which was once again honoured at the 18th Decanter World Wine Awards. Prices by the glass start at 2,50€ and if you choose the "wine of the week", it's 2€. To accompany the meal, there are cheese and sausage boards, roast chorizo and Briosa preserves with artisan bread (4,50€), with proposals from the Douro, Beiras, the islands, Extremadura and the Algarve. 

In 2022, Carcavelos gained its own Guitar Academy, located in one of the rooms of the local shopping centre. The teaching method is gradual and personalized, allowing students to play the repertoire that motivates them the most to practice. You can find more information and prices for the services on the project's official website.

Perhaps a tea room isn't what you're looking for on a hot summer's day, but A Chaleira has plenty of alternatives for this time of year, from the iced tea of the day to sangria, not forgetting the homemade cakes and desserts, toast, scones and salads. There's a small terrace, but don't miss a visit inside. Ideal for quenching your hunger after the beach with a good snack.