The best things to see (and eat) at Casa da Guia

If there’s a bit of the Amazon in Cascais, it’s at Palaphita, the town’s most sustainable bar. Nestled in a small forest within Casa da Guia, it uses nature as its architecture, just as it did in Rio de Janeiro before arriving in Portugal in 2020. In addition to plenty of outdoor seating, there are wooden platforms scattered throughout the space, perfect for welcoming couples, groups of friends, or even families with children – everyone is welcome. The menu, also inspired by Amazonian flavours, offers perfect options for the end of the day.

Recently, Palaphita welcomed a younger sibling in São Pedro do Estoril.

It’s the oldest venue at Casa da Guia, having opened in November 1998, a few months before the broader opening of the former family estate. Yet, there are always fresh updates: the interior space was renovated at the start of 2024. Unsurprisingly, the focus here is on meats. Try a sharing platter with vazia, alcatra, picanha, and toscana for two (€53.90), accompanied by rice, beans, and farofa; or the bife à Prazeres (€19.90), prepared with vodka, caviar, and cream. With so many seafood restaurants along the coast, they wanted to stand out with their meat offerings.

However, if you’re looking for an alternative to the many steak options, turn to the prawns. Here, they are served in curry (€20.70), in a risotto nero with honey and mango (€20.80), or as a starter with papaya, among other choices. All the meat comes from South America, and it’s no coincidence: the owner, Rafael Pinho, was born in Brazil and moved to Portugal as a child, but the culture of the country where he spent his early years is well represented on the menu. From November until the first weekend of May, they serve feijoada à brasileira (€18.90) for Sunday lunch, attracting many for a meal that also comes with an extraordinary view of the sea. 

Since 2001, plants of all kinds have been sold at Casa da Guia. From cacti to herbs, succulents to bonsais, as well as outdoor trees and indoor plants, it’s hard to choose in the greenhouses of Planthiza, a company founded in the 1980s, based in the neighbouring municipality of Sintra.

Sandocas is the latest addition to Casa da Guia. In a short time, they’ve become a real success. The owner, Pedro Gato, came up with sandwiches made from 13-hour smoked pork or beef, topped with Seia cheese, and served in an exclusive bread created specifically for the brand, giving them the perfect crunch. These are "nutritious and protein-packed" sandwiches, as the owner is a personal trainer. The business has done so well in its first few months that Pedro Gato has already received several offers to expand the project.

For over 20 years, Rita Copetto has run an interior renovation business and worked on decoration projects—specialising in construction, hence the "engy" from civil engineering. Naturally, the business evolved to include a decor shop in the palace at Casa da Guia. "Then we started selling tunics, which became very popular, and we began selling clothing as well," explains her sister, Patrícia Copetto, who manages the store. They sell dresses, blouses, and jackets alongside lamps, cushions, candles, and furniture pieces. It’s one of the largest stores in the building, with a feature wall showcasing exposed brick, giving it a rustic and distinctive feel.

Twelve years ago, Magda Monteiro opened Paladar da Guia, in the space where a sushi restaurant once operated. With a pleasant terrace offering a direct view of the sea, they serve specialties such as roasted cod (€18), steak on the stone (€18), octopus à lagareiro (€20), or seafood paella (€30, for two). Fancy a dessert? Try the pumpkin fondant with ricotta ice cream (€6.50).

Okay, we may not have tried every hot dog in the world, but we know these are special. They’re sold at a kiosk in Casa da Guia, called Hot Dog Fusão, and consist of a soft, slightly flour-dusted bun, a perfectly warm sausage, two homemade sauces—white and pink—that make all the difference, and crispy potato straws on top. You can add various other ingredients, such as cheese or carrots, and then devour it without hesitation. Don’t plan on bringing a first date here, though, as you’ll definitely end up with sauce on your nose. Pair your meal with one of the fresh fruit juices from the menu, made with only fresh ingredients.

The same Magda Monteiro is responsible — alongside her son, Diogo Leste — for Gusto, the pizzeria that opened in 2023 in the space where Mr. Vítor used to serve toasts and pantomakas with a surf vibe, when it was still called Jammin. Now, it boasts a more refined presentation, with a sunlit glass-enclosed terrace inside and another outdoor area for those who prefer to be outside. They serve pizzas and pastas, along with various Italian starters and desserts — and the connection to the country is genuine, as the family lived there for several years while Magda's late husband played roller hockey.

On the first floor of the palace is this art gallery of Brazilian artist Renato Rodyner, who has been based in Cascais for over 30 years. In fact, his pieces—and the works of other artists he collaborates with—are displayed across the walls of almost the entire building. Currently, and until February 29, the exhibition “Fragmentos de Temas 2023/2024” is on display, featuring a mix of paintings and sculptures by various artists. Renato Rodyner primarily explores "human relationships" in his work, which often carries a neo-expressionist touch, whether on canvas or in pieces made from stone or iron.

A sea enthusiast and lover of cooking, Armando Correia waited half his life to leave marketing behind and embrace the world of pots and pans. The Bistrô na Guia, open for nearly a decade, proudly operates offline — it's not on delivery platforms nor does it use social media. Word of mouth, the old-fashioned way, remains the main draw for this place, which first made a name for itself with crepes (both sweet and savoury, named after lighthouses) but has since expanded to offer many other options, from omelettes and open sandwiches to salads, cured meats, cheeses, and various snacks. They serve gnocchi with pesto, chèvre, honey, rocket, and sunflower seeds (€10.70); couscous with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and caramelized onion (€10.70); or sautéed mushrooms with caramelized onion, oregano, and Parmesan flakes (€8.90). Everything is fresh and made to order — honest food with no tricks or gimmicks. Located in the Casa da Guia palace, these delights are mostly served on the terrace, with an elevated view over the ocean.

They have two spaces inside Casa da Guia. One is more focused on women's fashion, but here we highlight the one that sells surf and skate clothing and equipment, given its location by the sea, in a laid-back spot that smells of the beach even without the sand. Major brands associated with these sports sell their products here, from swimsuits and flip-flops to professional gear and casual clothing.

Since the 1970s, Susana Félix has been dedicated to antique books, but it was in 2000 that she opened the antiquarian bookstore ATempo in a kiosk at Casa da Guia. It is here that she sells rare editions with many years (sometimes centuries) of history, but she also offers new bindings and restoration work for those wishing to preserve their own collections. The store features books on history, geography, art, architecture, medicine, and religion — no matter the subject, as long as the book is special and from another time.

A clothing and jewellery store, Textura stands out for its unique offering, which attracts both locals and tourists. Opened in 2015, it initially featured pieces from brands like eseOese from Barcelona and Haris Cotton, a specialist in linen. Over time, it expanded to include knitwear from American Vintage, sunglasses from Mr. Boho, pieces from System Action, and silver jewellery from Mesh. These are products that are hard to find anywhere else in Cascais — you'd have to head to Avenida da Liberdade or El Corte Inglés in Lisbon to find a similar selection.

There’s not much to it: traditional Portuguese food to enjoy on a terrace with a view of the sea. Try the grouper with shrimp risotto (€23.50), the octopus à lagareiro (€20), or the seafood açorda (€16.90) if you're in the mood for seafood; if you prefer meat, you can opt for the Alentejo-style rib (€21.90), secret black pork (€16.90), various steaks, or the duck with cornbread (€15.90). A selection of salads is also available.

They don’t have a warehouse or pantry: every day, fresh fish and meat arrive at LOVit, a sushi restaurant that offers various other options, as it aims to have dishes for the whole family. Opened 10 years ago by Raúl Mendes de Carvalho, they serve traditional and fusion sushi — with many innovations along the way, some of which aren’t listed on the menu, as there are weekly special experiences — as well as specialties like crab burgers, seabass steak in carob bread, or picanha steak sandwiches. Over the years, they’ve built a sense of familiarity with many regular customers, who now consider the terrace with a sea view, surrounded by plants that LOVit himself grows, as their home.

She is said to be Brazilian by origin, but Portuguese at heart. Mariana Cintra, trained in Architecture and always passionate about the artistic world, decided to turn to jewellery with her brand Pipe, a project she started in 2014. She began with a space in Casa da Guia and has since opened a store in Lisbon. In both locations, you can explore the brand’s collections: from earrings to necklaces, bracelets, rings, bows, bags, and even customizable mugs. You can also discover the company’s offerings on their official website.

For something different, visit the architecture atelier and showroom ARQ1to1, run by Rosario Alas, where there is a clear focus on interior design and decoration — and where you can find "creative and functional solutions" to remodel (or build) your home.

Inside the palace, you can discover this store specialising in gourmet and organic products, from chocolates to sauces, spices, teas, olive oils, pâtés, crisps, jams, natural juices, and many other high-quality brands.