2 Best Restaurants in Estremadura and the Ribatejo, Portugal

From the upstairs dining room and terrace of this rustic tavern, enjoy a lovely view of the village's rooftops and the countryside beyond. This isn't a quiet hideaway—Alcaide draws many hungry patrons, especially from May through October—but the food  is always prepared and served with flair. Filete de sardinha assada em broa (roasted sardines on corn bread) is a tasty starter, and great main dishes include the requinte de bacalhau (cod with a cheese, chestnut, and apple stuffing) or the tornedó com queijo da Serra (steak with creamy rustic cheese). Desserts include a traditional toucinho do céu ("heavenly" almond cake) and an English-style summer pudding with mixed berries.

This renowned Thai restaurant near Bombarral is just down the road from the gardens at Buddha Eden. In a spacious former winery, the smiling staff serve the real deal: prawn or beef salad brimming with fruit, and specialties such as tom yan kung (spicy soup with shrimp, lemongrass and mushrooms) and gaeng kiaw wan kai (green curry with chicken and coconut).