4 Best Restaurants in Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal

Not far from the town's main train station, this restaurant's location on one of Sintra's major thoroughfares means that it is always busy. The dining room is elegantly lighted with crisp linens on the tables, but the favorite seats are on the street. While the á la carte options are reasonably priced, it's the three-course set lunches that are the best value.

Offering a vegan alternative to Sesimbra's many fish and seafood restaurants, Aloha Café serves delicious plant-based breakfasts, brunches, and light meals. Expect an abundance of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables alongside vegan versions of classic desserts like cheesecake and pudim (a sweet flan usually made with egg). More substantial dishes include a different set meal every day, and a delicious vegan burger made with portobello mushrooms and smoked tofu. The cozy interior is pure rustic-chic, but on sunny days you'll want to take a seat on the terrace to enjoy the unobstructed ocean views.

Long gone are the days when vegetarians and vegans would struggle to find enticing dining options in seafood-focused Setúbal. Gentrification has brought with it a raft of vegetarian restaurants, and the centrally-located O Canteiro has been a firm favorite with health-conscious diners since it opened in 2016. Take your pick from a huge range of meat-free breakfast and brunch options, or go all-out at the excellent value lunch buffet, which includes tempting desserts and fresh fruit juice. The menu is updated daily, but expect colorful salads, quiches, and crunchy falafel, as well as plant-based versions of lunch staples like hotdogs and burgers.

Owned by Portuguese actor Lourenço Ortigão and his brother Tomás, Villa Saboia is a stylish space for sushi and light Mediterranean meals. Fish and seafood takes the starring role, cropping up on the "Mediterranean Menu" in dishes like octopus carpaccio and lobster burgers, as well as in the beautifully presented sashimi and sushi. The upstairs dining room has plenty of designer flair, while the leafy terrace is a great spot for people watching on a sunny afternoon or balmy evening.