Alcácer do Sal travel guide for food lovers
Feat photo by Câmara Municipal de Alcácer do Sal on Facebook
About an hour’s drive south of the Portuguese capital, Alcácer do Sal is a part of Portugal’s Alentejo region. This historic town has good cultural and gastronomic offerings, making it a perfect day trip destination from Lisbon.
Traveling to Alcácer do Sal from Lisbon is straightforward. By car, take the A2 motorway towards the Algarve, and exit at Alcácer do Sal, with the journey taking approximately an hour. If you are driving, we would definitely recommend taking a little road trip of the area, including a stop in the nearby coastal region of Comporta, just a 30-minute drive from Alcácer itself. But for those preferring public transport, know that buses from Lisbon’s Sete Rios station reach Alcácer in about 1.5 hours, going through the scenic Alentejo landscape.
Photo by UF Alcácer do Sal
The heart of Alcácer is dominated by its majestic castle, originally a Moorish fortress, which has been converted into a luxurious pousada. The castle not only offers sweeping views of the river and the sprawling rice fields, but also houses the Crypt Archaeological Museum (Rua do Convento de Aracoelli 12). Here, visitors can immerse themselves into a historical narrative that spans over two millennia, featuring artifacts that recount the city’s evolution from a vital Phoenician trading post to a strategic Moorish stronghold.
Photo by CM – Alcácer do Sal
Venturing beyond the castle, the town unfolds in a labyrinth of cobbled streets and quaint squares, lined with whitewashed houses adorned with traditional azulejos. Notable religious sites include the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo (Rua da Matriz), with its impressive Gothic facade, and the Chapel of Senhor dos Mártires (pictured here), renowned for its Baroque interior. The Church and Convent of Santo António (Largo de São Francisco), founded in 1524, stand as a testament to the town’s Renaissance period, offering a glimpse into its religious and cultural transformation over the centuries.
Photo by CM – Alcácer do Sal
Alcácer’s history is also evident in its secular buildings and public spaces. The Municipal Museum of Archaeology (Rua do Município, Praça Pedro Nunes) provides further insights into the town’s past, featuring a collection that showcases its role in regional trade and commerce. For a leisurely experience, the riverside promenade is perfect for a stroll, where modern cafes and traditional shops reflect the town’s mix of old and new.
Photo by EuroVelo Portugal
The natural surroundings of Alcácer do Sal also invite exploration. The nearby Sado river estuary is a haven for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts, while the dense cork forests and verdant valleys offer scenic paths for hiking and cycling.
Photo by Epic Travel
The proximity to the pristine beaches of Comporta (which is a part of the same municipality) and the Tróia Peninsula enhances Alcácer’s appeal, and certainly so does the local gastronomy, served at some of the best restaurants in Alcácer do Sal which we explore below. As a bonus, many of the town’s restaurants, cafes, and bars offer tranquil views over the Sado Estuary.
Photo by Herdades da Ameira
The nearby nature reserve and the fertile soils of the Sado Valley certainly have an influence on the local cuisine and viticulture. The most relevant ingredients locally are rice of the carolino variety, wine and salt, which is literally a part of the town’s name, which comes from Arabic and translates as “castle of salt”.
Best restaurants for Portuguese food in Alcácer do Sal
Momento
Momento offers a serene escape into the world of petiscos, aka Portuguese tapas, right in the heart of Alcácer do Sal. This charming eatery serves a good range of small plates that are mostly inspired by local cuisine, but usually include a modern twist. Think of perfect bites to share such as freshly baked bread with good quality olive oil and marinated olives, crispy croquetes and other Portuguese fritters, sautéed shrimp, fried cuttlefish strips (choco frito), warm goat cheese or ripe tomato salad. If you are in the mood for something more substantial, we’d recommend trying the succulent grilled tuna steak or the pork loin (lombo). If you’d like to experience Portuguese food with a contemporary flair while enjoying some great views of Alcácer do Sal, head to Momento and have yourself a leisurely moment.
📍Largo Luís de Camões 14, 7580-117 Alcácer do Sal
Photo by Momento on TripAdvisor
A Escola
Housed in what was once a primary school for the children of local rice workers, A Escola in Cachopos, situated between Alcácer do Sal and Comporta, has been transformed into a reference of regional Alentejo cuisine. For 25 years, it has been offering gastronomic “lessons” that celebrate the rich agricultural and culinary heritage of the area. Founded in 1996, by Henrique Galvão, A Escola was born from the belief that the area deserved a high-quality dining option, despite its remote and rural location. Octaviano Martins, Galvão’s son-in-law and the chef for over 15 years, took over to develop a menu with excellent and unique dishes such as wild rabbit pie (empada de coelho bravo) served with Arabian rice, wild pigeon with turnip greens (pombo bravo de nabiçada), and partridge stew (perdiz na púcara). A Escola tends to use locally sourced ingredients such as Alcácer do Sal’s prized carolino rice, and this dedication to local produce extends to the restaurant’s extensive wine list, which features over 300 references, including many from the region itself.
📍Cachopos, EN253, 7580-308 Alcácer do Sal
Photo by Flavors and Senses
O Cantinho da Ribeira Velha
Small and inviting, Ribeira Velha’s “little corner” (that’s what the name O Cantinho da Ribeira Velha translates as), is a lovely spot to enjoy some regional dishes amongst locals. The restaurant’s menu features traditional Alentejo cuisine, with the star dish being the feijoada de lingueirão (pictured here). This is a robust stew made with razor clams (lingueirão), buttery white beans, and an array of aromatic spices and vegetables. This is Portuguese comfort food at its best, and this is a dish which you won’t often come across elsewhere as bean stews (feijoadas) most often contain meats (like feijoada transmontana) or, if sea inspired, will most likely have pieces of cuttlefish (feijoada de choco). Another notable mention from O Cantinho da Ribeira Velha’s menu is the açorda Alentejana, a beloved regional specialty. This dish is a comforting soup made with codfish, bread, garlic, and cilantro, often enriched with a poached egg on top. If your budget allows, you may also want to consider the monkfish rice (arroz de tamboril) but we’re positive that, no matter what you order, you will leave this restaurant with a full belly and a happy heart.
📍Largo da Ribeira Velha 7, 7580-246 Alcácer do Sal
www.facebook.com/p/O-cantinho-da-ribeira-velha-100039382825903
Photo by Dmitry D on TripAdvisor
Salinas
Since its opening in 2016, Salinas has been making a name for itself not just because it does a great job at indulging both locals and visitors in the rich flavors of the Alentejo, but also because of its cozy setting. We’re talking about a fairly small establishment, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the warmth of its welcome and the quality of its dishes. The menu at Salinas features hearty portions of dishes like octopus rice with shrimp (arroz de polvo com camarão), a savory bread porridge of dog shark and roe (açorda de cação e ovas), grilled Iberian black pork (porco preto), and its signature salt cod dish, bacalhau à Salinas. Be advised that, generally speaking, the portions are quite large, so don’t fill up on appetizers. But if you prefer something lighter to begin with, you’ll be pleased to know they also serve several smaller petiscos, which are perfect to enjoy anytime of the day with a nice glass of wine. No matter what you go for, Salinas offers great value for money.
📍Praceta da Chaminé 2, 7580-101 Alcácer do Sal
www.facebook.com/people/Salinas-Restaurante-TAPAS/100054201054198
Photo by Salinas on Facebook
Nova Casa Carreira
If you’re in Alcácer do Sal looking for authentic Portuguese flavors served in very generous portions, head to Nova Casa Carreira. The menu at Nova Casa Carreira is a tribute to classic Portuguese cuisine, particularly regional recipes from the Alentejo. Stand outs include carne porco à Alentejana, a signature Portuguese recipe that combines marinated pork with clams, potatoes, and coriander, in a harmonious blend of land and sea. Another recommended dish is the sopa de cação, a hearty soup filled with tender pieces of dogfish and lots of fresh coriander. If you prefer to snack on some appetizers, or simply enjoy these to start your meal, we recommend the fish roe salad (salada de ovas), the rabbit salad (salada de coelho), the local shrimp (camarão da costa), and the more common to find octopus salad (salada de polvo). Don’t leave Nova Casa Carreira without trying one of their home-made Portuguese desserts, including classics such as sweet rice pudding (arroz doce), sponge cake (pão de ló), fluffy meringues poached in milk and served with custard (farófias), or the more local pine nut cake (bolo de pinhão), being that pine nuts are one of Alcácer do Sal’s most prized ingredients.
📍Bairro de S. João – Largo da Fundação Gulbenkian, 7580-101 Alcácer do Sal
www.facebook.com/p/Restaurante-Nova-Casa-Carreira-100058908593208
Photo by PSY on TripAdvisor
A Papinha
A Papinha is one of the most sought after restaurants in Alcácer do Sal, particularly amongst locals. That, of course, is always a good sign. As a proper Portuguese cervejaria, it is renowned for its impeccable fish and seafood dishes. Maria Emília, affectionately known as Mila, has been running this restaurant for nearly three decades. The menu at A Papinha features classic Portuguese seafood dishes like fried cuttlefish (choco frito), here uniquely served with cilantro, to balance the usually quite rich nature of this dish. Another crowd-pleaser is the feijoada de chocos, a hearty stew of cuttlefish blended with beans in a rich and flavorful sauce, showcasing how, historically speaking, a lot of Portuguese cooking is about combining rather simple ingredients in good way, to create deeply satisfying dishes. If you only have one meal to be enjoyed in Alcácer do Sal, and would like to experience what a typical Portuguese tasca is all about, go eat out at A Papinha.
📍Largo da Ribeira Velha 3, 7580-115 Alcácer do Sal
www.facebook.com/p/Caf%C3%A9-CervejariaA-Papinha-100063465406639
Photo by A Papinha on TripAdvisor
Porto Santana “Tasca do Gino”
The menu at Porto Santana highlights several regional specialities, which you may not easily come across in Lisbon. So, some may argue, heading to Alcácer do Sal simply for the sake of enjoying a good meal with Alentejo DNA, may be worth the kilometers alone! Start with old time appetizers like pig trotters in coriander sauce (pézinhos de coentrada), served with toasted bread to soak up the flavorful, collagen-rich sauce. As for main dishes, some of the highlights include john dory fish filets, paired with a side of açorda, a traditional Portuguese bread-based dish enriched with fish roe (filetes de peixe-galo com açorda de ovas). For those who want to experience the meatier side of Alentejo’s rustic cooking, we recommend migas de linguiça com carne de alguidar, a recipe using day-old bread with flavorful broth, smoked sausage and rich meats. Visit Porto Santana hungry and enjoy a comforting, fulfilling meal. If you still have some for something sweet don’t miss out on the honey and nut cake (bolo de mel e noz) or the sericaia, a cinnamon and egg soft cake which has become Alentejo’s most popular dessert.
📍Senhora Santana, 7580-520, Alcácer do Sal
Photo by Estrada Nacional
Boa Viagem
Situated in the heart of Alcácer do Sal, Boa Viagem’s inviting setting is perfect for savoring a menu that celebrates the rich culinary traditions of the Alentejo. With a focus on grilled meats and seafood, special dishes include a succulent veal steak (naco de vitela) and small but very aromatic strips of Iberaian pork (lagartinhos de porco preto). The menu also features the classic choco frito, a beloved regional delicacy of fried cuttlefish. For a truly Alentejan touch, accompany your meal with migas de espargos, a hearty side dish made from bread crumbs mixed with asparagus, typical of the region’s rustic cuisine. Boa Viagem’s specialties include bacalhau à Boa Viagem, their unique take on the traditional Portuguese codfish dish, and cozido à portuguesa, a sumptuous stew of mixed meats and vegetables, showcasing how this restaurant is all about traditional Portuguese cooking.
📍Quinta do Olival Queimado, Av. José Saramago, 7580-206 Alcácer do Sal
Photo by lacarte.menu
Tasca do Barrocas
Welcome to Tasca do Barrocas, your typical Alentejo tavern, with good down-to-earth food, friendly atmosphere and affordable drinks to wash down the many dishes, big and small, that you will want to try here. This restaurant also has a panoramic riverside setting, which makes it even more appealing. Popular for its seafood, Tasca do Barrocas excels with specialties like rice dishes with clams or razor clams (arrozes de amêijoas or lingueirão) and grouper soup (canja de garoupa). They also excel at cooking a variety of other regional favorites such as cod rice (arroz de bacalhau), dogfish soup (sopa de cação), and an assortment of grilled meats, usually sourced from the Alentejo itself, an area of Portugal popular particularly because of its high quality free range wild fed pork.
📍Rua Marquês de Pombal 23, 7580-114 Alcácer do Sal
www.facebook.com/tascadobarrocas
Photo by P Palmela on TripAdvisor
Estrela do Sado
This is the kind of establishment where foreign guests are quickly made to feel like they are a part of the local community. But, besides truly attentive staff, Estrela do Sado shines through its menu, which features a range of hearty and flavorful Portuguese classics. From the rich and savory Iberian black pork from the Alentejo (carne de porco preto) to the aromatic Portuguese take on prawn curry (caril de gambas), which are some of the most ordered dishes. Of course this being Portugal, they also serve several specialities prepared with salt cod, bacalhau. Those following a vegetarian or even fully vegan diet, will be happy to know Estrela do Sado has plant-based options too.
📍Av. dos Aviadores 18, 7580-151 Alcácer do Sal
www.facebook.com/p/Estrela-do-Sado-Restaurante-100063491681109
Photo by CM – Alcácer do Sal
A Descoberta
A Descoberta’s menu is a tribute to Alentejo cuisine, known for its robust flavors and hearty portions. From traditional stews and meat dishes, everything that lands on the table around here looks and tastes genuine. The restaurant is run by José Luís Crespo, who has made it a point to leave the appearance of the building as it used to be over 80 years ago. So don’t be surprised if you see the floor of the establishment covered in original hydraulic tiles. There’s a certain old world charm that can be felt at A Descoberta, which provides a great combination of exceptional food, as well as a peculiar and warm atmosphere..
📍Av. João Soares Branco 15, 7580-166 Alcácer do Sal
Photo by cardapio.menu
Recommended bakeries and pastelarias in Alcácer do Sal
Pastelaria Carapinha
Those looking for typical Portuguese pastries in Alcácer do Sal can trust Pastelaria Carapinha to deliver. Founded by the Carapinha family in 1990, this pastry shop has become a custodian of the region’s rich dessert traditions, offering an array of sweets that resonate with the local heritage. They are doing a great job at serving delicious sweets treats to the community, but also preserving conventual recipes. The pastelaria is renowned for its array of traditional sweets that include bolos de mel, rich honey cakes that carry the essence of Alentejo’s floral landscapes; pastéis de feijão, tantalizing white bean and almond pastries; and the creamy queijadas, Portugal’s take on a cheesecake, made with cottage cheese. Maria Antonieta Carvalho Silva, a key figure at Pastelaria Carapinha, knows the nostalgia associated with indulging into sweet treats, something she associates with her own childhood and now makes a living at promoting. Come to Pastelaria Carapinha and make sweet memories in Alcácer do Sal.
📍Av. dos Aviadores Gago Coutinho e Sacadura Cabral 24 Alcácer do Sal
https://pastelariacarapinha.com
Photo by Pastelaria Carapinha
Pastelaria Maria Guiomar
Pastelaria Maria Guiomar is a quintessential Portuguese pastelaria, a place where you can enjoy the simple pleasures of Portuguese baking. Like neighborhood pastelerias often do, Pastelaria Maria Guiomar is the kind of establishment that plays an integral role in local culture, acting as a hub where people start their day, meet for light meals, or gather for afternoon coffee and snacks. Here, customers can purchase freshly baked bread to take home, or have a seat to enjoy a standard selection of pastries, including favorites like pastéis de nata and berliners (bolas de Berlim). If you’re in the area and would like to enjoy a Portuguese style breakfast, this is also a good spot to order sweet and savory options, always paired with a strong cup of coffee.
📍Bairro do Forno da Cal, 7580-069 Alcácer do Sal
www.facebook.com/pastelaria.mariaguiomar
Photo by Pastelaria Maria Guiomar on Facebook
Padaria Esperança
Padaria Esperança is often highlighted as the best place in Alcácer do Sal to purchase freshly baked bread. But they actually have much more than that. This is also a great spot to enjoy sweet pastries, all made in-house, light snacks and good affordable coffee, just as you would expect in any given Portuguese pastelaria. Locals love coming to Padaria Esperança, not just because of the quality of the products, which are also fairly priced, but because the staff is known to be super friendly and warm. Sometimes, you just crave a genuine smile when having your morning coffee, right? That explains why Padaria Esperança is such a popular spot for breakfast, but also during the afternoon, for a leisurely cup of coffee after you’ve come out of work and you may need to unwind after a busy day.
📍Rua da Fonte da Talha 3, 7580-057 Alcácer do Sal
Photo by Restaurant Guru
Stay tuned for more travel guides dedicated to food lovers seeking exceptional dining experiences within a day’s trip from Lisbon. For more insider tips and updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and sign-up for the Taste of Lisboa newsletter.
Feed your curiosity on Portuguese food culture:
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