Erica L.
Yelp
The perfect place for lunch in Sintra, centrally located by the train station, yet not at all touristy or overwhelming, a nice oasis from the craziness of tourist central. It has a nice hipstery vibe, with four different rooms, more of a coffee shop atmosphere, yet the historic charm of the 19th century building. The menu is limited, but wonderful: there are some pastries, a selection of teas, a small number of wines, other refreshing drinks, and then a small number of bites, paninis, and salads.
I got to sample both cheeses, one of which was a delicious, light fresh cheese, not unlike a queso fresco, that was mild yet lovely; the other was denser, sliced, and covered on the outside seemingly with paprika and other mild spices. I preferred the lighter, fresh cheese. We also had the garlic bread, which used as the bread the Portuguese version of the English muffin, which was lightly crispy, much better than the "English" version, and a nice density.
I shared two paninis, the one with signature Portuguese canned tuna and fresh veggies, which was tasty, just the right amount of saltiness, and the one with Portuguese canned sardines, fresh cheese, and tomato, which I found just lovely. The sardines weren't very salty, and they were meatier and much larger than what Americans typically think of as sardines. They went really well with the tomatoes, and it was really a very delicious panini.
All in all a charming and perfect lunch spot. If you have kids, it's also very kid-friendly. There are two little kid tables in the main room of the cafe, one set up with a bunch of books, the second with a kids' tea set and some toys, along with colorful kid-sized stools. It certainly kept the kid at our table quite entertained. There are also two high chairs and a changing pad in a large, clean room next to the bathroom.