Taverna Lusitana

Such a special little spot in Monsanto. This charming tavern is run entirely by a lovely husband and wife duo who do it all—cooking, serving, cleaning—and do it with such care. They were incredibly sweet and attentive throughout our meal. Outdoor-only seating when we went, with just a handful of tables (maybe 5), which made it feel cozy and personal. They serve regional dishes like a cherry pastel and local beers, which made the whole experience feel even more authentic. Highly recommend if you're in town, but just know space is limited, so plan ahead or be patient—it’s worth it.

Having a drink on their terrace is a must do in Monsanto! Really nice place and very friendly staff. They had some regional beers, we didn't eat but the food looked good. The terrace has an unbeatable view to Monsanto, the sunset, and the rocks. Highly recommend to stop by here!

The seatings at the top of the cafe is lovely; from here you have a vast, expansive view, including a view of the town's rooftops. The small cafe character is what you'd expect from an old town, and it's a nice stop when walking to the castle. The owner even brought us coffee upstairs, so this cafe is highly recommended.

I could sit here all day drinking in the views. Really nice place to be with a beer/glass. Owners were friendly.

We had a really fabulous stay and regretted deeply that we did not stay longer. The owners are very relaxed, friendly and accommodating. The rooms are simple, well designed, and built into the boulders, as was the whole utterly unique and charming village of Monsanto. We really enjoyed the accommodation's terrace for breakfast (having sadly arrived too late for sunset drinks). The sister restaurant with its' lovely terrace overlooking the view was also very special. If yiu hsve the time, ideally stay two nights, as itbis such ynique experience. The sunsets there are spectacular and the castle on top of the hill (a shortish walk) is lit up at night. Highly recommended!!

The tavern has the best views in town. You have to hike up to the deserted castle to beat it. Our room was built into the rocks with raw rock walls in the bedroom and the large downstairs. Mini kitchen was quite serviceable and the rock wall in the shower was unique. Free breakfast was a feast and the lunch style plates available all day were delicious and Portuguese style. Beer and wine were available as well. I highly recommend a sandwich (ham and cheese!) and a drink on the lovely patio with great views. I think the part we enjoyed most was simply walking around the town, and hiking up to the castle and around the top of the 'mountain.'. A wonderful 2 or 3 day holiday.

Small tavern built into the rock face, with a roof terrace with the most amazing views. Great stop for a drink or snack during the long steep climb to the castle.

Fabulous cafe. Amazing friendly service. Views that are once in a lifetime from the outside terrace.