After a few shots of ginjinha in chocolate cups and buying a bottle to save for the weekend, I swayed and asked the shopkeeper where I should eat. Sintra is supposedly well known for the percebe or goose barnacles. Given my fantastic experience at Ramiro, I was keen to hunt them out. Sadly the seafood restaurants (such as the reputed Nautilus) are along the beach area of the region, and not near Sintra the town. Sighing sadly, I asked for a recommendation in town. The shopkeeper suggested the best in town was Alcobaca - "you can't miss it. There is a big shark in front."
It was mid afternoon so I didn't want a big meal. On the other hand I hadn't eaten lunch and had hiked for about 5 hours.
- Sopa de Bacalhau com fruitas do mar - soup served in bread gets me ever since San Francisco's Boudin experience. This bread was much more plain and quite a chewy outside and inside. The soup was nice and thick with some small prawns and clams amongst the fish.
I'd be happy to come back here again. The staff were friendly, the food was fine, the location is convenient. Maybe the prawns or clams dishes to try next time.
Otherwise if you have time, are willing to travel a little (probably by car), then A Raposa and restaurant GSpot are supposedly the best places to eat in Sintra with incredible seafood and percebes. Definitely something to plan for...