Tapas & wine is a tapas restaurant at Rua Visconde de Monserrate 38, 2710-591 Sintra, in the town’s historic center. Its identity is straightforward: small plates and wine, suited to a shared lunch or an afternoon pause between monuments. The location puts you close to the National Palace of Sintra and the lanes below the wooded hillside. Daily daytime opening makes this a more practical sightseeing stop than a destination for a late Portuguese dinner.
What to Expect at Tapas & wine
Plan around the small-plate format rather than assuming a conventional starter-and-main meal. Ordering a first round to share, then adding dishes according to appetite, works particularly well when your day includes walking Sintra’s slopes. Ask which plates are prepared hot, which arrive cold, and how substantial each portion is before ordering for the table. For the wine, request a recommendation by the glass before committing to a bottle; tell the server whether you prefer a lighter white, a fuller red, or something to accompany several different plates.
The setting’s strongest attraction is its position within the old town, where narrow streets connect palace forecourts, shops, and hillside routes. Treat lunch here as part of exploring central Sintra rather than trying to squeeze it between tightly scheduled palace admissions. The restaurant’s tapas identity does not establish a particular regional Spanish menu, so ask about the day’s dishes rather than arriving with one specialty in mind. Vegetarians and diners avoiding gluten should discuss ingredients, bread accompaniments, and shared preparation surfaces before ordering.
- Shared-plate dining: Build a meal gradually, checking portion sizes before choosing another round.
- Wine pairing: Ask for a glass matched to your selection and confirm the pour price.
- Historic-center address: Rua Visconde de Monserrate places lunch within the old town’s sightseeing circuit.
- Daily daytime service: Listed hours run from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., including weekends.
- Palace-area pairing: Combine your meal with the National Palace of Sintra and nearby São Martinho church.
Tapas & wine at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Rua Visconde de Monserrate 38, 2710-591 Sintra, Portugal |
| Neighborhood / Area | Sintra historic center, near the National Palace |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; telephone ahead for kitchen hours |
| Admission / Price Range | Paid dining; $$, midrange. Confirm current dish and wine prices before ordering. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 75 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Sintra railway station, approximately 15 minutes on foot; consider parking outside the historic core at Portela de Sintra |
| Official Website & Phone | For direct restaurant information and reservations, telephone +351 21 192 2176 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Aim for an early lunch around noon if you want to eat before the main sightseeing lunch period. Call ahead for a larger party, a specific seating requirement, or a late-afternoon meal; a 7 p.m. closing time does not necessarily mean orders are accepted until then. Casual sightseeing clothes are a sensible choice. Confirm card acceptance when booking and keep a backup payment method. Bread, olives, and other small accompaniments can carry separate charges in Portuguese restaurants, so ask what is included before accepting them.
From Lisbon, take a CP suburban train from Rossio to Sintra; services also connect the Oriente corridor with Sintra. Walk from the terminus toward the historic center, allowing extra time for gradients and uneven paving. Driving into the old town is awkward because streets are narrow and access restrictions apply; Portela de Sintra offers an alternative parking area, one rail stop before Sintra. Wheelchair users should telephone about the entrance threshold, seating access, and toilet arrangements before traveling. For nearby sightseeing, allow roughly five minutes to the National Palace, five to ten to São Martinho church, or five to fifteen to Parque da Liberdade, depending on your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best time to visit?
Listed opening hours are 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m. every day. An early lunch is convenient for sightseeing; telephone before making a special journey or planning to eat near closing.
How much does a meal cost, and should I reserve?
Plan for midrange, $$ dining, with the total depending on the number of shared plates and wine ordered. Call +351 21 192 2176 for current prices and table availability, particularly for groups.
How long should I allow for a meal?
Allow 45 to 75 minutes for shared plates and a drink. Leave additional time before any timed palace admission, especially when onward travel involves a hillside bus journey.
Is it suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
The surrounding historic center has sloping streets and uneven paving that can complicate wheelchair and stroller access. Confirm step-free entry and accessible toilet provision directly rather than assuming the restaurant can accommodate every mobility requirement.
When planning your Sintra travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Sintra, pair this stop with standout local spots including Pisoes Waterfall, Gruta do Labirinto, Cedros Nature House, and NewsMuseum (nearby).
