To Eat in Sintra
If you arrive in Sintra by train, follow the crowd to Cafe Saudade. It is a great place any time of day for dessert, coffee, and amazing small plates. It is located in a vintage cake factory that was in operation from 1888-1974. The current cafe opened in 2009 after a monumental restoration of an architectural gem. They have galleries of paintings on display, host literary gatherings, jazz evenings and more! Wander through the maze of rooms and get lost in this artistic microcosm of the larger town that awaits your discovery.
If you have time and wish for a leisurely refined meal in a magical place, try A Raposa. It tends to keep patrons guessing but in all of the right ways. Tacho Real is another great option tucked high in the historic center. It has a hidden, romantic feeling, especially on a rainy day, at a table next to the fireplace.
There are many eateries around the National Palace Square in Sintra where you might pay more because of the tourist nature of the menus. On a nice day, it is worth it. As the villas dot the green hillside, and people lounge in the sun, you can lunch al fresco in the shade of the Palace of Sintra.