A truly memorable experience for those visiting Óbidos is lunch or dinner at the Pousada restaurant.
Chef Cláudia Santiago is very familiar with
regional products,: the juicy fruits from the fertile lands of the West, seasonal vegetables, fish freshly caught on the coast or traditional meats and cold cuts. With the
Portuguese cuisine as the starting point, she creates delicious recipes that will feast your eyes, especially when they are served in the
romantic medieval atmosphere of the Castle.
In a
historical yet cosy setting, surrounded by
Manueline windows, old ceramic tiles and a view to the medieval town, the restaurant uses traditional local products, with an expert approach following the trends of the 21st century. Chef Cláudia Santiago combines scents,
flavours and textures better than anyone, making the most out of
honest ingredients. Telmo Oliveira, the Restaurant manager, recommends the best wines for each dish.
Start your meal with, say, a hearty creamy mussel soup, followed by Chevre cheese fried in panko crust with Iberian salad and red fruit jam.
There are fish
courses, such as the very Portuguese Codfish “El Rei D. Dinis”; meat
dishes such as the Stewed chicken in a clay pot with potatoes, pearl onions, mustard, little slices of bacon and tomato; and also vegetarian
options, pasta and salads. Being an agricultural region, the West takes advantage of its vegetables, whether for main courses or as a side dish, such as green asparagus, red onions, rapini, parsnips, baby potatoes and tomatoes which we can find roasted, sauteed, stewed, steamed, creamed or pureed.
As for desserts, it is worth highlighting the influence of
Portuguese conventual sweets, such as the recipe of the Brisas do Lis custard cakes, originally made in the kitchens of the Santana Convent in Leiria, in the 15th century. While in Óbidos, it’s impossible to resist the Rocha do Oeste pears poached in regional
Ginja d'Óbidos wine, another iconic 16th century recipe in this town. There are also contemporary desserts such as Tarte Tatin, and also Portuguese cheese boards to end your meal on a high note.
In keeping with the season, the Pousada also has two bars available.
The
Castelo bar is ideal for stories on winter days, which can be inspired by the armour and chest decorating the space. Order a hot drink and gaze at the landscape from the window.
The
Esplanada lobby bar has many refreshing drinks while you catch up with the other guests.
