While in Sintra, we asked our guide for a restaurant frequented by locals. He pulled into Restaurante O Crôa, a restaurant located overlooking the river. It was hot and very sunny. We were seated at a table where the umbrella didn't do a very good job of shading us. We said something to our server who said she couldn't do anything about it. We moved an umbrella from the unoccupied table next to us, but we couldn't maneuver it well. I only mention this since they wouldn't move us and there were plenty of open, shadier tables.
Their selection of fresh fish was very good, but prices were a bit higher than we expected. We received the traditional hard cheese, bread, and olives as an appetizer (which you pay for in Portugal). Then, my wife ordered vegetable soup, and I tried the shrimp rice.
The rice had plenty of smaller shrimp in it. The rice was very soupy and didn't have much flavor. The shrimps were good. And I was told the vegetable soup was also a bit bland but did taste good.
Although we were both full, we ordered their chocolate mousse cake for desert. It's served with strawberry ice cream and was the highlight of our meal.
In retrospect, I should have ordered the fresh cod. If you do want to try it, the views are magnificent and are not to be missed. read more