Marisqueira Azul

Marisqueira Azul is a seafood restaurant at Rua Afonso Sanches 54 in Cascais, a seaside town on the Lisbon coast of Portugal, close to the beach and the old fishing harbour. A marisqueira is a Portuguese restaurant dedicated to shellfish and fish, and this one is described as popular for fresh fish, shellfish and grilled specialities in a casual, family-friendly setting. The listed signature dishes include a mixed seafood platter at about 35 euros, grilled prawns at about 24 euros and arroz de marisco at about 20 euros. The arroz de marisco, a soupy rice with shellfish, is among the most emblematic dishes of the Portuguese coast, while the seafood platter is designed for sharing at the table. The kitchen relies on ocean-fresh ingredients, and grilled fish is typically sold by weight, so diners should ask about the day's catch and price per kilo before ordering. The dining room is casual and busy, with a noise level that rises at weekend lunch, and the dress code is relaxed, which suits visitors coming straight from the beach or from a walk along the Cascais seafront. Children are welcome, and large family groups are a regular part of the clientele. The wine list focuses on Portuguese whites such as Vinho Verde and Alentejo wines that pair easily with seafood, and house wine by the carafe is the usual choice. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 11pm, so the restaurant serves throughout the day, and it is closed on Mondays. Reservations are recommended at weekends, and booking a day or two ahead is usual in summer, when Cascais receives many day-trippers from Lisbon. Lunch is a relaxed way to enjoy the restaurant, while dinner is often busier and slightly more expensive per head. Cascais is reachable by train from Lisbon's Cais do Sodré station in around 40 minutes, which makes the restaurant an easy lunch stop on a coastal day trip, followed by a walk to the Boca do Inferno cliffs.