Of all Lisbon’s gelatorias, Santini defies those who say you have to go to Italy for the best ice cream. Just ask Princess Maria Pia of Italy, Princess Maria Beatrice of Savoy, the Count of Barcelona and King Juan Carlos II of Spain – all of whom have had Santini’s ice cream imported to their royal homes.

Ice cream has been the Santini family business for generations and started in the royal courts of Vienna in the early 1900’s. The Santini’s have been in Cascais for over 60 years, where they continued to churn ice cream for the many aristocratic families that were exiled/summered here in the post-war years. There’s nothing fancy to give away its history or prestige, the establishment is nothing more than a small and simple ice cream parlour. Flavours are classic and simple: strawberry, lemon, banana and chocolate seem to be favourites but whatever you choose will be sharp, rich, creamy and delicious.