Six chefs to watch out for in Cascais

Time Out

07-05-2025

Since 2021, Tiago Penão, a local from the area, has been a rising star in Cascais' culinary scene. That was when he opened Kappo in the heart of the town, a name that translates to "cut and cook." Ambitious yet laid-back, it's a high-end Japanese restaurant that centres on the intimate connection between the chef and those seated at the counter. While you can choose à la carte, the ideal experience is to surrender to the omakase menu, where the chef takes you on an authentic journey to Japan with the finest ingredients. And it's not a cliché – each course is accompanied by a perfect blend of explanation and storytelling. Every dish is served in bespoke crockery, like a custom-made frame designed to surround a work of art.
Although the Japanese tradition is woven throughout Kappo's concept – which has been such a success that it quickly led to a younger sibling, the Japanese tavern Izakaya, run by Tiago's older brother – the stories and experiences of the team who work there daily also shine through on the plate. For instance, Manu prepares a Venezuelan dessert that she used to share with her grandmother – a three-milk cake that's then charred with Japanese charcoal. At Christmas, they make rabanadas. While Japan is always the focus, they also leave room for other explorations, further enriching the personality of the restaurant.
Before Kappo, Tiago Penão worked at Midori, at the Penha Longa Resort in Sintra, the first Japanese restaurant in Portugal to earn a Michelin star – many believe he will soon be joining the list of Michelin-awarded chefs himself.