Cucina 37

Cucina 37 brings authentic Italian cooking to Ericeira - fresh pasta, proper pizza, and the kind of Italian food that's confident enough to keep things simple.

The pasta is the standout: freshly made, with sauces that show real Italian technique. The carbonara is proper (no cream, as it should be), the ragù has depth, and the seafood pasta makes excellent use of Ericeira's fresh catch.

The pizzas are solid - good dough, quality toppings, and proper oven cooking. Not the best pizza of your life, but reliably good and satisfying. The margherita is the test, and Cucina 37 passes it.

The wine list mixes Italian and Portuguese options - both work with the food, and the staff can advise on pairings.

The atmosphere is warm and casual. The restaurant fills up on weekend evenings - the Italian expat community has adopted it, which is always a good sign for an Italian restaurant.

Cucina 37 fills the Italian food gap in Ericeira well. When you've had your fill of grilled fish and want something different, this is the reliable Mediterranean alternative.