Lisbon Cafe The Best Places in Town

Drinking Coffee in a Lisbon Cafe is one of the great pleasures of being here. The Espresso in Lisbon is very good, strong but not overwhelming. Maybe you prefer a milkier taste then a Meia de Leite - half Milk - will be more to your taste. Everywhere you go in the City and Coast there are good Cafes and Pastelarias which are also full of cakes. You are bound to make some good discoveries yourself, here are some of the most famous and fun places that we have found.

Lisbon Cafe Chiado and Bairro Alto

Brasilieira with the statue of Pessoa at the table is one of the best places to go. It is one of the oldest establishments in town and draws a cultural crowd. Outside you can watch the world go by but go inside to really get the atmosphere of the place. It is pleasantly unpretentious but beautiful in its own way and the waiters are usually not brusque.

Cafe Bernard next door is more expensive and not a favourite of ours.

Another great Lisbon Cafe is Cafe do Chiado pictured above just at the side of the lovely Sao Carlos Theatre. It is also near the Chiado Gallery of modern Portuguese Art so a great place to refuel after a morning of culture.

Kaffeehaus an Austrian cafe is also near the Museum in the Rua Anchieta 3. Offering a different style, it appeals to a trendy international crowd. When you need a change or want a light healthy snack it could be the right choice, vegetarian snacks are available.

Largo do Carmo has several cafes, always full of tourists - the elevator and the beautiful ruins of Carmo are in front of you and this square has a cut off old world feel. A key square in the revolution of 1974, it seems so tranquil now.

On Calcada do Combro near the Bairro Alto is Cafe no Combro. A laid back cafe with a young atmosphere. Great for eating light snacks with coffee.

In Bairro alto itself SV cafe Rua Capelo is an arty choice. O Outra Face da Lua in Rua do Norte is a laid back choice in a trendy retro clothes store.

Cultura do Cha on Rua Salgardeiras is a good choice in this area. Comforting and well run with a wide range of tea on offer, The Portuguese normally like tea very weak so you may want to ask for it strong - forte.Great for toasted sandwiches. Chiado

Lisbon Cafe Downtown

Nicola has always been a distinguished progressive establishment. Beautiful and civilized- service is usually very good here and the cakes are great. Across the Square Suisa is also a good choice, not quite so distinguished but famous for its hot chocolate, a large range of appetizing snacks are on display. Good for a morning snack or a light lunch.

Another good choice in the Baixa near Rossio is Folar do Chaves which has an extensive range of cakes.

Confeituria Nacional in Praca Figueira is another solid possibility. I am told that bola rei the great portuguese sweet bread originated here and was exported to France. The blind Fado singer Maria Rosa offers sings her haunting songs outside this Lisbon cafe.

In Praca Comercio at the southern end of the Baixa the place to go is Cafe Martinho da Arcadia one of the oldest most distinguished in town Pessoa used to meet his friends friends.

East of Commercio next to the Church on Rua Alfadanga is a Portuguese Japanese Coffee shop which has lovely cakes from both countries. Well run, immaculately clean it also has a good selection of lunch plates. A good choice for any time of day. Downtown Lisbon

Alfama

A lovely view point near the Castle up from the cathedral. Not great for cakes but a coffee here is a must. Good stop before visiting the Alfama, Decorative Arts Museum, or Museum of Fado. Also on the way to the Feira da Ladra market.

Near Lisbon Cathedral on the way up to the Castle and Graca is a trendy, slightly hippy Cafe Pois. Take the road to the right by the Cathedral, a good place to hang out and write your book.

Largos dos Portas do Sol. A lovely view point near the Castle up from the cathedral. Not great for cakes but a coffee here is a must.

Verde Pinto in Costa do Castelo is a designer cafe with jewelry for sale. Very trendy design. Good after a trip to the Castle.

Taborda is near by, a trendy intellectual cafe up stairs from a Theatre with a lovely outside area.

Chapito is a circus school art center with a restaurant. A coffee here is a great idea. Plenty to look at and very romantic.

The Arte Cafe Rua Escola Gerais is hard to find but a gem for art lovers. This place is run by two artists Carlos Cabral Nunes and Nuno Espinho da Silva. There are sculptures and paintings, computers and Poetry readings are often held here. Alfama Lisbon Museums Lisbon Culture Lisbon Restaurants

Principe Real

Near Principe Real is Cafe Sao Roque a fabulously decorated Lisbon institution famous for the range of its bread and cakes. A really authentic Lisbon cafe but staff are not in this century yet!

1800 higher up in Rato is a calmly distinguished choice.

As Vincentinhas on near by in Rua Sao Bento near Amalias house is a fund raising operation, an eccentric choice but the cakes are great.

North

Versaille is old Lisbon at its best. Huge mirrors, stained glass sedate atmosphere. Sadly there has been building work on the new metro near by for a while now and it may go on a while yet.

Park Edward V11 has an old style Lisbon Cafe by a lake but higher up the new Amalia Jardim has a more attractive esplanade park Linha d'Agua which is near the Corte Ingles and North Lisbon Shopping areas.

The Gulbenkian Museum Cafe is also great choice after a morning admiring the collection. North Lisbon
Lisbon Museum
Lisbon Shopping

West

Cais Sodre has many coffee possibilities around and in front of the station. The cafe in the boat terminal is not especially attractive but the outside Espalnade is great for its views of the boats and the people embarking from them.

Going west towards Santos is Meninas do Rio which has deck chairs to relax in and great views of the river.

At Santa Catarina Mirador there is a kiosk where locals sit and chat and nearby cafe noobai has a great terrace and toys for kids.

At the Museum of Ancient Art in Janelas verdes there is a great Lisbon Cafe with wonderful views.

Pao de Canela is in a great location in front of the almost hidden oasis of Praca Flores between Rua Seculo and Rua Sao Bento.In Lisbon Streetwise we suggest a walk that takes in this atmospheric spot. It is a gem.

Belem

For views the cafe in the Belem Cultural Center is a great choice. Belem Lisbon Sights Lisbon Monuments Lisbon Cafe
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