Portuguese Breakfast - A Delightful Way to Start the Day.
Cafe Nicola in the Central Rossio Square has been serving Great Portuguese Breakfasts since the 19th Century. Portuguese Breakfast - The Lisbon SecretPortuguese Breakfast, so many things to enjoy, Portuguese Coffee, Portuguese Cakes, Portuguese Bread, Portuguese Fruit Juice. The Portuguese love breakfast. They often eat on the way to work, or when they have arrived in town. Coffee is essential, often with fruit juice or water and usually a cake or some toast. Breakfast is usually much better in a cafe than Hotels where it is included in the price but can be dull. So it is better to stay in a place without breakfast - or to skip it and head onto the streets for the first treat of the day. A good breakfast for two will be around 5 euros.
Portuguese Coffee is excellent. The trade with Brazil ensured that the Portuguese developed a refined taste for the coffee bean. I lived on the border between Spain and Portugal and Spanish people came over to Portugal just to drink the superior coffee. In Lisbon a strong espresso is known as a Bica or Cafe, a lighter espresso is a Bica Cheia which means it is filled to the top of the cup.For the first coffee of the day many Lisboettas prefer a milkier mix, in a cup - a Meia de Leite, or in a glass - a Galao.An Expresso with a little milk is a Cafe Pingado. Portuguese cafes have to serve good coffee or people don't come back. They also have to have a good range of cakes. Places that make their own bread and cakes often have a sign saying "Fabrica Propia". The best cafes will always have locals drinking coffee at the bar. The Portuguese love tea. They were drinking it before the English ! They prefer it weaker than the average English brew so you may have to ask for "Forte" to get Breakfast tea strength.I love drinking tea and toast in the centre of Lisbon, reassuring and fascinating at the same time. Hot Chocolate is a specialty of Cafe Suiza in Rossio. Lovely on a cool winter morning and very popular with locals.
Cakes
The Portuguese have a rich tradition of cake making going back centuries. Many cakes were originally made by religious orders and were sold to well off customers as a way of providing funds. The famous Pasteis de Belem began in this way.A popular food to start the day in Portugal is a Croissant. There are two types. One is similar to the French croissant and is the other is breadier and often eaten with cheese and sometimes ham. The best way to choose is to have a good look at what is available when you enter a cafe.Some Croissants are filled with a type of custard. If you like really sweet food these are for you - but remember they can be very rich. Some Croissants come with almonds and a little custard, occasionally almond paste.Qeijadas are a type of cheese cake which is not too sweet and can also be eaten at breakfast.Pasteis de Nata or Pasteis de Belem - the Lisbon specialty - a delicious custard cake eaten with Cinnamon and Icing Sugar.Chocolate is not used extensively in traditional Portuguese sweets, it was once very expensive but now rich chocolate cakes are available in many cafes. The Austrian cafe in the Chiado "Kaffeehaus" is famous for chocolate cake. Nuts are also a popular ingredient especially walnuts and almonds. Try Bola de Noz - great with a long milky coffee.Be careful if you have allergies. 
Pasteis de Belem In the Historic Belem area, the most famous of Lisbon's Cafes - the homemade cakes are fantastic. Portuguese Breakfast Bread and ToastPortuguese Bread (Pao) pronounced "Pown" is a traditional highlight of the Country. Made from Wheat or Corn it can be sweet or sour, light or heavy. Many Portuguese Breads are light but not full of air, whole grain bread is also available and the heavy corn bread Broa is a speciality.There are also sweet breads some are for special occasions like Bola Rei, other Portuguese Sweet Breads can be eaten everyday. Small slightly sweet Milk Rolls can be great at a Portuguese Breakfast with a half milk coffee They are also used to make tapas style sandwiches in some Cafes- good with coffee or a beer. Rebanadas is bread soaked in juice and raisins and then cooked with egg and sugar - a real treat. The Portuguese love toast with coffee and often have this instead of Croissants. Some cafes offer a choice of square soft crusted bread "de forma" or Baggette. Our favourite is Pao de Forma with butter - the children love this. Ask for Torrada.They also like Tostas which are toated sandwiches. Tosta con Quejo is with Cheese or Tosta Mixta which is Cheese and Ham.Some places now also offer more adventurous possibilities like cured ham, salad and tuna. These are great for a late breakfast or brunch, with a fresh orange juice. Almost all Portuguese Cafes serve Tostas all day so you are never far away from a light snack and at 2,50 Euros (average) it doesn't break the budget.
At Portas do Sol a Sunday morning brunch is a great idea before or after visiting the nearby Castle. Portuguese Breakast - Best Lisbon LocationsTo really enjoy breakfast in Lisbon try different locations.Look over the Alfama at Puerto do Sol. Go Central in Rossio. Be Elegant in the Chiado. If you are in North Lisbon the best choice is Versaille near Saldhana. This is a must visit place, famed for it's elegant interior. The Esplanade at the Jardim Amalia is also a good choice right at the top of Edward V11 Gardens. there are good cafes also in the San Sebastiao area. More Central in Rossio Nicola is a must but Suiza opposite is not without it's fans. There are plenty of smaller place to explore in the Baixa with home made Portuguese Breakfast cakes on offer. In the Chiado drink coffee with the poet Pessoa at Brasileira, it is also more interesting inside than out. Not far away in Praca Flores - pao de canela is a good choice. Dont forget Belem where the Real Fabrica is the choice. After you have been there about twenty times you may also discover that the other cafes in the area are also mostly good ! For a view try the terrace of the Belem Cultural center.
For a view try the terrace of the Belem Cultural Center. The Art collection here is also a must. There is a modest cafe with really great views in the Departure Lounge of Cais Sodre for the boats going across the river. If you fancy heading to Cacilhas for the great views and food, this is a good place to get into the atmosphere. Try a modest Portuguese Breakfast right beside the river. You see Lisbon from a different perspective and learn about the people who commute to the city every day. For more on Lisbon cafes see our listings at
Great Lisbon Cafes
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