Coffee is the fuel that keeps Lisbon running. A bica — the local name for espresso — is taken seriously here, drunk quickly at a marble counter, rarely with milk. But alongside that tradition, a genuine specialty coffee scene has grown up over the past decade. We love both worlds.
Here are the spots we keep coming back to.
Fábrica Coffee Roasters
One of the pioneers of specialty coffee in Lisbon. They roast their own beans and take their craft seriously. With a few locations around the city, they offer a consistently excellent cup in a relaxed, industrial-chic setting.
Best for: Specialty coffee purists and travellers who need a high-quality flat white.
Why we love it: Their beans are sourced directly from farmers, and the staff genuinely know what they’re doing. It’s our go-to when we need a serious caffeine fix.
A Brasileira (Chiado)
One of Lisbon’s oldest and most iconic cafés, with stunning Art Deco interiors that haven’t changed in decades. Famously frequented by the poet Fernando Pessoa, whose bronze statue sits outside on the terrace.
Best for: History lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and first-time visitors.
Our tip: Skip the expensive terrace tables. Do as the locals do — stand at the beautiful wooden counter, order a quick bica, and pay a fraction of the price while soaking in the atmosphere.
Copenhagen Coffee Lab
A Danish bakery and coffee shop that has found a devoted following in Lisbon. Excellent, consistently pulled coffee paired with some of the best Scandinavian pastries in the city.
Best for: Slow mornings, working from a café, and pastry lovers.
Why we love it: The cardamom bun pairs flawlessly with a batch brew or an oat milk latte. It’s become an unlikely Lisbon staple.
Bettina & Corallo (Príncipe Real)
Part café, part chocolate laboratory. The owner sources cocoa and coffee directly from their own plantations in São Tomé and Príncipe. Small, intimate, and entirely centred around quality.
Best for: Chocolate lovers and anyone who appreciates a truly artisanal experience.
Our tip: Order an espresso — it arrives perfectly paired with a small piece of their extraordinary 70% chocolate. It sounds simple. It isn’t.
Our Recommendation
For a real taste of everyday Lisbon, have a bica standing at the counter of a traditional pastelaria near our apartments. To understand where the city’s coffee culture is heading, spend a morning at Fábrica Coffee Roasters.
Our apartments all have coffee machines for lazy mornings in — but we’ll always encourage you to step outside and explore.
Coming to Lisbon? Browse our apartments and save when you book direct.