We’ve created this lisbon coffee shop guide featuring our favorite lisbon coffee shops that serve specialty coffee. In other words, you’ll probably find us in one of these Lisbon cafes when you visit Portugal’s colorful capital.
sometimes we drink our daily dose in a cafe in lisbon along with brunch and other times we make a cup of filtered coffee at home. the jolt of caffeine energizes us while the refined taste satisfies our most demanding palates.
Reading: Best coffee in lisbon
brief history of the lisbon cafe scene
Lisbon’s classic cafes stay true to tradition, serving commercial coffee mass-produced by companies like Delta Coffee and Sical. On the positive side, this type of coffee in Portugal is cheap; an espresso often costs less than a euro.
however, as the expression goes, “you get what you pay for”. Bica, the popular name of a Portuguese drink, is usually drunk with 2 packets of sugar to counteract the bitter and burnt taste of the drink. you can pay as little as €0.60 for a shot. as for us, we prefer not to drink garbage.
New and modern coffee roasters roast their beans light to medium: the beans are never over-roasted to a “burnt” consistency. specialty roasts not only taste good, they also contain many positive properties, such as “recover” caffeine that is roasted from old world coffee blends.
Given the choice, we usually opt to pay a bit more for quality when visiting Lisbon cafes. Artisanal coffee is not cheap, it costs twice as much or more compared to basic products. That said, specialty coffee in Lisbon is a relative bargain compared to the cost in other European cities.
our favorite Lisbon cafés serving specialty coffee
lisbon may have been late in joining the third wave movement, but the city has now claimed a place at the party. As we learned while attending the inaugural Lisbon Coffee Festival in March 2019 and again in 2022, the city is brewing with good coffee. the city has both public cafes that roast coffee and independent roasters that produce coffee for direct sale.
Living like Lisboners, we’ve consumed enough cappuccinos and flat whites to become self-proclaimed experts on where to drink the best Lisbon specialty coffee. These are our picks for the best cafes in Lisbon for digital nomads and coffee connoisseurs:
1. milkmen
milkees deceives with its simply decorated location on a busy street in são sebastião, near the english court in lisboa. thanks to the passionate owners alexandre freitas & Joāo Pedro Erthal, the sophisticated café is a must-see for specialty coffee aficionados making their way through Lisbon.
Sourced from quality local produce, Freitas and Erthal serve bread from gleba and produce from several premium markets such as Mercado Biologico do Principe Real and Mercado 31 janeiro. They typically buy coffee from local roasters like Red Berry Coffee Lab (see below).
Needless to say, the cafe’s namesake dairy product is also local. the duo use fresh milk both to make coffee and to bake delicious cakes.
The milkees menu never disappoints, whether we’re having tomato pesto sandwiches, hummus with pita, or gorgonzola butternut squash soup. however, the erthal cookies are easily the cafe’s main attraction. The Michelin-trained chef loads his cookies with large chocolate chips and sprinkles them with fleur de sel flakes.
milkees is our local favorite when we want to work in a friendly environment. we enjoyed the cafeteria’s excellent coffee, satisfying food and attentive service. Plus, we count the café’s chocolate chip cookies among the best desserts in Portugal.
2. olisippo coffee roasters
Anthony Watson and Sofia Gonçalves opened Olisipo in 2018 inspired by their common love of coffee. Committed to both the local Lisbon neighborhood and the coffee drinkers “neighborhood”, the duo have created a welcoming space where coffee enthusiasts are warmly welcomed.
watson traveled the world, an adventure that included a stay on an Ethiopian coffee farm, before moving from london with gonçalves. Stunning photographs of his journey adorn the walls of Olysipo.
When you visit Olisipo, expect to drink coffee made from single-origin beans sourced from South American countries like Brazil, Honduras, and Peru, as well as Eastern Hemisphere countries like Burundi and Ethiopia. cold homemade beer is very easy to drink on hot summer Saturdays.
Although Olisipo’s location is off the Lisbon tourist trail, coffee fans can walk up the hill from Alcântra or take an Uber. The reward for this little effort is what we consider to be the best coffee in Lisbon.
Beyond coffee, Olisipo serves tea and beer. those who enjoy both coffee and beer can kill two birds with one stone by drinking a.m.o. beer made with Olisipo coffee.
3. buna specialty coffee shop
when it comes to locations, buna specialty coffee shop has found its happy place. The popular café moved to a charming corner of Rua São Bento in Lisbon’s Santos neighborhood in December 2021. Details like an antique cash register and an old-school record player add charm to the interior.
Although the location is relatively new, it feels right with its tiled floor and shelves stocked with coffee and coffee equipment. the cozy interior has a few tables; however, the outdoor space is a game changer with a handful of small tables that offer plenty of room for both dogs and strollers.
Sergio Godinho, one of the cafe’s owners, took the time to chat with us during our most recent visit, as he seems to do with everyone who walks through the door. The Portuguese investment banker lived in New York before returning to Lisbon where he later discovered his passion for specialty coffee.
buna’s coffee menu follows the specialty coffee playbook with a few extras like espresso tonic and iced japanese v60 options. we tried the latter during our most recent visit and found the cold brew to have deliciously bright fruity flavours. In contrast, we tried the batch of buna made with Salvadoran beans, which was more flavorful and vegetal. we liked both.
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buna has options without coffee, as well as a small food menu that includes croissants, bowls of granola, and a few different sandwiches. In other words, there is something for just about everyone at this café in Lisbon.
5. roasted coffee lab
we went to the roast coffee lab after hearing about alcântara coffee from a Lisbon barista of Russian descent. Russians apparently love specialty coffees and have several shops in Lisbon. who knew?
Open since November 2019, the roast coffee lab has quickly gained a reputation for its serious approach to roasting and brewing quality beans, as well as its clever list of cold drinks. many of these drinks combine cold beer with exotic ingredients like condensed coconut milk and lemongrass.
After drinking a “barista edition” flat white made with Colombian geisha beans and a cold “thai dispatch” beer, we were hooked. later we came back with our laptops and tried more drinks.
Beyond specialty coffee and despite its name, the Roast Coffee Lab serves a wide selection of specialty teas and a small but mighty brunch menu. maybe it should be called a roasted berry lab.
6. thanks mom coffee
thank you mom coffee is a coffee shop with benefits. those perks are bagels and babka. Anna Santos, a former partner at Buna Special Coffee Shop (see above), opened this coffee shop in Anjos in September 2020.
A creature of habit, Santos sources his coffee beans from Barcelona-based nomads, just as he did in Buna. after working as a barista in portland, he selected the spanish roaster over local options because of their respect for the beans and his preference for filter coffee.
Although Thank You Mom has only been open since September 2021, the cafe has become a destination for locals who appreciate good coffee and quality bagels. It’s also a popular spot for pet lovers who enjoy interacting with the boisterous staff dogs.
We fit into the first two categories as we like bagels as much as we like coffee. While we’ve had no trouble finding good coffee in Lisbon, finding decent bagels has proven more of a challenge. Baked on the cafe’s premises, these bagels are the best we’ve come across. ingredients like house-cured salmon and hummus take it to the next level.
While the cafe currently has an admirable coffee program and those aforementioned bagels that we love, we’re curious to see where thanks mom it goes in the future.
Right now, the cafe has a handful of tables plus a long counter with stools and a few racks of locally produced clothing. however, there is a large space in the back that currently acts as a blank canvas. Will it be used for coffee tastings and tastings, brunch seating, or more clothing? only time will tell.
7. the mill
We discovered the mill in the spring of 2018 and have since returned dozens of times thanks to the great coffee, delicious food and friendly service at the popular cafe. in fact, the mill is a go-to place during the winter, when fewer tourists crowd the café on a daily basis.
Open by Australians who moved to Lisbon, the mill combines Australian coffee food like avocado toast with Portuguese ingredients like piri-piri peppers. Menu options include toast, bowls, and eggs, as well as larger brunch plates.
With its fair prices and relaxed atmosphere, the mill is usually packed from early in the morning until it closes in the late afternoon. if you have time, stay for a glass of wine or a piece of cake. however, if you plan on getting some work done, please note that computers are only allowed on the long communal coffee table.
8. neighborhood
A relative newcomer to Lisbon’s specialty coffee scene, the neighborhood opened a shop in September 2019. This Santos Cafe adds an exciting element to the mix with its ristretto shots and Aussie sensibility.
Owner Ricky Foran shared with us that his baristas aren’t exactly coffee nerds, they just brew what they like. after trying the neighborhood’s smooth, rich cappuccino, we like what they like.
9. hello kristof
the name hello, kristof is ironic considering the portuguese owner’s name is ricardo. shouldn’t this café in lisbon be called hello, ricardo?
However, there’s nothing ironic about this intimate café inspired by its Scandinavian brethren. the design is minimalist, the space is inviting, and the coffee is impeccably crafted to order.
irony aside, ricardo galésio designed his version of the ideal café when he opened hello, kristof in 2016. the small room features a long communal table, as well as a few small tables where people can chat or read magazines that are lined up in the cafe. back wall. one table prohibits laptops, but computers are allowed at others.
As for coffee, Galésio obtains beans from the best European roasters. was serving kiss the hippo from london for espresso drinks and the goat from denmark during our most recent visit.
10. factory coffee roasters
Open since 2015, Fábrica Coffee Roasters has been serving some of the best coffee in Lisbon ever since the roastery opened its first coffee shop in the Avenida neighborhood. fast forward and factory now has several cafes in lisbon as well as locations in the north of porto.
both lisbon cafes have an urban and funky vibe that reminds us of places we’ve frequented in cities like portland and cape town. the coffee is also comparable. factory offers a variety of options for lovers of espresso-based drinks and pour overs.
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In addition to freshly roasted coffee available in cups or bags, the factory sells light coffee and baked goods like pasteis de natas and chocolate brownies. coffee fans can often smell the beans roasting in the back of the coffee shop.
We’d probably frequent the factory more often if their cafes in Lisbon offered free internet. instead we stop at factory when we need a coffee break when we are running errands in chiado. the service is friendly and the shop offers a comfortable respite from the hordes of lisbon tourists.
11. copenhagen coffee lab and bakery
denmark-based copenhagen coffee lab opened its first coffee shop in lisbon in 2015. considering that scandinavians consume more coffee than anyone else in the world, it’s no surprise that this nordic coffee lab is a leader in the coffee movement. third wave of lisbon.
Popular with Lisbon’s digital nomads, Copenhagen Coffee Lab roasts its beans in Denmark and serves them in a variety of espresso-based and pour-over beverages at its original Principe Real location, as well as newer cafes located in neighborhoods like alcântra, alfama, cais de sodré and santa clara. Offerings beyond coffee include Copenhagen-style sandwiches, salads, and pastries.
Discover our favorite Copenhagen bakeries.
We recommend accompanying your coffee with a cinnamon bun. this cake rarely disappoints in scandinavia as we personally discovered in denmark, finland, norway and sweden. Before you go, grab a loaf of homemade sourdough or dark rye bread to enjoy later.
14. simple
Off the tourist trail in the business district just off Marques de Pombal, this Lisbon cafe offers a comfortable space to grab a coffee and work. while the epic statue in the nearby plaza celebrates the man who led the city’s rebirth after the devastating 18th-century earthquake, simpli celebrates good coffee for all six days a week.
drinking coffee at simpli is a full sensory experience that begins with the taste of specialty home-roasted beans from central and south america, as well as africa. the sounds of music flow through the comfortable space and the aromas of roasted beans often waft from the back of the cafe. a friendly team of international coffee professionals completes the experience.
Beyond the simpli café, the café serves a food menu that includes pastries, excellent homemade bread, and a rotating lunch menu with dishes such as soup, focaccia, sandwiches, and Portuguese dishes. This Lisbon cafe also sells bags of roasted beans, both whole and ground to order.
15. jungle
Proving that Lisbon’s coffee scene is constantly changing, the popular farmhouse coffee changed ownership in 2019 and is now called Jungle. Despite these changes, co-owner Marek Bronstring has assured us that the trio of new Jungle owners are committed to serving quality specialty coffee in the cozy two-story Alcântara Café.
Although the new owners replaced the previous Barcelona roaster with locally roasted beans at Olisipo coffee roasters (see above), baristas continue to make flat whites and cappuccinos, as well as pour overs using Aeropess, Chemex and V60 devices. As for food, the menu features fresh and healthy options like smoothie bowls and toasties.
16. comoba
Located near the popular Time Out Market and across the street from Baobá Café (see above), Comoba is a stylish café serving a healthy menu plus a selection of specialty coffees and pastries. this lisbon cafe uses local ingredients and serves london coffee beans.
Despite being housed in a historic building, Comoba offers a modern menu filled with items appropriate for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diners. think chia porridge and smoothies, as well as fish tacos and breakfast burritos. For us, however, Comoba’s main attraction is its program of specialty coffees and cakes, both ideal for a mid-afternoon break after touring Lisbon.
18. dear breakfast
dear breakfast lives up to its name with a menu packed with a variety of breakfast items, including all kinds of eggs, plus smoothies, pancakes, croissants and yogurt parfait. Not only available in the morning, breakfast is served all day, every day at this Lisbon cafe.
Though Chef Raquel Patronilho takes breakfast seriously, Dear Breakfast retains a sense of whimsy with its clean design aesthetic and added elements like candles and fresh flowers. Open since 2017 in Sao Bento, the cafe’s windows open onto one of Lisbon’s many cobblestone sidewalks.
19. give it a try
during our impromptu initial visit, try it with beans from swedish morgon coffee roasters. Newer roasters include Kōyō specialty coffees from Portugal and Cafe Kima from Spain.
Since a friendly barista crafted our flat whites with care and served them with style, we’ll likely order flat whites again, unless we feel like serving them. however, next time we will definitely bring our laptops.
20. the real rawness
The aroma of freshly roasted coffee wafts through the air in real rawness. Not only do the baristas brew coffee with Café Lisboa’s gleaming La Marzocco machine, but the employees roast coffee beans from South America, Asia and Africa in the back of the café.
additional lisbon cafes
bonus choice – bettina & niccolò corallo
sometimes we’re thirsty but not in the mood for coffee. It’s weird but it happens. for moments like these, bettina & Niccolò Corallo offers a hot chocolate option that makes us swoon.
chocolate lovers don’t have to drink their passion at bettina & Nicolo Corallo. They can also eat bars, brownies and sorbets made with chocolate produced on the family’s farm located in São Tomé and Príncipe de África.
see the latest web history.
original publication date: October 1, 2019new publication date: August 9, 2020
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