12 Specialty Coffee Cafés in Porto You Don’t Want to Miss

Portugal has a strong coffee culture, and you can find good traditional coffee almost anywhere. Every restaurant, café, and bar has good espresso. You will discover decent espressos at highway gas stations, large retailers, and even hospital cafeterias.

Most coffee drinks in Porto are espresso-based; however, if you are looking for a specialty roast, pour-over coffee, non-dairy milk, coffee art, or a matcha latte, you will need to find a specialty coffee shop.

We are an American family living in Porto. We love knowing a few quiet, calm spaces to stop and grab a coffee (and maybe a treat) when we are downtown.

This is a list we have created of our favorite specialty coffee spots. It includes a variety of cafes- some of which are specialty roasters, some are bakeries, and some offer a full brunch. In this article, we’ll cover what each cafe provides and why we recommend these spots to our family and friends.

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The most traditional coffee drinks in Porto are a “café normal” (a single shot of espresso) and a “meia de leite” (half espresso, half steamed milk, a drink that falls somewhere between a cortado and a cappuccino).

Most traditional cafes do not offer alternative milk options or more complicated drinks. These specialty coffee houses offer a more diverse menu, although this often comes with a higher price tag.

Love a simple espresso? Check out how to order coffee like a local.

Manteigaria has some of the best pastel de nata, and here you can actually watch them being made. The bakers here move with the practiced ease of experience, drawing even the adults to the glass to watch.

While this is one of the more touristy spots, it feels effortlessly stylish and comfortable. It can be busy, so have one person wait in line while someone else grabs seats. It is still a great place to relax and enjoy your favorite coffee drink.

Location: R. de Alexandre Braga 24. Open Daily 8 am – 9 pm

The coffee here is well-balanced, and the baristas are top-notch, creating beautiful coffee art. I love their flat white, and you should try one of their cinnamon rolls if you can. They also offer avocado toast and a variety of food options.

Known to locals and found by lucky tourists, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. You’ll find tall plants, dim lighting, and big mirrors. Come for a quick coffee or stay for a light meal. They kindly request that you refrain from bringing your laptop on the weekends.

Location: R. do Morgado de Mateus nº29. Open Daily 9 am – 5 pm

Influenced by Korean café culture, the environment is modern, friendly, and laid back. This is a great place to come alone or to meet up with friends.

Don’t miss this hidden gem- everything here is thoughtfully presented. Coffee is served on a bamboo plate with a little glass of sparkling water. Our kids loved the fresh scones with yuzu cream.

Location: Rua de Anselmo Braamcamp 14. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm.

The little shop fills quickly, but it’s worth a visit as its small outdoor seating area offers lovely views overlooking the Ribiera, the Douro River, and Gaia.

For a touristy area, a simple espresso is very reasonably priced, but you can also find single-origin filtered coffee, milky coffees with lovely coffee art, and non-dairy options.

This café is best for couples or small groups, as it’s a small place. However, we managed to squeeze in a party of four and enjoyed their coffee and pastries.

Location: Escadas do Codeçal 22. Open Daily 9 am – 5 pm

On sunny days, you will find plenty of outside seating, but I love the inside of this place with its warm vibe and casual, intimate atmosphere.

The coffee here is top-notch, and the presentation is lovely as well. The owner is very friendly; he told us they roast their own beans, exclusively Colombian, once or twice a week, and make all of the pastries in-house.

We love their banana bread, but everything here is delicious. They also serve brunch, lunch, and dinner on Thursday through Saturday, and have a back room with long tables available for seating larger groups.

Location: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 136. Open Daily 9:30 am – 6 pm, Open for Dinner Thursday – Saturday

You’ll find a spacious, open room with a bar at the center and large glass windows on one end. The vibe is almost hipster, with a piano, small tables, and funky barber chairs.

C’alma feels different than other cafes as it is not easy to pop in and out, so it invites you to stay longer and enjoy yourself. Fresh pastries are available, but people come here primarily for the coffee and to escape the bustle outside.

Not sure what to order? Try an espresso or brew flight! They also have cold brew and nitro cold brew on draft.

Location: R. de Sampaio Bruno 12, 2° piso. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm.

The place often fills up, and there is limited space at the entrance where you order before taking a seat.

You will have several options for what type of beans you want in your coffee. They rotate regularly, so check the signs or ask what they are currently serving. Some coffee is better in a milky drink to mellow it. Your coffee will be served with a small card explaining the origin of the beans.

The seating is lovely and intimate, with small tables in the back and a large communal table upstairs, perfect for getting lost in conversations with friends.

Location R. de Sá de Noronha 119. Open Daily 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

At 7g Café, they roast their own beans and offer a range of options from classic espresso to slow brews. The café is spacious and modern, featuring lovely outdoor seating and a full brunch menu that makes it especially good for families.

The kids love the pancakes, while we usually order a flat white or try one of their single-origin filters. It’s the perfect stop before or after visiting a port cellar, when you need a rest or a bite to eat.

Be sure to check out the sculpture Half Rabbit by Bordalo II, around the corner at R. Guilherme Gomes Fernandes and R. Dom Afonso III

Location: R. de França 10. Open Weekdays 8:30 am – 5 pm, Weekends 8:30 am – 6 pm

MiBa is situated in the Cedofeita neighborhood, which is home to numerous art galleries, shops, and restaurants. From Igreja do Carmo, head up Praça de Carlos Alberto to R. de Cedofeita, a pedestrian-only street.

By the time you reach the bakery, you will be ready for a coffee and a treat. Have a seat at the window bar and watch people pass by, or head upstairs for table seating.

Location: R. de Cedofeita 385. Open Wednesday – Saturday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm, and Sunday 9 am – 1 pm

CA Downtown is always bustling and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. In good weather, there is lovely seating out front. There is also a beautiful main dining room with hanging baskets above, as well as additional seating downstairs.

Family-run, now by three children of the original owners, CA Downtown focuses on fresh ingredients, traditional favorites, and some original flavor combinations.

We loved their Matcha Slushy and the Iced Matcha Latte with Strawberries. Don’t be fooled by the bright pictures on the menu; these drinks are made with fresh ingredients and real fruit. The coffee is strong, and I loved their cortado, which you can get with oat milk if you prefer.

Some of our brunch favorites are the Berries Pancake and the Slow-cooked Beef Brisket & Rösti.

Praça de Carlos Alberto 89. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 8:15 am – 4:30 pm

The vibe is slightly industrial, but their fully covered outdoor seating area makes a great place to enjoy a coffee or brunch, regardless of the weather.

(Rain? Check out our list of rainy day activities in Porto.)

You can find a great mix of local and international coffee drinks. I always like the Pingo/Cortado, and our girls love the Babyccinos (this is steamed milk, no coffee, for kids). They also have a range of fresh fruit smoothies, as well as more intense milkshakes.

There is also a full brunch and lunch menu for those interested in more than just a coffee and a treat.

Location: R. de 31 de Janeiro 215. Open Daily 8:30 am – 6 pm

They roast their own beans here in Porto and use an even split of Brazilian and Colombian coffee beans. You can also find oat and soy milk alternatives if you like.

The food here is delicious and comes in large portions. If you’re looking for a full, hearty brunch or English-style breakfast, this is the place.

R. das Flores 146. Open Monday – Saturday 8:30 am – 4 pm, and Sunday 8 am – 4 pm

The cafe has a simple, minimalist aesthetic. You place your order on the tablet at the counter or on their app, and the staff will bring it to you.

They offer a range of drinks from pure drip coffee to lattes and matchas. Their signature drinks include a Flat Caramel (a latte with caramel) and a Matcha Tonka Latte (a matcha-based latte with vanilla syrup).

In the summer, this is a popular spot for a refreshing iced latte with matcha, caramel, strawberry, or coconut flavors. They also have a pastry selection, including brownies and slices of lemon cake.

Location: R. de Avis 43. Open Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 7 pm, Weekends 9 am – 7 pm

They also have a location in Matosinhos. Check out all the reasons to visit!

Here are a few basics:

• Um café is a standard espresso.
• Um meia de leite is half espresso, half milk, usually served in a teacup.
• Um galão is similar to a latte, usually served in a tall glass.

A simple espresso at traditional pastelarias is usually around €1, while specialty cafés will charge more. Portuguese typically use a coffee blend that is strong and smooth; however, you can also find single-origin coffees and different types of roasts at specific coffee shops.

Check out our full guide here: How to Order Coffee in Porto.

There You Have It

Porto’s coffee culture is as varied as the city itself. From grand historic cafés to sleek specialty roasters, bustling bakeries, and hopping brunch spots, there’s something here for everyone.

Whether you are looking for your first coffee of the day, brunch out with friends or family, or a quiet place to work, you will find it here.

Each spot has its own atmosphere, style, and focus, but all of them share a passion for coffee and are worth a visit.

Is there a coffee spot you think we’re missing? We’d love to hear your favorites!

Feeling hungry? Read up on traditional Portuguese dishes. Check out our favorites places to try authentic Portuguese food, or browse our list of non-traditional favorites.

First time in Porto? Check out our 1-day or 3-day itineraries.