Lisbon: Your Morning Coffee
It’s crucial to get that first sip of the day right.
One of the great joys on holiday is the opportunity to wake up naturally, and take the time to stroll and discover that perfect little coffee stop for your first taste of the day. The place where you can come to and watch the world warm up. These are some of the prettiest, best situated and most welcoming coffee and breakfast places in Lisbon — start the day with one of these (especially with an accompanying custard tart!) and you’ll be smiling till sundown. Here are our top 5 favourites, but you’ll find many more recommendations in the guide below:
La Boulangerie
Cute breakfast and brunch spot serving a range of hot and cold dishes, which you can enjoy either inside the minimally decorated space or outside on the sunny balcony. If you’re looking for coffee with a view, then this is a good place to head. It’s also a very short walk away from the main tourist drag, so you are guaranteed a bit of peace to enjoy your first coffee of the day.
Antiga Confeitaria
This landmark bakery/cafe offers traditional Portuguese baked goods including tarts, cakes, pies and breads, alongside a range of hot beverages. There is ample seating indoors, though queues can still build up during peak weekend hours. Aim for a seat indoors if you like — but our tip is to get a takeaway, then head to the monastery grounds for a breakfast in the sunshine.
Copenhagen Coffee Lab
This local outpost of a successful Danish coffee shop is set on a picturesque cobbled street and offers *excellent* coffee, Scandinavian pastries and snacks. It’s extremely popular with trendy locals and ex-pats alike, but the reason for that is because it is wonderful. Definitely visit if you’re in the area.
Tartine
One of the more trendy places in the city, Tartine is where Lisbon’s practicing hipsters get their breakfast. In this instance however follow the hipsters, they usually know their brunch. This popular breakfast spot and cafe serves a range of pastries, cooked breakfasts and freshly brewed coffees to a bustling local and tourist crowd. There’s adequate seating inside, while the attractive closed garden at the back provides some outdoor space.
Manteigaria
Despite being one of the smaller bakeries in the city, Manteigaria is known between locals as selling the best Pasteis de Nata in the city. Try it for yourself — they are open everyday at 8am on the dot. There aren’t any seats available inside, but that doesn’t matter when the sun is shining, and you have a freshly baked custard tart and a perfectly brewed espresso in your hand.
For all of these breakfast and coffee spots, and a few more, make sure to check out the full Pearlshare guide below:
