The capital’s cafés and pastry shops have always been places of union and gathering, and some have been since the 18th century.
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Martinho da Arcada (1782)
For 238 (!) years, Martinho da Arcada has been bringing life and the aroma of coffee to Praça do Comércio.
Founded on January 7, 1782, it was an innovation for the time, in a city dominated by taverns, and had many names until it settled on the nomenclature “Martinho da Arcada” in 1845.
It is a café and a restaurant and, for more than two centuries, it has been a haven for rulers, politicians, soldiers, artists and writers.
However, the most illustrious regular was Fernando Pessoa, who wrote some poems here.
Address: Praça do Comércio 3 (Baixa)
National Confectionery (1829)
Operating since 1829, the Confeitaria Nacional is still owned by the family that founded it.
Although it was initially set up like the Parisian patisseries, it soon began to produce very traditional delicacies – the bolo-rei is undoubtedly one of the house’s ex-libris and it is said that it was in this establishment that the cake was first sold in Portugal in 1870.
Address: Praça da Figueira 18B (Baixa)
Pastelaria Benard (1868)
In 1868, Élie Benard opened a pastry shop in Rua do Loureto and this was the starting point of the emblematic Pastelaria Benard, which later moved to Rua Garrett, in Chiado, in 1902.
It should be noted that the term “pastelaria” only began to be used in 1926, when the City Council began to tax the signs of establishments in foreign languages.
In the 1940s, the Pastelaria came under new management and the space hosted memorable events, including a dinner for Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Portugal in 1957. The star of the house is still the croissants.
Address: Rua Garrett 104 (Chiado)
A Brasileira (1905)
After the first Brasileira opened in Porto in 1903, the capital soon received a similar space, inaugurated in 1905.
Although there was another in Rossio, it’s the one in Chiado that still stands today, where Pessoa has been welcoming us on the terrace since 1988.
It is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic places in Chiado and was the scene of intellectual and artistic gatherings that marked the beginning of the 20th century in Lisbon.
Address: Rua Garrett 122 (Chiado)
Pastelaria Versailles (1922)
Opened in 1922, Versailles served as the cultural and social hub of Avenidas Novas – it was the first large café in the neighborhood.
Fortunately, it has remained true to itself and tourists are still rare here. All the pastries are divine, but we still love the croquettes.
Address: Avenida da República 15 A (Avenidas Novas)
Café Nicola (1929)
What started out as Botequim do Nicola (the Italian who founded it in the 18th century) became Café Nicola in 1929.
In 1935, the space was finally renovated with the details that are now its trademark, especially the paintings by Bocage and the deco style.
It was, in fact, one of the poet’s favorite spaces and he can still be felt in a statue in the dining room. It will always be remembered as a meeting place for intellectuals and social agitators.
Address: Praça Dom Pedro IV 24/25 (Rossio)
And while we’re on the subject of coffee, it’s always worth remembering the Cafés Negrita, founded in 1924 and currently holds the title of Lisbon’s oldest coffee roaster.