Café A Brasileira

Step into the heart of Chiado and find yourself before Café A Brasileira, arguably the most famous coffee house in all of Portugal. Opened in 1905 by Adriano Telles, a man who had made his fortune in the coffee trade in Brazil,…

The most photographed spot at A Brasileira is the life-sized bronze statue of Fernando Pessoa, created by sculptor Lagoa Henriques in 1988 to mark the centenary of the poet's birth. Pessoa is depicted sitting at a small round…

Before going inside, take a moment to admire the exterior facade of A Brasileira. While the cafe opened in 1905, the facade we see today was designed in 1922 by the architect Norte Júnior. …

As you step inside, the sensory experience changes completely. The air is thick with the scent of roasted coffee, and the interior is a masterclass in early 20th-century design. …

You cannot visit A Brasileira without ordering a 'bica.' In Lisbon, this is the standard term for a small, strong cup of black coffee, similar to an Italian espresso. The origin of the word is said to be linked to this very cafe. …

In 1915, A Brasileira became the headquarters of the 'Orpheu' group, a collection of writers and artists who launched the literary magazine of the same name. This magazine was the spark that ignited the modernist revolution in…

Behind the literary glory of A Brasileira stands the figure of Adriano Telles, a visionary entrepreneur who understood the power of branding long before it was a modern concept. Telles had emigrated to Brazil as a young man and…

As we conclude our visit to Café A Brasileira, take one final look around this extraordinary space. From the pensive bronze gaze of Fernando Pessoa outside to the gilded mirrors and modern art within, this cafe is a microcosm of…