The Café A Brasileira is a café at 120 Rua Garrett, in the civil parish of Sacramento, near the Baixa-Chiado metro stop and close to the University. One of the oldest and most famous cafés in the old quarter of Lisbon and constantly active, the shop was opened by Adrian Telles to import and sell Brazilian coffee in the 19th century, then a rarity in the households of Lisbon. Over time the space became the meeting point for intellectuals, artists, writers and free-thinkers weathering financial difficulties and finally a tourist attraction, as much as another coffee shop.
The iconic façade of the Café A Brasileira with the figure of Fernando Pessoa at his usual table
A Brasileira in 1911, photo by Joshua Benoliel.
Exterior façade of A Brasileira, with ornamental door and boilerplate
The always active counter of A Brasileira during mid-afternoon
A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves various types of coffee, espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caffeinated beverages. A coffeehouse may also serve food, such as light snacks, sandwiches, muffins, fruit, or pastries. In continental Europe, some cafés also serve alcoholic beverages. Coffeehouses range from owner-operated small businesses to large multinational corporations. Some coffeehouse chains operate on a franchise business model, with numerous branches across various countries around the world.
The Café de Flore in Paris is one of the oldest coffeehouses in the city. It is celebrated for its famous clientele, which included high-profile writers and philosophers.
A coffeehouse in Cairo, 18th century
A coffeehouse in London, 17th century
A Viennese café