Portuguese Coffee

So the coffee here is espresso. When you order a “coffee” you’re going to get an espresso. I haven’t seen any “regular” coffee here. You can try to simulate it, but it’s just best not to. You might be tempted to get standard Italian drinks like a Cappucino, but generally most Portuguese coffee-makers are going to feel flummoxed and not do it right, and you won’t get what you expect.

Just drink Portuguese coffee. You won’t stress people out, and it’s good! And it’s super-duper cheap. And great for relaxing and chatting with friends or reading a book.

These are the ones I recommend.

If you don’t like Espresso flavor – find it too bitter, or strong – I would start with a “Meia de leite” – (pronounced “Maya day late”) this is a decent chunk of warm milk, and a shot of espresso. This is a good starting drink to figure out how you like things. I was able to introduce this to one of our local friends who’s been here for a few years already – she had been ordering cappucinos and had been constantly disappointed by them, and I suggested she try this. One of the next times I met her she was drinking a coffee, and it was this – she liked it! So this is a great starting point!

If that’s still too strong for you, you can try a “galão” – this is even milkier. The name is a bit of an insult – “boy” – because it’s designed to introduce younger folks to coffee. But if that’s the drink you like, then, please do enjoy it!

If, instead, the meia de leite is milkier than you think you might like – try a “café pingado” – literally translated to “coffee, dotted.” It’s an espresso with a little dollop of steamed milk in it – just a dot. It’s enough to cut the bitterness just a notch – and is my personal favorite. I have noticed that some places do these differently – there is a “café pingado normal” (normal) and a “café pingado cheio” (full). The ‘full’ ones mean they fill up the entire rest of the espresso cup with milk. Whereas the normal just means the dollop. The normal is what I prefer, but I’ve had the cheio and it’s fine too. I just find them too “chuggable” so I don’t end up taking the time to enjoy them properly.

The completely plain “café” is completely fine, and I sometimes order those just for simplicity. They’re great! Really nice to enjoy outside at a cafe, sitting at a table.

Another fun option that’s less common – but I do quite like – is a “café com cherinho” (“kah-FAY cong cherinyo”) – that’s a “coffee with a smell” (or maybe “fragrance”?). This is an espresso with a little splash of some brandy or something in it. It’s lovely later at night. It’s not going to get you super-messed-up or anything, but it’s just really nice. I had one with Beirão in it and it was lovely, but the other versions are also great too.

If you need go-juice, and you need it now, order a “café duplo” – a douple espresso. I’ve tried to get these “pingado’ed” and it usually causes a little bit of confusion, but it’s possible.

And, also, for completeness, you can order an ‘Americano’ – blech. But, you can order it. It’s an espresso with hot water in it. Don’t do this. They suck. Abatenado is another option that’s similar, and I would also avoid. But if that’s what you like, do it!

Coffees are best experienced at a kiosk (quiosque) or pasteleria, or something like that. But you can absolutely get one to-go (“para levar”) in a paper cup. I would tend to not do that as a matter of course though.

Coffee is important here, and is a focal point of a lot of interactions. Find the one you like the most!