A Brasileira, Lisbon Travel Guide

Free Guide: Lisbon's 1905 literary café: birthplace of bica espresso, Pessoa's haunt with Art Deco charm and iconic statue in vibrant Chiado.

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A Brasileira

A brief summary of A Brasileira

Lisbon's 1905 literary café: birthplace of bica espresso, Pessoa's haunt with Art Deco charm and iconic statue in vibrant Chiado.

Lisbon's iconic café since 1905 in Chiado, birthplace of the bica espresso and haunt of poet Fernando Pessoa. Art Deco interior, historic bronze statue outside, perfect for coffee amid literary legacy and bustling street life.[1][2][3]

0.5–2 hrsTime to spend
$$Mid-range
Indoor & outdoorSetting
5 / 5Mobile signal

On-site amenities

  • Restrooms
  • Food options
  • Drink options
  • Seating areas
4.1 Very good · 8,034 Google reviews
Plan your visit

Opening hours

  • Every day8 am–12 am

Opening hours as listed on the venue’s Google Business Profile. Hours can change for services and special events, so check with the venue before you go.

Address
R. Garrett 122, 1200-205 Lisboa
Phone
Website

Getting there

Walking

5-min walk from Baixa-Chiado metro (Green/Blue lines); free, pedestrian streets.

Tram

Tram 28E stop 10 min walk; €3 ticket, frequent but crowded.

Taxi/Uber

€5-8 from Rossio Square, 5 min; traffic-dependent in Chiado.

Discover more about A Brasileira

History and Origins

A Brasileira opened on November 19, 1905, in Chiado by Adriano Telles, who returned from Brazil with premium coffee beans. To promote the then-unfamiliar bitter drink, he offered free cups with every kilo sold, inventing the strong bica espresso. The café quickly became Lisbon's cultural hub, drawing intellectuals post-1910 Republic.[1][2][3]

Literary Legacy

Fernando Pessoa, Portugal's famed poet, frequented here for bica and absinthe, inspiring Modernism alongside Mário de Sá-Carneiro and Almada Negreiros via Orpheu magazine. A 1988 bronze statue by Lagoa Henriques outside commemorates Pessoa, inviting poses amid Chiado's vibrancy.[1][2][4]

Art Deco Interior

Designed by Manuel Norte Júnior, the Parisian-style façade and 1920s-renovated interior feature wooden booths, mirrored walls, brass fittings, decorated ceilings, and Portuguese paintings. Classified as public interest since 1997, it earned 'Lojas com História' in 2017.[3][5]

Atmosphere and Today

Terrace buzzes with street performers; inside offers cheaper counter orders. Open 8am-2am daily, it serves bica, pastries, tosta mista. Tourist-packed yet authentic slice of history in pedestrian-friendly Chiado near Baixa-Chiado metro.[1][2][5]

Chiado Location

At Rua Garrett 120-122, heart of elegant shopping and theaters, steps from literary haunts. Moderate prices, strong coffee tradition endures despite crowds.[1][3]

Evendo Review Centre

Reviews from Google
By star rating

Guest reviews

Best time to go

Quietest: Jan, Feb & Mar · at 3am or at 4am or at 5am

How busy it gets, month by month Estimated
  1. Jan: 60% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  2. Feb: 60% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  3. Mar: 70% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  4. Apr: 80% of the busiest month
  5. May: 90% of the busiest month
  6. Jun: 90% of the busiest month
  7. Jul: 100% of the busiest month
  8. Aug: 100% of the busiest month
  9. Sep: 90% of the busiest month
  10. Oct: 90% of the busiest month
  11. Nov: 70% of the busiest month
  12. Dec: 80% of the busiest month
How busy it gets, hour by hour Estimated
  1. 12am: 40% of the busiest hour
  2. 1am: 30% of the busiest hour
  3. 2am: 20% of the busiest hour
  4. 3am: 10% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  5. 4am: 10% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  6. 5am: 10% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  7. 6am: 10% of the busiest hour
  8. 7am: 20% of the busiest hour
  9. 8am: 50% of the busiest hour
  10. 9am: 60% of the busiest hour
  11. 10am: 70% of the busiest hour
  12. 11am: 80% of the busiest hour
  13. 12pm: 90% of the busiest hour
  14. 1pm: 90% of the busiest hour
  15. 2pm: 80% of the busiest hour
  16. 3pm: 80% of the busiest hour
  17. 4pm: 90% of the busiest hour
  18. 5pm: 90% of the busiest hour
  19. 6pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  20. 7pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  21. 8pm: 90% of the busiest hour
  22. 9pm: 80% of the busiest hour
  23. 10pm: 70% of the busiest hour
  24. 11pm: 60% of the busiest hour

Busy times are Evendo estimates for a typical year, to help you plan. Actual crowds vary with events, school holidays and the weather.

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