14 of the best brunch spots in Porto, Portugal you can't miss
Looking for the best brunch in Porto, Portugal? This guide shares 14 of the city’s best cafés and brunch spots.
The beautiful banks of the Duoro River call for late evenings spent strolling the streets of Porto. And, late nights call for slower starts to the day— enter brunch. The city of Porto is reflected in its brunch scene— diverse and ultra laidback. If you’re on the hunt for the best brunch in Porto, whether you’re looking for #basic avocado toast or more traditional Portuguese breakfast cuisine, this post has your cravings covered.
While traditional Portuguese fare is heavy and satiating, Porto has a blossoming brunch scene with plenty of vegan options, trendy interiors, and stunning views for your morning coffee. Read on for the 14 best brunch spots in Porto, Portugal.
how to get to porto ↴
Before you can enjoy brunch in Porto, you have to get to the city! Luckily, getting to Porto, Portugal is easy and convenient. The city is served by Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, located just 11 kilometers from the city center. International visitors can fly directly to Porto from major cities across the world and throughout Europe including London, Paris, Madrid, and New York.
Alternatively, Porto has daily train connections to Lisbon and other major Portuguese cities. The city can also be reached by bus, with frequent services from major Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona. I recommend using Flixbus to get around Europe, as the buses are clean, punctual, and budget-friendly.
best time to visit porto ↴
I suggest visiting Porto during the shoulder seasons: spring (from March through May) and autumn (from September through November). During these months, the weather is mild and pleasant, there are fewer crowds, and prices for accommodation are lower. Visiting during shoulder season also means that you can enjoy Porto without the heat and the crowds.
Spring | Azaleas and camellias are in bloom, the temperatures are cooler, and there are fewer visitors during the spring.
Summer | July and August are the hottest months in Porto, but the temperature usually sits around 25ºC. This is peak tourist season, so expect crowds.
Autumn | Foiliage throughout the city is absolutely stunning. The temperatures are still pleasant, but you might need a jacket in the evenings.
Winter | Temperatures are typically mild but expect wind and rain. January is typically the coldest month in Porto.
14 best cafés in porto↴
Majestic Café
This one feels like a bit of a cheat, as its brunch options are pretty limited. However, I had to include Majestic Café in this guide. Some call it a classic, though most locals avoid it altogether. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, there is no doubt that Majestic Café is a landmark eatery in Porto. Is it overpriced? 10000%! Was its sophisticated decor and elegant interior intimidating for two tourists just looking to experience the place? Ummm…yeah. I was wearing jeans, guys. Even still, I sipped my espresso as if I belonged. Despite me being an underdressed traveller for maybe the first time in my adult life, I still maintain that you have to drop in and grab an espresso at the very least.
My Coffee Porto
My Coffee Porto makes this list more for its views and location than for its brunch. Pastries and smoothie bowls make up a majority of the breakfast menu, but the café has views of the Duoro River that make it an ideal setting for a specialty coffee in the morning.
Vogue Café
Just as the name suggests, Vogue Café is the trendiest place for brunch in Porto. The bright interior is complemented with vintage Vogue magazine covers blown up in chic frames. The menu is as decadent as the setting is fashionable. For those with a sweet tooth, there are pancakes served with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. For the health-conscious, there are eggs served with locally produced white asparagus and mushrooms. For those with an adventurous side, Vogue offers bread from Alentejo and sweet quinoa. Whatever your taste or budget, Vogue is a beautiful place to stop in for brunch and to flip through some of their old Vogue issues, scattered on every table in the place.
Epoca Café
If you have one breakfast in Porto, make it the Turkish Eggs on Homemade Sourdough at Epoca. Everything about this café was ideally suited to my brunch taste— the light and minimalist aesthetic, the food menu, the coffee, etc.
Nola Kitchen
Organic. Guilt-free. Light. These are just some of the words I’d use to describe the food at Nola Kitchen. Most of the food at Nola is vegan or can be made vegan to order. Nola serves coffee from a local Porto roaster, which washed down my pumpkin pancakes a treat. On top of that, it’s one of the most affordable brunch spots I ate at while in Porto.
Honolulu Coffee + Food
Honolulu Coffee and Food is a bit of an outlier. Its “Hawaiian lūʻau” decor (which was really just tiki-style props) is a bit silly, but the food is delicious and the menu prices are fair. It’s a small place with limited seating, but the space feels more warm and friendly than “cramped”. I opted for something a little smaller off the menu: a savoury scone served with jam and butter accompanied by a tight-foam cappuccino.
Negra Café
While it’s not super cultural, Negra Café is, nonetheless a great place to grab breakfast. The decor inside Negra is a bit of old-school glamour. Black and white photos of celebrities hang on the wall holding Negra Café coffees; a clever (and kind of funny) marketing ploy. Old typewriters and vintage televisions complete the “Hollywood” vibe. As “hokey” as I found the café’s decorations, I could look past it all thanks to the delicious fruit bowl and pancake stack I scarfed down. I rate Negra’s food as some of the best brunch I had while visiting Porto.
O Diplomata
O Diplomata is a pancake lover’s paradise. Thick, fluffy stacks of glorious pancakes with butter and honey or opt for berry compote. The menu goes so far as to offer pancakes topped with ice cream and chocolate fudge, though I stuck to the simpler menu options. Sure, you can grab classic breakfast options like toast with eggs and beans, but why miss out on the signature stacks at O Diplomata?
Noshi
Noshi Coffee is a bright space with vegetarian and vegan options on the menu and a small, open-air courtyard with plants hanging above patron tables. I enjoyed the “veggie toast” and a coffee, which was really the equivalent of an espresso. The sunshine in the outdoor space was a refreshing way to start the day and the staff were super friendly. I highly recommend a stop here, especially if you have “special” dietary requirements.
Nicolau Porto
Nicolau Porto, the sister café to the Lisbon location, is a bright and airy space. The walls are adorned with neon signage and artwork. Nicolau is surely the most aesthetic café in the city, with a menu that’s as winning as its food offerings. Fluffy pancakes, healthy green juices, and acai bowls are just some of Nicolau’s menu items.
Bird of Passage
Bird of Passage has a creative menu filled with items like brunch summer rolls. Don’t fret, friends! For those who aren’t quite ready for a more unique brunch experience, there are staples on offer and all the regular coffee goodies you’d expect from any café.
Zenith Brunch & Cocktails Bar
My favourite brunch in Porto was at Zenith, where we sat and ate near the door at a low, wooden table on beautiful jewel-toned chairs. This little spot and its exposed brick interior is the epitome of modern brunch. Infused with local flavours and a hip ambience, if there is one place you go for late breakfast in Porto, this is it. My avocado with poached egg on toast and flat white were spot on and so was the If you’re looking for the place to sip sangria and grab your favourite foods to start your day.
7g Roaster
7g Roaster in the Vila Nova de Gaia part of the city has a fully-vegan brunch menu. Muffins, vegan cheese, acai bowls with granola and fruit, filtered coffee, and breads with jam and non-dairy butter. The other two menu options let you try other treats like velhotes da Braguesa, a type of traditional sweet bread from Gaia, made with eggs and sugar.
Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker
Located on Rua de Almada, Do Norte Café has a homey aesthetic. While the café has a relatively small food menu, the offerings are mouth-watering and out-of-the-box. They also serve perfected specialty coffee that went down a treat first thing in the morning.
map ↴
Find all the best brunch spots in Porto, Portugal on the map below.
