Porto, Portugal’s second-largest and arguably coolest city, is full of hidden gems just waiting to be explored. Behind its grungy exterior (think: abandoned buildings and general disrepair), the city is home to a burgeoning specialty coffee scene, with hipster cafés and brunch spots popping up on its corners. Here we’ve listed our favourite cafés in Porto where you can enjoy the best coffee, each offering something a little different.
Top 10 specialty coffee spots in Porto
1. SO Coffee Roasters
Location: R. de Sá de Noronha 119
If you’re looking for the best specialty coffee in Porto, SO Coffee Roasters has got to be our top pick. Located in the city centre, yet tucked away from busier tourist strips, SO Coffee Roasters is the perfect place to get your daily caffeine fix. “SO”, short for the Portuguese word for “southwest”, refers to the café's roots, where Portugal and Porto are located in Europe.
From responsibly sourcing the best beans to roasting and expertly preparing the perfect cup of coffee, SO Coffee Roasters just does everything right. Plus, they’re laptop-friendly, so if you need to do a couple of hours of work or study, head upstairs to their big shared table to get it done.
@socoffeeroasters
2. At Street.Coffee
Location: R. de Santa Teresa 4
Photo: At Street.Coffee Instagram
Not far from SO Coffee Roasters, At Street.Coffee is another institution for specialty coffee in Porto that is not to be missed. This café has a cozy atmosphere and offers a range of sweet treats including the famous pasteis de nata baked in-house. As well as espresso, At Street.Coffee also offers pour-over coffees brewed to perfection.
@atstreet.coffee
3. Hakko
Location: Rua do Rosário 313
Photo: New Day To Explore
We love Hakko, a café and brunch spot serving expertly prepared specialty coffee in Porto. Close enough to the centre but a few streets away from the hustle and bustle, Hakko offers a range of delicious pastries (we love the cardamom buns), a unique brunch menu, and a selection of local products including natural wines in their very cool, contemporary café. For good food and great specialty coffee in Porto, don’t miss a visit to Hakko.
@hakko_house_
4. Época Porto
Location: Rua de Cândido dos Reis, 24
At Época Porto, specialty coffee meets creativity. Check out their weekly sample menu highlighting seasonal, local ingredients, and make sure to order their fresh sourdough bread baked in-house on the side. The café also hosts regular events including themed lunches and markets so make sure to follow them on social media so you can mark the next one in your calendar. Like what you hear? The Época team posts playlists on their website so you can keep listening to music you like when you leave.
@epocaporto
5. Bicho Porto
Location: Rua do Breiner 72
Photo: Bicho Porto Instagram
Bicho Porto is a favourite among locals for its laid-back vibe, exceptional breads and pastries, and great specialty coffee. Located centrally just off the vibrant Rua de Cedofeita, Bicho is a great spot to meet with friends, work a couple of hours remotely, or fuel up for a day of exploring the city. The only thing we’d say is that if you’re ordering a flat white, ask for it to be half-filled with milk as they use very large mugs.
@bicho.porto
6. Kuji Coffee and Community
Location: Rua da Torrinha 172
Photo: Kuji Coffee and Community Instagram
Kuji Coffee and Community embrace the idea of coffee as a shared experience, offering a community space where patrons can participate in initiatives like their shared library, attend events like poetry readings and plant swaps, or simply enjoy a great cup of specialty coffee. Using only the best beans by Prolog Coffee, Kuji Coffee and Community offers an elevated coffee experience that makes it one of the most interesting cafés in Porto.
7. Baco Coffee Lab
Location: Largo Alexandre Sá Pinto 22
Baco Coffee Lab is all about three of our favourite things: specialty coffee, natural wine, and pastrami…? Serving up expertly prepared espresso and filter coffees using the best beans from roasters like Nomad, The Barn, and Olisipo, and offering a selection of delicious brunch options and pastrami sandwiches that hit the spot every time. Make sure you go on an empty stomach!
@baco.coffee.lab
8. Combi Coffee Roasters
Location: R. Prof. Augusto Nobre 451 A
Photo: Combi Coffee Roasters Instagram
Located near the contemporary art complex and park Fundação Serralves is Combi Coffee Roasters, a hub for those who are serious about specialty coffee in Porto. Their coffee is roasted on-site in their cozy café and roastery, where you can enjoy an expertly prepared cup of coffee with a pastry, play a game of chess, or relax after a morning of exploring. You can also pick up a bag of their coffee ground to your preference so you can continue to enjoy Combi Coffee at home.
@combi_coffee
9. Café Passaporte
Location: R. de Pinto Bessa 483
Photo: Café Passaporte Instagram
On the other side of town in the Bonfim neighbourhood is Café Passaporte, a specialty coffee shop in Porto that emphasises quality and sustainability in their practice. Offering a range of sweet treats in addition to their signature bagels, Café Passaporte is the perfect place to unwind with a good book or catch up with friends over a cup of coffee.
@cafepassaporte
10. A Certain Café
Location: R. do Morgado de Mateus 107
Photo: A Certain Café Instagram
Effortlessly cool, A Certain Café is a specialty coffee shop in Porto that specialises in filter coffee, natural wines, and good food. With an interior that blends modern aesthetics with traditional Portuguese charm, and an outdoor terrace for enjoying sunny days outside, this café has got workdays and weekends covered.
@acertain_cafe
Porto is such a cool city with an exciting specialty coffee scene. Whether you're a local or just passing through, make sure to check out some of these cafés while you're there. Let us know what you think!
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