Café A Brasileira, Chiado, Lisbon
The Café A Brasileira in the Chiado district of Lisbon is one of the Portuguese capital's most famous cafes along with the Pasteis de Belem in Belem and Cafe Nicola in Rossio.
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| The entrance |
History
The Café A Brasileira dates from 1905 and was opened to serve Brazilian coffee - hence the name which means "Brazilian lady." It is thought the bica - an expresso-style coffee was first served here.
The cafe became a hang out for artists, intellectuals and writers which helped to spread its popularity. A seated statue of the poet Fernando Pessoa by sculptor Lagoa Henriques sits at a table outside the cafe.
Both the exterior and interior are heavily ornate in the style of the period when the cafe was established. The interior has black and white mosaic floors with brass fixtures, painted ceilings and sculptured wooden walls. The exterior has a relief of a man drinking a coffee below the name of the cafe.
Also inside are two panels by artist Almada Negreiros. They are Banhistas (Bathers) and Auto-Retrato em Grupo (Self-Portrait in a Group).
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| Café A Brasileira |
The businessman behind the Café A Brasileira, the Brazil-based trader Adrian Telles, also opened a branch in Braga. Nowadays, the cafe is popular with locals, tourists, and students from the nearby School of Fine Arts of Lisbon University. Unfortunately, Café A Brasileira's fame and over-popularity has resulted in a recent decline in standards and service. Best to visit in the morning, out of season.
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| Posing with Pessoa |
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| Seated statue of the poet Fernando Pessoa and friends |
Access - Getting There
The nearest Lisbon metro station is Baixa-Chiado.
A Brasileira
R. Garrett 120, 1200 Lisboa
Tel: 21 346 9541
Hours: 8 am-12 am (midnight)
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| The cafe in August |
© Portugal Visitor
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