Café
Pastéis de Belém
Since 1837 this Belém bakery has made its custard tarts by hand to a closely guarded recipe linked to the nearby Jerónimos Monastery.
Fábrica Coffee Roasters
A Lisbon specialty coffee roaster founded in 2015, whose Portas de Santo Antão café serves coffee from beans it roasts itself near Sintra.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialty coffee roaster and café
- Area
- Restauradores, Lisbon, Portugal
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- fabricacoffeeroasters.com
Good to know
- Specialty coffee
- Own roastery
- Beans to take home
Why we recommend it
Fábrica Coffee Roasters has been part of Lisbon's specialty coffee scene since 2015. It roasts its own beans in the Lisbon area, with a roastery and café at Terrugem near Sintra, and sells them through a small group of cafés in the city and in Cascais. The original Lisbon café is on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, close to Avenida da Liberdade, and it is the one most visitors find first.
The focus is on coffee made with care from traceable beans. As in most specialty cafés, the menu goes beyond the classic Portuguese bica to include milk-based espresso drinks and other brewing styles, and staff are usually happy to talk about the beans on offer. It is a useful stop if you prefer lighter roasts to the dark, strong blend served in most traditional Portuguese cafés. Bags of beans are on sale to take home or as gifts.
The opening hours make it a good place to start the day before sightseeing, and the counter usually has something to eat with your coffee, though the choice varies between cafés. It suits remote workers, coffee enthusiasts and anyone looking for a relaxed break in the centre. Like most popular cafés in central Lisbon, it tends to be busiest at weekend mornings and quieter on weekday afternoons. Seating is limited, so be prepared to share a table or take your coffee away at peak times.
The Portas de Santo Antão café opens Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Friday to Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00, so it is a daytime place rather than an evening one. Fábrica also has cafés on Rua do Comércio in the Baixa, on Avenida Dom Carlos I in Santos and on Rua de São Mamede near Príncipe Real, so if one is full, another is not far away. Prices are higher than for a bica in a traditional café, which reflects the specialty beans and preparation.
The café is a short walk from Restauradores metro station, on the blue line, and from Rossio. The street it is on is lined with restaurants, including Gambrinus and Solar dos Presuntos, and the Casa do Alentejo is a few doors away. Avenida da Liberdade, with its shaded promenades and shops, runs parallel just to the west.
Fábrica Coffee Roasters FAQs
When did Fábrica Coffee Roasters start?
The company describes itself as roasting specialty coffee since 2015.
When is the Portas de Santo Antão café open?
Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Friday to Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00.
Where does Fábrica roast its coffee?
At its own roastery near Sintra, in the Lisbon area.
Can you buy beans?
Yes. Bags of coffee beans are sold to take home.
Is it open in the evening?
No. The café closes at 17:00 every day.
Are there other branches in Lisbon?
Yes, on Rua do Comércio, Avenida Dom Carlos I and Rua de São Mamede.
How do you get there?
Walk from Restauradores metro station on the blue line or from Rossio.