Café Candelabro

Café Candelabro occupies a renovated space that was once a second-hand bookshop, opened in 1952, on Rua da Conceição in the Baixa. The renovation kept the spirit of the old shop, and the result is one of the most characterful places for a drink in Porto: part café, part bar, part bookshop.

The original black-and-white mosaic floor and vintage tables and chairs remain, now paired with modern lighting. Shelves around the walls hold books on cinema, photography, theatre and the visual arts, which guests can browse while they drink and also buy. Behind the bar, an illuminated wall of colourful bottles provides a striking backdrop. The atmosphere is calm and cosy, with soft music rather than loud playlists, and it is a place where conversation comes easily.

The drinks list covers coffee for daytime visits and wine, beer, spirits and cocktails in the evening, so Candelabro works at almost any hour. It draws locals and visitors alike, many of whom come for the bookshop atmosphere, and the small room fills up in the evening, especially at weekends.

Seating is limited, so arrive early if you want a table inside. Prices are moderate. During the day the bar is a quiet spot for a coffee and a browse through the shelves, while in the evening the mood becomes more social, so choose your timing according to the kind of visit you want. Visitors interested in cinema or photography will enjoy the selection, and leafing through the books over a glass of wine is a pleasant way to spend an hour. The bar suits solo travellers with a book, couples and small groups who want somewhere relaxed to start or end an evening. Opening hours are not always clearly published, so check the bar's website or social media before going.

Rua da Conceição is a short street near the Praça de Guilherme Gomes Fernandes and the Cordoaria garden, a few minutes' walk from the Clérigos Tower, Livraria Lello and the Carmo churches. The area around the Galerias de Paris, with many more bars, is close by, and Leitaria da Quinta do Paço's éclair shop is just around the corner for a daytime treat.