Last Updated on July 3, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: October 16, 2020
The best breakfast in Lisbon isn’t particularly flashy, but it is undeniably comforting and delicious. When it comes to breakfast, the Portuguese do it right. Don’t miss these places where you can enjoy a wonderful breakfast in Lisbon and tips on what to order when you get there.
What Do Locals Eat for Breakfast in Lisbon?
Until the last couple of years, the best breakfast in Lisbon generally consisted of the simple trifecta of coffee, orange juice, and a baked good, like toasted bread or a pastry.
Now, it’s normal for locals to shake up their first meal of the day with extras like granola, muesli, pancakes, and/or fruit with yogurt. No matter which option you choose, you’re sure to start your day off on a delicious note.
What to Drink While Having Breakfast in Lisbon
Just a quick tip: coffee in Lisbon is practically a must with breakfast (but tea or juice is okay too). During the day, you’ll see the locals sitting at a terrace or a café counter and sipping a black espresso (café). Breakfast, however, is when they’re likely to drink coffee with milk.
The two most popular combinations are a galão (espresso in a tall glass that’s filled with hot, foamed milk) or a meia de leite (served in a smaller glass with equal portions of coffee and milk).
Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Lisbon
Pastelaria Batalha
It wouldn’t be the best breakfast in Lisbon without pastéis de nata. Luckily, the breakfast and brunch combinations at Pastelaria Batalha both include Lisbon’s favorite pastry.
This cozy spot adds a few twists to traditional Portuguese breakfast with options for practically everyone. We suggest trying the toasted ham & cheese sandwich (tosta mista), a croissant, or a bean tart (pastel de feijão) with your coffee for a classic way to start the day.
Local Tip: If you want to learn how to make pastéis de nata at home (and who doesn’t?), join Pastelaria Batalha’s pastel de nata class available in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.
Maria Limão Brunches, Crepes, e Limonadas
Compared to the centuries-old pastry shops and cafes throughout the city, relative newcomer Maria Limão is a toddler in Lisbon’s breakfast scene. But the bright, cheery café in Graça—which started as a lemonade cart at one of Lisbon’s many miradouros—is quickly giving the age-old standbys a run for their money.
The cafe is designed entirely around its famous lemonades, and they have a few different kinds made with several delicious fruits. But their breakfast and brunch options are the unexpected show-stealers here. Their homemade crepes (with your choice of sweet or savory toppings) are just the beginning, and their poffertjes (Dutch-style mini pancakes) make for a perfectly delicious—and Instagrammable—start to your day.
The menu includes gluten-free and vegetarian options, which we love—and then there’s the view. Maria Limão is perched halfway up one of Lisbon’s hills, offering fantastic views of the Tagus River as you eat.
Pastelaria Alfama Doce
Next up, we have the hidden gem that is Pastelaria Alfama Doce tucked away in Alfama’s maze of alleyways.
Don’t be deterred by its small and unassuming facade, or the group of local regulars milling about by the entrance. Inside, you’ll find a traditional Portuguese café with a glass-covered counter filled with mouthwatering pastries and bread.
Local Tip: Not sure what you’re looking at? The Portuguese love their pastries but don’t always label them, so feel free to ask the staff for help.
π Address: Rua da Regueira, 39
Confeitaria Nacional
How do you like a side of history and charm with breakfast? Not only is Confeitaria Nacional one of the best spots in Lisbon for pastéis de nata, but it is also one of Lisbon’s oldest and most beautiful pastry shops.
Visit during the week for a chance to sit down inside, and sink your teeth into a medley of Portuguese pastries. It is located in the bustling Praça da Figueira, so you’ll be ready to jump into sightseeing right after savoring the last delicious crumb.
Early Birds Lisbon
Ironically, Early Birds Lisbon is not only a place for early risers, but is also open well into the afternoon from Wednesday through Sunday.
Avocado toast, banana bread, French toast, and three fantastic brunch options are just a few of the many treats on the menu. It’s also a great place for families, with a special kids’ menu (what kid wouldn’t want to order the “Peppa Pig set”?) and a play corner for the little ones.
Early Birds Lisbon is also pet friendly. Why not bring your fur baby and sit in their secret garden while enjoying a delicious breakfast?
π Address: Rua Nova da Piedade, 95
Fauna and Flora
Falling definitively on the trendier side of where you can expect to have breakfast in the city is Fauna and Flora. Here you can find everything from acai bowls to pancakes, plus the beautiful botanical decor in all of their 3 locations add to the experience.
Don’t forget to note this place down if you are considering having brunch during your stay, as they have one of the best in the city.
Fabrica Coffee Roasters
If you prioritize coffee over everything else in the morning, then we have a treat for you. Make sure that you make a stop at Fabrica Coffee Roasters. They even sell their own!
Found in a few locations across Lisbon, the breakfast is a real treat here, with their flaky pastries to avocado toast being the most lauded.
Hygge Kaffe
Looking for a place you instantly feel at home to start your day? That snug, comforting feeling is encapsulated in the name of Hygge Cafe. This cafe’s name is taken from the Danish language word which has become a movement around the world and loosely translates as cozy, so as you can imagine they work hard to make it as inviting as possible, and we love them for it!
When you combine that with their many tasty egg dishes, waffles, and pancakes, if you decide to stop here it will be difficult for your day to get any better.
π Address: R. Tomás Ribeiro 95B
Eat a Local Breakfast with Us on Tour!
Start your day with a hearty, delicious traditional Portuguese breakfast when you join us on our Ultimate Lisbon Food Tour. That’s just stop #1 on a morning full of gastronomic delights that will take you off the beaten path and into the cafes, shops, bars, and restaurants locals know and love!
Featured Review: Ultimate Lisbon Food Tour
βββββ “Eva was one of the best tour guides I have ever come across after so many years of travel. She is so knowledgeable, fun and made the food trip into a journey of gastronomy history! Bravo.”
– Neha
Breakfast in Lisbon FAQs
What is a traditional breakfast in Lisbon?
A traditional Lisbon breakfast is simple but satisfying, usually consisting of a coffee with milk, orange juice, and a baked good (such as fresh bread or toast with butter or a pastry). Many locals stop at a neighborhood pastelaria for a quick breakfast before work, often pairing a galão or meia de leite with a pastel de nata or tosta mista.
What should you order for breakfast in Lisbon?
Some of the most popular breakfast items include a pastel de nata (custard tart), tosta mista (ham and cheese toastie), Portuguese croissants, fresh bread with butter and jam, and a coffee such as a galão or meia de leite. Many cafés also serve fresh orange juice and modern brunch dishes like pancakes, yogurt bowls, and eggs.
What is the best coffee to order with breakfast in Lisbon?
The two most common breakfast coffees are a galão—espresso with plenty of steamed milk served in a tall glass—and a meia de leite, which contains equal parts coffee and milk in a cup. If you prefer a stronger coffee, order a bica, Portugal’s classic espresso.
What time do people eat breakfast in Lisbon?
Most Lisboetas eat breakfast between 7:00 and 9:30 am, often grabbing a quick meal at a local café before work. Brunch has become increasingly popular in recent years, so many cafés now serve breakfast and brunch menus well into the early afternoon.
Are breakfast cafés in Lisbon expensive?
No, breakfast in Lisbon is generally very affordable. A traditional breakfast of coffee and a pastry or toast at a neighborhood café is often one of the best-value meals of the day, while specialty brunch cafés offer larger menus at higher—but still reasonable—prices.
Thanks for your comment Sarah! We’re not sure either, but if so that’s not the kind of business we want to support either so we’ve removed it.
Under pay is better than no pay. Because of your comment, I’m sure many tourists is staying away from there and this place is losing business which means pay even less to employees or even losing their jobs.
Hey Concerned Tourist, since this is all speculation anyways we’ve removed the comment.
Hi I’m on a cruise that will be in Lisbon on Sunday;. I know you are not working that day however, do you have walking tour guide that you can share?
Hi there! One of the guides we work with, Rita, offers her own tours on a freelance basis. You can get in touch with her at [email protected] π