If you’re like me, every good day starts with a great coffee. For me, that means a creamy flat white with the right proportion of oat milk, coupled with sunshine and some minutes of silence to just sit, observe passers by and enjoy the moment.
For you it might mean an espresso at the bustling bar, or pure long black. No matter what your preference, when you’re on holiday, you don’t want to spend half your stay experimenting with what to call it, in order to get the coffee you want.
Here is a basic guide to coffee in Portugal, and below, some places we like to get it.
GALÃO = cafe latte / latte macchiato / cafe con leche
The Galão is probably the most commonly served coffee style in Portugal, along side the Bica (espresso). A Galão is served in a glass, and has a proportion of 1 part coffee to 3 parts hot milk. If you want it to be on the stronger side, ask for a “Galão escuro” (dark), if you prefer it weaker, aesk for a “Galão claro” (light).
BICA or CAFÈ = Espresso / short black
Café duplo = Double expresso
Pingado = Espresso Machiatto (an Espresso with a dash of hot milk)
MEIA DE LEITE = Flat white / café au lait
Served in a cup, Meia de leite translates to “half of milk”, so as you can guess, the proportion is 1 part coffee to 1 part milk. This makes it a little stronger / less milky than the Galão.
CAFE LUNGO = Long black / Americano
Cappuccino remains as Cappuccino, however, in Portuguese cafés, it probably won’t meet your expectations. They aren’t pros in foaming milk, as a Galão or bica is what they traditionally drink. If you are serious about your barista made flat whites with perfectly drawn hearts in the foam, its better to follow our recommendations below.
In traditional Portuguese Cafés, the Delta and Sical they serve are also very good beans. A Galão will cost you around 1.50€ / Bica less than 1€.
In the speciality cafés as below, expect to pay around 3–4€ for a cup.
Our favourite Coffee Spots in Lagos Portugal:
Lagos has become a bit of a speciality coffee hub in recent years, with local roasters and coffee consultants training many of the local cafés in the art of making great coffee.
See our post Best Coffee in Lagos Portugal for all the info.
Everyday People Coffee
R. Conde Lippe N, 8600-315 Lagos, Portugal
New in 2024, this place knows how to make a superb coffee. Having opened cafés in London and Melbourne, the friendly owners Soo and Benny are coffee experts. A flat white is around 2.50€, milk alternatives (oat, soy) don’t cost extra and they have a yummy menu. The café itself is very trendy and laptop friendly, with lots of corners to sit, as well as an esplanade. Its close to the Marina and Meia Praia beach.
See more on their website | Instagram page | on Google maps
Abigail’s Café
R. Henrique Correia da Silva 8, Lagos, Portugal
On the way to Batata beach / close to the main museum. Abigail’s is serious about coffee, to the extent that they regularly host workshops and thoroughly train their staff. They have a vegetarian focus, with lots of healthy, hearty bowls and brunch meals. Its a laptop friendly café with free wifi, so its also a great place to catch up on some work / travel research.
See more on their website | Abigails Instagram page | on Google maps
Twin Fin
R. Gil Vicente 36, Lagos, Portugal
With an Australian owner, you can expect perfectly made coffee. They offer all the favourite milk alternatives. Their coffee goes perfectly with their freshly made, toasted banana bread, cakes and cooked brunches.
See more on their instagram | on Google maps
O Ninho Family Bar
R. da Estrema 31, Lagos, Portugal
This one is a pick for the parents. The café has two floors of sensory toys, books and games for children of all ages. The kind Italian owners have put in a lot of effort to create a safe and enchanting wonderland for children, and relaxing place for parents. They serve good coffee along with healthy vegan meals and sweets.
See more on their instagram | on Google maps
More speciality Coffee Spots in Lagos:
Black and White Café Lagos: a popular spot in the centre with hip interior & great croissants. You’ll need to queue.
Coffee & Waves: a small corner coffee joint with a take-away window. They have beautiful brunch food if you want to eat in.
Alex Coffee: opened in 2024, it has a beautiful serene interior, is laptop & dog friendly and has daily baked treats.
The Studio Coffee Lagos: A more spacious café with some large tables make it good for a group brunch, or coworking. They also roast their own beans.
Quicksilver Lagos on the central plaza also has a café in the back of the store, serving up coffee with added natural boosters (tumeric, lionsmane, Chaga, Reishi mushrooms etc). Its also laptop friendly.
