Cafés That Have Become Part of the Landscape of Oporto

Cafés that are not just coffee houses:

McDonald's - Imperial, Oporto

On your Oporto holiday, make time to have a break at some of the city’s cafés, not just for the coffee and cakes, but because these grand looking cafés represent a period of life in Oporto in the past.

The Café Majestic is one such café which we covered in a separate story, and below are three others:

McDonald’s – Imperial Cozinha Internacional

Even if you don’t like Big Macs, this McDonald’s on Praça da Liberdade is worth visiting as it’s probably the grandest McDonald’s in Europe.

This beautiful building was actually the Café Imperial in the past.

Although converting it into a hamburger joint was controversial, McDonald’s has at least retained some of the former coffee’s house’s original features. Check out the logo and stained-glass windows, the dazzling chandeliers and the mighty Bald Eagle over the McDonald’s logo – the bold symbol of American freedom.  McDonald’s is at Praça da Liberdade, 126

Café Guarany

Cafe Guarany - Oporto

Guarany is a Café-Restaurant which was founded in 1933 and has a reputation as the musician’s coffee shop. The café’s artistic atmosphere and its ambience has created a special reputation for this café. It has always been a place for entertainment, book readings and culture.

You can listen to Live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday – from Fado to Bossa Nova and Cuban Evenings.  Café Guarany is at Avenida dos Aliados, 89/85.

Café Progresso

Inaugurated on 24 September 1899 Progresso is the city’s oldest café and is part and parcel of the identity of Porto. Café Progresso is at Rua Actor João Guedes, 5.

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