Café no Chiado

Owned by the National Centre of Culture, this historic dining venue is one of Lisbon's most picturesque cafes. It's located opposite the Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos and stands on a street served by the No 28 tram. It's a favourite meeting point for city intellectuals – artists, writers and musicians, among others. The outdoor terrace quickly fills during the warm summer months when customers linger over their coffees and snacks. The café is also a well-known restaurant and it can be difficult to secure a table during lunchtimes. The scholarly atmosphere extends to the interior where shelves groan under the weight of books and periodicals. The arched block-stone ceiling reinforces the historic impression.