Best Breakfast Spots in Lisbon

ThankYouMama

We chose ThankYouMama mainly because it was close to our hotel and had good ratings on Google Maps, but proximity was definitely the main factor. ThankYouMama is known for its bagels, where you can choose from different fillings. However, if you’re very hungry and love a hearty breakfast, I should mention that these bagels aren’t overly stuffed. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the interior is spacious, divided into a front and back section. It also seemed like a great spot for working. As a side note, the baristas were quite stylish.

We were also tempted by the banana bread and other cakes. It’s definitely a place you could visit just for coffee and dessert.

Address: Rua do Forno do Tijolo 9A

Maria Food Hub

At Maria Food Hub, they offer open-faced sandwiches and egg options. We tried some of the egg-based dishes. The bread and toppings were delicious, but since nothing extra came with it, it might feel a bit light if you’re really hungry. The ambiance was pleasant, though we felt it could have been better maintained. It seemed pet-friendly as well, as a dog even visited our table. They also have options for lunch and dinner. We sat indoors since it was breezy when we visited, but the outdoor section could be enjoyable on sunny days.

Address: R. Maria Andrade 38, 1170-216

Breakfast Lovers

Given that Breakfast Lovers is in a touristy spot, we made a reservation online before going. However, once inside, no one asked about reservations, and we noticed that some people with reservations still struggled to get a table. The place isn’t very small, but it was crowded, so the tables felt a bit cramped. The design wasn’t anything special, despite the photos online making it seem more unique. Since there was a line at the door, it didn’t feel like a place you could linger, at least not for me — I tend to rush when places are crowded.

The portions were huge for breakfast. We ordered egg dishes, which came with salad and potatoes. They added cilantro to everything, so I wasn’t a big fan. Prices were also higher compared to other places we’d tried. But I loved their smoothies; as you can see in the photo, I’d already finished half of it before touching the breakfast! They had fresh fruit and veggie crates by the door, and sometimes they’d take them into the kitchen, so you can tell the ingredients are fresh. Still, I think the expectations set by the reviews were unnecessarily high.

Address: Calçada do Combro 45, 1200-114

Savas Cafe

This is one of those small but charming cafes with a cute ambiance, perfect for Instagram photos. Their open-faced sandwiches were truly delicious, and they also have vegetarian/vegan options. I chose a vegan breakfast, which was an open sandwich with hummus and mushrooms, and I was very happy with it. It’s also a great spot to visit just for coffee and dessert.

Address: R. Manuel Soares Guedes 7A, 1170-206

Other than these, we also went to Mendo Cafe, but we weren’t very impressed, so I won’t go into detail. However, there were a lot of tourists there, so maybe our croissant breakfast just wasn’t great.