Order Coffee in Portugal
- Jorgen Kirchhoff
- Dec 15, 2025
- 3 min read
Want to Order Like a Local?
Summary
Ordering coffee in Portugal is not difficult — but it works differently from what you might expect. Once you understand how it works, it becomes simple, natural, and even a little fun.
Coffee Does Not Mean “Coffee”
In Portugal, if you ask for a coffee and don’t specify anything else, you will almost always be served a small espresso. Quickly. Without questions.
That’s not rude — it’s just how coffee culture works here. A “coffee” is small, strong and efficient, often drunk standing at the bar.
If you want anything else, you need to say so - don't start with saying "coffee".
Many Names, Many Variations
One of the first things you notice is how many different coffee names exist. The list can look overwhelming, and it’s not a modern invention — it has been part of everyday Portuguese life for decades.
The variations are not just about:
more or less water
milk or no milk
They’re also about:
cup size
glass vs. cup
strength
how the coffee is built
So, with all these variations there is easily 100 different ways of ordering your coffee.
A Personal Note – Coffee with Milk
I’m a coffee-with-milk drinker, which is where things become a bit more nuanced.
Most Portuguese people don’t drink large cups of coffee. Small cups are the norm, even when milk is involved. That means many large milk coffees contain relatively little coffee — and quite a lot of milk.
Over time, I’ve learned to order a "meia de leite escuro" — a darker version of "meia de leite" with more coffee and less milk.
It keeps a better balance without turning it into a mug of warm milk.
One small but important detail:
Milk-based coffees gives the waiter extra work. If you're unlucky with the place or the waiter, it can mean the milk isn’t heated properly.
A simple solution is to ask for it hot. It makes a difference — and it’s a trick I still sometimes forget myself.
Say: "Uma meia de leite escuro e quente, por favor"
Want to Order Like a Local?
If you want to do exactly what most Portuguese people do — and taste coffee the local way — you can keep it very simple:
“Um café, por favor”
“Um café cheio, por favor”
Both are espresso.
A café cheio is served in the same small cup, just with a little more water.
It’s easy to say, easy to order — and it almost guarantees you’ll feel a bit more Portuguese within seconds.
Milk Options Today
Portuguese coffee culture is traditional, but not outdated. Many cafés today also offer oat milk or almond milk — especially in towns and coastal areas.
It’s not everywhere, but it’s far more common than many visitors expect.
Why We Recommend Knowing This
Understanding how coffee works in Portugal removes hesitation and awkwardness — and replaces it with confidence.
Once you order the right thing and get exactly what you expected, you stop feeling like a visitor and start feeling at ease. It’s a small detail, but one that quickly becomes part of everyday life here.
Jorgen/Living on the West Coast of Portugal
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