Ordering coffee in Portugal can be challenging for foreigners. Coffee plays a crucial role in Portuguese culture, and sharing a cup is a reason to socialize. Additionally, savoring a good coffee is a pleasure highly valued by the Portuguese. However, for a foreigner, requesting a simple coffee in Lisbon or anywhere in Portugal may not be a straightforward task. In fact, the beverage commonly known as “espresso” in other countries can have various names in Portugal. This article aims to acquaint readers with the different terms used to refer to coffee in Portuguese lands, providing an understanding of the diverse ingredients found in various coffee-based drinks.
A. Bica, café ou cimbalino (depending on the region of the country): it’s a coffee that foreigners commonly refer to as “espresso.”
B. Abatanado: It is similar to the famous “Americano” but in a smaller quantity. Two espressos with a good amount of water. Some people call it a “double.”
C. Carioca: it’s a weak coffee. The beans are placed in the machine, and a coffee is extracted. Then, another coffee is pulled using the same beans.
D. Italiana: It’s a very short coffee, half an espresso. It is said to be stronger than the regular espresso.
E. Meia de leite: Served in a larger cup, it is a coffee and milk drink. An espresso is pulled, and then the larger cup is filled with milk.
F. Galão: Similar to meia de leite but served in a glass. It has more milk and more coffee.
G. Café duplo: Two coffees or two espressos without adding water (so a bit different from abatanado).
H. Café pingado: It’s a coffee with a little milk (a few drops of milk).
I. Garoto: It’s a coffee with milk foam. This term is more common in the south of Portugal.
J. Descafeinado: It’s a decaffeinated coffee (actually, it’s a coffee with much less caffeine because it still contains some).
K. Café em chávena escaldada: It’s a regular espresso, but in this case, the person drinking it wants the beverage to be hotter.
L. Café em chávena fria: Exactly the opposite of the previous one. Those who drink it want the coffee less hot. Often the waiter rinses the cup with water before pulling the coffee.
M. Café com cheirinho: The famous “cheirinho” means a bit of brandy in the coffee. Some believe this drink works as a digestive.
N. Café sem ponta: The coffee is pulled normally, but the cup is only filled after the first drops of coffee come out.
O. Café com gotas de limão: A regular coffee with a few drops of lemon. Some believe it helps with headaches.
EXCELLENT Based on 188 reviews Posted on Benjamin McGuigganTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Context: Written from the perspective of an American and native English speaker who is comfortable with elementary Spanish. I had a fantastic experience with A1 immersive Portuguese and cannot recommend Lisbon Language Cafe enough! By the end of the three week course, I felt comfortable telling people my name, ordering a coffee, describing basic traits/qualities, and putting together simple sentences all in Portuguese :) You really get what you put into the course, so it's not only important to try and attend all nine sessions (each 3 hours) but to also complete the daily homework assignments. Speaking another romance language, or even knowing basic grammar structure of another romance language, will be very helpful. But for an English speaker without any second-language experience, the immersive course may not be the right fit (I know it wouldn't have been for me). The professor, Frederico, is friendly and helpful, and has structured this course in a very digestible way. Classes are fun and engaging and often the hours fly by. And most importantly, it's encouraging to believe you can use the learnings from class in the real world. Whether you're in Lisbon for a few months or few years, I highly recommend Lisbon Language Cafe. You'll feel more connected to the city and, of course, the people that make it so beautiful!Posted on ATrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Frederico is a great teacher!! Happy to attend the A1 + A2 courses herePosted on Élise ObadiaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Super école , Frederico est super gentil et drôle , on passe un bon moment tout en apprenant ! 🙏🏼Posted on Eline VeekemansTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such an amazing teacher and great institution to get you into Portuguese! Frederico explains very well & clear, giving you the space to learn while being guided. Can recommend! I will surely also follow level A2 at the Lisbon Language Cafe. Muito obrigada!Posted on Léa BarouchTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great class. Feel like I built a solid foundation in Portuguese. Would love to continue to Level A2.Posted on JoshuaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great Portuguese classes. Had the opportunity to learn all the fundamental basics (A1 crash course). When I missed a class, Frederico was so kind to send me online classes. So absolutely recommend the A1 course. In addition, it is also very lovely to talk to Frederico in general. Muito obrigadoPosted on Brad WellerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience with the A1 course! The small class size, camaraderie, and learning structure kept things moving and fun. Frederico asks questions throughout class so I didn’t feel lectured to. The intake of the information felt more organic and the online homework is gamified and really helped me consolidate what we covered in the classroom. A2 here I come!Posted on Julia TulupovaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great classes not only to learn Portuguese, but to also get helpful insights about the culture. The structure is perfect for beginners, and you learn exactly what you need to start feeling comfortable in a day-to-day routine. Thank you, Frederico!Posted on Garrett IennerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Frederico is a very dedicated teacher with a great method. I improved my Portuguese very quickly. Highly recommended !Posted on Angela KaiserTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Frederico was a great teacher for the A1 class. Interesting lessons and I would definitely recommend the program