How to order coffee in Portugal

The Portuguese love their coffee (and so do I).   In the US, when you go to a coffee shop you ask for just that - coffee, and maybe cream or sugar. In Portugal, if you ask for “café”,  you only get one type – an espresso.


um cafe



uma meia de leite



um galão

You must know your coffee lingo if you want something other than a espresso.  There are different ways of ordering an espresso-size coffee and different types of large coffee.
*Standard black espresso – “um café“, although in Lisbon you can say “uma bica”.
*Espresso with a little milk – “um pingo” or “café pingado”.
*Cup of coffee with milk – a “meia de leite” is a half coffee, half milk in a cup with a handle, usually foamy on top. “Um galão” is about 3/4 milk, served in a tall glass, and is closest to a latté. If you want a strong one, ask for a “meia de leite escura” – or dark. For a milkier coffee, try “um galão clarinho” – or clear.
*Weak, milky espresso – “um garoto” is a full espresso cup made from grounds that have already been run through with water, then the cup is filled with milk. “Garoto” means little boy and the coffee is so called because this is the coffee that would be given to boys to introduce them to the flavour.
*Weaker espresso without milk – “um café cheio” is basically a full coffee where the cup is topped up with hot water.
*Double espresso – “um café duplo“.

There are also many different brands and everyone has there favorite.  Our favorite is Nicola becuase the taste is a bit smoother.  Buondi and Delta are also popular.  Since flavors vary with the brand, you have to try them all to choose your favorite.  (That is the fun part!)