The best brunch and pastry places in Lisbon, Portugal

Red velvet croissant

The brunch scene is fairly new to Europe, as it caters to foreigners. Europeans normally have a small breakfast, in accordance with their location, season, and culture.

The eggs and bacon, pancakes, donuts, and orange juice spread is an example of highly successful American marketing. They are tasty, so these meals are catching on in European cities, at least as an occasional treat.

Cereal has been around for a long time, in different shapes. However, the popularity of sweet American breakfast cereal was built by amazing advertising strategies. In Europe, they are still found in novelty shops that carry fun international snacks. In Lisbon, you can buy fun cereal in Flavers - International Flavours Shop and Liberty Store.

Most of these cereals are extremely sweet and high in calories, so they are seen more as a dessert than a daily meal. Still, they're becoming more popular with the younger generations.

Restaurante Hygge Kaffe has a minimalist look and tasty dishes. There are vegan options, along with hearty meals of chicken and salmon. Their specialty is cakes, which are, of course, a part of a balanced meal. They also serve cute, tiny pancakes, which make a great addition to their brunch sets. Nothing like ending a hard week with a brunch board made by someone else.

Zenith offers healthy-ish and vegan options. Their plates are colorful, incorporating vegetables and fresh fruit. You can enjoy fun cocktails in an industrial modern vibe, with cool décor. The best thing is that you can have your brunch from morning until late afternoon.

Instant Crunch has everything from a simple croissant to a full breakfast with eggs, to steak meals. The most fun thing on the menu is the Fondue, which comes with fresh fruit and waffles. And no brunch is complete until you add bubbles. You can enjoy all these in a classy garden built around lush vegetation.

The Folks Chiado offers delicious toasts and creative brunch dishes. They take inspiration from international cuisines and whip up something like Tiramisu Latte and Truffle Benedicts. And they even serve Syrniki, a Ukrainian-style pancake, with sour cream and fruit. The menu is not super extensive, but well thought out. The location is great, close to attractions such as the main Pastel de Nata shops. They do have other locations, all in touristy areas.

Choupana Caffe is in a quiet area, a great location for a stay in Lisbon. Their main thing is pastries, but they also have eggs and sandwiches. This is actually my favorite brunch place in Lisbon. Choupana Caffe is perfect for brunch or a midday snack, with many sweet options. You have to try the croissants with different fillings, especially the Red Velvet ones. The venue is spacious and modern.

If you're looking for a small breakfast, visit Fabrica de Nata. This pastry shop serves traditional pastries and sandwiches, in an elegant atmosphere. There are lovely tiles to be admired while you savor your Pastel de Nata topped with ice cream. If you're there at the right time, you can also watch them make the little custard tarts. You can pick up a box of Pastels de Nata for the road home, as well.

Pastelaria Versailles. This bakery has an honorable mention for the location and décor. It has been open since 1922, and you really feel like you're walking into another world. The service is not great, but they do have a large selection of pastries. They also have an extensive fresh fruit menu, which is pricy and uncommon, but convenient,t I guess. I would recommend buying and preparing your own fruit, though, to avoid any illness.

And the best is that most brunch places offer iced coffees now, which was not so common many years ago.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Lisbon and discover a delicious brunch every day!