Last Updated on December 5, 2023
Headed to Porto, Portugal? Porto is known for many things, including it’s food! This guide covers the best spots for breakfast in Porto and in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Breakfast in Porto is one of the most important meals of your day! It’s your time to load up with coffee, tea, and delicious dishes that will give you the energy you need for exploring the city.
Whether you’re in the mood for vegan eats at My Green Pastry, or for fresh coffee and pastries at SO Coffee Roasters, this guide has got breakfast in Porto covered.
Read on for 12 of the best Porto breakfasts, or scroll to the bottom for breakfast recommendations in Vila Nova de Gaia.
12 Best Spots for Breakfast in Porto
Start your day right with these Porto breakfasts.
1. Zenith – Brunch & Cocktails
Zenith Brunch & Cocktails runs all-day brunch every day. They serve all the brunch classics, like eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, smoothies bowls, and french toast. Their menu includes vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Zenith has an extensive brunch cocktail list. If you’d like to pair a classic mimosa, bellini, or sangria with your breakfast, they’ve got you covered.
This brunch spot in Porto is known for being one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in the world, with locations in Porto, Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona. If you’re looking to have a delicious brunch in an aesthetic space, head to Zenith.
2. Época Porto
Época Porto is a breakfast and lunch cafe that serves simple, fresh food. They’re known for their delicious coffee, daily fresh juice, and sourdough bread.
There’s plenty of gluten free and dairy free options on the menu, and everything served is made from organic and locally grown ingredients.
The cafe is a small space where you can have a quiet breakfast in Porto before you head out to explore.
3. SO Coffee Roasters
SO Coffee Roasters does specialty coffee in the heart of Porto. On the ground floor of the building is the coffee shop, on the lower level is where green coffee beans are stored, and upstairs is the roastery and a communal table.
Head to SO Coffee Roasters if you’re after a good coffee and a light breakfast. They serve cakes, pastries, sourdough sandwiches, smoothies and of course lots of coffee.
SO Coffee Roasters isn’t just for breakfast, you can hunker down there to work on your laptop on the upper floor.
4. Lazy Breakfast Club
This little eatery serves all-day breakfast and cocktails in an aesthetic space. Their extensive breakfast menu includes simple meals like croissants and bagels, as well as classic dishes, like English breakfast.
Lazy Breakfast Club has vegetarian and vegan options, as well as various types of milk for your coffee. This is a very popular Porto brunch spot, so if you plan to go, be prepared to wait for a table.
5. Mercador Café
Mercador Cafe is centrally located in between Clérigos Church and the Porto Cathedral, making it a convenient spot for breakfast in Porto. Opened in 2017, this cafe serves traditional Portuguese breakfast, as well as brunch and lunch.
Their dishes, which includes eggs benedict, pancakes, fruit and yogurt bowls, and toasts, are all made from locally sourced ingredients. They also serve delicious breakfast smoothies – try the apple pie smoothie!
6. Maria QB
Maria QB is a small, cozy cafe that transitions into a bar in the afternoon. Here, you can have a simple, traditional Portuguese breakfast in Porto that won’t break the bank.
Maria QB has a lovely view over Praça da República, and they’re always playing fantastic music. Opt for a classic Portuguese toast, a morning pastel de nata, or try a slice of their vegan quiche.
7. My Green Pastry
My Green Pastry is where you’ll find the best vegan breakfast in Porto, and of course, delicious vegan pastries. Everything served is made from scratch, including their plant-based milk.
This is a small, cozy cafe that has a nice outdoor terrace. Brunch is served only on certain days, so it’s best to plan ahead if you’d like to have a full sit-down meal. Otherwise, breakfast pastries are available daily to eat in the cafe or for takeaway.
8. Noshi Coffee
This cafe specializes in delicious coffee and healthy eats! Noshi Coffee’s breakfast menu includes vegan, gluten free, sugar free, and lactose free options.
Noshi Coffee has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Pop in for a quick egg croissant with feta cheese and avocado to fuel you for a day of exploring Porto.
9. The Happy Nest
The Happy Nest is a quaint little brunch spot known for its beautiful backyard seating area, and its live music sessions.
Pop in to have a bagel topped with delicious cream cheese, avocado, and cherry tomatoes, or a bowl of homemade granola and yogurt. You can enjoy your breakfast in Porto while listening to acoustic music played by a local musician.
10. Combi Coffee Roasters
Combi Coffee Roasters is known for its specialty coffees, and so it’s a must-visit for coffee lovers. Here, you can choose how your coffee is brewed: By espresso machine, aeropress, french press, V60 dripper, cold drip brew, or nitro cold brew.
After choosing how your coffee is brewed, you can choose your breakfast from a selection of pastries, yogurt, sandwiches, fresh juices, and smoothies.
11. Negra Café Baixa
Negra is a cozy spot for breakfast in Porto. This cafe serves light meals and drinks in an aesthetic space that feels like a friend’s living room. The cafe even has a jukebox that still works! Just pop in some change to choose your song.
For your breakfast in Porto at Negra Cafe, enjoy a toast with egg and avocado, or some fancy pancakes. If you want to go big, order their “brunch board” which comes with an assortment of breakfast eats.
12. 100 Culpa
This is the sport for brunch in Porto if you’re looking for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options. 100 Culpa has a backyard terrace and garden that’s filled with citrus trees, where you enjoy your meal outdoors.
You can enjoy both vegan and non-vegan pancakes, as well as fresh juice. Or, try their cherry toast, a beautifully presented display of cherry tomatoes with herbs and other fresh ingredients on toast.
Breakfast in Vila Nova de Gaia
Across from Porto on the other side of the River Douro is a small city called Vila Nova de Gaia. Because Vila Nova de Gaia is so close to Porto, it’s well worth a visit.
In case you choose to head across the river for breakfast, or stay in Vila Nova de Gaia, here are two options for a delicious meal!
1. O Gato Comeu-te a Língua
O Gato Comeu-te a Língua, which means “the cat ate your tongue,” is known for serving specialty crepes and waffles. You can enjoy a crepe covered in fruit, cream, and other toppings. They also offer vegetarian options.
If you’re feeling adventurous (and have a sweet tooth!) order their big waffle sandwich. This epic breakfast comes with layers of waffles, fruit, icecream, and more.
2. Little Coffee
Little Coffee is a tea room, pastry shop, and breakfast spot. With a quiet and friendly atmosphere, you can enjoy pancakes, crepes and various types of eggs for breakfast.
Final Thoughts: The Best Porto Breakfasts
There’s no shortage of delicious breakfast options in Porto. Whether you head to the Lazy Breakfast Club for a late afternoon brunch, or pop into My Green Pastry for a vegan start to your day, you won’t be disappointed. Every spot on this breakfast in Porto list is well-reviewed!
Traveling onward from Porto? Learn How to Take the Train From Porto to Sintra.
More from Pina Travels on Portugal:
- Weekend in Porto: 16 Things to Do
- Your Essential 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary
- Your Comprehensive Sintra, Portugal Guide
- 10 Exciting Things to do in Algarve Portugal
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.
