Ordering coffee in Portugal for the first time can be confusing and overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with the language. To hopefully make this pursuit easier, I will break down different coffee options you can order at cafés and restaurants. Before we begin, I want to preface that the filtered, drip coffee we drink in North America is not common in Portugal, unless you go to a specialty coffee shop. The common “coffees” you will find in Portugal are espresso-based.
Café or Bica
A café is simply an espresso.
Curto
A short espresso.
Cheio
A larger espresso that fills the cup.
Duplo
A double espresso.
Descafeinado
A decaffeinated espresso.
Carioca
A second press espresso. Using the same espresso grounds twice, the espresso is lighter in flavor and strength.
Café Com Cheirinho
An espresso topped with aguardente. The direct translation is quite funny – “espresso with a little scent”.
Pingado
An espresso with a couple drops of milk. The Portuguese word “Pingar” translates “to drip”, hence the drops of milk.
Galão
A small amount of espresso with a lot of milk, typically served in a tall glass. This coffee is lighter than a meia de leite (refer below) and is most popularly drank in the morning or with breakfast.
Garoto
The opposite of a pingado. A coffee with more milk than espresso served in an espresso cup.
Meia de Leite
A meia de leite is half milk and half espresso, commonly served in a ceramic cup that is larger than an espresso cup.
Abatanado
An espresso diluted with hot water, making it larger and weaker. Sometimes referred to as an Americano.
Cappuccino
This is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam / frothed milk. Often topped with cinnamon.
If you are ever in a pinch, refer to the infographic below!
We hope this little guide helps you when ordering coffee in Portugal. Let us know which coffee is your go-to in the comments! If you’re not a coffee fan, what is your drink of choice?
Looking for other foods and beverages to try when traveling to Portugal? Check our list of 30 must-try Portuguese foods!
Cheers!
Vanessa
“Garoto” means “little boy”. In Northern Portugal, the word it goes by is “Pingo” (“drip”).