Santa Cruz Café, Coimbra

Café Santa Cruz is more than just a coffeehouse; it is a living piece of Coimbra’s history, seamlessly blending architecture, tradition, and culture in one of the city's most emblematic spaces. Nestled in 8th of May Square (Praca 8 de Maio), next to the Monastery of Santa Cruz, this café occupies a former chapel dating back to 1530—a rare and striking setting that has been repurposed into one of Portugal’s most beautiful cafés since 1923.

Its Manueline-style high-vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, wood paneling, and marble-top tables reflect a past where sacred and social life intersected. Originally serving as the “church of the poor”, the space later lost its religious function and was transformed into a café—a meeting point for Coimbra’s intellectuals, university students, and artists.

Café Santa Cruz is not just a place to sip espresso or savor a traditional Portuguese pastry; it is a hub for culture and conversation. With a program that includes live fado performances, book launches, storytelling sessions, and documentary screenings, the café maintains its historical role as a space for debate, artistic expression, and community gatherings.

The restoration of the building was overseen by Augusto Monteiro and his son Jose, with the exquisite stained-glass windows crafted by the Almeida brothers and Afonso Pessoa. The wrought iron chandeliers were the work of Coimbra artist António Maria da Conceicao, adding to the café’s old-world charm.

In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, Café Santa Cruz was awarded Coimbra’s Gold Medal in 2013. With nearly 500 years of history and a century of continuous activity, it remains an essential stop for those wishing to experience Coimbra’s traditions, intellectual spirit, and timeless atmosphere—all over a perfectly brewed coffee.