With so many types, be sure to get the right one.

If you are visiting Portugal for the first time and you ask for a coffee. Chances are you are going to get a small black coffee. A short rich strong coffee shot. 

Not advised if you have a dodgy ticker!

Go to YouTube to find out how to pronounce all these words!

In the Algarve you can ask for “uma bica” (bee-kah), Lisbon too, but in Porto you would ask for “um cimbalino.” If you can’t remember those names you can just ask for “um café”, and people will know what you mean.

“Um café cheio” or “uma bica cheia”

In Portugal, a coffee is never quite filled to the top. If you want it topped up with water, you ask for “um café cheio” or “uma bica cheia”.

Do you know how the ‘bica’ got its name? Click here to find out.

“Um café pingado”

This is a café or espresso that has been topped up with milk. (see image)

“Um garoto”

This is a milder-tasting espresso that’s around 50% coffee and 50% milk. The word garoto literally means a little boy. It might feel a bit strange going into a café and asking for a little boy – but that is really what it is called.

“Um carioca”

A carioca is a weak form of espresso made from the dregs of the previous coffee. Normally when an espresso is made, the old coffee is emptied out and replaced with freshly grounded coffee. To make a carioca, you don’t change the coffee. 

“Um café duplo”

A café duplo is a double espresso. (This is what you drink when they are using a hydraulic lift to paint the building next door when you are trying to write articles and make videos).

“Um Café com Cheirinho”

A “um café com cheirinho” or “um bica com cheiro” is a coffee with a drop of brandy or aguardente in it. Some of the older Portuguese start off their day with one of these. I think that would finish mine!

“Um Abatanado” or “Um Americano”

“Um abatanado” (in the South) or “um americano” (around Porto) is somewhere between an espresso and an Americano. If you want a long black coffee, this is the closest thing that you can get to it. It will be strong so you can get them to fill to the top for a smoother drink, “um abatanado/americano cheio“.

If you want to guarantee your cup is full ask for an “abatanado cheio“, which means a full abatanado or a black coffee with extra hot water.

“Um Café descafeinado”

This is a decaffeinated coffee or espresso, but you can add the word ‘descafeinado’ to any of the coffees to make it a decaf.

e.g: “Uma meia de leite descafeinada”

Milky coffees

I am a lightweight and it has to be a milky coffee for me. In some places, especially at fairs and festivals, you might not be able to get a white coffee, but you will in the pastelarias (coffee shops) for sure. 

“Uma meia de leite”

This is half milk and half coffee, and it’s similar to a flat white or a latte. If you want it stronger, you ask for “uma meia de leite escura“. 

“Um Café com Leite”

This is basically the same as a ‘meia de leite’. If you don’t want such a milky coffee you can always opt for an american or “abatanado com um bocado de leite” (black with a bit of milk)

“Um galão”

“Um galão” is a tall glass of warm milk with a shot of coffee in it. This is a popular drink in the morning served with two doorsteps of toast (Thick wedges of toast – with butter on each side!)

If you want a stronger coffee, particularly first thing in the morning, you can ask for “um galão escuro” if you want a weaker one ask for “um galão claro“.

Important points to remember

That is basically it, you will now be able to order a coffee in Portuguese. However there are a few important points to remember.  When asking for a coffee you can start with “Quero”, then say the coffee you would like. Don’t forget to say ‘please’. “se faz favor” or “por favor” – whichever one you find easier.

e.g. Quero um café com leite descafeinado, por favor.

If you are asking for more than one coffee, it is pretty straight forward, you just add an ‘s’
“Duas bicas”

“Dois americanos”

However don’t forget the gender differences: “Duas meias de leite”

Do you know the plural for Galão?

The plural for galão is ‘galões’.

The –lões – sounds a little like the word “loins” in English, only more nasalized and ending with a |ʒ| sound (like the ‘s’ in the word treasure) )

Portuguese is a beautiful language and the country is rich in culture. If you are thinking of learning Portuguese there is no better time than now. Take a loo at the course, or alternately sign up to the platform!

If coffee isn’t your thing, take a look at this blog post: What if I don’t like Coffee?