Café A Brasileira, Café A Brasileira do Chiado or Brasileira do Chiado (Building on Rua Garrett) including the café and the section of pavement in front of the door where the name of the establishment and the police numbers are read

Category: Civil Architecture > Building

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa

Location

Café A Brasileira do Chiado is located on the bustling Rua Garrett, at numbers 120-122, in the heart of Chiado, one of the most emblematic and historic districts of the Portuguese capital. The building that houses this iconic café was recognised for its value and classified as a Building of Public Interest in 1997, attesting to its heritage significance in the city of Lisbon.

History and Significance

Founded on November 19, 1905, by Adriano Telles, Café A Brasileira quickly established itself as one of Lisbon's oldest and most distinctive establishments. Adriano Telles took the initiative to introduce and popularise the consumption of coffee coming directly from Brazil, renowned for its superior quality. It was in this context that the practice of serving coffee directly from the machines was established, an innovation that gave rise to the popular term bica to refer to espresso coffee in Lisbon, perpetuating a part of its history in everyday vocabulary.

The Meeting of Culture and Art

More than just a social venue, Café A Brasileira became a true cultural landmark in the city. This spot was regularly frequented by prominent figures of Portuguese literature and art, most notably the poet Fernando Pessoa, whose presence is now immortalised by an emblematic statue right in front of the café's entrance. Writers, artists, and thinkers would meet here to debate ideas and drive the modernist movement in Portugal, consolidating its role in the country's intellectual and artistic life.

The café's dedication to art extended to promoting exhibitions. In 1925, it began the regular exhibition of works by a new generation of Portuguese artists, a significant milestone in the artistic promotion of the time. Later, in 1971, this tradition was renewed with the presentation of new works by contemporary painters, highlighting the establishment's ongoing commitment to the national art scene.

Pavement Details

Complementing the historical and cultural richness of the building, the outdoor space in front of the café's entrance features a distinctive detail in its pavement. In this section of pavement, made of traditional Portuguese cobblestone, one can see the establishment's own name, “A Brasileira”, as well as the building's street numbers, engraved. This unique detail invites close observation and adds an extra layer of interest to the experience of visiting this iconic location.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Café_A_Brasileira_(Lisboa)

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt