Martinho da Arcada is tucked away in the corner of Praça do Comercio, this traditional tea house opened in 1782 making it one of Lisbon’s oldest cafes. The wood-panelled and white-tiled interior features an image of Fernando Pessoa, who adopted the place as one of his favourite haunts. Martinho da Arcada was once a gambling den but the café now attracts politicians from the surrounding government buildings. It’s also a popular pit-stop for commuters on their way to the ferry terminal.

The stand-up bar is often busy at lunchtimes and a far more leisurely cup of coffee can be taken at one of the outdoor tables beneath the stone archways. Surprisingly, the hordes of tourists who plague Café Brasíliera and Café Bernard are yet to descend on this peaceful spot. An adjoining restaurant offers finer dining in more stuffy surroundings.