Cafe Arcada
A historic cafe in Giraldo Square, offering delightful Portuguese pastries, a meat buffet, and a cozy atmosphere perfect for coffee or a meal.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Cafe Arcada
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic cafe in Giraldo Square, offering delightful Portuguese pastries, a meat buffet, and a cozy atmosphere perfect for coffee or a meal.
"Enjoy high-quality coffee, amazing cakes, and a welcoming atmosphere in a prime square location."
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and ensure smoother service.
Embrace the Meat Buffet
If you choose the rodizio, prepare for an extensive meat-focused dining experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Portuguese
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+351 266 736 040
Address
Praça do Giraldo 7, 7000-508 Évora, Portugal
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Portuguese Pastries
Savor traditional treats like pastel de nata and queijada, baked fresh daily.
All-You-Can-Eat Meat Grill Buffet
Indulge in a hearty, meat-centric buffet experience with a variety of grilled options.
Prime Location & Ambiance
Enjoy high-quality coffee and cozy vibes in a room with chill music, perfect day or night.
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Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and ensure smoother service.
Embrace the Meat Buffet
If you choose the rodizio, prepare for an extensive meat-focused dining experience.
Try the Pastries
Don't miss the freshly baked treats, especially the queijadas from the pastry counter.
Consider Lunch Specials
The 'dish of the day' and cheese/ham boards receive positive mentions.
Tips
from all over the internet
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and ensure smoother service.
Embrace the Meat Buffet
If you choose the rodizio, prepare for an extensive meat-focused dining experience.
Try the Pastries
Don't miss the freshly baked treats, especially the queijadas from the pastry counter.
Consider Lunch Specials
The 'dish of the day' and cheese/ham boards receive positive mentions.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Cafe Arcada is praised for its prime location in Giraldo Square and its delicious Portuguese pastries, particularly the pastel de nata and queijada. Many appreciate the cozy atmosphere and high-quality coffee. However, some reviews note that the interior can feel a bit dated or less charming than its exterior suggests, and a few have experienced issues with food quality on certain dishes, alongside remarks about it being pricey for what's offered.
"Such a nice coffee shop!! Went there for a coffee in a very hot Sunday afternoon; inside was very chill, I so much appreciated it. The interior decoration was very cool and there were a lot of places to sit. The staff was very nice and talkative (also in English), I really felt the welcoming atmosphere there.
The pricing was fair given that the coffee shop is located literally next to the church in the main square. I totally recommend this place for the warm hospitality and fair pricing."
Ekin
"Big range of pastry. They don’t overcharge even they have a great location.
Very hot inside the cafe though."
Keren C
"Amazing coffee and pastries. We returned next day for dish of the day lunch and some black pork ham and cheese board. It helps if you speak a bit of Portuguese. You go in, choose what you want, you order and pay at the back and then you show your ticket at the counter (with the funny sign, see photo). Not so difficult. The bean pasteis is amazing as is the pasteis de nata. Atmosphere inside is just dull reminded me of my school canteen. We sat outside which is nicer."
Plain SailingLife
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Cafe Arcada is known for its delicious Portuguese pastries, such as pastel de nata and queijada. They also offer an all-you-can-eat meat grill buffet.
Yes, many visitors praise the high-quality coffee and the cozy, chill atmosphere that is perfect for enjoying a cup.
It's recommended to visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and potential service delays.
Yes, Cafe Arcada has outdoor seating available, offering a pleasant spot to enjoy your meal or coffee.
Yes, Cafe Arcada serves snacks and tapas all day, making it a good option even during off-peak hours.
The all-you-can-eat meat grill buffet is considered budget-friendly and worth checking out by visitors.
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Restaurants in Évora and the Alentejo
Opposite the fountain on Praça do Giraldo, Café Arcada is a local institution open since the 1940s. The large hall now features a newspaper stand, a bakery, a wine shop and a restaurant. Tables on the square are just the place from which to watch the city on parade.
Food and Travel Magazine | Evora
Awaiting your arrival are beautiful buildings, echoing Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, and the deceptively delicious Café Arcada (00 351 266 741 777) where the locals devour freshly baked queijada, a warm cheesecake with a buttery crust. Turn left towards the cathedral and follow Rua 5 de Outubro, past shops selling local produce, their cork items saturating the shelves. Climb to the top of the cathedral for unparalleled city views, then transcend time in the Roman temple ruins below.
Evora city guide: the Big Weekend
To the left, on the square outside the church, the city’s conservative old guard can be found at Cafe Arcada, a mash-up of art deco and 1960s chic (Praca do Giraldo 7); and to the right, Evora’s left-wing populace will be in the Sociedade Harmonia Eborense, a bohemian first-floor warren overlooking the square (Praca do Giraldo 72).
Giraldo Square Evora, Praça do Giraldo
Underneath the arches on one side of Giraldo Square, the ones everybody seeks for its architecture and for the shadow they provide, you will find a whole assortment of shops and two essential places to visit: the famous Café Arcada, with some of the best cakes in town; and the Stationer’s Nazaré, the oldest in Évora.
Praça do Giraldo, Évora - 2024 Tourist Guide
Here is also Café Arcada, a café from 1942 that was a luxurious place at the time, even hosting concerts with its own orchestra. It has sadly been modernized and has lost all of its historic charm, but remains a good place to try Portuguese pastries.
South Along Portugal’s Frontier Castles to Evora
The timing was perfect as we had stopped in front of the Cafe Arcada, which was packed with locals eager to take part in its sumptuous lunch buffet. It’s definitely worth checking out and very budget friendly.
Évora, Portugal
The best spot for people-watching is Café Arcada, strategically located in Giraldo Square. Grab a seat, order a coffee, and observe the lively flow of people passing by.
Onde comprar recordações em Évora?
Tente encontrar o que procura, por exemplo, no Café Arcada ou na Pastelaria Pão de Rala. Ou então em lojas gourmet como a Boa Boca ou a Divinus Gourmet.
How to Plan an Amazing Lisbon to Évora Day Trip 2024
If you’re hungry during off hours, Cafe Arcada on the main square and PipaRoza Boutique Bar both serve snacks and tapas all day.
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