Ah, Lisbon in the summer. The cobblestones held the heat, and the sun was strong. Finding a cool, welcoming spot for a coffee was paramount.
My recent trip to the Portuguese capital led me down a narrow street to a lovely little find.
Leaving the bright, hot sun behind, we stepped into the coffee house. It was a total relief with cool air, quiet, and was absolutely pristine. The interior was almost entirely white and cream, giving it a minimalist and refreshing feel. It was very bright inside, so I was happy to leave my sunglasses on.
Because the air conditioning was so good, it actually started to feel quite cold inside, so we didn't mind ordering hot drinks at all. While it's nice to try something different, I was happy to see they served Illy coffee, a brand I'm well acquainted with and love back in the UK. Spotting the logo on the tins stacked neatly on the minimalist shelves felt like finding a familiar friend.
I immediately ordered a much needed cappuccino and my friend had a hot chocolate. When it arrived, my cappuccino looked too good to drink with the heart art made from chocolate sprinkles.
The chocolate drink came in a tall glass and had a generous swirl of whipped cream and was dusted with cocoa powder.
The cupboard at the back displayed a variety of coffee machines and brewing equipment. They added decoration to the café and showed different ways coffee can be made. It was an interesting visit. If you ever find yourself in Lisbon, escaping the blistering sun, an Illy coffee in a quiet spot is a must!
