Liberty: brunch, coffee & books — Restaurant in Lisbon

I had been on the lookout for a good spot in Lisbon to try syrniki - something I’d never had before but was really curious about. That search led me to this lovely little café, and I’m so glad it did.

I came in alone during peak brunch time on a Saturday, but the waitress was incredibly kind and welcoming, happily finding a spot for me. When I told her it was my first time trying syrniki and asked for a recommendation (they offer three different varieties), she suggested the sweet version with blackberry and lime mascarpone. I took her advice, and I’m so glad I did.

The dish was absolutely amazing and honestly exceeded my expectations. The sweetness was just right - not overpowering at all, even for someone like me who doesn’t usually go for sweet dishes. The iced Americano I ordered alongside it was a perfect match. I even scraped off the blackberry sauce and honestly left no hint of food on my plate. 😋

I also really loved the atmosphere of the café itself. It doubles as a bookstore, which gave it such a calm and cozy vibe. All in all, a wonderful experience. Great food, kind service, and a lovely space. Highly recommended; I’ll definitely be back trying the...

We stopped here while waiting to check into our next hotel and couldn’t have been more impressed. We walked through the door and noticed all of the tables were taken. Within seconds, we were greeted and told that tables would be leaving soon so there would be space for us shortly. We were seated shortly after, and even offered a different, more comfortable table that became available. Our server was beyond friendly and engaged (which always makes the experience better). We ordered two coffees and the lavender lemonade to start. Each drink was prepared with a high attention to detail regarding presentation, and tasted even better. The food was just as impressive! We ordered the yogurt and the hash brown, all delicately plated with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, with a unique take on the “standard” breakfast items. We were truly in awe. We told our server how amazing the meal was and asked who owned the spot. Turns out it was the woman who greeted us at the door and assured us a table would be available soon! If I could rate higher than 5...

Liberty Café in Santos is one of those spots you instantly feel at home in. It’s bright, relaxed, and just a little bit quirky with the bookshop tucked in the back.

We had two flat whites made with their Ethiopia blend, and both were beautifully balanced. The notes of blueberry, mango, earl grey, and brown sugar came through in every sip, and the coffee felt clean, smooth, and layered.

Instead of a salad, we tried the spinach syrniki. It’s a warm, savory pancake, soft on the inside with a light, crispy edge. Served with sour cream, it felt like the kind of comfort food you crave on a cool morning.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist the blackberry cottage cheese pancakes. They were tart and creamy, with mascarpone cream and a hint of lime zest. Honestly, one of the most unique and satisfying desserts I’ve had in Lisbon.

Service was easy and attentive, and the energy in the space made it hard to leave.

Liberty doesn’t overcomplicate things. They just focus on great coffee, creative food, and making you want to come back. I...