Esquires Coffee Porto — Restaurant in Porto

I only tried the cappuccino with oat milk (3,45€), and to be honest, it didn’t quite live up to the expectations — especially considering the number reviews and rating. It wasn’t bad, just not particularly remarkable. A decent spot for a coffee break, but not somewhere I’d go out of my way for.

The staff were genuinely friendly and welcoming, and the space itself was clean, bright, and fairly spacious. There seemed to be quite a few sweet options on display, as well as some "salty" ones — I think some might have been vegan/vegetarian, though I can’t say for certain. Also, it looks like a cool place for coworking. Most places around the city accept payments by card.

What makes me hesitate a bit is how places like this, especially around Porto’s city centre or old town, tend to be so highly rated that they almost feel untouchable. In my opinion, the issue is that the level of praise doesn’t reflect the reality. It creates a slight mismatch between what you expect and what you actually get, particularly if you value quality over trend. I’m not criticising this place for that reason — it’s a general observation about the city centre. After all, Porto is quite popular among international students and digital nomads, so that influence naturally shapes what gets attention.

I might change my mind if I try the breakfast, brunch, or any of the food options they have. I just cannot give it a better review...

To be honest, I hadn't see its review score being so high until now, but I saw why 2 days ago. To the review itself: we had a brunch/breakfast there. Price is not the cheapest to be found, but taste-wise was great. Had some eggs, some yogurt based musli or so, coffee, orange juice and some pancakes. On the minus, I would have expected a bit more salty stuff in this big menu and would have also expected the sweet stuff to arrive later. To the service: I liked the guys, ready to be a bit chatty if needed, making those small jokes one would make. On the overall atmosphere, there's modern pop music playing. Sitting and tables are not the most comfortable I've been at, but the taste/style is great, a mixure of simplicity, modern and elegant. About 10 tables available, plus some extra space at the bar. Good for people up to 6-7 people I guess, with some more sitting outside assuming the...

A welcome coffee fix in central Porto

After a string of underwhelming coffee stops around Porto, Esquires felt like a much-needed change. It was one of the few cafés we found that offered oat milk, which made all the difference for my partner.

We ordered an Iced Cappuccino with oat milk and an Iced Americano. The coffee was solid and satisfying, though the roast leaned a bit darker than we usually prefer, with a slightly longer extraction that added some bitterness. Still, it hit the spot.

The indoor vibe was relaxed and well thought out, with comfortable seating and WiFi, making it ideal for a short break or even catching up on some work. Service was friendly and efficient, which helped keep the experience smooth.

If you're particular about your coffee or plant-based milk options, Esquires is a safe and welcome stop in the...