O Diplomata — Restaurant in Porto

!CASH ONLY! Unfortunately, I cannot agree with all the positive reviews. We really wanted to come here as the rating is very high and food on the photos looked good, but we were very disappointed.

We arrived for the opening and were waiting with about 4 other people. When the food arrived, the scrambled eggs and bacon were not hot enough. It definitely did not feel as just prepared. The portion was definitely way too small for the money and the taste was average, nothing what I would pay money for… The pancake was alright, but does not live up to its amazing reviews. Maybe if you put a lot of topping on the top, the situation changes.

We also tried the smoothie bowl, which was another disappointment. I ordered the banana, granola, coconut one - it was very liquid, it had relatively little granola and dark chocolate was almost not existent. Also it tasted like cocoa powder rather than quality dark chocolate. The entire meal has a potential, but what I received was definitely not worth it.

It is only a cash only place, which I really do not understand considering jt apparently has so many people dining in. And just saying, we did not receive the receipt, so I guess the reasons are clear for it being cash only… Moreover, it only says “No Multibanco”, non-Portuguese people are most often not aware of what that means. Please write it properly in English so people do not have to run to the ATM.

This place is definitely not worth such high reviews, and there are much better restaurants in the area. I do not want to name, but give it a quick search and you will see what a good...

Warning: Cash Only.

This cafe is overrated. It has managed to get itself onto various tourist blogs and lists, but it's not really anything special. What is unique about it is that it serves a wide selection of pancakes that you can customise with different batters and toppings. The pancakes are nice but not amazing.

By 10am there was a queue forming outside, mainly consisting of tourists waiting for a table. The place is popular. Staff are busy but service was reasonably quick without needing to wait long for orders to be taken or the bill to arrive.

There were two main things that were a negative for us:

Cash only. We only found this out when we arrived and, had we known in advance, we wouldn't have gone. It cost me $4 to withdraw cash from an ATM nearby whereas the cost to them for taking contactless payment would be minimal. There is no excuse for a business in an EU country not to take contactless payment.

Coffee isn't great. I ordered a flat white from the menu, but what I received was definitely not a flat white (even though they said it was when they brought it over). Milk foam on top of a bitter black coffee does not a...

tl;dr: yes. Just yes. Just remember to bring cash.

I have a thing for brunch. I don’t know how to explain it, it’s kinda like a calling of sorts. Give me some nicely presented breakfast food and I’m a happy camper. This is what I got here, plus the best waiter ever.

I was slightly lucky to get a table here because the waiter told me there’s usually quite the line (and it did begin forming later). There are 5 fixed brunch menus, custom pancake options plus some extras like different fruit juices, bagels and other stuff I didn’t pay attention to. Menu number 4 had an açaí bowl so that’s what I went for, plus a tuna bagel.

Food tasted good, beverages tasted good, coffee was dirt cheap. What more can you ask for? Lots of foreigners here for some reason.

The young man who was waiting the tables is the best waiter ever. Portuguese guy who speaks English with a mild Texan accent. Greets everyone so enthusiastically and just seems quite happy to be there doing his thing. Gave me bakery recommendations. His presence makes the experience here more joyful! Very happy without...