Café Império Lisbon
Steak & football empire
Nuno from Lisbon
Café Império was restored 10 years ago, bringing back the glamour from the 50's. Admire the façade and, while inside, don't forget to also check the ceramic tiles from Jorge Barradas and the 48m2 wall painting by Louis Dourdil. The building was designed by Cassiano Branco in 1947 and inside, besides the Restaurant there was also a Cinema.
Unfortunately the Cinema was closed, but the Café and the Restaurant opened again in 2006, bringing back the 50's. The place, decorated with black and white photos of Divas, famous actors and cinematic objects, was restored and pays homage to Cinema's golden age - One can almost smell it!
Not far from the town center, the "new" quarters of Alvalade and Areeiro were projected in the 40's. The minister and also mayor of Lisbon, Duarte Pacheco, was one of the main figures responsible for the project. The design in "Soft Portuguese Style" from the 50's, common in these quarters, is visible in the façade but also inside the building. The old but still imposing Cinema Império, was once one of the finest places in town for a romantic matinee at the movies. Nowadays it still stands as a landmark for the late 40's architecture.
The Restaurant serves great steaks and inside the majestic dining room, there's a gigantic-huge screen. Be prepared, for it changes from romantic to the noisiest place you've ever been when it's... football match day! Go for a steak and grab a beer - Also try the Chocolate cupcake... to die for :).
Lisbon Spotter Nuno
About this spot
Our Lisbon City Guide
Find your way with 208 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Lisbon
Lisb'On Rollers
Inline skating community
"Lisb'On Rollers" is the quintessential inline skating community in Lisbon. Come here to make new friends and share your passion for this exciting hobby!
by
Sara
Trigo
Largo do Carmo
Square in downtown
"Largo do Carmo" is a very charismatic square in downtown Lisbon. Its history stretches from before 1755 to the more recent Carnation Revolution...
by
Sara
Trigo
Mondego
A breath of fresh air
"Mondego" is a restaurant in Lisbon in a hidden corner behind Rossio that's a true breath of fresh air, despite being wholly traditional & Portuguese...
by
Sara
Trigo
Stage Center Maiolle
Dance studio for everyone
"Stage Center Maiolle" in Lisbon will change your opinion about ballet dancing. I had a trauma surrounding ballet, and when I came, I didn't want to leave.
by
Sara
Trigo
Fábrica Braço de Prata
A cultural factory
"Fábrica Braço de Prata" in Lisbon is a cultural venue located where there used to be an armaments factory. Swords to ploughshares, you might say!
by
Erik
Lassche
Elisabeth'Nails
Nail salon
"Elisabeth'Nails" in Lisbon is a reminder that you don't need to neglect feeling pretty & confident when you're away from home! It's an experience...
by
Sara
Trigo
31 d'Armada
Bar and restaurant
"31 d'Armada" in Lisbon is a
by
Sara
Trigo
La Villa
Italian restaurant - wood oven
I've been on a quest for the best truffle pizza in Lisbon and I feel like "La Villa" at Campo dos Mártires da Pátria is on its own quest to earn the first place...
by
Sara
Trigo
O Caco da Marquesa
Traditional pottery store
"O Caco da Marquesa" in Lisbon is an ideal pottery shop for beautiful gifts. It will definitely help you better appreciate what Portugal has to offer...
by
Sara
Trigo
Ink & Wheels
Tattoo and piercing store
"Ink & Wheels" in Lisbon is a cheerful, picturesque, cool tattoo studio with a unique aesthetic that's the best place to get your new or first tattoo!
by
Sara
Trigo
Alcântara 50
Sophisticated typical food
"Alcântara 50" is a very cosy Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon where you will feel like you're in a typical home of someone's grandparents...
by
Sara
Trigo
Tasquinha da Linha
Typical restaurant
"Tasquinha da Linha" in Lisbon offers affordable full lunch & dinner menus. You can go there every day of the week and never eat the same thing twice!
by
Sara
Trigo
Heading to Lisbon?
208 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Lisbon?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 208 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Coffee & tea
Our team loves Lisbon
Get to know our other Spotters from Lisbon
As featured on:
