Café Santa Cruz
A century-old café set in a former monastery chapel, where you can drink coffee and eat monastery sweets beneath Gothic vaults.
Café Santa Cruz opened in 1923. The space was once a chapel of the Santa Cruz Monastery, and it retains its stone ribbed vaults, stained glass, and wooden decorations. It has been named one of the most beautiful cafés in the world. Recommended orders include a bica, a strong espresso, with Coimbra's signature pastry, the Crúzios. In the evenings, Coimbra fado performances are often held here for an additional charge. It is on Praça 8 de Maio and usually closed on Sundays. It can get crowded at peak times, so expect to queue.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–24:00; many closed on Sundays
Nearby sights
- Monastery of Santa Cruz
- Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V
- Arco de Almedina & Quebra-Costas
- Fado ao Centro
- Old Cathedral of Coimbra
- Machado de Castro National Museum
- University of Coimbra – Paço das Escolas
- New Cathedral of Coimbra