Majestic Café

We totally knew what we were getting into with this TOURIST cafe - we knew it would be a wait, and expensive, because of the tourist nature of it. However, that was fine - we were on vacation and it really was quite pretty inside. We actually had a lovely time waiting in line outside in the queue, in fact, chit chatting with other tourists. I think we might have waited about 30 mins on a Sunday late morning. It was a photo oppo for sure, but the food was good too. We only had some tea/coffee and dessert items, but it was served quickly, attractively and friendly and it tasted good. It was a "one and done" for us, but I'm still glad we went for a snack.

I had dinner at the Majestic Café in Porto. The café is unbelievably gorgeous — both inside and out — and truly worth seeing. Unfortunately, the service was quite disappointing. I ordered a Francesinha, which was just okay, nothing special. The meal was also very expensive for what it was. Overall, I’d recommend visiting the Majestic Café to admire its stunning architecture and atmosphere, but not for the food. It’s perfect for taking pictures, less so for dining.

Majestic Café has a great view over Dam Square, making it a great spot to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. The beer is good and reasonably priced, but the food is disappointing and not worth the stop if you’re hungry. Service is fair, nothing special but gets the job done. Best enjoyed for a drink with a view rather than a full meal.

Must see stop in Porto. Interior design is so traditional you feel part of a different era inside. Service is fine and fast. You probably have to wait in line for a table but in my case it was no longer than 20 minutes. The menu has tons of options, tea service and desserts. If you dont want to spend as much money maybe its better to come here in the afternoon for coffee, tea or dessert :). Prices are elevated.

Such a beautiful cafe restaurant. I love it so much. The inside of cafe is so stunning and it’s more like old Hollywood movies, I feel like I’m in a different world. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. Their cafe tastes amazing and also the dessert is so delicious. I just wish they could use AC in hot summer days, but overall everything is perfect and for sure next time when I visit Porto I’ll go to there.

Such a special experience which I will never forget. The cafe really lives up to its name. I had the duck with red port sauce and potatoes which was just perfect followed by a gorgeous ginger, lime and white port cocktail. The service was world class and atmosphere electric. It was the best 50 Euros I've ever spent! Thank you so much to my Portuguese friend who recommended this place to me!

This café is really charming and beautifully decorated inside. We came for dessert with coffee and hot chocolate. The cakes were served in an appetising way. My cheesecake had a delicate cream flavour, decent, but I have tried better. Given the high prices, my expectations were higher. Nice to try once, more for the overall experience.

Beautiful historical interior. Very popular caffee that is over 100 years old. It got very full on Thursday morning by 9:30 in the morning. Good service. Good selection of food. On expensive side, but worth visiting at least once.

Wow, what beautiful decor. The mirrors, the lamps, the marble tables, the leather embossed bench seats, the woodwork, the piano playing--just amazing. Service was fast and friendly. We came for dessert and ordered a pastel de nata and apple tart; both absolutely delicious. The cafe con leche and cappuccino were really good. A must-do when in Porto!

We were starving and been struggling to find a yummy place to eat, then bam, Cafe Majestic saved us. The service was great and we enjoyed our food. We recommend the bread basket appetizer and the ham and mushroom omelette. *chefs kiss*

If you're a big Harry Potter fan, you probably have heard the lore that JK Rowling supposedly wrote a lot of it on napkins at the Cafe Majestic. I used to be a huge HP fan, so definitely had to stop in when we were in Porto. A lot of it was a little highfalutin' for my taste, but one thing they had was a food that literally changed my life (my food life, anyway) It was called the Francesinha, and it was a delicious sandwich with ham, layered between toasted bread slices, covered in a savory tomato based sauce and topped with melted cheese. We had a few Francesinhas while in Portugal, but our first was at the Cafe Majestic, so theirs will always hold a place in my heart. Go to the Cafe Majestic for the Harry Potter history, the old world charm, but definitely for the food (the Francesinha!)

We still haven't tried and likely won't. Coffee alone was €5-7! When next door, there's a plethora of places where it's€.50 -2.0. Certainly is a beautiful building however: but I get why folks call it a tourist trap. I think they are trying to raise Portugal's GDP a percentage or two by overcharging for food and beverages here alone. Potter heads won't care, they will simply gawk and snap selfies, marveling in the charming timelessness of the space, somehow loosely tied to Harry Potter,

Tourist trap! Really beautiful cafe and apparently JK Rowling wrote part of Harry Potter here, but the food leaves much to be desired. The tea set was the worst that I have ever had- the pasteis de nata was soggy and the sandwiches left much to be desired and very expensive for what was given. 2 stars because the service was lovely and the environment is great

Tourist trap. I read the reviews that said this and also told me it wasn't great but I still wanted to go. I found the experience to be underwhelming. Sure, it's pretty but I don't think I'd rate it as one of most beautiful cafes in the world. I was unimpressed with the service. We had made a reservation and upon telling staff that, I felt like we were an inconvenience them. It is overpriced. Cocktails were $10 which is high for this area. If you must go, I recommend going for a drink and the French toast, which is a dessert menu item. The French toast was delicious which is why I am giving 3 stars. We spilt the order for a fun treat and to experience the place with breaking the budget. If you are crunched for time in Porto, check out some place outs there are so many better food options.

This place is overpriced and passed its prime. An Americano coffee for €7 and a croissant with some chocolate filling for €8. Sorry folks but this is a fair warning, this has become another tourist trap. When you have hundreds of modern looking coffee place that are cool and high-end, nostalgia and historical landmarks are great but there is no reasons to make it inaccessible because of high prices. The service was friendly as the hostess sat us.

The French Toast was certainly the best I've had anywhere. Coffee American size was also good. Was crowded but efficient. Some of the other dishes really didn't look that fabulous, but for that one little slice of sweet perfection and the awesome interior and old school uniformed service I'm calling five stars.

Great service...and even better food! All I had was the Seafood Soup and an iced tea. The iced tea was the best tea I've ever had! Lol. And the soup was intensely enjoyable and flavorful. Thank goodness they brought a few rolls so I could sop up every delectable drop!

You will typically find a line in front of this Cafe of people taking selfies and waiting to be seated. It's beautiful, established over 100 years ago, and has tradition rooted in this city. The grand piano and the old world decorations are all part of its charm and elegance. But in terms of its food and quality it's just another cafe, of which there are dozens on the same street. You should expect the cost to be double of every other coffee spot around the area, but if you're looking for a diffetype of ambiance, I guess it's worth the visit. Personally, next time I'm going next door.

Beautiful touristy spot seems made fame from JKR. I find the menu extremely expensive. The Ham Toast breakfast was tiny and stingy on ham. Porto French Toast was interesting almost like French Toast + Portuguese Egg Tart got married. Definately worth to try once.

For the history and ambiance, it is worth a stop here if you are nearby. Excellent French toast. Francesinha with fries for 30 euro is pricey, but the steak inside is very tender. Nothing stands out particularly, but nothing is bad.

Beautiful place, touristy because JKR. The server was very friendly and seated us. Frenchsinha is delicious, very savory Seafood soup goes great with the bread, looks like the shrimp was looking at me French toast Majestic style is a must try! The crispy & flavorful. Would come here for dessert or just a cup of coffee!

A absolutely beautiful cafe that has totally become a tourist destination with tourist trap prices. However, it is still worth it to elbow your way in to soak in the old-world atmosphere and enjoy the ambience. Highly suggest going for full meals elsewhere and maybe just come for tea and cake to keep costs reasonable. We had the tea and Majestic french toast. Both were good, but a slice of french toast is 7Eur!

What a beautiful cafe! We were immediately greeted by someone at the door and welcomed in. You walk into a grand entrance with beautiful paintings and decorations on the walls. We got there closer to 12/12:30 and there were plenty of tables but a huge tour group came in and got very busy. The tables are smaller and made to seat groups of 4 so if you do plan on coming with a large party, expect to possibly sit in smaller groups. There are plenty of waiters/waitresses so you will get quick service. We ordered the french toast, tea and cappuccino. The french toast was veryyy rich. I would suggest even getting tea versus coffee if you're ordering this dish. Nonetheless, the toast was nice and soft and very decadent.

Apparently, JK Rowling had frequented this cafe as she was writing her HP books. The cafe is rich in history, over 100 years worth. So much to look at immersed in Art Nouveau decor. Don't have high expectations of the food - it was just ok. You're paying for the ambiance and experience. Enjoy, relax, and absorb the atmosphere and culture.

It was amazing....a must see. Be prepared to wait in line. Check out the patio in back as well.

The start of our Pasteis de Nata journey in Portugal. What better way then to try this at one of the oldest and most beautiful café in Portugal at Majestic Café. We ordered scones, pasteis de nata, and white tea. In terms of the Nata, given it was our first time, we would rate it at 3.5/5 (right at average). The white tea was paired well with the scones. The purpose of visit is of course the café itself. It truly is beautiful and always bustling with customers. I would recommend this place for dates, photo, or for tea time. Best in groups of 2-4, but tables can be adjust for bigger crowds.

I had never heard of Cafe Majestic until we stumbled upon it online the night before. It looks so cool and I didn't know any of the history! The inside had a Parisian vibe to it and the architecture and detail was gorgeous. We were seated pretty immediately which was a nice surprise! When it's crowded and busy everything is in close proximity and can get tight. The staff was friendly and came around often. There was a variety of food but most of it was pretty standard and basic. We ordered the burger and turkey club with fries on the side and they were both DELICIOUS. We enjoyed the meal and architecture but I wouldn't say this is a must do it Porto compared to what else they have to offer.

This place is very touristy, although it is indeed beautiful. However, the service is not good as I was unattended for for a few times. The burger was good and juicy, however, everything was pricy. If you just want to look, maybe look through the windows.

In general, our meals in Portugal routinely underpromised and overdelivered. Our tour guide's one bad recommendation suggested that the sandwiches here were award-winning and filling. The Cafe Majestic was the glaring exception. After a 5-7 minute wait to enter, we were graciously welcomed into this noisy, busy establishment by a smiling man. After that, the experience turned terribly disappointing. First, we were ignored. We counted three parties seated aside us that entered after us who were approached and served before us. We nearly left, which we typically never do. When approached, the waitress refused to smile, and was uncommonly curt and brusque. The club sandwich we ordered was anemic (8-9 bites) and virtually tasteless. It cost 24 Euros and would not have warranted more than $8-10 in San Francisco or New York City and $4-5 anywhere else. While the antiquity of the century-old establishment is engaging to the eye, there is nothing in this crowded, mismanaged restaurant to warrant a visit. Cafe Majestic defines a "Tourist Trap" and a total ripoff -- a rating and description that if you read my reviews, I am hardly ever so vociferous.

3.5 ...service is efficient, professional and friendly, presentation is great, food is good, prices are pricy. People come here as it's an institution that's been around since the 1920s, keeping much of the same traditions and decor. Cool to visit but wouldn't come again.

Have been there twice - don't plan to return. Super expensive, a few great servers, (several bad). food and coffee are average / ok.

Food was mediocre . High prices for an underwhelming sandwich. Service was not great. It's not worth the hype. Tourist trap. 24 euros for a meager club sandwich that would have cost not more than 8 dollars in the States.

Cool spot to visit in you enjoy old buildings. This restaurant has been around since the 1920s (I think) and the staff are still dressed in uniforms from that time. Their host is extremely friendly and accommodating and the servers are helpful and mostly speak English. A great spot for coffee and a Portuguese egg tart!

The oldest cafe in Porto since 1921. Amazing decors with all museum grade furniture not for exhibition, is actually for seating and dinning. Our Maitredi who is definitely earned our respect, he has been busing tables while ushering the waiting crowds. Our server who also is an angel when she learned we were sharing a plate, she automatically gave us an split platings, what an pro, I told her. The omelet was great, perhaps they must have served this dish for millions of times :)

This place had been recommended by so many people online for the beauty of the place. We couldn't believe how well it was preserved. We had an espresso and americano and shared an almond tarte! Definitely must try this dessert!

Café Majestic is a landmark restaurant on the main square near downtown Porto. The trained wait staff speaks fluently minimum 4 languages. While the restaurant is a bit pricey the ambiance and atmosphere speaks for itself. The artwork that surrounds the building is swarmed in hard wood carvings of chubs and gods. The decor is encased by mirrors and heavy wood frames creating symmetrical reflections that enhance visual dynamics. This is a place to dine slow and smile often. Staff serves with white coats and black slacks. Service is superb. This is not the place you want to dine and expect to be waited on hand and foot. Instead the service is in motion you don't have to ask for much. You have to be comfortable with yourself despite what other reviews have posted. I had the squid inked linguine with Tiger prawns and clams. It was the perfect meal in a space where i was in complete control of my own experience. I will come again

I knew I needed to try Cafe Majestic and had bookmarked it but wasn't totally seeking it out, but really just happened upon it while walking to a chapel near by. I decided I'd stop in right then and there despite the fact that I'd just had a decent size feast at my hotel. I walked right in and snagged a table near the front window which provided a really great view of the space to my right. This cafe is really pretty. It was interesting sitting there watching everyone's facial expressions as they walked through the front door. I feel like while this space seems much smaller it feels similar to Cafe Louvre in Prague or really any other snazzy type cafes around. The intricate wood paneling and chairs were very lovely. The marble and cherubs, it's all quite nice. I've learned that natas aren't really my thing. I'm not big on them and I tried many at many different bakeries and cafes, I suppose I'm just not real big on egg desserts. Anyhow, I tried one here and felt the same. The menu didn't appear to be anything to write home about and where many may refer to this cafe as pricey, I suppose that's all relative, pricier than what? The prices seemed fair to me. I would suggest as many others do, stopping in for a caffeine fix and something small but this is no gastronomic experience by any stretch of the imagination. A pretty cafe nonetheless, and many single women I suppose all here channeling their inner JK Rowling and hoping to spark some creativity with their writing game. Don't worry! I'm well aware that didn't happen for me as we can all tell by this review ;)

A bit too touristy with okay food. * * * EXPERIENCE * * * This cafe is located on a busy shopping street with lots of traffic, for some reason lots of people were taking pictures outside but no one was going in. Later I found out that JK Rowling actually wrote the first Harry Potter book here, interesting. Interior of the cafe was nothing special, it's pretty big inside, staff is nice. * * * FOOD * * * French Toast: B+ It's not very sweet which I liked, but the size was small and the texture was a bit too hard. Pastel de nata: B- One of the worse ones I have had during this Portugal trip - the egg cream did not have that carbon-y caramel taste, and the tart was not crunchy but pretty hard. I think I get why most people didn't go in, but if you need to take a small break and enjoy an espresso, I guess this place is alright.

You don't come here for the food, you come for the experience of eating in a 100-year-old Art Nouveau café. Yes, it's been taken over by tourists but it's still worth it. We had the chocolate cake and almond tart--both adequate but not remarkable. Others complain about the service but I found it fast and professional--and this was during a very busy time in the late morning. Porto has many fun eateries, but there is only one historic café--and this is it.

One of oldest café in Portugal. It was formerly known as the Elite Cafe, opened in 1921. It's a "time capsule of the glamour of a time past". Even the waiters are dressed in the past attire. The espresso is fine, the pasteis de nata average, but the ambiance...wow! Classic European chic from an older era, definitely worth coming for a drink and light snack.

$7 cup of coffee $8 cup of hot chocolate that resembled more like chocolate pudding. Chocolate cake resembling the taste of an Entenmann's. French toast which was actually really good. Is that worth the price of admission for one of Lisbon's most glorious cafes? I won't recommend not going since some people fancy the nostalgia of JK Rowling once sitting there writing the first Harry Potter book, but would you be okay with paying for the most expensive regular cup of coffee in the world? I'll let you decide but definitely do not wait on line to go in. Either go early in the morning or late in the evening.

We waited outside on the sidewalk for about 30 minutes before we were seated. It's in a busy area of Porto so we had good people watching to keep us busy! Somewhat of a tourist trap. The food was good, but not amazing. The service was friendly but a bit slow.The interior decor is fabulous. Fun fact: The author of 'Harry Potter', JK Rowling, apparently dined here to get inspiration for her books.

Don't bother coming here. It's a glorified tourist trap that only cares about rushing clueless tourists in and out. They only offered seating to us in the back terrace, which was nothing special. Then when we said we weren't interested in a table back there, the host became hostile and rude, said we weren't allowed to be there anymore and immediately escorted us out of the restaurant.

Most expensive place we had in Portugal for what it is (a cafe), outside Michelin start restaurants. The interior decor is impressive which is just pure enjoyment, and I will say the service is better than most European standard service you get at restaurants, again outside Michelin world. I had their cheesecake and coffee which is good but nothing that impressive.what's really stands out is their Porto sandwich Francesinha. I admit that I didn't try other Francesinha places and I have nothing to compare to, but the one tried at this place is impressive enough.

So this is definitely a must when you are in Porto! I hate how expensive everything is but it is definitely more of an experience. I would just go and get a 3 euro pastel de nata if you just wanna be inside for a little! I felt the service was amazing and very authentic Portuguese which I was worried about when we were debating on going. If you wanna go all out and get more expensive stuff then you won't be discounted. Yes I thinking's overpriced but it's worth the experience and all the food looked amazing. I can voucher for the pastel de nata because it was incredible and so was the coffees! The inside is beautiful so make sure not to leave without a photo! The famous egg jam / topping is to die for!

It's ok. The interior is classy and staff surprisingly patient considering how popular it is with tourists. I hear the Harry Potter author came here which is the claim to fame. The coffee is fine but food is very forgettable except fir the price. Best bet is latte cappuccino but honestly Fábrica da Nata down the street has much better food and 1/3 the price.

The place seemed full so we thought we'd try it for a quick snack. What a Mistake! Slow service, rip off prices and just underwhelming food and drink. We had a toasted ham and cheese and cappuccino each. The ham and cheese was literally regular white bread with a slice of ham and a slice of cheese for $6, it was dry and tasteless (see picture). The cappuccino was weak and came after sandwiches were almost finished. I would never go back

Beautiful. Atmosphere is fun. Our service was very good. It is noisy, but to be expected. I would recommend. Coffee was average but one goes for the beauty of the room.

Three words...Harry Potter Premium. Expect to pay three times the prices too. Also if you go to their website the opening hours are wrong. It says 9, but opens at 9:30. That being said, I found it to be quite pleasant. We got there around 10:30 and was able to get a table without any wait. We walked by later in the evening and there was a queue outside. The cafe definitely has character, but the prices are hard to justify. I had the pastel de nata and my friend had the French toast. They were both respectable but severely overpriced in my opinion.

My friend and I got the torrija a majestic and coffee bom bom. Both were super delicious. My friend ordered a second coffee. We got seated right away and were served quick too. Definitely a must place to go.

Er mah gosh the wait can be ridiculous. Thank goodness we went when the line wasn't too bad. Is it worth it? Yes and no. Yes, if you're a Harry Potter fan and want to be in the place where J.K. Rowling would write and you enjoy the fancy interior. No, if you're on a budget as the prices were a little bit on the expensive side. The seating can be a little tight too since they try to squish as many people in there. Service can be a little hectic too.

If you are visiting Porto you will end up on this street. It's full of shopping complexes and fancy coffee shops/restaurants. When we heard of Cafè Majestic, we were told that there would be a long wait and that you NEED to have a reservation. Somehow, on a Friday night, we were able to walk in with a party of 5 and be seated immediately (no reservation). Make sure you dress a little classy for this place. The ambience is very top notch and the waiters are very professional and fun. They took pictures of us and knew the exact angles to make them come out well (I suppose they must do it a lot every day). Coffee and hot chocolate was pretty pricey but that is expected of such a fancy place. Oh also they give you a cup of melted chocolate and a pitcher of milk if you order hot chocolate. It was pretty cool- basically you create the level of consistency that you want your hot chocolate to be by adding more milk! If you are in Porto, don't skip out on this place for the price. It's worth a try for the experience.

Got suggestions from multiple sources to must see place. Looks classy with excellent service. Decided to have cocktail only. We enjoyed our experience drinking Aperol spritz. On the other side of the coin be ready to pay for it. It's expensive comparing to other places. It's your choice. More about this drink Aperol has an unique taste made of brilliant mix of herbs and roots, its reduced alcohol content makes it a perfect aperitif for any occasion.

Stunning interior and exterior! A really beautiful place to have coffee. What disappointed me most was the "majestic " price of the coffee and sweets: definitely the most expensive coffee house in all of Portugal! The famous rabanada was served more cold than warm and again the EUR 6 portion definitely overpriced for what it is.

The most beautiful cafe in Porto and one of the best in the world. Located on the busy shopping promenade of Rua Santa Catarina. Very busy, usually a line to get in mostly tourist. The atmosphere is just magical with its classy interior, the vibe very romantic. Expensive but the espresso cafe was delicious and the pastel de nata very good. Just perfect for a quick afternoon pick me up.

First, it's an architecturally beautiful cafe that retains its old world charm. The Service was great. The food... Luke warm and quite expensive. We both ordered the Francesinha (recommended by our hosts) but it was so, so. I think this is a great place for tea/coffee/brunch, but not dinner.

Is it a top tourist attraction? You bet. Why, you ask? Well JK Rowling sat within these very walls while she wrote the Harry Potter books. So people are constantly popping in to take pictures of the cool 1920's art deco interior, complete with lighting fixtures, hand painted walls, and an amazing tile floor. But she was not the only artist to write here. Cafe Majestic has always been home to artists, writers, musicians, and historians. We stopped in for lunch consisting of sandwiches, beer and fine wines. There is something about a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a cold beer amidst all the hustle and bustle of the popular pedestrian mall street (Santa Catarina) that makes me just say, "Ahhhhh . . ." Our server was great at getting us everything we needed including more drinks when it started to pour outside and we just decided to drink and eat the afternoon away. They pack as many people as they can into this place so while you are sitting enjoying your meal you can hear the conversations at the nearby tables happening in a wide variety of languages. Do more than just wander by to take a picture. Stop in and have a meal in a little slice of Porto history!

Wow! The inside is very impressive. Make sure you expect a wait. We were seated fairly quickly at lunch time maybe 15-20 minutes wait. The food was good but not our favorite in Oporto. We went for the experience and the Art Nouveau ambiance. We enjoyed our meal. Some parts better than others. The drinks were the part I remember most, recommend the Red Berries Mojito. The Codfish had a lot of very large bones and it seemed as they didn't even take the time to clear the fish of them. Maybe this is the customary way to eat codfish. The flavors were nice, stronger than typical cod in the US, but those bones!