McDonald's - Imperial

Fast food restaurant · Santo Ildefonso

McDonald's - Imperial

Fast food restaurant · Santo Ildefonso

3

Praça da Liberdade 126, 4000-322 Porto, Portugal

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McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by sanprica (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by keithlmoore (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by levik (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by mmmyoso (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by mmmyoso (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null
McDonald's - Imperial by null

Highlights

Nestled in a stunning Art Deco building, this iconic fast-food spot in Porto fuses history with familiar fare, making it the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world.  

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Praça da Liberdade 126, 4000-322 Porto, Portugal Get directions

mcdonalds.pt
@mcdonaldsportugal

€5–10 · Menu

Information

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Praça da Liberdade 126, 4000-322 Porto, Portugal Get directions

+351 22 201 3248
mcdonalds.pt
@mcdonaldsportugal

€5–10 · Menu

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Last updated

Jun 13, 2025

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@atlasobscura

"Fast food and fine decor don’t always go hand in hand, but at Porto’s former Imperial Cafe, the two come together in what is often called the “most beautiful McDonald’s in the world.” It opened in 1995 in the space previously occupied by the famous Portuguese coffeeshop, which was an icon in the 1930s. The building retained many of the original Art Deco features including the ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and a large stained glass wall, which is currently behind the counter. It is unclear if the staircases are original, but they have been constructed to complement the style of the interiors. Outside is the massive eagle which was the symbol of the old Imperial. People often visit to snap pictures of the unlikely but amazing synthesis." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

10 of the World's Most Beautiful Fast-Food Restaurants
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@atlasobscura

"Fast food and fine decor don’t always go hand in hand, but at Porto’s former Imperial Cafe, the two come together in what is often called the “most beautiful McDonald’s in the world.” It opened in 1995 in the space previously occupied by the famous Portuguese coffeeshop, which was an icon in the 1930s. The building retained many of the original Art Deco features including the ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and a large stained glass wall, which is currently behind the counter. It is unclear if the staircases are original, but they have been constructed to complement the style of the interiors. Outside is the massive eagle which was the symbol of the old Imperial. People often visit to snap pictures of the unlikely but amazing synthesis. Know Before You Go The public transport system in Porto is good including a modern light rail system (runs underground in city centre, best station Aliados) and a historic tramway as well as numerous tourist buses. The main rail station is a couple of minutes away." - levik, sanprica, Luis Morato, mmmyoso, m mmmyoso, Dr Alan P Newman, europafox, keithlmoore, MikeInSanFrancisco, e europafox

McDonald's Imperial – Porto, Portugal - Gastro Obscura
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@davidcho

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Susan D.

Google
Wonderful atmosphere! Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The most elegant McDonald’s I’ve been. Food is typical for this franchise but they have other things on the menu than what we don’t have in the US. Lots of people so it was very crowded. Staff did their best to keep the restaurant clean and food was served on an acceptable time even though they were very busy.

April Kalloo

Google
This location is a must see just for the inside. It's gorgeous. I definitely thought it was going to be bigger but really nice. The service was excellent, the public relations manager walks around and helps with anything you need. Excellent for content creators! They sell beer 🍻

Galina Cuznetov

Google
Ventilation is really bad in the basement, toilets are small ( but clean) A lot of tourists and noise. Not so bad if you need to rise your sugar Not expensive at all, so expect to see a lot of different people

Tara B

Google
I mean it's still a McDonald's so fast food. There is plenty of seating upstairs and downstairs as well as outside. They have some amazing cheap deals which I hadn't seen at other locations. Their chicken wrap and chicken fingers were delish and juicy. It was fun to go to the fancy McDonald's at least once.

Penny P.

Google
The decor is so beautiful, order was ready in a minute and taste was soo goood with fresh ingredient Best delicious McDonald food I’ve ever been ✨

David Benson

Google
My Unexpectedly Beautiful McDonald's Experience in Porto (and the Curious Big Arch) Okay, let's be honest. You wouldn't normally catch me stepping foot inside a fast-food joint unless my wallet was screaming for mercy or, as was the case on a recent trip to Porto, sheer curiosity got the better of me. I kept seeing these billboards advertising a "Big Arch" that looked nothing like the Big Mac back home in the States, and my intrigue finally won out. My destination? The McDonald's Imperial. Now, hold on to your hats, because this wasn't your typical Golden Arches experience. This place was stunning. Seriously, the most beautiful McDonald's I've ever laid eyes on, and that includes my travels across Europe, the US, South America, and even parts of Africa. Imagine chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and gorgeous, ornate wall art – apparently, the building used to be a historic cafe in Porto. It was like stepping back in time while ordering a burger. The ambiance alone was worth the visit. Of course, the main draw was the advertised Big Arch. And yeah, it was definitely different. This wasn't your standard two thin patties. We're talking a solid half-pound of beef – essentially two quarter-pounders stacked. It was a beast, easily twice the size and, I'm guessing, twice the calories of a Big Mac back home. It was… fine. The food itself was just okay, nothing to write home about in terms of flavor. It satisfied the curiosity, but it wasn't a culinary revelation. But honestly? The food almost felt secondary to the location. Eating a somewhat unremarkable burger in such a breathtaking setting was a surreal experience. It was a fascinating example of how a global chain can adapt and occupy unique spaces, blending the familiar with the truly exceptional. So, would I recommend the McDonald's Imperial in Porto for the food alone? Probably not, unless you're specifically curious about the Big Arch and its sheer size. However, as a unique travel experience – a chance to see a fast-food restaurant housed in a truly beautiful and historic location – absolutely. It's a testament to the unexpected discoveries you can stumble upon, even in the most familiar of places. Go for the spectacle, maybe try the Big Arch for the novelty, and then go explore the incredible food scene that Porto truly has to offer.

Nick Everts

Google
It’s the best looking McDonald’s and it is cool to see, but the food is McDonald’s, the machines to take the order are McDonald’s so that takes away from the building. The result of it is lots of ppl taking pictures and leaving. A true tourist “trap” in that sense but worth it for the quick pic like a tourist.

Ellie

Google
One of the best McDonald’s I’ve ever visited! The order was ready in under a minute, and the soup was absolutely amazing! The interior design is breathtaking! Even if you are not fan of the food, the interior is worth a visit!