McDonald's - Imperial

Fast food restaurant · Santo Ildefonso ·

McDonald's - Imperial

Fast food restaurant · Santo Ildefonso ·

Art Deco McDonald's with stained glass, chandeliers

Information

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

€5–10

@atlasobscura

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

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/most-beautiful-fast-food-restaurants

levik (Atlas Obscura User)

McDonald's

@atlasobscura

4,908 Postcards · 2,018 Cities

McDonald's Imperial – Porto, Portugal - Gastro Obscura

"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

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mcdonalds-imperial

McDonald's

@davidcho

2,041 Postcards · 229 Cities

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McDonald's

Jack

Google

Really a very majestic McD. I'm a tourist and really impressed by this McD nothing like others I've been to. Inside it's typical McD and while it's crowded, we got our orders very quickly in typical fast food session. I like that there's a wide variety of flavours for mcflurry unlike my home country and they come in mini sizes too.

Aaron

Google

McDonald’s - Imperial might be a contender for the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world. Located centrally within the city of Porto, as you walk into this McDonald’s, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re walking into a McDonald’s in the first place, with the eagle structure above the silver McDonald’s sign, entering a large atrium with chandeliers and impressive décor. I visited in the run-up to Christmas 2024 and they had a Christmas tree decorated McDonald’s-style, which made me giggle. I love McDonald’s in Portugal compared to back home in the UK — it just has nicer vibes: fresher, cleaner and more of a place to be. It even worked out a little cheaper too. Gluten-free options are available, but you need to order at the counter and order from a selected menu, which includes the McRoyale. I ordered a GF McRoyale meal with fries and an iced tea. It did take a couple of minutes longer than my friend’s meal to arrive, but I was happy to wait as it meant they were proceeding with caution and taking my allergy seriously. When the food was served, both the burger and fries were hot and up to a good standard. The burger was really good and made me wish we had gluten-free burger buns back home in the UK. Although the bread was a little small for the size of the patty on the McRoyale (the European equivalent of the Quarter Pounder with Cheese), it just made it feel like a real and normal burger. I couldn’t ask for more from a McDonald’s on this occasion — the staff were friendly, the food was good and well-prepared, and it was all placed in beautiful surroundings in a beautiful city.

Paul F.

Google

A truly beautiful McDonald’s and absolutely worth a visit. It lives up to its reputation as a contender for the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world — impressive, unique, and unlike any other location I’ve seen, with an amazing Art Deco interior. Inside, you’ll find grand chandeliers, stained-glass artwork, and sleek modern touches that create an atmosphere you’d never expect from a McDonald’s. The food was great as well. We ordered the McCrispy, Chicken Nuggets, Apple Pie, and fries — all with the same reliable quality and service you’d expect from the brand. Definitely worth stopping by.

José C.

Google

This McDonald's location, housed within a truly magnificent and historic building in the heart of Porto, offers an initially stunning visual experience. The architecture alone is worth a visit, serving as a beautiful landmark that stands out in the city. However, the beauty of the building sharply contrasts with the poor operational state within. It is clear that the sheer volume of traffic—a constant stream of people flowing in and out—is far beyond what the current staffing and system can manage effectively. Service and Cleanliness Issues - While the counter staff were personally polite and attentive (I was served well), the overall cleanliness of the restaurant was severely lacking due to the constant pressure: - Toilets were dirty and clearly not being serviced frequently enough. - Waste disposal bins were overflowing, creating a messy and unpleasant sight. - The general dining area suffered from food and paper napkins scattered on the floor. - The ice cream I received was already liquid, suggesting the service speed and quality control are compromised by the overwhelming demand. This persistent lack of continuous, real-time cleaning suggests a fundamental issue with understaffing relative to the customer volume. Conclusion: A Mixed Impression While the individual service interaction was positive, the general state of the premises creates a negative lasting impression. For a location that occupies such a prime and beautiful spot, and is likely one of the first things many tourists see, the lack of cleanliness is a poor representation for the city of Porto. It's a shame that such a beautiful setting is marred by operational management that cannot keep up with the popularity.

Samuel H.

Google

Don't expect too much. It's a McDonald's biut this one is considered the most beautiful McDonald's in the world. You should try this place. Get some wings (no longer available in the US) and sandwichs (or burgers) that are not available in the US. Try some of the localized menu. It's pretty fun trying out different sandwiches that are only available in Europe.

Murillo P.

Google

The Imperial McDonald’s in Porto is the most beautiful McDonald’s I’ve ever seen in my life! The building, the stained glass, and the overall design blend together perfectly, creating a truly unique atmosphere. I ordered a drink using the kiosk — the staff were polite and handed me my order in less than two minutes. I would definitely recommend stopping by to take a few pictures and maybe grab some food to go. It’s a McDonald’s experience like no other!

A G.

Google

Lovely location, plenty of space to sit, it was packed but people moved quickly. Service was fast. Our McVeggie burger were tasty 😋

Patrizia Iginia P.

Google

A very beautiful McDonald’s and definitely worth a stop. I don’t know if it really deserves the title of “the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world”, but it’s certainly impressive and unique. The interior is elegant, the building is stunning, and the atmosphere is unlike any other McDonald’s I’ve visited. Worth seeing for sure.