We are The Folks, a Lisbon-based small-batch coffee and brunch chain driven by knowledge, technology, and hospitality. Through our commitment to sourcing exceptional coffees, we strive for both quality and sustainability. We are pushing the boundaries of coffee excellence with our ambitious goal of making Lisbon one of the best coffee hubs in Europe.
With a growing team of over 80 people and six locations across Lisbon— Santos (the bar and brunch hub), Blue Street (named after the beautiful blue azulejo tiles), Alfama (Lisbon’s old town), Sé (home to the iconic cathedral), Baixa-Chiado (the city center) and Belém (near the Jerónimos Monastery and the famous pastel de nata spot Pastéis de Belém)—we're proud to be part of Lisbon's thriving coffee culture.
But coffee is just one of our areas of expertise. We're also eager to contribute to Lisbon's vibrant food scene. By combining specialty coffee with a creative menu of wholesome, nourishing dishes, we aim to offer our guests a complete and memorable experience.
Whether you're here for a great cup of coffee or a fulfilling brunch —like Overnight Oatmeal with seeds, espresso shots, and maple syrup, or a Roast Beef Sandwich with pine nut mayo and chimichurri—you’re welcome to explore our beans and brewing methods, or simply enjoy one of our house-made desserts like Carrot and Nuts Cake and Chocolate and Cocoa Brownie. Whatever brings you in, we want to make sure you feel cared for.
But we’ll talk more about food another time. This article is about coffee—what it means to us and why we care so deeply about getting it right.
Why We Care About Specialty Coffee
When selecting beans, quality is our top priority—how does the coffee taste, and how well does it reflect our values and standards?
We support fairly traded coffee and small farms, working closely with suppliers who ensure farmers are paid fairly. This way, we support those who grow the coffee, not just the supply chain middlemen.
Another key value of ours is delighting our guests with new flavors. We source a wide variety of beans from South America, Central Africa, and South Asia. Offering coffees from different regions helps us provide a diverse tasting experience and allows us to share knowledge with our community.
One of the tools we use to assess coffee quality is the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale. Coffees rated above 80 points on this 100-point scale are considered specialty grade—an essential benchmark for us.
Beyond the score, we focus on traceability, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence throughout the entire coffee journey.
How We Brew and Roast at The Folks
Great coffee doesn’t happen without skilled people and the right technology. At the core of this process is Kate, our Head of Coffee and one of our founding members. She ensures that we source only the best beans, roast them to perfection, and build a team that shares our passion for excellence. In short, Kate makes sure every coffee bean we serve earns its place as a symbol of our quality and care.
Behind the scenes, another vital figure is Sara—the soul of our roastery. With years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of coffee, Sara gives us complete control over how we roast and interpret each bean. Her expertise allows us to unlock the full potential of the green coffee we work with—often roasting a fresh batch every day.
We roast all of our coffee in-house here in Lisbon, giving us more control over quality and freshness. Roasting in small batches means we can tailor each profile to the unique needs of every bean.
We work closely with green coffee producers and importers to choose the right beans, then test, cup, and fine-tune our roasting profiles regularly. Having our own roastery allows us to respond quickly to feedback, experiment, and maintain a consistently high standard.
We also feature coffee from some of Europe’s most respected roasters—including DAK (Amsterdam), Friedhats (Amsterdam), Manhattan (Rotterdam), and Naughty Dog (Czech Republic). These guest roasters inspire us and introduce new flavors and ideas into our shops.
How We Serve It
At The Folks, our baristas are deeply involved in every step—from tasting new coffees to explaining flavor notes to guests. For us, ongoing education is just as essential as daily brewing.
Whether it’s an espresso-based drink, a filter coffee, or a hand brew, every cup is prepared with care and precision. We don’t believe in standard recipes—we adapt our brewing daily based on the roast, the bean, the weather, and even the humidity.
While we take coffee seriously, we also believe it should feel welcoming and accessible. Whether you're a dedicated coffee enthusiast or simply looking for a delicious cup, our team of nearly 20 coffee professionals is here to guide you.
Why It Matters
Specialty coffee is all about quality, service, and attention to detail. At The Folks Café in Lisbon, we’re proud to be a meaningful part of this movement in Portugal.
We’re more than just a coffee shop—we’re a space where people come to feel good. Whether you stop by for a quick espresso or settle in for a nourishing brunch, we want every moment you spend with us to feel special.
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