☕ At the café
A bica, a galão, a pastel de nata, and paying at the counter.
Key phrases
Bom dia. Queria uma bica, por favor.
Good morning. I would like an espresso, please.
"Queria" (imperfect) is the polite way to ask. "Quero" sounds direct.
Good morning. I would like an espresso, please.
"Queria" (imperfect) is the polite way to ask. "Quero" sounds direct.
Um galão e um pastel de nata, se faz favor.
A milky coffee and a custard tart, please.
"Se faz favor" is the polite formal "please", very common in shops.
A milky coffee and a custard tart, please.
"Se faz favor" is the polite formal "please", very common in shops.
É para comer aqui ou para levar?
Is it to eat here or to take away?
Is it to eat here or to take away?
É para levar.
It is to take away.
It is to take away.
Pode trazer a conta, se faz favor?
Could you bring the bill, please?
Could you bring the bill, please?
Posso pagar com cartão?
Can I pay by card?
Can I pay by card?
Fique com o troco.
Keep the change.
Tipping is small and optional: round up or leave a few coins.
Keep the change.
Tipping is small and optional: round up or leave a few coins.
Good to know. Order at the counter or sit and be served. A "bica" (Lisbon) or "cimbalino" (Porto) is an espresso. A "galão" is a tall milky coffee in a glass. Saying "um café" gets you an espresso.
Next step: What a pastel de nata is, and where to eat one (pasteis.pt).
Have the conversation
You are the customer. Choose what to say, and the other person replies. Tap the speaker to hear any line.
Quick quiz
Next: At the supermarket → Practise these as flashcards
European Portuguese (pt-PT). Pronunciations follow Wiktionary's European Portuguese entries and standard dictionaries such as Infopédia and Priberam. Last reviewed 6 November 2026. Not yet reviewed by a native-speaker teacher: it is a learning tool, not a replacement for one. What was checked.