There are historic buildings in Porto that are over a century old and still retain their former splendor and keep their doors open, such as Café A Brasileira or Café Majestic. However, most have not survived the passage of time, or have been reborn with a completely different character, as is the case with Café Imperial.
When it opened to the public in 1936, the building at 126 Praça da Liberdade quickly established itself as one of the city’s most elegant establishments. In 2026, Café Imperial would celebrate its 90th anniversary, but since 1995, its role has changed: hot drinks and social gatherings have given way to hamburgers and french fries, because this is where Porto’s most famous McDonald’s is located.
The Origins and Golden Age of Café Imperial
From the very beginning, the old Café Imperial amazed its visitors even before they stepped through the doors. Right on the façade, an imposing giant bronze sculpture of an eagle, created by Henrique Moreira, invited passersby to stop and enjoy a hot drink. Customers entered through a revolving door—a luxury for that era.
Inside, the ground floor stood out with its Art Deco décor, sumptuous crystal chandeliers, and the light filtering through colorful stained-glass windows (in shades of brown, green, and gray). In the 1930s, it was a different Porto that thrived there—far from the hustle and bustle of tourism and the flashes of cameras. A Porto of scheduled gatherings and lively conversations.
Today, despite the changes, the famous eagle still stands at the entrance, welcoming customers, tourists, and, of course, curious passersby who stop to look at it up close and take a photo. In addition, the interior has also retained much of the detail that captivated the Imperial’s patrons in the past.
The birth of one of the “most beautiful McDonald’s” in Porto (and beyond)
As has happened to several historic venues in Porto, the traditional business model eventually gave way over time. In the early 1990s, Café Imperial actually closed its doors for good—at least under that name—but in 1995 it was reborn as a McDonald’s restaurant.
By maintaining the visual identity of the old Café Imperial, this McDonald’s in Porto has become a tourist attraction and is frequently highlighted in the international press as one of the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world. We didn’t say that—journalist Harrison Jacobs did. In an article for the renowned magazine “Business Insider,” the critic was impressed by the unique beauty of this fast-food restaurant: “I ate at the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world,” he wrote at the time.
Today, the former Café Imperial continues to serve as a stop for many, whether they’re Porto locals in a hurry or tourists with cameras in hand. A new lease on life for a historic building that still stands, 90 years later, fulfilling a role different from the one for which it was designed.
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