Café Martinho da Arcada

Praça do Comércio 3

About

Founded in 1782, this is one of Lisbon's most illustrious and culturally significant restaurant-bars, not least because it was the favourite watering hole of one of Portugal's greatest literary figures, the poet Fernando Pessoa (1888–1935). Occupying a place under the arches in the north-eastern corner of Praça do Comércio, this attractive eatery retains much of its original late 18th-century interior décor – simple wooden furniture and a marble-topped bar. Pessoa's favourite table where he wrote poetry and consumed dangerous amounts of liquor has bee lovingly preserved for posterity: portraits of the man also adorn the walls of the main salon. The exterior terrace is popular during the summer though passing traffic can make it noisy at times. © Nileguide 2011 The past of the Martinho da Arcada Coffee House goes back to the 18th century, when this special place was founded. One of Portugal's great poets also used to go to Martinho, in the beginning of the 20th century, Fernando Pessoa used the stone covered table that is still kept there.
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