Tucked in a quiet corner of Lisbon, The Midnight Espresso doesn’t scream for attention. But some places don’t need to. I found it online weeks before our trip—drawn in by the warmth of their website, the sense that this wasn’t just a café, but a refuge. I booked us a table on the spot.
What followed was one of our favourite evenings in Portugal. Yes, there were incredible desserts (Tania, one of the co-owners, sweetly helped my kiddo choose his. See the video below). And this tiny place was packed in a couple of hours. But we weren’t rushed. We were welcomed. And I had the best espresso martini of my entire life. No exaggeration.
So naturally, I had to know more. Below is a Q&A with the founders, whose thoughtful approach to culture, flavour, and community makes The Midnight Espresso feel more like a secret club you never want to leave.
Q&A with Tania, the co-founder of The Midnight Espresso
How did Midnight Espresso come to be? What’s the story behind its founding?
The Midnight Espresso was born from a shared vision between my partner and me, shaped by more than a decade of living abroad. Our time in the UK, China and other parts of the world gave us a deep appreciation for how culture, taste, and atmosphere intersect. We experienced everything from traditional high tea in London to vibrant nightlife in Shanghai, and we wanted to bring a slice of that eclecticism back to Lisbon.
We felt there was a gap in the city for a space that wasn’t quite a bar, but also not just a café or dessert spot- a place where people could enjoy a beautifully crafted cocktail, indulge in high-quality desserts, or unwind over tea in a cosy, intimate setting. The Midnight Espresso is our answer to that: a hybrid concept that combines high tea, desserts, and cocktails in a sensorial experience.
We aimed to create more than just a venue- it’s a space with carefully selected music, relaxed yet refined ambience, and products made with real care and quality. It’s for those looking for something a little different: an escape from the usual, where every detail invites you to slow down and savour the moment.
As someone who teaches about sensory cues and environmental psychology, this answer lit me up. Atmosphere isn’t just aesthetic- it changes our behaviour, our mood, even how we digest food. These two clearly get that.
What inspired the name?
The name The Midnight Espresso was inspired by the atmosphere and layout of our space, particularly the window seating, which reminded us of the charm and intimacy of old train compartments…
You feel this when you walk in. The velvet, the low lighting, the soft jazz. It’s all very cinematic, like a Wes Anderson version of a speakeasy. And yes, it makes your cocktail taste even better.
What’s the vision or philosophy behind your menu?
Our menu is designed around the idea of offering something for every kind of moment—whether it’s a late afternoon, a pre-dinner treat, or a late-night indulgence…
This isn’t the place for a full meal. It’s where you go to “flirt” with your dessert, or to pretend you’re in a Sofia Coppola film. And yes, to sip that espresso martini you will never forget.
Lisbon: A City in Flux
Let’s zoom out for a moment. Lisbon is having… a moment. In the last decade, this sun-drenched city has seen a boom in tourism and an influx of digital nomads, artists, and investors. The rent has significantly increased in some neighbourhoods. You might have watched people complain on social media about a tension here- between the slow, proud rhythms of traditional Portugal and the fast-paced global swirl landing daily at Lisbon’s airport.
Sociologically speaking, it’s fascinating. There’s gentrification and resistance, reinvention and revival. Spaces like The Midnight Espresso exist at that intersection. They aren’t trying to recreate old Lisbon, nor are they exporting a generic hipster café. They’re weaving together the cultural textures of a globally lived life, but planting it firmly in Lisbon’s soil.
Are there any signature dishes that have been on the menu since day one?
Our scones and cheesecakes are two standouts that have become staples on our menu…
We tried the cheesecake. We would fly back for it. Enough said.
How do you decide what makes it onto the menu each season?
Since we’ve only just opened, our core menu won’t be changing drastically each season—we’re still focused on introducing our concept and letting people get to know our signature offerings…
There’s something I love about this deliberate pace. In a culture obsessed with “what’s new,” there’s power in holding steady.
From China to Clotted Cream: A Taste Journey
As someone trained in Ayurvedic nutrition, I’m always fascinated by how food rituals travel and evolve. The couple behind The Midnight Espresso clearly think the same way. Their high tea service -rare in Lisbon- isn’t about performance. It’s about the need to pause, to mark time with ritual and pleasure.
Where do you source your ingredients from?
All of our products are carefully curated to reflect the quality and high standards we want to bring to our customers…
You can taste this. My son picked a chocolate tart, and even he (who normally just eats the top) paused and said, “This is fancy.”
Do you incorporate any family recipes or regional traditions?
We don’t work with specific family recipes… we reinterpret them in a way that feels personal and contemporary…
What kind of experience do you hope guests leave with?
More than anything, we hope our guests leave feeling like they had a genuinely beautiful moment…
Mission accomplished. My kid left with crumbs on his face and a new favorite dessert. I left texting a friend, “You HAVE to go here.”
Lisbon’s New Kind of Café
Lisbon has always been a café city—think smoky pastelarias, tiny espresso cups, conversations about politics over bica. But The Midnight Espresso is part of a newer wave. It’s not trying to replace the old guard. It’s building something different: intimate, global, a little mysterious, and yes, deeply sensory.
Do you have a favourite memory or funny moment from the restaurant?
One of my favourite funny moments… a customer asked to try our “flower tea that blooms in hot water.” We were a bit confused… until we realised she had seen the Marimo moss balls in a jar and mistook them for blooming flower tea!
I laughed out loud reading this. Honestly, same energy as my son asking if the lamp on the shelf was edible.
If Midnight Espresso were a person, how would you describe their personality?
A bit of a night owl-creative, thoughtful, and a little mysterious, but always warm and welcoming…
That’s exactly who you’ll meet when you step through the door.
Final Thoughts
Our night, filled with clinking glasses, soft jazz, warm scones, and a co-owner who treated our kid like royalty, became a core memory of our trip. And as someone who teaches about attention, sensory experience, and the connection between environment and wellbeing, this place is a masterclass.
Go. Order the cheesecake. Sip the espresso martini (did I mention it’s life-changing?). And sit by the window. You’re on a train now- one that doesn’t move, but still takes you somewhere.
Planning your Lisbon itinerary? Don’t skip The Midnight Espresso. Located in the heart of the city, it’s more than a café, less than a bar, and everything you didn’t know you needed.
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