The Shop

A mythical café in the historic center of Caldas da Rainha, located in the heart of Praça da Fruta, is considered by many to be an important piece of the city’s social and cultural heritage. In May 1996, it reopened with Luísa Pião as owner, and offers customers a welcoming space while maintaining its characteristic old style, since 2006, the last renovation, the space features more modern and bold design details. The most emblematic element of the space is a bas-relief panel by Júlio Pomar called “unicorn” dating from the 1950s. Café Central is thus a favorite space for meeting friends and sharing good moments with family, creating four distinct moments throughout the day.

Shop History

Open since the first years of the decade, in the place where there had previously been a farm store, the establishment gained fame for the quality of its snacks, but also for the parties organized there. That place had been, however, a reference for the community for a long time. The building where what many also called «Café Galinha» was located, because of the owner, Franquelim Matias Galinha, a man ahead of his time who one day placed a loudspeaker on the door blaring music and news. Commonly known as a gathering place, as establishments of this kind have existed there, at least since the 18th century. The first café in the village, in fact, would have appeared there, at a time when cafés were beginning to open in Portugal. Something that is attested by the reference made to such a space in the book Memórias das Caldas da Rainha – 1484-1884, by Augusto Silva Carvalho. In this work, and making use of a manuscript given to the author by the Count of Almarjão, «Interesting news from Real Villa das Caldas with some curious maps in the years 1797 and 1798», a passage is cited in which such information appears: «Above the street that came from Praça das Gralhas (Largo José Barbosa) opened up and on the corner towards Praça Nova (Praça da Fruta) there was the coffee, drinks and billiards store.»

Products and Services

Today’s attractions are far from those of other times, but the owner has created homemade ice creams, such as rock pear ice cream with elderflower honey and Óbidos sour cherry ice cream, typical flavors of the region. There are also typical sweets on display such as Chestnut Tart, bean queijadas and the typical Caldas cavacas, always accompanied by excellent coffee and one or two natural juices, in a cozy atmosphere between the terrace and the interior of the establishment.

Business Hours

Additional information:

Closed on Sunday. During festive seasons, opening hours may be subject to change.

Contacts

Parish: União das freguesias de Caldas da Rainha – Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, Coto e São Gregório
Address: Praça da República 69-71 R/c, 2500-262 Caldas da Rainha
Postal Code: 2500-262 Caldas da Rainha
965547972
luisapiao@gmail.com

General Data

Main activity: Restaurants, pubs, café and Hotels
Opening Year: 1996
Main Code of Economic Activity (CAE): 56301