Café Nicola

The first botequins [a shop selling groceries and beverages] in Lisbon were opened in the 18th century by Italians, the very first being the Botequim do Nicola. Famous for being Bocage’s home away from home (a very popular poet from the 18th century, still there in sculptural form), the Nicola was also a meeting place for other writers, artists and politicians, so much so that it gained the nickname the “Academy”.