How it all began
It was 1982 when a common project of five friends came true. Two engineers, two naval officers and an economist join their dream and will to open to the discreet number 212 to the public. Thus, then established our Café São Bento.
Founded by the enterprising quintet, it was named after the iconic street where it is located – Rua de São Bento. Interestingly, the same also belongs to five – different parishes – in the city of Lisbon.
In the building that once housed an old antique shop, full of bric-à-brac and preciosities, the nicknamed “Primus Inter Bares” is then born. This amusing wordplay with the well-known Latin expression already made one guess: this would not be just another Café among its kind, but an authentic tribute to a historical treasure. Just like an antique find, sought after by experts – Café São Bento has always paid tribute to the historic Cafés of Lisbon from the 19th century.
The Cafes of Lisbon
As soon as the entrance bell rings, a door is opened becoming a portal leading to the atmosphere of the 19th century Cafés in Lisbon. Those were places for conviviality and gatherings between intellectuals, essential for the development of new political and cultural ideas at the beginning of the century.
It is those same Cafes, true institutions, that are portrayed in the photographs which glamorize our walls. Pieces of ancient Lisbon, reflecting the memory of ages and experiences.
Nowadays, anyone who arrives at Café São Bento will embark on a journey throughout time triggered in all senses, especially the palate. Here the famous delicacy of the ancient Cafés of Lisbon is served – O Bife/The Steak.
History Made of Steak
The history of the star dish on our menu dates back to the end of the 18th century, when the Neapolitan António Marrare – the founder of taverns and the mythical Cafés Marrare – arrived in Lisbon. Namely: The Marrare S. Carlos, Sete Portas, Cais do Sodré and finally, the Marrare of Polimento. Without the consecration of the Café Marrare there would be no “talent in this land, nor worthy artists, nor solid governments”. (Luís Augusto Palmeirim 1823-1893).
At the beginning of the 19th century, António Marrare created the recipe for the acclaimed steak that quickly became famous throughout the city.
In 1982, the founders of Café São Bento set out on a search for the original recipe by researching old newspaper clippings, then they attuned and perfected it in the early years of the establishment for no longer to be changed until today.
Therefore, for 40 years, people have come to Café de São Bento to eat steak, however, not just any steak – the – unanimously considered, Best Steak in Lisbon.
Is it the cut, the quality of the meat, the cooking or the sauce? It’s all that together with a well-kept secret since 1982.
The Celebrity within Celebrities
Since the opening of Café São Bento, its star dish – the Steak – has been gathering a legion of fans who arise to enjoy it, in any occasion: a group dinner in a lively gathering, a romantic intimate encounter or as ritual between generations.
Almost all State Leaders have been through here – except for a well-known one. There were always those who took the opportunity to sneakily take a bite on other customers’ fries. As for football, rivalries brought laughter and the well-known comedians are regular customers.
It was written the following in a past news set:
“Among the variety of people from the cultural, political, artistic and economic backgrounds, Café São Bento set a record in a very short period of time with the presence of a former President of the Republic, the current and the future one,whom for obvious reasons we cannot disclose”
From 1982 to what comes next
Since its founding in 1982, Café de São Bento has been a unique place in Lisbon, known for serving the best steak in the city. From opening day, we’ve dressed to the nines to welcome you with our usual attentive service. Here, we treat our customers, but also our employees, by name – our team has remained the same for decades.
Over these 40 years, we’ve grown in height – occupying more space in the building on Rua São Bento; in width – venturing into other locations; and in beauty – with improvement works.
But one thing doesn’t change, and won’t change: our essence.
This is the commitment made by Miguel Garcia – the businessman who, since February 2022, has been at the helm of Café São Bento and promises to take it to new heights.
Thus, the São Bento Group was born in 2022, when Miguel Garcia acquired the famous Café de São Bento restaurant, opposite the Assembly of the Republic and in the Time Out Market, in Cais do Sodré.
In 2023, the renowned Bougain Restaurant & Garden Bar was inaugurated, located in a historic family home in the heart of Cascais.
The menu features Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with classic Portuguese, French, and Italian influences.
In 2024, the group opened Corleone Ristorante al Mare at Casa da Villa, where true classic Italian dishes are served overlooking Cascais Bay, an unmissable destination for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine and the freshest products sourced directly from Italy and Portugal.
Even at the end of 2024, it was time to reopen the legendary Snob Bar, a place frequented by politicians, journalists, intellectuals, and artists, where gatherings intertwine with the iconic Snob Steak in the evenings.
In 2025, Bougain Restaurant & Garden Bar has opened a new location on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon, featuring an unexpected garden whose tranquil and elegant atmosphere invites you to savor Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, where classic dishes will always take center stage. In 2026, Lisbon’s best steaks will find a new stage in the Pombaline downtown area, overlooking Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, the historic district of theaters, music, and entertainment. True to tradition, at the new Café de São Bento, the art of welcoming customers is as important as the famous steaks that have been making history in Lisbon for over 40 years. Our team, with more than 180 employees, has dedication and hospitality as the pillars of our success. We work to make every gastronomic experience unforgettable and guarantee excellent service in all São Bento Group locations.