A taste of Portugal is heading to Dorchester.
Lisboa Café is coming soon to 1078 Dorchester Ave in the heart of Savin Hill. The upcoming café and market is the longtime dream of owner Raquel Semedo, who moved to Boston five years ago “with a vision of bringing authentic Portuguese flavors to Dorchester,” according to Lisboa’s website.
A recent licensing board notice mentions that the 1,317-square-foot first-floor space will include a dining room with seating for 49 guests, along with a full bar and a pastry/coffee counter.
“Our concept brings together the flavors of my childhood and culture,” Semedo told What Now Boston. She plans to serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with operating hours running from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
On the menu? Expect a comforting spread of Lusophone-inspired favorites like frango no churrasco (grilled chicken), bifanas, fresh pastries, and a range of coffee beverages. The adjoining market, open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., will stock pantry staples and Portuguese and Cape Verdean wines and spirits.
An earlier Dorchester Reporter article notes that the café’s interior will reflect Portuguese design sensibilities, complete with blue-and-white mosaic tile floors, warm beige tones, and a central island service area, creating an ambiance that feels both coastal and cozy.
Semedo is targeting a fall 2025 debut, with hopes to open Lisboa Café by October or November, pending permits and construction progress.
“It fulfills my heart to provide other people great moments and great times,” she writes on Lisboa’s website. “I want to create a space you would think is in the Seaport but is right here in Dorchester.”
