Cafe Belém, a Portuguese cafe in Toronto’s Little Italy, is getting ready to open a second location in Corso Italia at 350 Oakwood Ave.
The company’s new location will combine Cafe Belém with Alma Lusa, a Portuguese snack bar created in collaboration with chefs João Silva and Pedro Santos from Mercado, according to BlogTO. While an exact opening date has yet to be announced, the owners plan to open in late October or early November 2025. Customers can expect Portuguese artisan breads from an on-site bakery alongside traditional snacks like bifana sandwiches, piri-piri chicken, prego, rissois, and bolos de bacalhau.
Cafe Belém was founded about a year ago by father-and-son duo William and Carlos Oliveira. The original location at 546 College Street serves as a community hub for authentic Portuguese coffee and pastries. The expansion into Corso Italia marks the brand’s first new location and reflects increasing interest in Portuguese cuisine across Toronto.
The choice of Corso Italia positions the cafe in a diverse and vibrant neighborhood known for its culinary scene. The combination of bakery, cafe, and snack bar aims to offer a comprehensive experience of Portuguese food traditions in one location. This strategy aligns with the growing demand for casual, authentic dining options in the area.
The menu at the new location will feature a variety of Portuguese staples, including bakery items and quick-service snacks. Alma Lusa’s offerings will focus on accessible, everyday dishes, complementing the cafe’s beverage and pastry selections.
William and Carlos Oliveira lead the expansion, bringing their experience from the original Cafe Belém. Their collaboration with Silva and Santos adds culinary expertise to the snack bar concept, blending traditional and modern influences in Portuguese cuisine.
