Love for Our Roots – Presenting: Café Milenário

In Guimarães, Café Milenário is not just a coffee shop; it is a living witness to history, a narrative etched into its walls that has stood the test of time. Today, on the brink of its 70th anniversary, it remains the last stronghold of historic cafés in the city of Guimarães.

This refuge, overlooking Largo do Toural, transcends the simple act of serving coffee. It is a space for reading, social gatherings, and discussions, where the walls echo memories from the times of the old regime.

Inaugurated in November 1953, this café has immortalized itself not only in the pages of the book Portuguese Cafés – Gatherings and Tradition but also in the heart of the city and its inhabitants. Its name, a tribute to Guimarães’ millennial history, is reflected in its original architecture and furniture that have withstood the passage of time.

Dulce Oliveira, the café’s current guardian, proudly states that "the chairs are still the same ones where our grandparents once sat."

However, a peculiar story is hidden within its walls. In its early years, a fresco depicting a hunting scene—with animals and nude hunters—was censored by the clientele. An attempt to cover the intimate parts with a skirt was unsuccessful, leading to the painting being concealed behind mirrors—an artwork that has remained hidden for nearly 60 years.

Café Milenário is more than just a casual meeting place; it is a stage where generations and notable figures have passed through. From Dr. Sá Carneiro to filmmakers like Manoel de Oliveira, the café has hosted historic moments.

The book Guimarães – Resistance Was Born Here recounts a significant episode during the 1958 presidential elections when the café became a refuge for those seeking protection from police charges during a political rally.

Located in the heart of Guimarães, in Largo do Toural, Café Milenário is more than a meeting point; it is a living testament to the endurance of time and history—a gem that continues to tell the story of Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal.

Here, ideas were born. Here, people gather, feeling that behind a well-made coffee lies a refuge, filled with the aroma of history, where the past becomes present and transcends trends and generations.

For this and so much more, we have chosen this space as a tribute to one of our pieces: the Milenário suit. Inspired by timelessness and genuine emotions—this is our vision of the roots that connect us to where we were born, a connection we will never forget, no matter where life takes us.