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All Portugal Porto McDonald's Imperial
Gastro Obscura

McDonald's Imperial

This restored Portuguese cafe may well be the most beautiful place in the world to grab a Big Mac.

Porto, Portugal

Added By
Alan Newman
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Close-up of the McDonalds marquee with the Imperial eagle   levik / Atlas Obscura User
The Imperial eagle.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
One of the original chandeliers.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Stained glass wall behind the modern counter.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The ceiling and decorative friezes.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The Art Deco interiors.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  mmmyoso / Atlas Obscura User
The front entrance.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  mmmyoso / Atlas Obscura User
MCDONALDS IMPERIAL   sanprica / Atlas Obscura User
  Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
  MikeInSanFrancisco / Atlas Obscura User
The imperial eagle   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Stained glass   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
McDonald’s   keithlmoore / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Fast food and fine decor don’t always go hand in hand, but at Porto’s former Imperial Cafe, the two come together in what is often called the “most beautiful McDonald’s in the world.”

It opened in 1995 in the space previously occupied by the famous Portuguese coffeeshop, which was an icon in the 1930s. The building retained many of the original Art Deco features including the ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and a large stained glass wall, which is currently behind the counter.

It is unclear if the staircases are original, but they have been constructed to complement the style of the interiors. Outside is the massive eagle which was the symbol of the old Imperial.

People often visit to snap pictures of the unlikely but amazing synthesis.

Related Tags

Restaurants Food Art Deco Architectural Oddities Architecture Fast Food Mcdonalds Beautiful Fast Food

Know Before You Go

The public transport system in Porto is good including a modern light rail system (runs underground in city centre, best station Aliados) and a historic tramway as well as numerous tourist buses. The main rail station is a couple of minutes away.

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Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

mmmyoso, MikeInSanFrancisco, Luis Morato, levik...

  • mmmyoso
  • MikeInSanFrancisco
  • Luis Morato
  • levik
  • keithlmoore
  • Xavixavir
  • sanprica

Published

September 7, 2017

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Sources
  • http://www.localporto.com/mcdonalds-imperial-porto-restaurant/
  • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-daily-meal/were-lovin-it-the-coolest-mcdonalds_b_5580624.html
  • http://artdecotrail.blogspot.com/2012/06/cafe-imperial-porto.html
  • https://theculturetrip.com/europe/portugal/articles/a-design-lovers-guide-to-porto/
McDonald's Imperial
127 Praça da Liberdade
Porto
Portugal
41.146637, -8.610828
Get Directions

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