Miss Pavlova

Miss Pavlova is a cafe and bakery at Rua do Rosário 146 in central Porto, Portugal, specialising in pavlovas and Australian-style baked goods. The colourful, playful interior attracts visitors who want photogenic desserts, and the menu also includes a brunch offering and specialty coffee. A pavlova costs about 5 euros, a lamington cake around 4 euros and a brunch plate roughly 11 euros. The pavlova, a meringue base topped with cream and fruit, is the signature item, while the lamington, a sponge cake coated in chocolate and coconut, offers a taste of Australian baking that is rare in Portugal. The atmosphere is cheerful and bright, with moderate noise, a mix of locals, expatriates and travellers, and a small number of tables. The cafe is open Tuesday to Sunday from about 10am to 7pm, and reservations are generally not taken, so weekend afternoons can bring a short wait. Rua do Rosário is in the Cedofeita and Miguel Bombarda gallery area, a short walk from Livraria Lello and Clérigos, which makes the cafe a convenient mid-afternoon stop. Prices are modest, and a coffee with a dessert usually costs about 8 to 10 euros. It is a good alternative to the traditional pastelaria for visitors who want something different, and a suitable choice for a sweet break rather than a full meal. Visitors with allergies should check ingredients, as meringue-based desserts contain egg and dairy.