Our story
From the world to Coimbra
Baia is a coffee bar in the Baixa of Coimbra, created by a young couple in love with travelling — and with this city.
01
Who we are
We are Mehdi, from Morocco, and Julia, French-Portuguese. We met in 2022 in Azé, a small village in Burgundy, Chardonnay country. After many travels, we arrived in Portugal in 2025 and fell in love with the country — and with Coimbra: the narrow streets of the old town, the student life, the light in the late afternoon. We decided to get married, to stay, and to open our first project together here: Baia.
02
The idea
We wanted to create a place where everyone feels at home. A homemade cookie and a coffee in the morning while you answer your emails. A beer with friends in the evening, with a few petiscos and good music. A café and a bar, in one place.
03
The name
Baia means sun, beaches, travel. Even in a city without a sea, we wanted to bring that light to Coimbra — it is the sun in our logo and the pink of our walls.
04
The place
We found our space in Beco dos Esteireiros, next to Largo do Romal, a historic corner of the Baixa of Coimbra. Six months passed between our first visit and opening day: buying, planning, renovating… all the way to the Baia you see today.
05
What we want
More than serving coffee or beer, we want to get to know the people who walk in. Students, neighbours or travellers passing through: Baia is here to create shared moments. Come in, sit down and tell us your story.
