Alma

The coffee is good, nothing out of this world but still worth the price. The selection of baked goods and pastries is lacking though, with so many great coffee options in the area you need something more to stand out. A good croissant option is needed on Stanley Street, if these guys could do that they would be unstoppable.

Good food and good service. We lived around Stanley street for three years and Alma was a staple breakfast choice. Menu is diverse and price is reasonable.

I so hope they are able to turn things around!
We could not wait to try this place. The ambiance here is just stellar — bosa nova wafting in the background, mural of a Portuguese seascape on the wall, and a great little patio with the perfect amount of light from the string lights, overlooking Stanley Street … Even the plates are cool.
But the chef really failed to live up to the ambiance.
I ordered the baked breaded cod fish with cream. What I got was tiny bits of fish in a baking dish full of lukewarm, watery, melted cream. It comes with a big spoon, so presumably you put the liquid on your plate and try to find the warmish fish bits with your fork? There were also a few huge chunks of chewy, overcooked breading floating in it — and it all tasted bland and strange.
The polenta fries were so salty we didn’t want to eat them, while the vegetarian main with mushrooms and cheese was ok, it was definitely not worth the price tag.

We came here on the recommendation of a friend who has Portuguese heritage.
The venue is pretty funky, with upstairs and downstairs. Downstairs features old comfy chesterfield style furniture, and a fascinating mobile sculpture at the counter. Upstairs has a view over the street, a bar and balcony and some nice touches such as bookshelves made of pipes, a searchlight and some interesting lights and fittings.
The menu has something for everyone, including a few things that made us kinda wtf is that? but generally pretty clear.
We had chicken, a lamb shoulder bake, and some sangria — all v nice! Finished with a glass of a home made digestiv poured by mama, drunk from half a lemon, called pancho. Very nice!
Worth a try, recommended.