Family-Run Portuguese Coffee House Expands, Opens 2nd Location On Route 22 In Somerset Co.

GREEN BROOK, NJ — It started as a dream to share their Portuguese culture with the community. Now, the husband and wife team Stephanie and Rafael Oliveira are expanding to open a second location in Somerset County.

The Oliveiras of North Plainfield opened Pourtuga's second location at 17 Route 22 East in Green Brook this past summer, offering an array of Portuguese pastries, coffee, and imported drinks and goods.

"My husband and I moved to the area in 2020, and we were traveling a lot to New York to get some of our comfort foods, such as Portuguese rolls. So I thought, why not bring that to our new neighborhood?" said Stephanie Oliveira of North Plainfield.

Rafael supported Stephanie's dream to open the coffee shop, and they took the chance with their first location at 60 Stirling Road on the Watchung Circle in Watchung in January 2023. It also "saved" Stephanie during a difficult period in her life.

"During the time I had a one-year-old, I was also suffering postpartum depression. I was an accountant, and during COVID, I was working from home, so I was by myself a lot, and that really, I think, affected my mental health," said Stephanie Oliveira. "And opening the coffee shop, I think I would want to say, kind of saved me, and it brought me out of the depression."

Stephanie was able to meet new people and speak with other adults versus a baby all day. The community rallied behind the coffee shop so much that they decided to expand with a second location in Green Brook.

When they opened the second store, Stephanie was pregnant again.

"I gave birth, actually, about a month after opening the second store, so I'm seeing that managing both stores together is helping me this time around, also with postpartum," said Stephanie.

Pourtuga offers a variety of Portuguese pastries and food, imported Portuguese beverages such as sodas, and candies, and their coffee is imported from Portugal.

"Our baked goods are all delivered daily, twice a day, from a bakery in Newark," said Stephanie.

Additionally, for the holidays and special events, Pourtuga is offering charcuterie platters and grazing tables featuring their assorted pastries, bread, and empanadas from a vendor in Elizabeth.

The Green Brook location offers plenty of bar-height tables and stools with outlets and free WiFi for anyone looking to work or students to study.

"On the weekends, we have a lot of families come by, which is so nice to see families coming and have breakfast and coffee," said Stephanie. "Then sometimes we also have other gatherings and some fundraising events with the community as well."

For more information, call 908-760-3007 or visit Facebook or instagram.com/pourtugacoffeehouse.

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