MB Cakes Brunch & Coffee: A Floral Escape in the Algarve

A big plus is its location—right next to a children’s playground! Convenient if you’re a parent and want to enjoy a coffee and something delicious while the kids play nearby.

About the founder

Behind this unique project is Meiry Hellen de Sousa Bahens. She was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil still holds a very special place in her heart. “It’s an extraordinary country with a rich culture, an amazing place to visit, but unfortunately, living there brings a certain level of instability. Violence also became an important factor in our decision to move.”

Meiry didn’t want to raise her children in Brazil, and since her husband has Portuguese roots and had always dreamed of living in Portugal, they decided to move to the Algarve in 2020.

“The experience has been wonderful. The Algarve is an extremely peaceful region, with very welcoming people and stunning natural landscapes. I truly appreciate the slower pace of life. Having always lived in large cities, I now enjoy the small moments of everyday life here, sitting at a terrace café, having a coffee without rushing, and simply enjoying the time.”

Her passion for gastronomy began in childhood, inspired by her grandmother, who shared her recipes and invited her to help with baking. “Those moments were very meaningful and sparked my love for the kitchen.”

Meiry initially pursued a different path, deciding to study law in Rio de Janeiro. However, after graduating, she realised that working in gastronomy was what she really wanted. She began studying gastronomy in Brazil and later completed a postgraduate specialisation in patisserie.

Over the years, she continued to refine her skills, attending courses at renowned institutions in Argentina and Peru.
“It was during this journey that I discovered a deep passion for pastry, to which I fully dedicated myself.”

She also had the opportunity to share her knowledge as a professor in pastry programs.
“I have always loved teaching and passing on everything I have learned throughout my career.”

With the move to Portugal came the right moment to take a new step and fulfil a long-time dream: opening her own business.

Building MB Cakes

Before opening MB Cakes, Meiry had years of experience making cakes for family celebrations. As she explains, it was her way of showing love and care for others. Over time, this gradually grew into something more professional.

“The idea of opening my own place existed long before I moved to Portugal. I always dreamed of having a space where I could present my cakes and desserts.”

MB Cakes opened its doors in 2024. The process before opening required extensive planning, dedication, and attention to detail to create something truly special.

One of the biggest challenges she faced was building and training the right team—finding qualified people and sharing with them the knowledge and quality standards she wanted to maintain. Still, she always believed strongly in MB Cakes’ potential.

“MB Cakes was designed to be a welcoming and unique space in the Algarve. From the moment guests walk through the door, they are immersed in a true world of sweets, a delicate setting filled with shades of pink, flowers, and charming details. It is a place to slow down, enjoy brunch, and experience a pleasant gastronomic moment.”

What Makes It Special

While there are many pastry shops in the Algarve, Meiry believes the key difference lies in the flavours. She enjoys creating unique combinations, often blending the elegance of French pastry with the richness of Brazilian confectionery.

Her personal favourite is the passion fruit and chocolate cake. This cake offers a perfect balance between the freshness and acidity of passion fruit and the richness of chocolate.

The Floral Interior

The café’s interior is beautiful, with a floral theme that immediately stands out. Meiry designed the space herself, working with a team of designers to bring her ideas to life. She was strongly inspired by French cafés, known for their charm, personality, and use of floral elements.

For her, visual presentation is essential. Both the environment and the cakes are part of the overall experience.

A Creative and Dynamic Space

One of the aspects she enjoys most is the creative freedom. She is constantly developing new desserts, refreshing the display, and experimenting with new ideas. No two days are ever the same; there are always new orders, new customers, and new challenges.

This keeps the work dynamic and rewarding, with endless opportunities to learn and grow.
Meiry also values the relationships she builds with her customers, especially those who have supported MB Cakes from the beginning.

“Today, we have a very diverse clientele, including both Portuguese and international guests. Since our entire team speaks English, we can welcome people of many different nationalities. We also receive many regular customers, especially because we are located in a residential area in Loulé.”

Looking Ahead

Meiry has big plans for the future. She is currently working on a second location in Almancil, which she hopes to open before the summer.

The new space will follow the same concept of desserts and decoration that defines MB Cakes.

Advice for Others

If she could give one piece of advice to anyone dreaming of starting their own business, it would be:
“Consistency, persistence, determination, and courage. Things are not always easy, but it is important to keep believing and moving forward. In time, the results will come.”

A Final Message

“I would like to invite everyone to come and experience MB Cakes. Here, they will find attentive service, a team always ready to help, and products prepared with fresh ingredients and great care. Our brunch was also designed so that guests can explore different flavours from the menu and share a special gastronomic experience.”

To find out more, visit their Instagram page @mbahens.cakes