Lisbon Market Guide: What You Need to Know to Shop Like a Local

Lisbon markets are the heart of community life.

Why shop at a neighborhood market instead of a supermarket?

It comes down to the produce and the people. The products are local and seasonal, which translates to better quality—and they’re even more affordable. Shoppers run into familiar faces and catch up over the peppers. There’s no better place to feel the city’s pulse.

This Lisbon market guide will show you the best way to peek into the local culture.

Photo credit: Sandra Henriques Gajjar, Text overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours

Best Time to Visit

Typically, markets in Lisbon are open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., from Tuesday to Saturday. If you’re not looking for a specific ingredient or are just curious about the local culture, visiting by mid-morning on a weekday is ideal.

It won’t be too crowded, because most regular customers will be done by then, or too slow, so you’ll still be able to feel that market vibe. With fewer people, there’s also a better chance that vendors will have more time to talk to you. Many of them may not speak English, but gesturing can go a long way.

Saturdays are busy from opening to closing time, so avoid this day of the week altogether if you can.

Markets in Lisbon are a combination of stalls selling fresh products, smaller stores providing other services, and food courts, restaurants, or cafés. Most will have different business hours for the different sections, with the cafés and restaurants open until late.

Some examples of multi-faceted markets are the Mercado de Campo de Ourique, Mercado de São Bento, Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out Market), and Mercado de Santa Clara (next to the flea market Feira da Ladra that takes place every Tuesday and Saturday).

How to Shop at a Lisbon Market

Chatting & choosing a stall

You’d be hard-pressed to find a vendor who isn’t sweet, talkative and proud of their stall. That said, they’re also straightforward and they’re not there just to chat. The occasional dialogue will occur while deboning a fish or bagging half a kilo of onions, but that’s part of the customer service, not the focus of your trip.

Most locals have their go-to vendor for each different product, after years of nurturing a trusted relationship. Sometimes that relationship comes from their parents and their parents’ parents—shopping at a market can be a true family affair in Lisbon. Of course, newcomers are treated just as kindly.

It’s okay to browse and do some stall hopping if it’s your first time at a specific market, but don’t be surprised if the vendors start trying to lure you in. They’ll spot you as a first-time client and highlight the freshness and the bright colors of their products. Don’t feel pressured, though. You can acknowledge their efforts with a smile and a “thank you, I’m just browsing for now” (obrigada/o, estou só a ver).

Making a purchase

Buying fish and meat is an entirely different experience because it typically involves a longer dialogue. If you already have your mind set on what you want, first they’ll ask you how you’re cooking it (stewing, baking, frying). Then they’ll ask you for instructions on how to cut it: thicker or thinner, with or without the skin (for poultry), leave the head or chop it off (for fish)?

When you’re not sure of what to buy, the dialogue is reversed. The vendor will ask you if you feel like something to stew or grill or fry, and, depending on your answer, a series of suggestions follows. It often includes sharing a family recipe or a special trick to season it.

Paying

All markets have ATM (multibanco) machines for cash withdrawals and it’s easier, and appreciated, to always pay in cash.

Market Etiquette and Tips

Standing in line

If the stall you choose is crowded, memorize your place in line. There isn’t officially a formed line most of the times, but remember who was already there so you can easily see who came after you. The vendors will almost always do that for you, so you don’t have to worry too much. If you inadvertently cut in line, apologizing and waiting for your turn is enough to redeem yourself.

Look, don’t touch

Don’t touch the merchandise without the vendor’s consent, especially fruits and vegetables that bruise up fast if every single potential client were to squeeze them for a ripeness check. No harm in pointing and asking if it’s ripe (está maduro?). The vendor will do the checking and the demonstration.

Sealing the deal

Bargaining is not a habit in Lisbon food markets. All products have the price per kilo clearly displayed, and you’re free to compare them from stall to stall if you don’t have a favorite vendor yet. For fruits and vegetables, even if budget isn’t an issue, the vendor will ask you está bom assim? (is this okay?) while weighing it on an electronic scale before closing the sale. That’s your chance to add or remove items.