{"id":16843,"date":"2018-11-16T17:32:15","date_gmt":"2018-11-16T17:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/?p=1296"},"modified":"2024-07-30T14:59:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T14:59:20","slug":"lisbon-market-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/lisbon-market-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Lisbon Market Guide: What You Need to Know to Shop Like a Local"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Lisbon markets are the heart of community life.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why shop at a neighborhood market instead of a supermarket? <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It comes down to the produce and the people. The products are local and seasonal, which translates to better quality\u2014and 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\u2019s pulse. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This Lisbon market guide will show you the best way to peek into the local culture.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Learn<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Photo credit: Sandra Henriques Gajjar<\/a>, Text overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Best Time to Visit<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Typically, markets in Lisbon are open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., from Tuesday to Saturday. If you\u2019re not looking for a specific ingredient or are just curious about the local culture, visiting by mid-morning on a weekday is ideal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It won’t be too crowded, because most regular customers will be done by then, or too slow, so you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Saturdays are busy from opening to closing time, so avoid this day of the week altogether if you can.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Markets in Lisbon are a combination of stalls selling fresh products, smaller stores providing other services, and food courts, restaurants, or caf\u00e9s. Most will have different business hours for the different sections, with the caf\u00e9s and restaurants open until late.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some examples of multi-faceted markets are the Mercado de Campo de Ourique<\/a>, Mercado de S\u00e3o Bento<\/a>, Mercado da Ribeira<\/a> (Time Out Market), and Mercado de Santa Clara<\/a> (next to the flea market Feira da Ladra<\/em> that takes place every Tuesday and Saturday).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"If
The vegetable market at Mercado da Ribeira. Photo credit: Ann Abel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Shop at a Lisbon Market<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Chatting & choosing a stall<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You’d be hard-pressed to find a vendor who isn\u2019t sweet, talkative and proud of their stall. That said, they\u2019re also straightforward and they\u2019re not there just to chat. The occasional dialogue will occur while deboning a fish or bagging half a kilo of onions, but that\u2019s part of the customer service, not the focus of your trip.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\u2019 parents\u2014shopping at a market can be a true family affair in Lisbon. Of course, newcomers are treated just as kindly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s okay to browse and do some stall hopping if it\u2019s your first time at a specific market, but don\u2019t be surprised if the vendors start trying to lure you in. They\u2019ll spot you as a first-time client and highlight the freshness and the bright colors of their products. Don\u2019t feel pressured, though. You can acknowledge their efforts with a smile and a \u201cthank you, I\u2019m just browsing for now\u201d (obrigada\/o, estou s\u00f3 a ver<\/em>).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Fresh
Family-owned fish stall at Mercado 31 de Janeiro. Photo credit: Sandra Henriques Gajjar<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Making a purchase<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\u2019ll ask you how you\u2019re cooking it (stewing, baking, frying). Then they\u2019ll 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)?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Paying<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

All markets have ATM (multibanco<\/em>) machines for cash withdrawals and it\u2019s easier, and appreciated, to always pay in cash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Mercado
Mercado de Campo de Ourique is one of the Lisbon markets open until late. Photo credit: Sandra Henriques Gajjar<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Market Etiquette and Tips<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Standing in line<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If the stall you choose is crowded, memorize your place in line. There isn\u2019t 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\u2019t have to worry too much. If you inadvertently cut in line, apologizing and waiting for your turn is enough to redeem yourself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Look, don’t touch<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Don\u2019t touch the merchandise without the vendor\u2019s 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\u2019s ripe (est\u00e1 maduro?<\/em>). The vendor will do the checking and the demonstration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sealing the deal<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Bargaining is not a habit in Lisbon food markets.<\/a> All products have the price per kilo clearly displayed, and you\u2019re free to compare them from stall to stall if you don\u2019t have a favorite vendor yet. For fruits and vegetables, even if budget isn\u2019t an issue, the vendor will ask you est\u00e1 bom assim?<\/em> (is this okay?) while weighing it on an electronic scale before closing the sale. That\u2019s your chance to add or remove items.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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\u2014and they’re even more affordable. Shoppers run into familiar faces and catch up over the peppers. There’s no […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":16616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1723,1757],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[2339],"class_list":["post-16843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lisbon-blog","category-shopping-in-lisbon"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDevour Tours<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Immerse yourself in local culture! 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