When traveling you can’t help but shop. I haven’t met one person who doesn’t come back with a few knickknacks to add to their home décor. When I travel, I prefer to shop for others – like a ball in a cup for my sister, or Portuguese olive oil for my mum, or a kitchen appliance for my roommate who gourmet concoctions would put any chef to shame. Today, we explore the places you must shop at while in Portugal.
A Vida Portuguesa
In the district of Chiado, lives one of the most nostalgic stores of Lisbon, A Vida Portuguesa. A Vida Portuguesa mission is to keep its cultures tradition alive by supplying products of the past. Products that were made in Portugal and still are made in Portugal. Products that had been passed down or died off by their elders, but had such an impact on the natives growing up, it was only important to continue the legacy. From books to cookware, gourmet items to skincare. All housed under one roof and available for purchase online.
A Vida Portuguese says, “They evoke the everyday life of another time and reveal the soul of a country.”
Conserveira de Lisboa
Conserveira de Lisboa, formerly Mercearia do Minho, has been around for over 80 years in the neighborhood of Baixa. Maintaining their core business of preserved fish, this establishment waged through the supermarket and frozen food infrastructure that defeat smaller shops like this. When you walk in you notice workers, sitting around handwrapping the tin, and only getting up for incoming customers.
Wooden shelves piled with dozens of flavors, from tuna fish in spicy tomato to octopus with onion with no minimum purchase number. At the end they wrap your order in brown paper and twine, adding a simple yet memorable touch to your visit.
Silva & Feijóo
Another Portuguese store of traditions resides in a century-old neighborhood. Founded in 1919, their main mission was to revive the heritage of Portugal. Selling everything from gourmet items to household cooking appliances. Jamie Oliver, renowned TV chef is even known to shop there for his cooking needs.