Porto’s markets are melting pots of culture, tradition, and gastronomy, yet visitors frequently overlook many of them. Some of these food markets have been in operation for close to 200 years, selling everything from fresh produce to petiscos, Portugal’s answer to Spanish.
I first discovered a handful of the city’s markets when I joined a walking tour during my first visit, which later inspired me to kickstart my Porto food tours. Ever since then, I’ve been checking out different Porto markets each time I visit, and these are the best of the bunch.
Bolhão market sits in the heart of the Bolhão neighborhood, a few streets over from the famous Avenida dos Aliados. With two floors of food stalls, this place is a paradise for avid foodies.
I spent upwards of an hour strolling from vendor to vendor on the bustling ground floor, which has stood as an old-school market since 1837. Amidst the rows of cheeses, breads, fresh fish, and spices were several stands selling prepared local favorites.
Though I wasn’t especially hungry when I arrived, I spotted a stall dishing out fresh seafood that looked too good to turn down. There was an endless array of shellfish on offer, but I was mostly drawn to the oysters.
Now, I’ve had some seriously tasty oysters in my time, but few have been as fresh as these. Each oyster had a firm, mushroom-like consistency and a delicate balance of sweet, salty, and iodine-like flavors that had me going back for seconds.
Mercado do Bolhão (€€) – R. Formosa 322, 4000-248 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Mercado Bom Sucesso is an expansive marketplace near Casa da Música. I’ve spent close to a full day here on numerous occasions, so I recommend carving out a few hours to explore the tastes, sounds, and smells that lie inside.
Dozens of stalls are dedicated to selling clothing, crafts, and even port wines right from the cellar, but unsurprisingly, I was more interested in the culinary side of things! The entire ground floor is a food court with an atmosphere as lively as any bar in town.
A lengthy line formed around a stall called O Forno do Leitão do Zé, which I, of course, had to check out. After learning that this place specialized in suckling pig-based dishes, I swiftly joined the queue.
Thankfully, the line moved quickly, and I soon awaited the suckling pig sandwich with cheese. The tender, robust pork chunks and warm, crusty bread roll made for an incredible combination. However, the sharp melted cheddar made the sandwich even more indulgent.
Mercado Bom Sucesso (€€) – Praça do Bom Sucesso 74-90, 4150-145 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm
Mercado Beira-Rio is somewhere between a modern food court and a traditional market. Nestled just meters from the banks of the Douro River, this spot is among the most buzzing pockets in the south of the city.
Stalls selling meats, fruits, vegetables, and bread were scattered around the market, but most people congregated around the hot food stands. What I loved most was the ambient live music in the background, which helped create a relaxed, easygoing vibe that few Porto markets offer.
I’d advise arriving here on an empty stomach, as the wealth of Portuguese, European, and international eats is staggering. As I went back and forth between the Argentinian empanadas and the diverse tapas plates, Botequim à Brasileira caught my eye.
It’d been far too long since I’d last feasted on some Brazilian delights, and the coxinhas immediately jumped out at me. These croquettes were the perfect afternoon snack, filled with succulent chicken and creamy cheese that provide softness against the crispy outer layer of dough.
Mercado Beira-Rio (€€) – Av. de Ramos Pinto 148, 4400-261 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal – Open every day from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Mercado Porto Belo is much more under-the-radar than some of the other Porto markets in this list. This is particularly surprising considering it’s close to one of the city’s buzzing nightlife districts and just minutes from hotspots like Clérigos Tower and Livraria Lello.
Just about everything you could imagine is for sale here, including handmade crafts, vinyl records, ceramics, clothing, and homeware. It’s much more compact and laidback than I expected, but it’s a wonderful place to spend a Saturday afternoon.
As I’d just eaten when I stumbled upon this market, I decided against sampling the hot food and picked up some local treats to snack on later in the day. Some of the tastiest items I picked up were slices of jamón ibérico and a chunk of São Jorge cheese.
I’m a sucker for cured hams, and the floral, nutty flavors of the jamón ibérico left my mouthwatering with every bite. Though I wasn’t sure how the two would pair together, the São Jorge’s mildness and buttery hues softened the punchy flavor of the ham.
Mercado Porto Belo (€) – Praça de Carlos Alberto, 4050-157 Porto, Portugal – Closed every Monday to Friday and Sunday, open every Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Mercado da Foz do Douro lies near the spot where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Douro River. It’s a little outside the center, but it’s certainly worth making the journey to the seafront area of Foz do Douro to enjoy the selection of stalls, cafes, and grocers tucked inside.
Despite the contemporary touches that feature throughout the market, it’s held onto its local vibe and still very much feels like a classic bazaar.
Even with my undying love for Italian food, it’s not something I crave much when I’m in the midst of immersing myself in Portuguese cuisine. However, that quickly changed when I spotted Peco no Mercado. I took one look at the pizzas and the consistent flow of customers and knew I had to try this place out.
It’s not often you see brie and bacon pizza on a menu, but as I’m rather fond of both, I decided to try it. The lightweight crust and zingy tomato sauce were superb, but the smokey bacon and rich, velvety brie left a lasting impression on me.
Mercado da Foz do Douro (€) – Rua de Diu 4150, 4150-276 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Thursday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Porto’s Time Out Market is a newer addition to the city’s culinary scene and not quite as recognizable as its Lisbon-based counterpart just yet. I was taken aback when I spotted this place in the São Bento train station in Ribeira, only to find out it was newly opened.
It’s super sleek and stylish, with a clutch of stalls and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
My first visit was fleeting as I was on my way to catch a train, but I managed to pay a quick visit to Padaria Ribeiro. Out of all the heavenly pastries here, I was most excited about the pastel de Chaves.
The flaky, savory puff pastry and the mild, herb-imbued minced veal filling were so satisfying that I scoffed the entire thing in just a few bites!
Time Out Market Porto (€€€) – Ala Sul da Estação Ferroviária de São Bento, Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 10:00 am to 12:00 am
Markets aren’t typically what I’d described as hidden gems, but in Porto’s case, some of them absolutely are!
These underrated culture hubs are well worth making room for in your itinerary. I mean, where else can you sip Douro Valley wines while stocking up on locally-grown fruits and veggies? This is the type of vibe you’ll find at these marketplaces.
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