Traditional Portuguese shops selling Portuguese products whether old or with a modern twist. We showcase some traditional products and new modern ones in Cascais, Sintra and Lisbon. Some of the older shops have closed to make way for new ones but we mention below a few shops where you can find these Portuguese products, recently opened or traditionally old!
CASCAIS:
ARCADIA – CHOCOLATES:
This historic traditional Portuguese shop opened in 1933 by the Bastos family as a tea salon, the Confeitaria Arcadia, in the Praça da Liberdade in Porto. It produced its own confectionary. The business expanded to include catering services. In 1964 the second generation of the family entered the business. After the 1974 revolution during the difficult years they closed their catering services. Their last event was in 1979 with the reception in Porto for Princess Anne and Capt Marks Philip of the UK.
Going through difficult times the original shop in the Praça da Liberdade closed in 2000. In 2001 the third generation of the family entered in the business. In 2010 a shop was opened in Lisbon.
Today they have more than 40 shops in Portugal with their own production units and introducing new products such as pastries and ice-cream. Keeping up with the changing business environment over the years they also launched their online shop. In 2019 the fourth generation entered the business.
The shop in Cascais is at Alameda Combatentes da Grande Guerra, 110, open daily from 9am to 8pm. In Estoril it is open from 10am to 7.30pm and located at Avenida Clotilde, Arcadas do Parque Nascente, 52E, opposite the Casino gardens. For those chocoholics another type of chocolate to try!
DIOGO VAZ CHOCOLATES (Recently opened):
Opened in 2023 this tiny shop in the Cascais Market (Mercado da Vila) sells artisan chocolates from ‘tree to bar’. All these come from the West African island of São Tomé & Principe. The company also contributes to the children’s education, professional training, access to healthcare and improving living conditions of that area in São Tomé. Open from Tues/Thurs/Friday 10am-5pm. Sat/Wed: 830am-6pm. Sunday: 10am-3pm. For those chocoholics in search of the next good bar! Rua Padre Moisses da Silva, 1. https://diogovaz.pt
SINTRA:
COUNTESS OF EDLA MULTIFLORA HONEY:
After a gap of 147 years honey is being produced again in the Serra de Sintra (the Sintra Hills). The vast park rich in flora is home to the production of honey and at the end of 2024 the Mel Condessa d’Edla (Countess of Edla Multiflora Honey) is being sold in the shops at the monuments or on their online shop.
King Fernando II (1816-1885) had instructed his Manager of the Pena Park to install behives in 1877. The King, who was married to Queen D. Maria II, was responsible for restoring much of the garden parks in Sintra which today are so rich in various species of trees, bushes and flowers. He was also responsible for the Pena Palace building.
In 2023 there were 165 beehives installed in the various areas of the park. Today the honey is available for purchase by the public.
LISBOA:
Lisboa has several traditional Portuguese shops, some old-fashioned and established in the nineteen hundreds that specialise in items with exclusive productions. They are located in narrow streets, in the older areas of the city. It is fun to browse and maybe pick up a few souvenirs. Here are a few.
MEIA DUZIA (recently opened):
An interesting addition to the shops in Lisbon’s Chiado, this company produces the ‘Portuguese flavours experience’ with jams, chutneys and pastes in tubes to flavour your cheese, desserts, toasts. Varieties include jams with raspberry, Rocha pear, strawberry and mint. You can also find chutneys including mango chutney, olive paste with figs, chocolate creams with various flavours and other products. All come in beautiful packages. The shops are located at Rua de Santa Justa, 96 and Rua Nova de Almada, 90, in the Chiado area but they also send by mail. More information on their website: www.meiaduzia.com
CONSERVEIRA DE LISBOA (Traditional Old):
Founded in 1930 this small shop sells all types of canned fish, the most famous being sardines. The shop’s fame is that the canned fish are individually wrapped with uniquely designed wrapping paper. Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 34. Open: Mon. to Sat.: 9am to 7pm. Tel: +351-218864009. www.conserveiradelisboa.pt
SILVA & FEIJÓO (Traditional Old):
The shop Silva & Feijoo was founded in 1919. It began by selling ropes and similar products. However in 2006 they started selling pates, olive oil, bread. They also sold wines and other items from producers from the various regions.
Located at Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 117-119, open 10am-8pm. In the Rua de Sao Nicolau, 50-52, open 10am to 8pm. Rua Bartolomeu Gusmao, No. 4, open 9am- 7pm.
NAPOLEÃO WINE SHOPS & GOURMET- WINES & SPIRITS (old):
This shops specialises in wines, ports, spirits, Portuguese gourmet food such as jams, olive oil, cheese, ham, honey. Rua dos Fanqueiros, 70. Tel: +351-218861108 and Rua Conceição, 16. You can also find their shop in the Rua Misericordia, 119-123, Chiado. Tel: +351-213427182. www.napoleao.co.pt
LUVARIA ULISSES – LEATHER GLOVES (Traditional old):
In the Chiado district this tiny shop specialises in producing exclusively handmade leather gloves. The shop opened in 1925. It is located at Rua do Carmo, 87A. Tel: +351-213420295. www.luvariaulisses.com
By Pat Rodrigues