It is now more important than ever to support traditional shops. With that in mind, we reveal the most famous and typical stores for shopping in Porto.
In a city increasingly turned and oriented towards tourism, giving priority and attention to the oldest and most traditional establishments for shopping in Porto is essential, to keep Porto’s spirit alive and in good health.
For that, we will show you some of the historical shops in Porto that you need to know when visiting the city.
It is an excellent way to get in touch with typical products from the region, but also the country while delighting the stomach and snuggling the soul with items for all tastes.
More traditional stores for shopping in Porto
A Favorita do Bolhão
A Favorita do Bolhão is a historical and traditional grocery store, from 1934, located in the city centre.
You can find jams, cookies, chocolates, Porto wine, dried and crystallized fruits, cod and derivatives, cheeses, caramels, preserves and seasonal products, so you will certainly get the right souvenir to offer someone special.
One of the main reasons for the long-term success of this place is the customized and attentive service, which makes anyone feel welcome as if they were a regular customer.
The store remains in charge of the descendants of Alexandre Santos, Manuel Lobato and José da Cunha Araújo – the founders. They perpetuate the tradition and project the business in the present and envision a successful future.
- Address: Rua Fernandes Tomás 783, 4000-218 Porto
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from am to 7:30 pm; Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm
- Contact: (+351) 222 001 624
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/favorita.bolhao
Casa Arcozelo
Casa Arcozelo is also home of some traditional Portuguese products, including the tasty Serra cheese, from Celorico da Beira, where its production is still hand-made – perhaps this is the secret to fame and success. But you can also find cheeses from Serra de Penela (Senras), from Famalicão (the so-called red cheese), among many others.
Casa Arcozelo has been specializing in cheese and cold meats since the beginning of the 20th century and is a place that deserves your visit.
- Address: Rua do Loureiro 46, 4000-326 Porto
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from9 am to 8 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm; closed on Sunday
- Contact: (+351) 222 082 345
Casa Januário
Casa Januário is about to complete a century of existence. It was founded in June 1926 by Januário Gil Mendes Ferreira, as the fulfilment of the dream of a young entrepreneur, who faced setbacks typical of times, without ever lowering his arms.
It went through some changes over the years, and not everything was a bed of roses in this space that is a three in one: confectionery, grocery store and wine cellar. But thanks to a unique way of serving customers and interpreting the business, prosperity has been a frequent presence. After all, in this place, it seems that tradition is still what it was.
- Address: Rua Bonjardim 352, 4000-065 Porto
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 7 pm; Saturday from 9:30 am to 1 pm; closed on Sunday
- Contact: (+351) 223 320 153
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casajanuarioporto/
- Website: https://www.casajanuario.pt/
Feira do Bacalhau
Cod is one of the most consumed and adored foods in Portugal, in such a way that there is a popular saying that it can be cooked in a thousand different ways. In this house, this product is a true king, and there is no room for doubts: whether at the door, in the shop window or on posters, cod is everywhere.
But in the store, you can also find vegetables, cereals, nuts and other grocery products, in a space surrounded by unique details, such as an old hand-painted panel, invoking themes from the East.
- Address: Rua Bonjardim 498, 4000-124 Porto
- Opening hours: Monday Sunday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 7 pm
- Contact: (+351) 22 200 3087
Padaria Ribeiro
The history of Padaria Ribeiro is long and dates to 1878, in the old Praça do Pão. The founders gave the establishment the tradition and quality of products that made it one of the most sought after in the city.
And it is precisely these identity characteristics that have been maintained until today and that make Padaria Ribeiro a mandatory stopping point for those who visit Porto and intend to delight themselves with flavours of reference in pastry and bakery.
- Address: Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 21, 4050-526 Porto
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7 am to pm; closed on Sunday
- Contact: (+351) 222 005 067
- Website: http://www.padariaribeiro.com/
Papelaria Modelo
Although it is a type of establishment less sought after by tourists, we recommend a visit to Papelaria Modelo for all the mystique that involves it.
The space is distinguished by the welcoming atmosphere where art, tradition and quality service are present, being, therefore, a technical store specialized in the material of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design, open to the public since 1921.
- Address: Largo dos Lóios 76, 4050-338 Porto
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm; closed on Sunday
- Contact: (+351) 222 086 983
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papelariamodeloporto/
Shopping centres can also be an option
It is, in fact, in traditional commerce that we get to know better the characteristics and peculiarities of a city. Even so, you should not give up going to a shopping centre. These are the ones in Porto, although in the surroundings – Matosinhos, Vila Nova de Gaia, Maia and Gondomar, mainly, others are also easily accessible:
- Shopping Cidade do Porto: Rua Gonçalo Sampaio, 350 (metro station: Casa da Música);
- Via Catarina: Rua Santa Catarina 312 to 350 (metro station Bolhão);
- La Vie Porto Baixa: Street Fernandes Tomá,s 506 (metro station Bolhão);
- Alameda Shop & Spot: Street Bairro do Comércio do Porto, 149 (metro station Dragão);
- Norteshopping: Street Sara Afonso (Sete Bicas metro station – Matosinhos).