Ain’t it a bummer? You just landed in Porto, dragged your luggage all the way through the city’s cobblestoned streets and you finally arrived in your hotel room… only to be reminded that you still have to do some shopping. You’re thirsty, but that 5€ price tag on the water bottle that was strategically placed on your room’s desk doesn’t sound too appealing, right? We totally get it! If you absolutely dread having to look out for the nearest grocery store, then this post is certainly right up your alley. A healthy mix of organic stores, hip shops and your everyday supermarkets, these places will have you actually enjoying the experience!
HERE ARE 6 GROCERY STORES IN PORTO
CASA CHINESA (Baixa)
As one of the most historic grocery stores in Porto, Casa Chinesa has a special place in the hearts of locals – especially among older generations. The service is simple and unpretentious, as every day shopping operations are run by Mr. Eugénio – an energetic octogenarian that will age-shame the hell out of your first world complaints! If you’re looking for an authentic shopping experience or don’t know where to find the weirdest and most bizarre items, Casa Chinesa is always worth checking! This grocery store is open from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 7pm.
READ ALSO: Bakeries Where You Can Get Amazing Artisanal Bread
CASA NATAL (Baixa)
Photo by: Pedro Castro
Only the Portuguese could take a fish species from Norway and make it their national dish. Yep, we are probably the only country in the world which imports some of its traditions! Be that as it may, we are absolutely crazy about codfish, and there is no better place in all of Porto (period) where to get this salty delicacy than at Casa Natal. However, and in case our famous bacalhau isn’t really your cup of tea, this grocery store is still a great place to pick up some fresh fruits and veggies in the morning for your homemade breakfast. Casa Natal is open from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 7h30pm.
READ ALSO: 10+ Spots in Porto you Must Try if you are a Breakfast Addict
QUINTAL BIOSHOP (Cedofeita)
Photo courtesy of: Quintal Bioshop
People always say one shouldn’t go shopping when hungry right? Luckily, at Quintal Bioshop you can actually stop by for lunch before doing your groceries! Part restaurant, part bio grocery store, this is definitely the place to go for tree-huggers, nature-lovers and… you know, just plain regular folks who are actually worried about helping make the world a better, healthier and more balanced place. Plus, have we mentioned they have cats?! Quintal Bioshop is open from Monday to Saturday between 10h30am and 8pm.
READ ALSO: Five Incredible Vegetarian Restaurants You Need To Try When In Porto
MAÇAROCA – MERCEARIA VIVA (Boavista)
Photo by: Pedro Castro
If you’ve been making an effort to reduce your plastic consumption back at home, rest assured there is no need for that to change while abroad! Whether it’s cereals, grains, dried fruits or fair-trade coffee – at Maçaroca everything is sold in bulk, and you can accommodate these products in lovely (and btw super-instagrammable) glass jars sold on their lower floor. And if by now all of these goodies have made you hungry, you can give it a go at their organic café where they sell light lunches, sandwiches and other healthy snacks. Maçaroca is open from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 8pm.
READ ALSO: Five Best Porto Specialty Coffee Shops
RAW – COMIDA & GRANEL (Boavista)
Photo courtesy of: RAW
Much like our previous entry, RAW also distinguishes itself from the local competition due to its bulk purchasing concept. Inside this lovely grocery store, there are countless different organic, biological and gluten-free products for you to choose from – and premium quality is guaranteed in all of them! Owned by a yoga instructor (because, of course it is), this is one alternative shop that keeps on making headlines among locals and visitors alike, offering healthy (yet decadent) organic options for your lunch and your weekend brunch. RAW is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10am and 8pm.
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Praça D. Afonso V, 55
READ ALSO: 4 Super Healthy Porto Smoothies You Need to Drink if You Haven’t Already
PINGO DOCE (Every freakin’where!)
Finally, we leave you with a plain, regular, glamour-less supermarket. No original concept, no special target – as long as you have money in your pockets, you are good to go. It’s certainly not flashy, but there is no way these can be beaten for convenience and budget-friendliness. However, you do get the chance to mingle and do your groceries alongside the local population. Even if it’s just for an hour or so, you’re granted an authentic and genuine taste of real Porto.
Although we chose to highlight Pingo Doce, the truth is that we could have gone with other retail powerhouses, such as Modelo Continente, Lidl, Jumbo or Minipreço. Whenever you see one of these names, you know you can shop there!
Supermarket Locations in Porto
Don’t forget to pin these on your map and save yourself from looking like a jetlagged Zombie, walking down the streets desperately looking for something to sink your teeth into. Which one will you be visiting? Let us know on the comments section!
Então e o Supermercado Chen (supermercado chinês), perto do Bolhão e na Praça da República, ou aquela loja nórdica ao lado do Centro Comercial da Trindade. Quando li o título (“…with a unique concept”) foram os primeiros que me vieram à cabeça.
Era exactamente o que estava a pensar!