Matosinhos fresh market: Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos

Heading to Matosinhos and craving something fresh? The local market is where you’ll find your fix.

Bright tomatoes so flavorful that I eat them by the slice with just a little salt (and red pepper). Leafy greens, plump and straight from the earth. Golden-scrubbed potatoes. Piles of fresh seafood. And home-bottled olive oil, richly green through its jar.

My first market haul cost me about 32 euros and included vinegar made from honey, honey hand cream, local olive oil, greens, purple endives, tons of tomatoes, red onion, marinated goat cheese, and homemade jam. I’d say comparable to grocery store prices around here, but for better ingredients. 

How to get there

The market is in Matosinhos, just west of Porto. Here it is on Google Maps.

When to go

The market is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6:30 to 16:00.

What to expect

So. Much. Seafood! The entire lower floor of the market is foods from the ocean. Then there’s the fresh produce, jams, vinegar, olive oil, meats, cheeses, and a little organic market tucked away in a corner.

Be aware that there is also a section where you can buy live animals and that part may be a bit heartbreaking for some, seeing all the bunnies crammed up in small cages. 

Language

Portuguese! Though you will find some English and Spanish-speakers if you need some assistance and can’t remember the Portuguese word for two (hint: it’s dois).