Image by Erik Lassche

Portuguese love their tiles, or Azulejos as they call them! And they should, since they are beautiful and represent a rich multicultural past. So, after you have probably visited the Azulejo museum, you are now ready to some yourself before flying back home. You have come to the right place.

I don’t really like to write about “tile stores” in Portugal, since most of them are a bit cheesy. But this one is the real thing. It opened pretty recently, but it looks already 500 years old, which, in the case of Azulejos, is a good thing.

They primarily sell antique tiles (so don’t ask for an azulejo with “Cristiano Ronaldo” written on it please) and are also in the business of restauration of azulejos.

Prices range from “I can afford that” to “this is going to be a very expensive bathroom”.

Have a look, it is smack in the middle of Chiado and who knows, maybe you will bring a bit of Portugal back home.

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d’Orey & Cardoso | Art & culture, Shopping
Rua do Alecrim, nº68 | Chiado & Baixa | +351912948961
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Erik Lassche

I love this place! It is “hidden” at the top floor of the Benetton shop at the beginning of Rua Garrett. Fabrica is the Benetton Group international communications research center (I had to llok it up as well!). This space has an ever-changing variety of design objects, both useful and useless, but always interesting. It displays work of Portuguese artists (as for instance JIMMY styleshop does) and international works. All items are for sale, ofcourse.

Besides this “shop”, half of the space is dedicated to temporary exhibitions. This means that you will always find something new and interesting when you visit (especially compared with Benetton clothes, but that’s a personal opinion).

If you are not one convinced yet: you can step out on one of the small balconies and have a bird’s-eye view of Rua Garrett.

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Fabrica @ Benetton | Art & culture, Shopping
4º andar, Rua Garrett, 83 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213556764
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 08:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Veronica

A Vida Portuguesa is the kind of store that mesmerizes every visitor: on display you’ll find an amazing archive of genuine and typical Portuguese products, some of which I thought were no longer in production. It’s a walk through memory lane, which brings great childhood recollections!

Located in the late David & David building (an old perfume company and warehouse), the store maintains a lot of the place’s original features.

This is the spot to find Portuguese goods with superb quality, design and authentic retro flair. They have a careful selection of the best kitchen, home, bath and beauty products, as well as school supplies, ceramics, jewelery, toys and much more!

You must visit this place to discover its real Portuguese spirit – as it’s claimed on the company’s manifesto “These are our products. These products make us who we are”!

Vee’s Favourites – Old advertising posters, Bordalo Pinheiro porcelain designs.

Rita’s Favourites – Portuguese crafts designer Rosa Pomar tote bags made with chita (a vintage flower-pattern fabric) and Ach. Brito hand-made soaps.

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A Vida Portuguesa | Shopping
Rua Anchieta 11 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213465073
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 20:00, Nov 24 – Dec 24 10:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita Esgalhado

Delidelux is the place to find a wide choice of international products (good Italian and French selection) as well as the finest national specialties (excellent for Portuguese wine, cheese and seafood preserves).

We also have to mention that the fruit and vegetables on display are always fresh and most importantly, they taste like old times !

Apart from being a Delicatessen and Gourmet Store, Delidelux has also a Bistrô area. Depending on the weather, you can choose to stay inside or enjoy the river view and sun in the terrace.

If you go there on a weekend or a national holiday, you must taste the Brunch (served from 10:00 until 16:00). Otherwise, the menu includes a lot of options from a simple snack to a complete meal.

The cuisine is mostly fusion (with marked Italian and French influences), but they make an effort to mix it with some traditional Portuguese ingredients.

Overall it’s a superb place to chill after work or in the weekends (albeit a bit crowded sometimes)!

P.S.: It’s useful to know that all the ingredients used in the menu are available in store, so if you leave the Bistrô craving for more, you can always try and cook it yourself!

Rita’s favourites – Bistrô: cheese and charcuterie plates, yogurt with fruits and honey. Store: sesame bagels, cumin gouda cheese, Italian products selection.

Vee’s favourites – Bistrô: Sunday Brunch – to die for. Store: Kumin teas, Cantucinni biscottis.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Delidelux | Shopping, Restaurants (Fusion) | Sunday brunch from € 9.50
Av. Infante D. Henrique Armazém B Loja 8 | Riverside
Tue – Fri 12:00 – 22:00, Sat 10:00 – 22:00, Sun 10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Veronica Leitao

The Bertrand Bookstore in Rua Garret opened in 1773, and it’s the oldest store from the Bertrand chain (the first one, built in 1732, was devastated by the Lisbon 1755 Earthquake). It has also been considered the oldest bookstore in the world!!

Bertrand, which once was a privileged space of cultural debate and a literary club, frequented by the intellectual elite of the city, is now transformed into a regular bookstore, but keeps a few peculiarities that are worth a visit.

Still located in the original building, the shop has an amazing quantity of books, divided into maze-sections that respect the original architectural features of the space.

The staff is polite, helpful and glad to be of service when asked to. You also won’t be disturbed if you just wish to sit quietly and read a novel.

This is an excellent spot to relax and recharge batteries, and can as well be the place to find information about Lisbon and Portugal.

Rita’s favorites – Top selection of travel and art books.

Vee’s favorites – Great place to find hidden book marvels as well as a great selection of magazines from all over the world.

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Bertrand livreiros | Relaxing, Shopping
Rua Garrett 17 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213476122
10:00 – 19:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita Esgalhado

This particular store has a very unique slogan: “In nature nothing repeats itself, there aren’t two identical trees, two birds alike, two rain drops alike, two kisses alike. In this Fabrico Infinito also everything is unique and doesn’t repeat itself. It doesn’t come back. Enjoy. And be happy.” (by José Trabucho).

In Fabrico Infinito different types of original and peculiar things come together. You have an area of designer products from books, cd’s, jewelery, great chandeliers and also a wide selection of Brazilian artsy products such as bags, bathing suits or even plastic shoes that smell like strawberries.

In the back of the store you have a sort of delicatessen with divine cakes, which is a perfect place to just chill and enjoy the view. If you are in a working mood, just bring your laptop because here you have wireless internet.

Most of the products are biological (and really tasty!), and even the tea is served in a beautiful golden china set – this place is all about the details, you definitely shouldn’t miss it!

Vee’s favourites: Melissa Shoes.

Rita’s favourites: Great music selection.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fabrico Infinito | Coffee & tea, Shopping | Lemonade € 2
Rua D. Pedro V 74 | Príncipe Real | +351212467629
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita Esgalhado

Some months ago, while driving downtown, we noticed a somewhat distinct window display amongst the gazzilions of haberdasher stores one can find in Rua da Conceição. When we finally got the chance to check it out, we discovered Papabubble, a wonderfully designed candy store, crammed with colourful and original sweets.

We were immediately sold by the whole store concept: a clean and minimalist space, with neat displays, where you can see the artisans while they work, stretching the huge sugar paste rolls or cutting them into small candy drops.

Everything is nicely packed in cool designed bags, which can be a perfect gift or souvenir from Lisbon. If you are uncertain of which flavours to get (because there are plenty of options!), you should ask the store assistants for help, and you’ll probably end up getting a free tasting

And if you really wish to surprise someone, they accept custom orders for different shapes, sizes or flavours – you name it and they will do it! (just be sure to timely place your order, as they can be pretty busy, especially around the holiday season.)

Vee’s favorites: Peppermint and passion fruit candies

Rita’s favorites: Lime and mint “sushi maki” shapped drops with wood sticks – tasty and original!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Papabubble | Shopping | From € 5.00
Rua da Conceição n.º 117/ 119 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213427026
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 19:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita

Everyone knows that a good pair of shoes is hard to find, even more if you want affordable prices. Fear no more, Zilian is here!!

If you are a girl, then you have reached shoe heaven! As proud shoe-aholic girls, we felt like our prayers were heard since this store opened!

Here you can find hip, cool, high, low shoes. All sizes, all colors, all types. It’s basically shoe democracy with a twist. You can find shoes from € 20 until € 200, but the average is € 70/80.

The store has a pretty smart layout, with more than 4500 shoes to choose from. Yes, you read right: 4500!!

Once you get there, there’s no turning back. Just find the big cube displaying your shoe size and go crazy! Don’t dare to leave the store empty handed, since the odds of finding the shoes there when you return are pretty slim!

Since they’ve opened, they’ve added some good services from having Nespresso – just take your pick! – to Valet service for free.

Rita’s Favorites: Amazing mary janes and summer sandals

Vee’s Favorites: Ballet slipers, confy and stylish.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Zilian | Shopping | Average shoe price € 80.00
Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 29D | Avenidas | +351213878455
10:00 – 20:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Rita

If you happen to be in town for business, there are a lot of nice places to go and spend a relaxing time around the financial district.

One of my favorite places to splurge during lunch break is Pedra Dura. This is Lisbon’s nicest jewellery store (located in Monumental – a small shopping mall and movie theater in Saldanha).

The main quality of this spot is the extreme uniqueness of the pieces on display. One can spend hours exploring an immensity of cabinet drawers, filled with the most eclectic and original designs.

They also make cute and eco-friendly gift-wraps, so “Pedra Dura” could also be a great option for souvenirs.

The price tags can be sometimes harsh, but there are also “wallet-friendly” (and equally lovely) options)!

Vee’s favourites – N2 and Les Néréides Jewelery.

Rita’s favourites – I can’t absolutely decide what I like the most, especially since they receive new stuff every week!

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Pedra Dura | Shopping | From € 10.00
Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo 51 | Avenidas | +351912228748
10:00 – 23:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Image by Veronica

If you are a candle person like us, then this is the store for you.

Here you can find all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes of candles. Their selection is amazing, and the prices very affordable. The fun thing is that this is a very traditional store, but then you check their windows it has always a theme. Fun none the less!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do every time we pass by.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Casa das Velas do Loreto | Shopping
Rua do Loreto 53-55 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213425387
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 19:00, Sat – 09:00 – 13:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Lisbon