Loja Açores is the closest you can get to Azores islands without leaving Lisbon. The shop opened in 2009 located two blocks from the Campo Pequeno Bull Ring. There’s Gorreana tea, liqueurs, wines, yogurts, exotic fruits like small pineapples and passion fruits, and the famous Saint George hot and spicy cheese.
Far from the European continent and half way to the Americas. The islands were too far from the mainland (1667 km) and completely isolated and uninhabited, with no means of subsistence, until the Portuguese colonization in 1427.
The Portuguese navigators re-discovered the islands in the XV century, and they were amazed by the beauty of these 9 small islands. The Paradise-like islands are still far enough to avoid massive tourism. They remain unspoiled and in some places almost untouched. The landscape is absolutely wonderful and there are three main products exported to the continent: Milk, Cheese and Butter. And the best place to buy them if you’re in Lisbon, is at Loja Açores.
When I was working near this place, every Friday I headed to the shop to buy the traditional “Bolo Lêvedo” for Saturday breakfast – toasted is delicious! Try also the Melo Abreu black beer.
