Mercado do Bom Sucesso Porto

The Mercado (market) do Bom Sucesso looks a bit strange from the outside, maybe like a kind of a futuristic spaceship (glassy and round), especially considering that it was built in the 1950's, when that particular part of the city was almost "countryside". Actually my parents lived in the area in the early 60's and there were cows eating grass outside the door. It used to be a market of fresh goods until recently.

It had been decaying for many years, however, now it has a new and totally different life. The ground floor holds mainly restaurants, the 1st floor mainly shops, as well as a hotel. The restaurants follow the movement of blending traditional, gourmet, and trendy. I have to confess that the 1st time I ate there I left saying it was a flop. Then I returned and changed my mind. I'm glad I did.

The choice can be difficult, because of the number and variety of places: traditional, tapas, gourmet, pastry, sushi, burgers, seafood, ice cream, and many others. I like "Casa de Santo António" (traditional Portuguese food), NY slides (good burgers), Neveiros (check the article!), Confeitaria Moura (excellent traditional pastry - jesuitas, limonetes!), but I still have a lot to try.

There are also gourmet shops, where it's possible to taste and take away Portuguese traditional and (again) gourmet delicious products. On a side note, they host events quite frequently. It's a place certainly worth a visit when near Boavista.

Across the street, there's a large mall.