maomao

I'll be spending 5 days in Lisbon in September with day trips to Sintra, Batalha / Tomar / Alcobaca. I typically like going to supermarkets to purchase local treats to bring back for family and friends. I would love to hear your recommendations and suggestions. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

frey78

Get some little airline size bottles of port wine if you can find them - Ramos Pinto, Ferreira, and Offley are all good. Sandeman's and Taylor's are probably the most popular.

igpjazz

Pasteis de Belem (Pasteis de nata) from any local bakery!

Aduchamp1

igpjazz is right. The breads of Portugal are fabulous. And if you are seeing anyone upon arrival, it would be a treat.

thursdaysd

Port. Port. Port.... But NOT airline size bottles, you want the good stuff. Visit the Port Wine Institute, where you can taste it. (Aka Solar do Vinho do Porto, Rua São Pedro de Alcântara 45)

And Ginjiha - cherry brandy. Not sure the pasteis would travel well.

igpjazz

I brought 2 dozens of the pasteis de nata the last time I was in Lisbon and froze them. They were still good after 3 months.

lreynold1

I also love to go grocery shopping to buy treats and have a few things I always get in Lisbon. Three years ago, I read this article, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/wo...0tavira&st=cse, and since then I've always bought some sea salt from Olhao or Tavira. I find it in the supermarket of the Corte Ingles (big department store, located at the metro Sao Sebastiao). Also, I always buy some Portuguese olive oil -- it is very flavorful and sometimes intense and not much of the good stuff is exported, I've been told. It's heavy, about 1 kilo a liter, but if you've got the space and weight allowance, I'd bring back several plastic liter bottles. Corte Ingles has a good selection, both in their regular supermarket and in their small "gourmet shop," and I frequently buy a couple of 2 liter bottles. The most I've ever brought back is 12 liters, and I haven't had any spillage yet, knock on wood!

Portuguese cheese is varied and delicious. I bring back whatever sheep cheeses I can find, and people just love them. It's best to either get a whole round or a chunk that's vacuum packed, otherwise you run the risk of spoilage. You'll also find lots of little regional product stores in the bairro alto, and can find little odd jars/bottles of interesting looking food.

SloJan2

I agree on the sea salt (with algae preferably!). Salgar is a good one. I also agree with the olive oil. Esporao has a couple of different varieties and it is always fun to do a tasting. Also, chocolate salami - it's the PT equivalent of a brownie...completely addictive and delicious. Don't waste your time on Port unless it is the good stuff. The same goes with Madeira. Marinated olives and dried tremoco (a popular bean to snack on) are also good.

ColeConners

The best products from Portugal are the canned fish. In Lisbon there's a very old shop specializing in it called "Conserveira de Lisboa." Olive oils and wines are probably the most popular, but also look for the cherry liquors ("ginja") and the only tea produced in Europe, the Gorreana green tea. Here's a good gourmet shopping list from shops in downtown Lisbon:
http://www.lisbonlux.com/magazine/a-...t-from-lisbon/

Other good shopping options which make wonderful gifts are cork products, tiles and the beautiful retro soaps.

maomao

Thank you to everyone who replied. You've all given me some terrific ideas. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to purchase both olive oil and port given that I'll continue on my journey to Spain for another 12 days. I want to keep my luggage reasonably light. I will definitely check out the Corte Ingles to pick up some goodies.

SloJan2, where can I get the chocolate salami? It sounds absolutely delicious. Are there particular brands that you recommend for chocolate salami, marinated olives and dried tremoco? Thanks!

maomao

ColeConners, thanks for the article link. They all look divine. It's going to be really hard not to buy everything. I'll definitely stop by Conserveira de Lisboa.

lreynold1

Wow, and thank you ColeConners. I was familiar with many of the shops your link describes, but for some reason that I can't really figure out, I don't think I have ever walked down the Rua dos Bacalhoeiros. How could I have missed these two incredible looking shops for all these years???? Fortunately, I'll be back in Lisbon in early May and will make sure to check them out. MUITO OBRIGADA!!!!!

bilboburgler

The best local products are the cotton and linen that you can see in the smaller corner shops. Look out for machine made lace and table clothes both with cut work and lace. The quality can be very high and prices are low. Check they are not chinese.

algarvissimo

My wife is from Lisbon, so I have the real treat every time we return, going to the old places with the real stuff.
Pasteis de Nata! One of the best places in Portugal and worth sitting down is "Pasteis de Belem" http://www.pasteisdebelem.pt/ . Another sweet treat is Pao de Deus, Gods Bread http://touristmayday.org/blog/blogs/...eus-bread-from . You should not travel around with these treats for more than a day or two ;-) but try for sure.
Honey, sausages, dry figs. And go to the little restaurants away from the center!
Bom Dia a todos!

lowcountrycarol

Just found this post as I am in the Algarve for one month (have been doing 2 months a year for the past 25 years)
...
We like to bring back not only some of the above mentioned items but my husband and other family members like spicy foods so we stock them and ourselves with small plastic bottles of piri-piri...Jeronimos brand is the best. I do not like it but DH is crazy for the sardine pate with piri piri . Sold in very small cans and easy to carry home. If you like figs there is a wonderful quejo do figo which is a sweet made with figs, sugar, medronho, a bit of chocolate and ground almonds and shaped into a 4" round... a small slice is all you need at a time.