Lisbon Food Markets: Time Out Market, Campo de Ourique and More

Lisbon’s markets are some of the best places to eat in the city, and they’re where locals still shop for fish, fruit and bread. Some are traditional morning markets, others have been turned into food halls with great chefs. And then there’s the famous flea market. Here’s where to go, and when.

Quick answer: for a big choice of good food in one place, go to the Time Out Market in Cais do Sodré (go early to beat the crowds). For a more local feel, try Mercado de Campo de Ourique. For fresh produce, visit a market in the morning, as most stalls close by early afternoon. And for bargains and curiosities, there’s the Feira da Ladra flea market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Why go to a market?

A market visit shows you how Lisbon really eats. You’ll see what’s in season, which fish came in that morning, and how many kinds of cheese and sausage one small country makes. Food halls are also the easiest place for a group to eat together when everyone wants something different, and they’re open long after most restaurants stop serving lunch.

Food halls

Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira)

Lisbon’s most famous food hall, in the old Ribeira market by Cais do Sodré station. Around 26 restaurant stalls and 8 bars from well-known Lisbon chefs and restaurants serve everything from steak sandwiches and seafood to pastries from Manteigaria, all around long shared tables. It’s usually open daily from 10am until midnight, and until 2am from Thursday to Saturday, though food stalls tend to stop serving before the bars close. It’s brilliant but busy, so go before 12:30 or after 2:30pm at lunch, and early in the evening for dinner. The traditional fresh market still runs in the other half of the building in the mornings.

• How it works: order and pay at each stall, take a buzzer, and find a seat at the shared tables. Grab a table first if you’re in a group.
• How long: about an hour for a relaxed meal.
• Getting there: right opposite Cais do Sodré metro, train and ferry station.

Mercado de Campo de Ourique

A smaller, more local version in a lovely residential neighbourhood. The market opened in 1934 and became a food hall in 2013, but it still works as a fresh market in the mornings. Traditional fish, fruit and veg stalls sit alongside food counters selling oysters, petiscos, burgers and wine. Lively in the evenings with locals. Tram 28 ends nearby, and it’s a short walk from Aloma, winner of the city’s best pastel de nata contest. Make an afternoon of it with our Campo de Ourique guide.

Traditional markets

For the real thing, go in the morning (they mostly open from around 7am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday, and close on Sundays) and see fish laid out on ice, piles of seasonal fruit and lots of local banter.

• Mercado de Arroios: a striking 1940s market in a multicultural neighbourhood, with some good little food spots around it.
• Mercado 31 de Janeiro: near Saldanha, known for its fish and its sushi counter, which is popular for lunch. Fruit and veg are downstairs, fish upstairs.
• Mercado de Alvalade Norte: a big, local neighbourhood market, well off the tourist trail.
• Mercado da Ribeira (fresh market): the traditional half of the Time Out building, open from about 6am, Monday to Saturday. Best early in the morning.

Saturday morning is the liveliest time, when families do their weekly shop. Check opening times before you go, as they vary a little from market to market.

What to buy and try

• Cheese: look for creamy Serra da Estrela, Azeitão and the small, salty cheeses from the Alentejo. Our Portuguese cheese guide explains the names.
• Charcuterie: presunto (cured ham) and chouriço, sliced to order.
• Fruit: Rocha pears, oranges from the Algarve in winter, cherries in late spring and figs in late summer.
• Fish: sardines in summer, plus sea bream, sea bass, octopus and clams all year.
• Olives, bread and honey: easy picnic food.
• Tinned fish: sold in many markets and specialist shops, and one of the best things to take home. See Portuguese tinned fish.

Flea markets and weekend markets

Feira da Ladra

Lisbon’s famous flea market, on Campo de Santa Clara behind the São Vicente de Fora monastery and next to the National Pantheon, every Tuesday and Saturday. Official hours are 9am to 6pm, but stalls start packing up in the afternoon. Old tiles, vinyl records, military medals, antique postcards and a lot of junk. Haggle politely, go early for the best finds and watch your bag. It’s an easy add-on to a morning in Alfama or Graça.

LX Factory

An old industrial complex under the 25 de Abril bridge, turned into shops, restaurants, bars and the beautiful Ler Devagar bookshop. Every Sunday, usually from 11am to 6pm, the LX Market fills the streets with crafts, vintage clothes, records and food. Combine it with Belém. See our LX Factory guide.

A half-day market route

• 9:00: coffee and a look around the fresh market at Mercado da Ribeira.
• 10:30: tram 28 or a short taxi up to Campo de Ourique to browse the stalls and buy picnic food.
• 11:30: a warm pastel de nata at Aloma nearby.
• 13:00: back down to the Time Out Market for lunch before the peak.

On a Tuesday or Saturday, swap the first stop for the Feira da Ladra instead.

Tips

• Go hungry and share plates, so you can try more.
• Cash helps at traditional stalls, though most take cards now.
• Don’t touch the fruit and fish. Point and ask.
• Bring a bag for shopping.
• Learn a few words: bom dia (good morning), quanto custa? (how much?) and obrigado/obrigada (thank you) go a long way.
• Self-catering? The traditional markets are the best place to buy fish to cook, and the stallholders will clean it for you.
• Flying home? Vacuum-packed cheese and ham travel well, but check your home country’s rules on meat and dairy before you buy.

See it with a guide

Food tours often start at a market, with tastings of cheese, charcuterie, ginjinha and pastries, and they’re a great way to learn what to order for the rest of your trip. See Lisbon food and market tours.

FAQ

Is the Time Out Market worth it?

Yes, for variety and convenience: you can try dishes from many well-known Lisbon kitchens under one roof. It’s busy and pricier than a neighbourhood tasca, so go outside peak meal times.

What days is the Feira da Ladra on?

Every Tuesday and Saturday on Campo de Santa Clara, officially from 9am to 6pm. Go in the morning for the best choice.

Are Lisbon’s markets open on Sundays?

Most traditional fresh markets close on Sundays. The Time Out Market is open every day, and the LX Market at LX Factory runs on Sundays.

What time do Lisbon’s food markets open?

Fresh markets usually open from about 7am (the Ribeira from about 6am) and close around 2pm. The Time Out Market food hall opens at 10am.

More Lisbon food

Read what to eat in Portugal, find the best pastel de nata in Lisbon, and see our Lisbon nightlife guide.

See also: Time Out Market tips, the best restaurants in Lisbon, what to eat in Lisbon, the Feira da Ladra flea market and the Mercado dos Lavradores.

Some links in this guide are affiliate or referral links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars, Welcome Pickups, Airalo, Yesim, Saily, Tiqets, Radical Storage, EKTA, AirHelp, Uber). If you book or sign up through them we may earn a small commission or ride credit at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.