Ribeira Market
An institution for gourmets and lovers of high-quality food in Lisbon is the Mercado da Ribeira, located right next to the Cais do Sodré train station on the north bank of the Tagus. Since 1892, market traders have presented their products here at market stalls that have often been passed down from generation to generation. The Mercado da Ribeira is also an opportunity for many regional producers and direct marketers from all over Portugal to sell their fine delicacies.
A long tradition in the epicurean supply of Lisbon
The market hall, which has been largely preserved to this day, opened as early as 1882. It was planned by the engineer Frederico Ressano Garcia and was intended to ensure the supply of food for local residents. With the exception of the east hall of the market, which fell victim to a fire shortly after it was built and was replaced by a hall extension from 1902 onwards, the Mercado da Ribeira has remained practically unchanged and in permanent operation to this day. The building is characterised by the typical iron architecture of its time: cast iron, a modern building material at the time, made it possible to erect a light, high and light roof construction over the sales area. The main portal with its dome, wonderful stucco work and striking clock is strikingly decorated and typical of the magnificent market halls of this era.
The transition to modern times - the food court
With the proliferation of supermarkets but also the change in lifestyles, the Mercado da Ribeira, like so many market halls in the world, slid into crisis. But the city reacted in time. A complete redesign of the west wing in 2014 allowed for a new conception of the market: a food hall, named and under the auspices of the travel magazine Time Out, called "Time Out Market Lisboa". At around 35 stalls, gourmets can taste their way through Portugal's best and most famous specialities in the time-honoured market halls, as well as discovering international delicacies. For this purpose, around 750 seats at simple wooden tables are available on an area of about 5,000 square meters. What sounds a bit like a food court of a shopping mall is in fact a temple for upscale delights without much frills in a lively ambience.
The symbiosis of traditional market and hip food hall
The special flair of the Mercado da Ribeira is actually the interplay of impressions and colourful impressions, but also of the different people that frequent this market. The smells of vegetables harvested in the same morning, fresh fish, high-quality meat and spicy cheese merge with the scents of prepared dishes or sweet pastries from the food stalls. The offerings here range from classic Portuguese cuisine to upscale nouvelle cousine from some of the country's best-known chefs, as well as palpable influences from Brazil and Asia. The best way to enjoy the Mercado da Ribeira is to take your time. With a glass of wine, you can browse through the different culinary temptations and discover one or two delicacies for yourself.
