Have the Best Seafood Meal of Your Life at Mercado Matosinhos: A Detailed Guide
We had a friend who would wax nostalgic about driving along the coast of Maine, picking out fresh lobster from a roadside vendor and having someone cook it for him. It’s a story that inspired envy, because you can rarely find that kind of experience stateside anymore. Not so in Portugal. Just outside Porto, its second largest city, Mercado Matosinhos presents a similarly delicious opportunity. There’s no shortage of great restaurants and amazing things to do in Porto. But if you’re looking for a truly unique experience, and you love seafood as much as we do, then a visit to Mercado Matosinhos is something you won’t want to miss.
Where is Matosinhos?
Matosinhos is often considered a suburb of greater Porto, though it is technically its own city. A coastal haven just north of Porto, Matosinhos is well-known as a popular beach and surfing destination. With Portugal’s rich maritime history, it’s no surprise the seaside town made major contributions to the country’s culture, history and trade. The port and fishing harbor was a source of economic prosperity, and drove major development throughout the 20th century.
Besides its beautiful, sandy beaches, Matosinhos features many lush green spaces for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Notable architecture include the stunning Church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos dating back to the 16th century, and the Monastery of Leça do Balio from the 17th century. At Praça Cidade do Salvador, an oversized circular sculpture made of fishing nets is one of the city’s many public art pieces. An homage to the city’s roots, the Anemone has become a symbol of Matosinhos. Curated by Vhils, one of Portugal’s biggest street artists, the SEAT Art Cities project also brings great murals to this coastal destination.
How do I get to Matosinhos from Porto?
There are several options to choose from when you’re trying to travel to Matosinhos from Porto.
Bus
The bus and the metro have similar travel times from central Porto to Matosinhos, but the bus journey along the Douro River is its own attraction. To enjoy the scenic route, take the 500 bus from Sao Bento. One-way tickets cost €1,60 and the trip takes approximately 45 minutes. There’s a lot of eye candy along the way, so take notes on your journey out. On your way back, consider hopping off to explore the trendy Foz de Douro or to enjoy a scenic river stroll.
Metro
Porto Metro’s Blue Line stops right in front of the Mercado, and there are several stations in central Porto where you can originate your journey. The Trindade station is where all 5 metro lines converge, just a short walk from Liberdade Square. One-way tickets cost €1,60 and the trip takes approximately 45 minutes. The Metro is easy to navigate, with trains arriving approximately every 15 minutes. Mercado is the second-to-last stop heading towards Senhor de Matosinhos. Use the Metro Journey Planner to plot your trip.
Uber
Another easy option to get from central Porto to Matosinhos is by taking an Uber. The drive takes approximately 25 minutes. Rates vary depending on demand and traffic, but a normal fare is approximately €10-€12 and can be a good option if you’re traveling in a group.
What are the dining hours of Mercado Matosinhos?
Please note that the option to pick your own seafood is only available during lunch. Unfortunately, lunch hours vary. Most restaurants will start at noon, and on busy days the seafood vendors may stay until 4:00 pm. But on slow days many could pack up and leave as early as 2:30 pm.
During dinner, the restaurants still serve fish from the market, but they may be frozen from earlier in the day or from the previous day’s stock.
Pro Tip: If you plan on exploring Matosinhos prior to lunch, there is a great bakery just outside the market called Pao da Terra. Locals travel from Porto just to pick up bread here, and they have a nice assortment of pastries that go well with coffee for breakfast.
How do I order fish from the market?
Pick a restaurant
When you arrive at the market, begin by choosing a restaurant. There are several options on the market floor, so take your time to walk around and check them out. The restaurant staff will often point out which seafood vendors they enjoy working with, but you can select your seafood from any stall.
We visited the market twice and dined at two different restaurants. At Taberna Lusitana, they accept all seafood except octopus. Fish is grilled with olive oil and salt then served whole. We also picked out some squid, which was grilled with a touch of lemon and oregano. The preparation is simple, allowing the fresh seafood to take center stage.
At Mercado Food & Drinks, they offer a multitude of preparation options. While our dorado was grilled, our shrimp was prepared with a garlic sauce. The staff will consult you prior to preparing the seafood, offering recommendations for the seafood you selected. We observed other diners enjoying fried seafood and seafood stews, so if you have a taste for something in particular, don’t be afraid to ask. The staff here also deftly deboned the fish for us, delivering meaty pieces ready for consumption directly onto our plates.
Choose your seafood
Once you’ve picked your restaurant, wander around the seafood stalls and check out the daily offerings. You’ll find a selection of fish as well as other seafood options like squid, shrimp and more. Let the vendors know the number in your party, and they’ll suggest the portion size. Don’t be afraid to size up or down, or to ask for recommendations. While not all of the vendors speak English, the ones who do are happy to help the others out. There’s a general sense of camaraderie among the different vendors.
Note that not all vendors will accept credit card payments, and some will require payment for the uncooked seafood upfront while others will let you settle up with the restaurant. Bring cash to be on the safe side.
Once you’ve selected your seafood, simply let the vendor know which restaurant you’re dining at. They will clean and deliver the seafood directly to the restaurant staff.
How much does a meal at Mercado Matosinhos cost?
At Taberna Lusitana, they charge approximately €6 per person to prepare the seafood, and everything else is additional. Olives and bread for the table were approximately €2, while side dishes ran €3-€4 each. For reference, we paid approximately €22 for sauteed vegetables and a tomato salad, drinks and food preparation in addition to the seafood from the vendor. We spent approximately €27 on a whole turbot and 4 large pieces of squid.
At Mercado Food & Drinks, the seafood was included in our total bill. We enjoyed a whole dorado and 300g (approximately 10 oz) of shrimp, tomato rice and sauteed vegetables. Along with drinks and preparation, our meal came to €55.
Both meals ended up in a similar price range, and portions were on the generous side (even for us!).
Conclusion
Exploring local cuisine is one of the best parts of travel. Mercado Matosinhos is a spotless wet market where diners support local trade while enjoying delicious seafood prepared by true connoisseurs. It’s the kind of experience we travel for, and we hope you walk away feeling the same way.
