Mercado do Bolhão — Attraction in Porto

Nice market, well, maintained. Good variety of stalls, foods and drinks to get (for the tourists, it's seafood, alcohol, fruit cups, and canned gift sardines/chocolate sardines). The middle and upper floors are pretty empty. I've got specific reasons for giving this place a middlng rating.

1. I bought a 3 glass taster menu of port. I took the three glasses and sat down on the steps at the rear to drink, as I saw many people do over THE PAST TWO DAYS. Today is different, where some jobsworth tell me I have to drink at the shared tables at the front. I know this is an arbitrary change of rules compared to the last two days, but I do it anyway. There are no available seats or standing room anywhere - it's packed. I go back to the steps, where many more are now seated on the steps, eating and drinking. A different jobsworth comes around to shoo us to the tables. I state through software translation that there are no seats. The jobsworth just shrugs and looks at me like with the expression "What do you want me to do?!". FFS - the lack of reason, intelligence and common sense is astounding. Then one hour later, suddenly it's okay for lots of people to eat and drink on the steps again. Argh!

2. I bought 'lobster' from a seafood stall, Peixaria Sara's. It turned out to be fake lobster - the synthetic reconstituted stuff. They should be sued for faud/false advertising. If I wanted this fake crap, I could have gotten it from Lidl, FFS.

3. A Favorita do Bolhao (a shop 30 seconds away) is better for many tourist gifts. Go there instead.

4. The hand dryer in the men's toilet was broken.

However, my visits ended on a high with:

A) The Menu 3 port taster from Castra Douro. Epic.

B) The shrimp and oysters from Casa das Ostas were fresh, delicious and the oysters were huge. The oysters were the best I've ever had. Also, the red headed female employee at the checkout was super friendly, efficient and effective.

Visitors like me are happy to spend our money if we're treated honestly, fairly and kindly.

Recommended: Casa das Ostras, Casta D'Ouro.

Avoid: Peixaria Sara's, the...

The organic market is a beautiful place for strolling, shopping, and grabbing a bite to eat. Both the stalls and the atmosphere are lovely, and we generally had a pleasant time. I highly recommend a visit to this market in Porto. However, be cautious of vendors selling non-fresh seafood, and steer clear of them. Due to this issue, I'm giving this place a low rating. I'll explain the details below.

According to the direction of the entrance to the market, there are two carpaccio vendors on the left side. I especially recommend the first one. The stall is operated by a couple. Both the lady and the gentleman are good at their jobs, attentive, cheerful, and polite. We actually wanted to try deer carpaccio, but unfortunately, they were out of stock. We tried their beef carpaccio, and it was delicious. We liked it so much that we ordered another portion.

I'd like to highlight two important points. I hope the municipal subsidiary company GO Porto takes these into account.

Firstly, there's a stand right in the middle selling fried cheese, which creates a smell pollution not present at any other stall and tarnishes the market. We noticed that many people, including ourselves, were bothered by this smell. Due to our discomfort, we couldn't even approach the other stalls near this vendor. So, there's a situation where visitors are disturbed and other stall owners' business is hindered.

Secondly, and most importantly, my spouse experienced food poisoning, and we believe it was due to the seafood vendor at your market. When we checked the reviews, we noticed that several people complained of the same issue on the same dates. Furthermore, there have been similar complaints on other dates as well. This issue is serious and requires urgent attention. Negligence on your part is...

Bolhão Market has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. It has been a bustling marketplace for generations and is considered one of Porto's most emblematic markets. The market building itself is a notable example of neoclassical architecture. Its distinctive facade, featuring a large wrought-iron entrance, adds to the market's charm. The market is home to a variety of stalls selling fresh produce, meats, seafood, flowers, and traditional Portuguese products. It's a great place to explore local flavors and ingredients. Bolhão Market is a fantastic spot to purchase authentic Portuguese goods, including cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and regional specialties. Vendors often offer tastings, allowing visitors to sample local products.. Within and around Bolhão Market, there are also small cafes and eateries where visitors can enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes. These places often provide a cozy setting to savor local flavors. Bolhão Market is not just a marketplace; it's a cultural and historical landmark that reflects the city's traditions and the importance of local markets in Portuguese culture. Bolhão Market has long been a must-visit for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic market experience. While the market has faced challenges and discussions about its future, it remains an integral part of Porto's cultural and...