I want to note right away that I am writing about Porto. In the suburbs and in other areas of Portugal, prices may vary. Most of all I like to buy meat at Talho - the so-called Portuguese butcher shop.
Even 10-15 years ago, in Portugal there were few supermarkets and everything was bought in small shops. A butcher's shop, a fruit shop, a pastry shop or a bread shop, a fish shop, and a shop with all kinds of sausages - this is only a small part of all kinds of specialized shops. Now I will write about the meat, and a little later I will write about the most interesting separately.
On the one hand, a supermarket is good in that you can buy everything at once in one place, you don’t need to know much the language for shopping, and there is a huge selection of even one specific product ... But on the other hand, a certain humanity is lost. In small shops you do not just make a purchase - you learn all the news, listen to compliments, learn the language and just become part of the society in which you have to live.
My acquaintance with the butcher shop began immediately upon arrival in this beautiful country. Near the house there was such a shop, and the supermarket was far away. When all the relatives went to work (and I didn’t work at that time), the child and I went out into the light. We went to buy bread at the local Padaria. Be sure to talk with a woman mistress . I didn’t know the language at that time.
Once I understood the phrase "I see that you understand almost nothing, but listen - this will all be put off in your head." A very friendly woman. There were 4 tables - for those who wanted to drink coffee and eat sweets. We sat down. This is also not just a drink of coffee. In any cafe you can read the newspaper for free. Usually there are several newspapers - and about football, and news, and gossip. But even if there is no big choice, any self-respecting cafe is sure to provide visitors with the daily Jornal de Noticías. I studied with particular interest the section in which job ads. and so I looked at the pictures - I tried to read and understand at least some word))
After the cafe, we went to the butcher shop. We bought something for dinner, and talked with the butcher (he also saw that we did not understand him very much, but sought to help us adapt).
He was not very cheap, but the attention and quality of the products (and proximity to the house) were still worth it.
Then we moved to Porto. I found my favorite butcher shop! Here, the prices are much lower than in supermarkets, and the quality is always excellent, and they will cut everything to you as you like, and if you ask too much, they will also bring home home)) Although there is no such attention and communication as in the suburbs.
Those who have not been to Portugal would like to know the prices, I think. We have a topic in our forum - “ Food Prices in Portugal ”.
In a nutshell. The Portuguese really appreciate veal. Therefore, it is much more expensive than pork. If you can buy pork about 4 euros per kilo (the average price - it all depends on the part of the carcass, I usually take the neck and it costs about that much), then the veal is from 7 euros per kilo, but this is not average - but such a low price. Depending on the quality of the meat, there may be 20 and 30 euros / kg. Chicken about 2 euros / kilo - if whole. Further, it also depends on the part of the carcass. So, a fillet costs 4–5 euros, and a liver up to 1 euro (about 60 euro cents).
They also sell turkey, duck, rabbit, lamb, goat meat (sorry, I don’t know how to name goat meat), ham, shurisu, bacon, eggs, sausages, semi-finished products (raw sausages, burgers, barbecue, carne á Alentejana ( meat with shells), chopped breadcrumbs , etc. ), fat and entrails, which they love very much.
For a complete immersion in the atmosphere of Portugal, you just need to visit small shops. A supermarket is certainly good, but it is faceless and is no different from a supermarket in Ukraine or Russia. Unless the assortment is different. When you shop at local shops, communicate with sellers, other customers, and even local cats, you are so immersed in the environment that you become part of Portugal. Portugal accepts you and you feel at home.
Article author: Irina Boyko, Porto 
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