The 14 best things to do in Príncipe Real

In 2022, Numa Café opened on the corner of Rua da Escola Politécnica and Rua do Arco a S. Mamede. The inspiration comes from Northern Europe and both the menu and the décor are pared back and uncomplicated. The dishes are simple, healthy and colourful. To start the day, the café serves speciality coffee paired with toasts, bagels, bowls, or, if you're in the mood for something sweet, a slice of tart or cake. The smoothies are also designed with the same approach as the rest of the menu, aiming to offer something that’s both healthy and delicious.

This Portuguese brand, which was founded back in 2014, is guided by the principles of sustainability, resourcefulness, ecology, and fair trade. Stró is committed to environmental concerns and adheres to sustainable and controlled production practices. Made from wool, linen, or cotton, the collections include home items, such as cushion covers and blankets, as well as accessories, like hats, scarves, and slippers.

Matthew Harris, who founded his jewellery brand Mateo in New York, could have designed his Lisbon shop with a sophistication imported straight from Manhattan, but instead, the décor reflects the new surroundings, with perfectly integrated elements evoking Portugal. The narrow space is divided into two rooms downstairs with a third upstairs. The different collections are displayed in separate showcases. The first collection, inspired by a toolbox, remains one of the most sought-after. But others have since arrived – small diamond letters encapsulated in clear quartz, the flowing lines of the Curve collection, pearls in their rawest form, and an explosion of colour with blue topaz, amethyst, citrine, and malachite, where Matthew returns to turquoise, a colour that reconnects him to his homeland.

When trends seemed to be heading in one direction, Luís Gaspar went against the grain and opened a restaurant serving traditional food, albeit with a contemporary twist. There’s never a day when Pica-Pau isn’t packed, proving that the focus on comforting dishes, following the principles of Maria de Lourdes Modesto, was the right call. The daily fixed dishes, the restaurant’s hallmark, are served both at lunch and dinner and are the main highlight. Additionally, there’s no shortage of snacks like codfish cakes, suckling pig patties, or the classic beef pica-pau (cubes of marinated beef served with pickles). 

Livraria da Travessa is a chain of bookshops which started in Brazil, and this Príncipe Real outpost is its only shop in Portugal. The selection ranges from fiction and biography to arts and humanities and there is a good selection of international authors, including many Brazilians such as Jorge Amado, Machado de Assis, Vinicius de Moraes, and Caetano Veloso. You’ll also find Portuguese literature, with works by Miguel Torga, Eça de Queirós, and Alexandra Lucas Coelho. Care has also been taken with the children’s section, as well as with the cultural programming, which often includes book launches, talks, and debates.

On the corner of Rua Dom Pedro V, Olá Sangria specialises in sangria made with port. The port dates back to the time of owner Luís Osório's great-grandfather, but it's the sangria that's stealing the spotlight. Made using an old recipe the owner discovered in his attic, it's served either red or white. The concept is simple: stroll in, order, and stroll out with a glass in your hand, which you can enjoy while wandering around the lively neighbourhood.

We could tell you the incredible story of the Bosnian who came to Portugal to pursue her passion for fashion, but for now, the focus is on her shop in Príncipe Real, where Lidija Kolovrat's aesthetic sense is evident everywhere. You'll find pieces from her latest collections alongside items from other carefully selected brands. If you can, head upstairs to the attic space.

Benamôr, the natural beauty brand, will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. In this Príncipe Real shop, homage is paid to the brand’s iconic face cream, which is one of its bestsellers, with a formula that hasn’t changed since 1925 (although it’s now paraben-free). The shop is decked out in pink from top to bottom, and the floor tiles are inspired by the design of the tubes. Even if you’ve visited other Benamôr stores, it’s always worth a visit, as each has a unique aesthetic. The products, however, remain the same: moisturising creams, serums, makeup removers, shower gels, soaps, and colognes.

Príncipe Real Enxovais sells fine linens and once catered to the whims of a far more select clientele, from the Kennedys to royal households across Europe. It also sells towels, nightgowns, and babies’ christening gowns. Everything is immaculate and embroidered to the customer’s liking. Needless to say, this is a shop full of history and stories to tell.

In the late afternoon, is there anything better than sitting at an outdoor café, sipping a drink and enjoying a bite to eat? That’s exactly what this kiosk is for. Its real name is Quiosque Príncipe Real, but everyone knows it as ‘O Oliveira’ and it's always packed, even though it’s not in the major city guides. It’s a charming institution that welcomes tourists, taxi drivers, students, politicians, and other characters with equal enthusiasm.