If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon, love food and are wondering where to shop for food souvenirs, the absolute best place to go is the store that broke my suitcase — Conserveira de Lisboa.

Originally founded in 1930, this historic food shop located in the heart of Lisbon is beloved among locals and visitors alike for its vast collection of canned fish. It’s the best place to buy canned sardines in Lisbon.

Its central location on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros also means a shopping trip to Conserveira de Lisboa does not require a major expedition.

The Best Lisbon Sardine Shop is also Historic

Hop on a historic tram to buy sardines in Lisbon

Learn more about other sights you can see via the Remodelado trams, the cheerful yellow and red trams that rattle  through the narrow streets of Lisbon in this Lisbon City Guide. 

Unlike Portugal’s plush cotton towels, beautiful bedspreads, Pasteis de Belem custard tarts, bottles of port or other things Lisbon is known for, the canned fish you purchase from Conserveira de Lisboa  are small, packable, inexpensive and transportable with little likelihood of breakage or confiscation by vigilant customs officials.

An extra bonus is that your purchases from Conserveira de Lisboa will come gift-wrapped in brown paper and twine at no extra charge!

Why You Should Buy Sardines in Lisbon

You might be tempted to think I’m obsessed with sardines (if you’re not convinced, just read my story about Swimming with Sardines in Huatulco, Mexico) but the truth is I’m not alone in my enthusiasm for this slim fish.

Each June, during the festival of Santo António, one of Lisbon’s favourite saints, the streets are filled with vendors grilling fresh sardines over charcoal grills. It’s an absolute must to eat fresh sardines at this time of year in Lisbon.

Although fresh sardines are one of the top foods to enjoy in Lisbon, if you’ve missed the festival, canned sardines are the next best thing. They have their own unique merits. There’s a world of difference between European canned sardines and the budget versions you might be familiar with in North America.

Lots of food souvenirs on the Iberian Peninsula

While canned fish might seem an unusual souvenir to bring home from a vacation in Lisbon, the truth is that canned sardines in Portugal are unlike sardines in any other part of the world.

European brands of sardines are meatier, firmer and less oily than those canned in North America. They’re wild-caught primarily in the clear waters of the Atlantic off the coasts of Portugal and Spain and served in bars and restaurants across the Iberian Peninsula.

Not only do they taste a million times better than any other fish in a can, but they come in the world’s cutest packages in their house  brands such as Tricana, Minor and Prata do Mar.

Cans of fish at Conserveira de Lisboa

Packed with heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids and plenty of vitamin D, canned sardines are considered such a premium product, they’re even on the menu at Gastro Bar by MB, the restaurant in Paradisus Los Cabos, Mexico helmed by Martin Berasategui, the celebrated Basque chef who has garnered seven Michelin stars across his various restaurants.

Try this easy recipe for Cream of Sardines with Smoked Salmon and Capers from Gastro Bar by MB at your next dinner party and everyone will be amazed at how delicious canned sardines can be!

Try this Cream of Sardines recipe created by Basque Chef Martin Beratasagui for gastro bar by MB at Paradisus Los Cabos, Mexico

Conserveira de Lisboa Prices

A wall of choices at Conserveira de Lisboa

Truth is that although most people come to Conserveira de Lisboa for the sardines, it is possible to buy canned mackerel, canned tuna, bags of sea salt and several other delectable  items.

In fact, there’s a whole wall of tasty (and super inexpensive) items to choose from. Prices are around €2.50 per can.The delightfully retro design of the packaging of the Conserveira de Lisboa brands dates back to 1942.

The tinned fish comes packed in olive oil or a slightly spicy tomato sauce. Tricana is one of the most popular brands.

Cans of sardines and more at Conserveira de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal

The sardine shop clerks are very helpful if you’re undecided what to choose from the 130 varieties available but if you’d like to save time, you should know that the Tricana brand features larger filets of fish, while Minor is fish paste and Prata do Mar is fish exclusively from Portugese waters. Stock varies seasonally.

If you’re wondering where to begin with this dizzying array of choices, your best bet is the Tricana brand of sardine in tomato sauce.  It makes an ideal snack with some crusty bread, cheese and Portugese wine.

Or, if you’re unconvinced about the appeal of canned sardines, opt for the canned tuna. It’s delicious in Mediterranean-style olive and tuna tapenade, a mix of tuna, chopped black olives, lemon juice and onion.

Just remember, if you do decide to tote home a one-year supply of canned sardines from Conserveira de Lisboa as I did, those cute little cans are heavier than they look.

You too may end up sacrificing a suitcase to the gods of tinned fish.

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This post was substantially updated and republished in April 2019.