A hostel owner in Lisbon taught me the best money trick for eating cheap

I was staying at this little place near Alfama last year, trying to make my 30 euro a day food budget work. The owner, an older guy named Miguel, saw me eating plain bread for dinner. He sat down and said, 'You are a guest, so I will tell you. Go to the market at 5pm, not 10am.' He explained that all the fish and produce stalls drop their prices right before they close to sell the last of the day's stuff. I went that evening and got a huge piece of sea bass for 3 euros and veggies for maybe 2 more. Cooked it in the hostel kitchen and ate like a king. It completely changed how I shop in any city now. Does anyone else have a specific time or place they go to for the best deals on fresh food while traveling?

4 comments

4 Comments

blairm7711d agoMost Upvoted

Totally! I hit bakeries right before closing, @nathan_kim.

aliceharris11d agoMost Upvoted

Ever try asking a vendor for their "ugly" produce?

juliaa6512d agoTop Commenter

Honestly, that "go at 5pm, not 10am" thing is a game changer. I used to think getting there early was the only way for the good stuff. Tbh, I tried the late market trick in Barcelona last fall and got a bag of perfect peppers and tomatoes for like a euro right before they packed up.

nathan_kim11d ago

Wait, a whole bag for just a euro? That's insane. I've seen some end-of-day deals, but that's practically giving it away. Those vendors must have really wanted to avoid hauling anything back.