Le Lisbonne de Sam Baron

How long have you been living in Lisbon?

Since 2001. I first discovered Lisbon through the Design Biennial it hosted back then, which I attended to satisfy my curiosity for Portuguese design.

Where would you say is the ultimate spot to get a real feel for the city?

I love the Chiado and Baixa neighbourhoods, which are the two parts of the old town where you can rub shoulders with locals and find old shops and museums, all just 5 minutes from the Tag, which you can admire from Commerce Square.

Which places do you find most culturally inspiring?

I enjoy visiting the Vera Cortes gallery, which showcases up-and-coming Portuguese artists, or taking a stroll around the Santos district, which is packed with loads of “hip” little shops such as la Companhia Portuguesa do Cha (a tea shop), the Comida Independente delicatessen, or Out to Lunch, a store that sells designer clothing and accessories.

Which restaurant or café would you say best captures Lisbon’s vibe?

It’s a bit of a classic nowadays, but one of my go-tos is Bica de Sapato in the district surrounding the Santa Apolonia train station. It has it all – a modern vibe, Portuguese dishes and a view overlooking the river.

Which neighbourhood instantly springs to mind when we say “Shopping in Lisbon”?

Chiado is definitely the spot to shop! The tiny Ulysse glove shop, the Fabrica Features gallery on the top floor of the Benetton store overlooking the square, the +351 clothes shop and, of course, the two Vida Portuguesa stores stocked with traditional products that have just the right sprinkling of “saudade”.

Do you have any secret addresses you’d care to share?

Check out the water tank in Principe Real Square or the Estufa Fria covered garden near to Eduardo VII park, or the little gallery at the entrance to the School of Fine Arts.

Where is the best place to stay for anyone keen to explore the city?

I’d recommend the Santa Catarina district, and for those who enjoy staying somewhere small and charming the “You In Lisbon”, three comfortable apartments all restored and managed by an architect who loves the finer things in life.
A more traditional place to stay would be in the Principe Real neighbourhood or near la Maddalena church, where there are two beautifully decorated boutique hotels offering amazing service – the Memmo Principe and the Memmo Alfama.

Which design piece can only be picked up in Lisbon?

For something that won’t weigh down your suitcase and will allow you to discover a screen printing workshop, I’d recommend one of the hand-printed posters designed by local artists that can be picked up at Lavandaria, not far from the National Museum of Ancient Art and its delightful terrace that is the perfect spot to sit and sip coffee.
For those who have their hearts set on something slightly more substantial, there’s the workshop that produces brass mirrors, wall lamps and lights, Latoaria Maciel on rua da boa vista.

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