De La Espada | Porto
Fundação de Serralves
De La Espada translates to ‘From the Sword,’ but the only thing sharp around the edges about this family-owned and operated global design authority is the handcrafted wood furniture.
De La Espada was founded in 1993 by husband and wife duo, Fatima De La Espada and Luis De Oliveira, based outside of Porto, Portugal. They produce standout collections with some of the most well-respected contemporary designers in the world. Designers in their own right, the founders conceived the company as a multi-disciplinary amalgam: a manufacturer, designer, and brand studio that draws on traditional craft and artisanship.
Based on a passion for wood and its purity, early collections were inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement and minimalist architects such as Tadao Ando and John Pawson. After the 100% Design exhibition in London, they formed a partnership with Turkish multidisciplinary design studio Autoban, in addition to Luca Nichetto, Matthew Hilton, Studioilse, Autoban, and Neri&Hu.
De La Espada furniture is distinguished by its elegant material palette, meticulous joinery, and artisanal woodwork, much of which is perfected in the company’s factory in Northern Portugal. The world of De La Espada design includes lighting, dining, living, storage, working, and design accessories.
We had the opportunity to visit the De La Espada factory with Luis and explore nearby Porto and Lisbon. Here is the De La Espada design guide to Porto:
STAY
ROSA ET AL TOWNHOUSE A passion project done by an architect with a spiral staircase and homemade baked goods. R. do Rosário 233; rosaetal.com
DUAS PORTAS Another boutique hotel in a prime location. R. de Sobreiras 516; duasportas.com
PESTANA PALACIO DO FREIXO Formerly Pousada do Porto, located in an 18th-century palace, with seaside views. Estrada Nacional 108; pestana.com/en/hotel/freixo-palace
SIX SENSES DOURO VALLEY After a day spent wine tasting in the Douro Valley, book yourself into the Six Senses spa for a vinotherapy treatment. Quinta Vale de Abraão; sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/europe/portugal/douro-valley
THE YEATMAN HOTEL The terrace of this Relais & Châteaux hotel with a 2 Michelin Star restaurant overlooks Porto and is nestled in the hills next to the port wine lodges, including Taylors. Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia; the-yeatman-hotel.com
DINE | DRINK
MAINTEIGARIA The place to go to try the famous Pasteís de Nata. manteigaria.com
PADARIA FORMOSA A beautiful classic bakery located just down the road with an excellent atmosphere and service. Padaria Formosa is over 100 years old. Serving excellent coffee, cakes, and bread- we find the cornbread particularly delicious. R. de Gondarém 362; padariaformosa.com
TAVI CONFEITARIA Located just down the road from Flattered Apartments, approximately a 2 minute walk away, is Tavi Confeitaria, a brasserie dating back to 1935. Serving traditional Portuguese fare and international cuisine, Tavi also offers panoramic views of the sea. R. da Sra. da Luz 356; tavi.pt
PRAIA DA LUZ Praia da Luz serves food and drinks from a deck directly on the sand serving salads, pastries, and smoothies. beach, or indoors with sea views. R. Cel. Raúl Peres
CASA VASCO A casual, relaxed environment from which to sample a range of delicious “petiscos” (Portuguese small plates). Rua do Padrão 152; casavasco.pt
ICHIBAN Portugal offers deliciously fresh fish, and this is put to good use at Ichiban which serves superb sushi in comfortable, minimal interiors. Av. do Brasil 454; ichiban.pt
CASA D’ORO Perched on the Douro river, this pizzeria offers excellent views. Enjoy the upstairs terrace in good weather. R. do Ouro 797
CAFEÍNA International cuisine with Portuguese roots, specializing in seafood. Complex flavors, perfectly balanced, served in elegant interiors by Paulo Lobo. Rua do Padrão 100; cafeina.pt
VINUM AT GRAHAM’S Wine bar and restaurant serving classic Iberian cuisine with panoramic views over Porto and the Douro river. We recommend an enriching tour of the port cellars followed by a drink on the terrace. Caves Graham's, Rua do Agro 141; vinumatgrahams.com
O CANTINHO DO AVILLEZ Relaxed atmosphere with interiors by Anahory Almeida. Chef José Avillez serves Portuguese cuisine with international influences. R. Duques de Bragança 7; cantinhodoavillez.pt
REI DOS GALOS DE AMARANTE Good old-fashioned Portuguese cuisine served by a local family. Rua das Taipas 121
DATERRA Casual vegetarian buffet-style restaurant with many vegan options. There are a number of branches, but the Matosinhos location is our favorite due to its spacious interiors and abundant choices. R. de Sobreiras 514; daterra.pt
EM CARNE VIVA Vegetarian and vegan cuisine inspired by traditional Portuguese dishes. Artfully presented courses served with the best Douro wines in an elegant historic building and romantic garden. Av. da Boavista nº868; emcarneviva.pt
ANTIQVVM Located next to the Museo Romantico, this Michelin-star restaurant offers views of Ponte d’Arrábida from the terrace. R. de Entre-Quintas 220; antiqvvm.pt
PURO 4050 A centrally-located restaurant with perfectly decadent mozzarella, as well as a range of dishes of European and Mediterranean origin. Lgo de S. Domingos 84; puro4050.com
ADEGA DE SÃO NICOLAU Traditional Portuguese cuisine served in a small, friendly restaurant on a narrow winding street right off the Douro river. R. de São Nicolau 1
CHOCOLATARIA EQUADOR Visit for a port and chocolate pairing and sample the finest handcrafted chocolate presented by knowledgeable, friendly staff. cacaoequador.pt
MAUS HÁBITOS Vegetarian restaurant, bar, art gallery, and event space. R. de Passos Manuel 178 4º Piso; maushabitos.com
BOA NOVA TEA HOUSE One of Álvaro Siza’s most iconic projects completed in 1963, this tea house merges with the rocky terrain along the seaside in Matosinhos. Visit just to enjoy the architecture, or make reservations for dinner. Av. Liberdade 1681, 4450-718 Leça da Palmeira; casadechadaboanova.pt
ARTS | CULTURE
CASA DE SERRALVES | MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Designed by Álvaro Siza, Serralves boasts stunning art deco architecture, as well as contemporary art, and beautiful gardens. Parallel to the exhibition program, there are plenty of activities for families. R. Dom João de Castro 210; serralves.pt
SUNSET VIEW Enjoy the sunset from one of the many terraces in Foz Do Douro including Praia da Luz, Praia dos Ingleses, and Praia Homem do Leme.
CITY PARK Enjoy a picnic in the park, or on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00, visit the farmer’s market where small local producers sell their organically grown produce. Estrada Interior da Circunvalação; parquecidadedoporto.com
JARDINS DO PALÁCIO DE CRISTAL Vast, romantic gardens with peacocks, fountains, roses, and incredible views over Porto, Gaia, and the Douro. R. de D. Manuel; ambiente.cm-porto.pt/parques-e-jardins/jardins-do-palacio-de-cristal
ART DISTRICT Near the Palácio de Cristal, enjoy the many art galleries. R. de Miguel Bombarda
CASA DA MÚSICA Enjoy a concert or a guided tour of this great building designed by Rem Koolhaas. Av. da Boavista 604-610 Piso 0; casadamusica.com
SÃO BENTO RAILWAY STATION This beautiful train station dating back to 1903 features elaborate tile work (azulejos) depicting scenes from Portuguese history. Praça de Almeida Garrett; cp.pt/passageiros/pt/consultar-horarios/estacoes/porto-sao-bento
PARQUE DE LAS VIRTUDES Garden with a view over Alfândega do Porto, Gaia, and the Douro river. Passeio das Virtudes 53-3; ambiente.cm-porto.pt/parques-e-jardins/parque-das-virtudes
GUINDAIS FUNICULAR (CABLE CAR) Take in the views over the Douro and the Luiz I Bridge while traveling on the funicular up the hill to the old cathedral. R. da Ribeira Negra 314
LEÇA SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX This pool is considered one of the greatest early works of Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. Located near Boa Nova Tea House on the seafront in Matosinhos, the design merges concrete structures with the rocky coastline for an inspiring outdoor swim. Avenida da Liberdade, Leça da Palmeira
IGREJA DE SANTO ILDEFONSO An eighteenth-century church with exquisite blue and white azulejo tilework. Praça da Batalha s/n, 4000-101; santoildefonso.org
IGREJA DO CARMO Connected to its twin church by a house, this baroque church has a well-known tiled side facade. R. do Carmo, 4050-164
SHOP
MERCADO DO BOLHÃO The Bolhão Market is the most charismatic market in the city. Outside the neo-classical building, the market is divided into many shops facing the four streets that surround it: Fernandes Tomás to the North, Alexandre Braga to the East, Formosa to the South, and Sá da Bandeira to the West. The vendors include fishmongers, butchers, greengrocers, and florists. R. Formosa 322; mercadobolhao.pt
LIVRARIA LELLO This neo-gothic bookshop, dating back to 1906, has impressive architecture and well-priced books. It was the inspiration for the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter and has since become a key destination for tourists. To control the crowds, admittance is now charged, but it is worth a visit. We recommend buying a voucher through the website for priority entrance. R. das Carmelitas 144; livrarialello.pt
A VIDA PORTUGUESA The perfect shop to find traditional and original gifts made in Portugal. Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto; avidaportuguesa.com
TIME OUT MARKET A large indoor outdoor food market by Time Out Magazine featuring food and gifts. Ala Sul da Estação Ferroviária de São Bento, Praça de Almeida Garrett; timeout.com/time-out-market-porto