Earlier this year, we travelled to Portugal to visit the factory where our Alba collection comes to life. We spent a few wonderful days immersed in conversations with our makers, learning more about their incredible craftsmanship, and enjoying some unforgettable meals along the way.
We’d love to take you along and share a glimpse behind the scenes of how our Alba plates are made, as well as a few of our favourite spots in Porto.
Tucked away in a small Portuguese town is the ceramic factory where our Alba collection is brought to life. It is not a place driven by speed or mass production, but by craftsmanship, experience and care. A family-run business where every piece passes through skilled hands before it finds its way to your table.
Visiting the factory and witnessing the process firsthand gave us a whole new appreciation for the collection. What begins as an idea slowly takes shape through many different stages, each one requiring patience, precision and attention to detail. Seeing that journey unfold made every Alba plate feel even more special.
Every Alba plate begins with a mould created exclusively for the collection. Liquid clay is carefully poured in and left to settle before slowly taking shape. Once the clay has dried, each piece is refined by hand. The edges are softened, the surface is smoothed, and every detail is carefully checked.
Next comes one of our favourite parts of the process. Every plate is painted entirely by hand by skilled artisans, making each piece subtly unique. No two plates are ever exactly the same, and we love those small variations. They are what give the collection its character and charm.
After being glazed and fired in the kiln one final time, the plates are ready to leave Portugal and begin their journey to homes around the world.
What stayed with us most after visiting the factory was seeing just how much care goes into every plate. Every step of the process is done with attention and craftsmanship, and meeting the people behind it made us appreciate the collection even more.
It was very special to see how something that starts as a simple idea is slowly transformed into the plates we use and love every day.
It wouldn't be a Pien's Tables trip without some recommendations, so here are some of our favourites in porto.
To start the day properly or to have a little pastry, Miba bakery is a must. A lovely, trendy little bakery in Porto, right next to our hotel. The coffee was great and the staff was incredibly friendly. They had the best handmade sourdough bread and pastries, and we found ourselves going back every morning for coffee and something sweet.
Our Portuguese guide took us to a traditional restaurant for lunch: Carreira. This family-owned restaurant in Guimarães was busy and fully booked for lunch. Once we walked in, a Portuguese avó (grandmother) welcomed us from the kitchen. We enjoyed a great lunch (be sure to order the lamb!) with lovely people and nice wines. As a surprise, the family prepared some special desserts for us, that are traditionally only served on Christmas eve: Rabanadas and Aletria Doce. We asked for the recipes, because they were incredibly good!
Another place we loved was L’Kodac, a beautiful beach house with a lovely terrace overlooking the sea. We arrived just before sunset and sat outside with a glass of sangría. After, we moved inside for dinner. Make sure to order the veal cheeks, it's one of their specialties and really, really good. It's also a lovely place for lunch!
What we love most about Portugal is how everything is so full of character: the people, the ceramic traditions, the small streets, the endless tiled buildings and the tables filled with fresh seafood and wine. Everything feels warm and welcoming, and people spend their days together around the table. Honestly, we can't think of a better way to spend our days.
We stayed at the One Shot Palácio Cedofeita, a beautiful hotel in the heart of Porto. The hotel is set within a majestic 19th-century mansion. Every corner offers something beautiful and inspiring. From the charming garden house surrounded by flowers to the elegant terrace in front, each space has its own special atmosphere.
On our final day, we spent the afternoon working on the terrace, enjoying a few snacks and a glass of cava as we reflected on the trip. It was the perfect way to end our time and stay in Porto.
O Mercado do Bolhão is one of Porto’s true gems. The building itself is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and is recognised as both municipal heritage and a monument of public interest.
Inside, the market is home to more than 70 traders offering an impressive variety of products, from fresh fish, fruit and vegetables to traditional handmade goods and local cafés. Naturally, we couldn’t leave empty-handed and picked up a fragrant piri-piri seasoning to bring a little taste of Portugal home with us.
