Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Plates: Portugal vs. U.S. Price
Cabbage Plates
I spent about $182* in Portugal.
The same pieces would have cost $535 at U.S. retail — before tax or shipping.
*Euros converted to USD
Why I Almost Always Buy Local When I Travel
Some of my favorite pieces at home didn't come from a design showroom. They came home in a suitcase — most recently, Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage pottery from Portugal.
Whenever I travel, I make time for three things: antique stores, outdoor markets, and whatever is made locally. Those are the pieces that tend to have the most character…and the best stories. If I can buy something where it's actually produced, even better.
Last year, that meant a visit to the Bordallo Pinheiro factory in Caldas da Rainha, where the iconic cabbage pottery has been made and hand-painted since 1884. I left with ten pieces for under $200.
When I got home, I was curious what those same pieces would have cost had I bought them in the U.S. The difference was astounding.
My daughter loves strawberries so she picked out a piece from this collection as a souvenir.
Why the Factory Was Worth Visiting
I wanted to see the factory and stand in the place where this pottery has been made and hand-painted for more than 140 years. Buying something where it's made always feels more meaningful to me because it comes with context. You learn how it's produced, where it originated, and why it has endured.
One thing that surprised me: the prices at the factory weren't unique. I saw essentially the same pricing at department stores and other boutiques throughout Portugal. So if you're traveling through the country, you don't necessarily have to make a special trip to the factory.
That said, I'd still recommend visiting if you can. Purchasing pieces I'd admired for years in the very town where they've been made for more than 140 years added something you can't pack into a suitcase.
If you're hoping to build a full collection while you're there, note that the inventory varies from store to store, especially for popular patterns like the cabbage collection. You may need to visit multiple stores to complete your set.
What I Bought
Here's my actual receipt from the factory store:
4 cabbage salad plates — €40.00
4 cabbage dinner plates (26 cm) — €52.00
2 cabbage leaf/condiment dishes — €13.80
1 small strawberry bowl — €14.00
1 large oval cabbage serving platter — €40.00
Total: €159.80 (about $182 USD at the current exchange rate)
The VAT Mistake I Hope You Don't Make
Portugal offers visitors a VAT refund on many purchases. Because VAT is already built into the price, eligible travelers can reclaim part of that tax before leaving the EU.
There's one important catch: you need to request the tax-free paperwork before the cashier begins processing your purchase.
I didn't know that.
By the time I asked, my transaction had already been completed, and the store couldn't issue the paperwork afterward. I left approximately €29.88 in refundable VAT behind.
If you're making a meaningful purchase while traveling in the EU, ask about the tax-free paperwork as soon as you walk up to the register — not after you've paid.
What is a VAT refund?
If you're visiting from outside the EU, you can often claim back the value-added tax (VAT) on eligible purchases before you fly home, making items significantly less expensive.
Portugal vs. U.S. Prices
I tracked down the exact same products — matching SKU numbers, not just similar styles — on Bordallo Pinheiro's official U.S. site:
*Euros converted to USD
Bordallo Pinheiro Online U.S. Sources: Cabbage salad plate, Cabbage dinner plate, Cabbage small bowl, Strawberry bowl, Cabbage oval platter
I spent about $182 in Portugal. The same pieces would have cost $535 at U.S. retail — before tax or shipping. The dinner plates alone tell the story—a set of four ran about $59 in Portugal versus $180 for the same set at U.S. retail. The savings were significant. But that's only part of the story.
Bordallo Pinheiro factory in Caldas da Rainha (Note: The actual shop to purchase pieces is NOT at the factory but a few minutes from here.)
Bordallo Pinheiro factory store located just a few minutes from the factory.
The Bigger Lesson
This trip reinforced something I find myself doing more and more: if there's a maker or craft that's closely associated with a place, that's where I want to buy it.
Whether it's pottery in Portugal, linen in Belgium, glass in Murano, or ceramics from a local studio, buying at the source usually means better pricing, a wider selection, and a deeper connection to the object itself.
Those pieces become reminders of where you've been, not just things you've bought.
And don't forget the VAT paperwork. Learn from my mistake.
We're already planning another trip to Portugal, and I already have a running list of pieces I'd love to bring home next time.
Next up: I'm heading to London, where the rules are completely different — VAT refunds for tourists ended there after Brexit. I'll walk through what that changes about the math, and what I'm planning to buy anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, buying where something is made is usually the more affordable option. But the real reward is getting to experience its story firsthand. You come home with more than the object itself—you bring home a connection to the place that made it.
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If you're visiting from outside the EU, you can often claim back the value-added tax (VAT) on eligible purchases before you fly home, making items significantly less expensive.
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Yes. That said, it's worth doing a little research before you shop, and always ask about the VAT refund before your purchase is rung up. I found that the larger department stores have a streamlined process for international visitors. At the factory, however, I was told they couldn't process my refund because I hadn't mentioned it before the transaction began.
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It depends. If you're an avid collector or simply want to see the widest selection possible, I didn't come across any store with a larger collection than the factory itself. It also has the charm of a small town, and there's something special about purchasing a piece directly from the place it's been made for generations.
That said, if you're spending just a few days in Lisbon and aren't already planning a road trip, the drive may not be worth it. When I visited in the summer of 2025, there wasn't a factory tour or museum to explore—just the shop itself. For me, that was enough. But if your goal is simply to buy a few pieces, you'll likely find Bordallo Pinheiro at most boutiques in department stores (selection may vary).
NOTE: The shop to purchase pieces is located a few minutes from the factory and NOT at the actually factory.