Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
- Various Specialty Food Shops
Photos & Highlights
- Gain an understanding of Portuguese culinary traditions, complete with tastings of local specialties
- Led by a professional chef or food writer
Select a date
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Tour Description
On this 3-hour Lisbon Food Tour led by a local chef or food writer, we will stroll the cobblestoned streets of the Chiado and Baixa neighborhoods in order to explore the city’s culinary culture. From historic confeitarias offering the tastiest of sweets to modern restaurants with new interpretations of traditional food, our expert will weave a rich narrative of Lisbon's cuisine and how it fits into the greater culture of Portugal. We’ll meet the owners of generations-old shops, taste artisanal products, and open our senses to the culinary traditions of this magnificent tiled city.
We’ll begin with a taste of Portugal’s iconic *pastéis de nata*. These delicate, custard-filled pastries, a hallmark of Portuguese cuisine, are staples of the mid-morning and late-afternoon *lanche*. Sampling our *pastel* at one of Lisbon’s top *pastelerias*, we’ll delve into its history, tracing its origins to the monks of Jerónimos Monastery in Belém. As we enjoy this perfectly caramelized treat with a *bica* (espresso), we’ll discuss the artistry behind its creation and learn to distinguish the hallmarks of an exceptional *pastel*. Much like the croissant in Paris, the *pastel de nata* becomes an irresistible daily indulgence for any visitor to Lisbon.
With our sweet tooth satisfied, we’ll shift focus to another Portuguese culinary staple: fish. In a historic market like the Mercado da Ribeira, we’ll explore salt-preserved *bacalhau* (cod), emblematic of Portugal’s deep-rooted seafood traditions. From there, we’ll visit a specialty shop showcasing *conservas* (canned fish), where we’ll sample flavorful sardines and other varieties, while our expert discusses the cultural significance of this preservation method, once a pillar of Portugal’s economy. Along the way, we may stop to discover Portugal’s underrated cheeses, convent-made sweets, or even enjoy a sip of *ginja*, the beloved sour cherry liqueur, rounding out a journey through Lisbon’s vibrant food culture.
With our sweet tooth satisfied, we’ll shift focus to another Portuguese culinary staple: fish. In a historic market like the Mercado da Ribeira, we’ll explore salt-preserved *bacalhau* (cod), emblematic of Portugal’s deep-rooted seafood traditions. From there, we’ll visit a specialty shop showcasing *conservas* (canned fish), where we’ll sample flavorful sardines and other varieties, while our expert discusses the cultural significance of this preservation method, once a pillar of Portugal’s economy. Along the way, we may stop to discover Portugal’s underrated cheeses, convent-made sweets, or even enjoy a sip of *ginja*, the beloved sour cherry liqueur, rounding out a journey through Lisbon’s vibrant food culture.
As we progress through this Lisbon food tour our culinary expert will lead us through the best of the best—tailored to his or her particular expertise and relationships with shopkeepers. Our exact presentation and tour of shops will vary depending on the expert and group, creating a unique experience that will leave us with a well-rounded understanding of Portuguese cuisine in general and the unique food culture of Lisbon.
Please indicate any food allergies or intolerances in the Notes box when booking.
- Can I participate in your small group food tours if I have food allergies? Yes. If you have any specific allergies/intolerances, please indicate these in the Travel Notes section during booking. Your expert will do his or her best to accommodate, though please note that some shops we visit do use wheat flour and nuts in the kitchen for other items. Again, please make note of any dietary issues. If you are booking privately, we can adjust the tour to try to avoid such items, something that we cannot fully do on our small group walks.
- Where do we meet? Where does it end? The walk begins in the Chiado neighborhood in central Lisbon and stays within a concentrated area. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
- Do we visit the fish and vegetable market? We can certainly visit the famous "Mercado da Ribeira" if you are interested and it is open. On Sundays and Mondays, the market closes at 2pm, so we would recommend booking your tour for another day, or Sunday or Monday morning if you have a particular interest in the market.
- What if it’s raining? Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your expert will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
- Is this seminar walking-intensive, and/or wheelchair accessible? We do cover quite a bit of ground on this seminar. Although we have designed it to move generally downhill, Lisbon is known for being hilly and many of the streets in the old town are cobbled. Some of the shops we visit are small and many will have a step up to access them. Please contact us with any mobility questions; we will be happy to advise if this seminar will be appropriate for you or propose modifications where necessary.
- Is this tour appropriate for children? This walk is not a part of our official family program. That said, we may be able to arrange a visit with a family-friendly expert. Please contact us.
Where You'll Start
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197 Reviews
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Our family had an amazing experience on the Context Travel Food Tour in Lisbon—it was the perfect way to explore the city's culture together. The tastings were a hit with everyone. Our kids loved trying pastéis de nata, while we enjoyed the local Ginja and the rich flavors of Portuguese cheeses and meats.
Our guide, Tiago, was warm, engaging, and fantastic at keeping our kids (ages 9, 11, and 14) interested with fun stories and interactive moments. Tiago made sure there was something for everyone—even explaining the dishes in a way that the kids could understand and get excited about.
Walking through the charming streets of Lisbon, we learned so much about the city's history and how it shaped the food we were tasting. The small group size made it feel intimate, like we were getting an insider's tour rather than just scratching the surface.
What made this tour truly exceptional was our charismatic guide. Tiago’s warmth and engaging demeanor made it easy for him to connect with everyone, from adults to children. It felt more like chatting with a passionate local eager to unveil the city’s hidden gems than just a typical tour. By the end, we walked away not only satisfied by the incredible food but also with a profound appreciation for Lisbon’s lively culinary scene. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone exploring the city! Ask for Tiago if you do the tour, he is the best!
Jennifer
Apr 1, 2025
Pedro was a fantastic guide. Not only was he knowledgeable about the history of food in Lisbon, he was incredibly kind and interesting to talk with. Our group had an amazing time with him, we would recommend this tour to anyone.
Allison
Mar 22, 2025
We really enjoyed meeting Bert and taking his enlightening food tour - he is very personable and knowledgeable. He introduced us to several different types of Portuguese food and drinks, and the stories behind them. We are a family of four and everyone had a great time!
Elizabeth
Dec 30, 2024
