With creamy pastéis de nata, salty bacalhau and hearty caldo verde, what better way to fully experience Lisbon’s culinary riches than with a guided tour?
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Lisbon is one of Europe’s foremost foodie hotspots. From the much vaunted pastel de nata (custard tart) to world renowned port, delicacies abound in Portugal’s capital city. The range of foods that are commonly encountered in the ubiquitous tavernas and cafes is broad with some surprises, such as snails, along the way. That is why we have compiled a list of the best five food tours on offer. In our deliberations, price, range of foods sampled, and past customer reviews have all been taken into account.
Food and Wine Walking Tour in Lisbon
For a food and wine tour of Lisbon that won’t break the bank, while never compromising on quality, there’s this three-hour trip from Inside Lisbon. Your guide will lead you to some of the most fascinating traditional eateries, such as Café Nicola, which has been open since 1787. Tastings include salted bacalhau (cod), green wine, port, chouriço cured sausage, and São Jorge cheese, plus you’ll get plenty of tips for where to encounter Portuguese culture, such as great fado performances. From €58 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Lisbon Local Market, Food and Culture Walking Tour
Another excellent-value food tour of central Lisbon stops by Mercado da Ribeira, a market selling fish, fruit and vegetables, and with a large food hall where you’ll try coffee and a pastel de nata. It is the biggest market in Lisbon and is surrounded by some of the city’s best restaurants. Other food samples you’ll try elsewhere include fish soup, the traditional bifana (pork sandwich), and a shot of the ginjinha cherry liqueur. Tours run on Tue and Thu. From €55 per person.
Lisbon Private Food Tour with 10 Tastings
One thing about the group experience on any food tour is that the local cuisine sampled is usually meat-based. Instead, this private three-hour tour of Lisbon can be completely customized to your dietary requirements, with eight food tastings and the sampling of two local drinks, while tying in many major city landmarks. The drinks include the delicious ginjinha, a Portuguese sour cherry liqueur. Edible possibilities include a pastel de nata egg tart, local cheeses, and pastel de bacalhau, which is a cod fishcake. From €125 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Traditional Lisbon Food Tasting Experience
This private three- to four-hour tour gives you a taste of the best traditional Portuguese dishes and illuminates the history behind them. While walking around the neighborhood of Campo de Ourique, away from the well-trodden tourism trail, you’ll also discover how Portuguese cuisine has influenced food in other countries and cultures. Some of the dishes you can look forward to sampling include bife de atum (grilled tuna steak), porco preto (Iberian black pork), and up to twelve other tastings. From €174 per person.
Segway Food Tour of Alfama and Old Town Lisbon
If walking up the many hills of Lisbon is not your jam, then it is always possible to have the Portuguese food and wine tour experience from the comfort of a standing position atop a Segway. In-between visiting some of the main Lisbon landmarks such as Lisbon Cathedral and the Alfama neighborhood, much of this three-hour tour is dedicated to sampling local ice cream, pastries and ginjinha. Tours run daily throughout the year. From €79 per person.