Lisbon Awakens: A Culinary Crossroads, Reborn.
Description
Lisbon may look unmistakably Old World, but beneath its nostalgic storefronts and historic churches lies a deeply cosmopolitan city shaped by centuries of global trade and migration. On this food tour, we’ll explore that complex identity through the flavors and stories of the Lisboetas. Starting near the Estrela Basilica, we’ll trace Lisbon’s connections to the spice trade before heading to Campo de Ourique, a neighborhood with the feel of a village within the city. We’ll sip traditional ginjinha and explore one of Lisbon’s finest markets, where longtime fishmongers, butchers and bakers work alongside newer vendors. Along the way, we’ll taste seasonal Portuguese dishes, bacalhau, cheeses and wines, visit a family-run restaurant and a private club serving vindalho, an ancestor of Goan vindaloo. We’ll also sample savory pastries before finishing, naturally, with one of Lisbon’s best pastéis de nata.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will explore history hidden in iconic pastries and spices, as well as in convent and churches.
Campo de Ourique, a neighborhood packed with traditional food shops is also home to a small but very interesting market.
We will taste some of the best custard tarts in the city while admiring the 19th century tiles and trees.
New gothic church in a neighborhood of artists and writers
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please send us your Allergies or Dietary restrictions
Reviews(834)
Fantastic, we loved our tour and Giselle our guide was very knowledgeable and looked after us all very well. She then followed up with recommendations of restaurants in Coimbra and Porto. We enjoyed seeing another area in Lisbon we may not have otherwise visited
We had an amazing time with Kika on this tour! It was a wonderful way to start our week in Lisbon, and a great way to learn about Portuguese history through the food of the city!
Thank you for the review and for taking the time to explore Lisbon's rich history with us. We are thrilled you enjoyed discovering the complexity of the city and its culinary roots. Your support is vital in helping us celebrate the unsung heroes of the kitchen and preserve these traditional family-run spots.
Kika, a former teacher, brings the streets of Lisbon to life, providing a unique and intimate experience combining story telling and food. This tour is truly food for thought! We would highly recommend to anyone visiting Lisbon.
Thank you for the review and for taking the time to explore the true daily life of the city with us. We are so glad that our storytelling and the dedication of our unsung culinary heroes resonated with you. Your support helps us continue preserving these traditional family-run spots and their cherished crafts.
We had a wonderful experience on our food tour with Kika. The tour was so much more than tasting Lisbon's delicacies, it was a journey through Portugal's history and culture. Kika was incredibly engaging and interesting to learn from. She gave us a good look into the Portuguese culture and lifestyle. We tasted several iconic culinary dishes with local restaurants and cafes. We really enjoyed this tour.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience. We are thrilled that your journey through Lisbon's history provided a deeper connection to the daily life and culture of the city. Thank you for supporting our local culinary heroes and helping us preserve these invaluable traditions.
Andre was excellent!! His knowledge was amazing, not only of food history but country history as well. He has a great sense of humor. I highly recommend him.
Thank you for sharing your experience and leaving such a wonderful review. We are delighted that you enjoyed exploring the rich history and vibrant culinary traditions of the city with us. Your visit helps support the local families and unsung heroes who keep these neighborhoods and crafts thriving every day.
I have been on many food tours around the world and this Culinary Backstreets tour ranks at the top. Kika was absolutely delightful and the wide range of information that she shared about the history of food in Lisbon was very interesting. The food stops on the tour are very generous. All in all, it was an excellent way to see parts of Lisbon, learn about the food and culture and taste some delicious food. I would highly recommend this tour.
Thank you for your review and for joining us to explore the true daily life of Lisbon. We are so glad to hear you enjoyed the deep history of the neighborhoods and the traditional foods we share. Your visit supports our mission of Honest Tourism, helping to sustain the unsung culinary heroes and family-run spots that keep this city's traditions alive.
Agnes was amazing! She was a wonderful guide with so much knowledge and really made our tour so special. We highly recommend this tour, it was a great introduction to Portugal
Thank you for leaving this wonderful review. We are so glad that your guide could share their deep knowledge of the city's daily life and make your introduction to Portugal so special. By walking with us, you are directly supporting the unsung heroes of Lisbon's kitchens and helping to preserve their precious culinary traditions.
We had the luxury of being the only two people on the tour that day. Our guide, Kika, peppered our tour with history lessons, important context, and the deeper meaning behind Portuguese food and the people who make it. The food was fantastic. As a vegetarian, I felt like there were ample options and accommodations. And there was some real thought put into how the tour worked from beginning to end. Highly recommended as a great way to get to know the city and understand all of the amazing culinary options.
Thank you for the wonderful review and for exploring Lisbon with us. We are thrilled that Kika could share the rich history and context behind the city's food during your time together. Most importantly, thank you for supporting the unsung heroes of the kitchen who work so hard to preserve these beautiful culinary traditions.
This is my fourth tour with Culinary Backstreets and I hope to do many more. When you book with Culinary Backstreets you know you will get an authentic experience. There is nothing 'touristy' about these tours. You really do find the backstreets where you can try foods made by locals for locals - often establishments that have been run by the same family in the same location for as long as anyone can remember. My expectations were high from previous tours and this trip did not disappoint! The range of different foods was incredible. Every one was super tasty. The accompanying stories and histories about how various foods and ingredients became part of local cuisine were fascinating. And Laura our guide - amazing! So knowledgeable and welcoming! The other thing I love about Culinary Backstreets is that the numbers are small. There were four of us and we all had a wonderful day!
Thank you for joining us on your fourth tour and for this wonderful review. We are so grateful for your continued dedication to supporting local neighborhood heroes and honoring the family-run establishments that keep these culinary traditions alive. It is a joy to share the daily life and complex history of the city with travelers who value authentic, honest tourism just as much as we do.
I highly recommend this food tour! Our tour guide Kika was warm, friendly, very knowledgeable, and so accommodating! We ate so much great food while learning a lot of history about Portugal. I loved that we were able to visit truly local places that we wouldn’t have otherwise known to visit. We had the best time on this tour!
Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so glad you enjoyed exploring the rich history and deep-rooted flavors of Lisbon's daily life. By joining our walks, you are directly supporting the unsung heroes of the kitchen and helping preserve these important neighborhood traditions. We hope to share more stories and everyday meals with you in the future.
