Lisbon is a vibrant city that seems to dance in color. Just as bold as its bustling streets (and plethora of stairs!) is its food scene. While there are some similarities between Portuguese food and the food of its Spanish neighbor, Portugal has its own distinct flair and unforgettable dishes. I went on the best food tour in Lisbon to discover more about Portuguese food. I was delighted with the most tender octopus salad I’ve ever had, fiery chorizo, freshly grilled sardine, and creamy pastel de natas. Below, I dive into my experience so you can decide if this food tour in Lisbon is right for you.
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Stop 1 – Ginjinha
We kicked off the tour with a local liquor called Ginjiha. It is made with brandy or fortified wine and infused with sour cherries and cinnamon. It usually comes with one of the fruits at the bottom that has had plenty of time to absorb the alcohol. The result is a shot that is a mixture of sour and sweet, with a finishing bite that will make you pucker your face. Once the bite wears off, it gives the body a slightly fuzzy feeling, which was a great way to warm up to the tour.
Stop 1.5 – Saint Domingos Church
Between the ginjinha and our first food stop, we visited Saint Domingos Church, known to be cursed for its violent displays against Jewish people. The interior exudes an eerie ambiance because it was completely scorched in a fire and still shows those dark markings today. While devastating, getting more education on the local history was a perk, and I enjoyed the historic stop. I had never been inside a church that made me uneasy, so this was a first.
Stop 2 – Chorizo (Chouriço) and Cod Cakes (Pastéis de Bacalhau)
After visiting the church, we were starting to get pretty hungry. Thankfully, we had some hearty food awaiting us at the next restaurant. At the next stop, we tried chorizo and cod cakes, two popular menu items in Lisbon. While some of you may be familiar with chorizo, the chorizo in Lisbon is often served with a show. Using an oval-shaped clay bowl covered with a grated rack, the chorizo is quickly scored over an open flame, giving the rich, juicy meat a delightful smoky flavor. The cod cakes were also fantastic. They reminded me a bit of a crab cake. The fish was chopped up, mixed into a batter of fragrant spices, and lightly fried. The result was a cake that was light and delicate. The cod was not overbearingly fishy and was mild enough to soak up the flavor of the other spices.
Stop 3 – Octopus salad, Cured Ham (Presunto), and Goat Cheese (Queijo de Sicó)
Our next stop was a more local, casual eatery. While I saw an older man devouring a plate of small snails when entering, that is not what we came here for. Instead, we tried a delicious octopus salad, cured ham similar to prosciutto, and a local goat cheese, all paired with a vibrant white wine sangria. The octopus salad was one of my favorite dishes that we tried. I don’t usually like the texture of octopus, but the way they process it eliminates any chewy flavor and delivers a lean, tender bite. The octopus was mixed with plenty of white onion, other tangy vegetables, olives, and olive oil for a bold flavor profile in every bite. I also enjoyed the cured ham as much as I would anywhere else. However, I surprisingly wasn’t a fan of the cheese. I thought it was a bit too bland to stand on its own, but everyone else around me seemed to love it.
Stop 4 – Sardines, Seafood Rice, and Vinho Verde
When I first heard the word “vinho verde,” or “green wine” in English, I imagined a waiter placing a wine glass of radioactive green juice in front of me. The reality was thankfully not as dramatic. Vinho Verde is a white wine made with Portuguese grapes, bottled quickly after the grapes are harvested. It has a semi-sweet flavor profile and can be slightly carbonated. This wine paired fantastically with the sardines and seafood rice we tried. Portugal is famous for its sardines, and we had the opportunity to try one whole. I didn’t particularly hate it, but I wasn’t begging for seconds, either. It has a strong, fishy flavor, and I get nervous picking around fish bones for fear of ingesting them. Instead, I filled up on the seafood rice.
Stop 5 – Pastel de Nata
By this point of our trip, we were so chronically familiar with pastels de nata that we could compare them from several bakeries and even had a favorite location (Castro). Pastels de nata are mini pastries shaped like pies with a thin, buttery crust and a creamy custard filling. They are Lisbon’s symbolic treat. The first time I bit into one, I practically cried. I knew we would probably finish the tour with one, but I was excited to find myself in Fábrica da Nata, a bakery I hadn’t tried yet. It was here where I learned to add cinnamon to the top of the pastry, and I ended up loving it as much as Castro. I honestly can’t decide which is better. To the delight of your tastebuds, I suggest you check both and form your own opinion.
Overall, this is the best food tour in Lisbon. It was well-rounded, with many flavors to try, and comparable in quantity and quality to other food tours I’ve been on. I also enjoyed learning more about the city and stopping at the church, which I probably would have walked right past if I didn’t know any better. If you are visiting Lisbon, this food tour is a must to familiarize yourself with the city and learn more about Lisbon’s dazzling food scene.
Book A Food Tour in Lisbon Here
Below are several options for booking a food tour in Lisbon. I took the first one, but there are many more to discover if you are looking for a different experience.
