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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Defne (Food History Tour)

Lisbon, Portugal

USD
$145 per person

Authentic Lisbon Food and History Walking Tour

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Defne (Food History Tour)

Defne is a passionate local Lisbon foodie who loves bringing people together through food. Having traveled the world, she believes sharing local dishes is one of the most meaningful ways to connect across cultures. Join Defne to discover Lisbon’s food traditions through stories, flavors, and the joy of experiencing the city like a local.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food Tour: (2-8 guests) Discover Lisbon through its food, history, and culture on this private, 3-3.5 hour, immersive walking food tour. Explore the city's historic neighborhoods, including Rossio, Alfama, and Mouraria, while learning how Celtic, Roman, Moorish, Jewish, and Portuguese influences shaped Lisbon's culinary traditions. Along the way, visit carefully selected local stops to sample classic Portuguese foods, regional cheeses, wine, traditional sweets, and other authentic specialties. Your local guide will share stories of Lisbon's past, introduce you to ingredients and spices brought by centuries of trade and migration, and reveal hidden corners of the city that many visitors miss. This Lisbon food and history tour includes approximately 12 tastings across multiple stops and offers a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and traditions behind the food. Perfect for curious travelers seeking an authentic Lisbon experience beyond the typical tourist attractions. Vegetarian, pescatarian, and gluten-free options can be accommodated with advance notice.

Notes: The route for this Lisbon food and history tour may vary depending on the day and weather conditions. Your tour will end in either the historic Mouraria neighborhood or the charming Alfama district, two of Lisbon's most authentic and culturally rich areas. Regardless of the route taken, the ending point is conveniently located within a 10 to 15 minute walk of the starting location, making it easy to continue exploring Lisbon's historic center after your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Turkish, Portuguese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Regional Portuguese Cheeses – A selection of local cheeses showcasing Portugal's diverse regional traditions and flavors.
  • Chouriço – Traditional Portuguese cured sausage, rich, smoky, and full of flavor.
  • Pastéis de Bacalhau – Crispy salt cod fritters, one of Portugal's most beloved snacks.
  • Bacalhau à Brás – A classic Portuguese dish of shredded salt cod, eggs, and crispy potatoes.
  • Migas (Algarve Style) – A rustic southern Portuguese dish made with bread, herbs, and local ingredients.
  • Peixinhos da Horta – Green beans coated in a light batter and fried, considered a precursor to Japanese tempura.
  • Regional Wine - Enjoy a tasting of Portuguese wine
  • Moscatel or Ginja – Enjoy a tasting of either Portugal's sweet fortified Moscatel wine or traditional cherry liqueur.
  • Pastel de Nata – Portugal's iconic custard tart with a flaky pastry crust and creamy custard filling or your choice of Portuguese pastries.

Traveler reviews

5.0 (24)
Wonderful experience. Defne was the best host, a combination of Portuguese and Turkish hospitality. We cooked three tasty dishes and tasted original Portuguese delicacies and wines while cooking. Her apartment, cozy garden area that we ate together the stuff we cooked were very cute. And then one should not pass without mentioning the beautiful cat of the house Punto. Highly recommended.
- begum August 21, 2026
This afternoon was an amazing, intimate, and food-driven cultural experience. We got the opportunity to make several traditional Portuguese dishes with the thoughtful guiding from Defne. We got to enjoy several hours learning about ingredients, preparation, and finally dining/pairing with wines. This is an absolute must for foodies who want hands on experience to learn more about culture and the people behind the culture. Was perfect for our small group. I am sure large groups would enjoy just as much.
- zain August 21, 2026
I have taken many cooking classes and food tours on my travels. But never have I connected as much as with Defne! She supplies the background and history in conversations while you are cooking and prepping the meal. Her communication before the class, meeting instructions and vibrant personality make this a wonderful evening! And a big plus is that you leave with the recipes to make at home. The atmosphere is as warm and inviting as Defne herself!
- stephanie August 12, 2026
Defne is fantastic in every way. Such a warm person and we loved coming to and seeing her home--good to see the real Lisbon rather than just a tourist place. Very knowledgeable about food and we learned more than just the recipes, e.g. how to do quick fermentation of onions, that we can apply to other cooking.
- orry June 25, 2026
Defne is a fantastic instructor and host. Rather than just teach you specific recipes only she will also teach you about techniques and different options for different ways to cook the food and a lot about the culture. Really appreciated it.
- jeffery June 18, 2026
Read More

Defne (Food History Tour)

$145 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 Not offered $145 $145
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 Not offered $145 $145
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
 10:00am-2:00pm 3:00pm-7:00pm

Meet Defne (Food History Tour)

Defne is a passionate local Lisbon foodie who loves bringing people together through food. Having traveled the world, she believes sharing local dishes is one of the most meaningful ways to connect across cultures. Join Defne to discover Lisbon’s food traditions through stories, flavors, and the joy of experiencing the city like a local.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food Tour: (2-8 guests) Discover Lisbon through its food, history, and culture on this private, 3-3.5 hour, immersive walking food tour. Explore the city's historic neighborhoods, including Rossio, Alfama, and Mouraria, while learning how Celtic, Roman, Moorish, Jewish, and Portuguese influences shaped Lisbon's culinary traditions. Along the way, visit carefully selected local stops to sample classic Portuguese foods, regional cheeses, wine, traditional sweets, and other authentic specialties. Your local guide will share stories of Lisbon's past, introduce you to ingredients and spices brought by centuries of trade and migration, and reveal hidden corners of the city that many visitors miss. This Lisbon food and history tour includes approximately 12 tastings across multiple stops and offers a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and traditions behind the food. Perfect for curious travelers seeking an authentic Lisbon experience beyond the typical tourist attractions. Vegetarian, pescatarian, and gluten-free options can be accommodated with advance notice.

Notes: The route for this Lisbon food and history tour may vary depending on the day and weather conditions. Your tour will end in either the historic Mouraria neighborhood or the charming Alfama district, two of Lisbon's most authentic and culturally rich areas. Regardless of the route taken, the ending point is conveniently located within a 10 to 15 minute walk of the starting location, making it easy to continue exploring Lisbon's historic center after your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Turkish, Portuguese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Regional Portuguese Cheeses – A selection of local cheeses showcasing Portugal's diverse regional traditions and flavors.
  • Chouriço – Traditional Portuguese cured sausage, rich, smoky, and full of flavor.
  • Pastéis de Bacalhau – Crispy salt cod fritters, one of Portugal's most beloved snacks.
  • Bacalhau à Brás – A classic Portuguese dish of shredded salt cod, eggs, and crispy potatoes.
  • Migas (Algarve Style) – A rustic southern Portuguese dish made with bread, herbs, and local ingredients.
  • Peixinhos da Horta – Green beans coated in a light batter and fried, considered a precursor to Japanese tempura.
  • Regional Wine - Enjoy a tasting of Portuguese wine
  • Moscatel or Ginja – Enjoy a tasting of either Portugal's sweet fortified Moscatel wine or traditional cherry liqueur.
  • Pastel de Nata – Portugal's iconic custard tart with a flaky pastry crust and creamy custard filling or your choice of Portuguese pastries.

Traveler reviews

5.0 (24)
Wonderful experience. Defne was the best host, a combination of Portuguese and Turkish hospitality. We cooked three tasty dishes and tasted original Portuguese delicacies and wines while cooking. Her apartment, cozy garden area that we ate together the stuff we cooked were very cute. And then one should not pass without mentioning the beautiful cat of the house Punto. Highly recommended.
- begum August 21, 2026
This afternoon was an amazing, intimate, and food-driven cultural experience. We got the opportunity to make several traditional Portuguese dishes with the thoughtful guiding from Defne. We got to enjoy several hours learning about ingredients, preparation, and finally dining/pairing with wines. This is an absolute must for foodies who want hands on experience to learn more about culture and the people behind the culture. Was perfect for our small group. I am sure large groups would enjoy just as much.
- zain August 21, 2026
I have taken many cooking classes and food tours on my travels. But never have I connected as much as with Defne! She supplies the background and history in conversations while you are cooking and prepping the meal. Her communication before the class, meeting instructions and vibrant personality make this a wonderful evening! And a big plus is that you leave with the recipes to make at home. The atmosphere is as warm and inviting as Defne herself!
- stephanie August 12, 2026
Defne is fantastic in every way. Such a warm person and we loved coming to and seeing her home--good to see the real Lisbon rather than just a tourist place. Very knowledgeable about food and we learned more than just the recipes, e.g. how to do quick fermentation of onions, that we can apply to other cooking.
- orry June 25, 2026
Defne is a fantastic instructor and host. Rather than just teach you specific recipes only she will also teach you about techniques and different options for different ways to cook the food and a lot about the culture. Really appreciated it.
- jeffery June 18, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 Not offered $145 $145
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 Not offered $145 $145
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
 10:00am-2:00pm 3:00pm-7:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 24 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 24 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 24 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.