What a way to kick off our 2018 foodie travels! When I, James opened the envelope on Christmas Day revealing Lisbon as our first travel destination of the year, the custard tart themed dreams began. As all great international trips have it, a food tour would be the way that we chose to explore a new city and its culinary history, and here in Lisbon, their Secret Food Tour had it all…
Before we had any food however, we kicked things off like all good things do… with some alcohol. Porto Wine is made only in the Douro region of Portugal due to the rare grape variety that it uses. The fruity and sweet wine is a main stay of Portuguese drinking culture, and is consumed at almost any time of day or for any occasion, whether it be before a lunch or before bed. That might make you think it’s not too strong, but you’d be wrong – it varies between 19% and 21%. It took us aback to begin with, but it was so delicious!
Next up was something a little bit more rough and ready, or so it first appeared. Bifana is pork without any fat or bone, marinated in garlic and white wine and slow cooked overnight, every night before serving it to Lisbon’s construction workers at lunch time. Eaten with a small glass of Sagres beer and with a splashing of mustard or hot sauce, it was the perfect bite to eat to get us going on the tour.
Following a walk through a small neighbourhood and up some pretty steep hills, we learnt not only about food but Lisbon as a whole. The facts, history and heritage of the city is fascinating and the beauty of it is there for all to see.
We noticed as we went around to numerous cafes and restaurants that they weren’t places with particular outside appeal. We would probably have walked past them all without thinking to go in in all honesty, but the often small and family run restaurants are not there to attract tourists, and the amazing traditional and quality food we had inside these places was thenomeal.
That point was perfectly demonstrated at our next stop where we had what the Portuguese would call a “petisco” – a little snack and a glass of wine (or juice and beer in our case). Cod is their national fish and here we had it with olives and garlic. The quality of the fish was proven by the fact that they find it rude to put a knife through it to cut it, but instead use the back of a spoon to allow it to flake.
Next, we went shopping! To a charcuterie for black pork ham and various cheeses. We took it off to our next destination to enjoy it with tempura and octopus salad.
Interesting fact: tempura was originally Portuguese, not Japanese but was introduced to the country who made it famous in the 16th Century. They’re very proud of that fact in Lisbon!
To top things off, we ended the tour how any Portuguese tour would – with their famous Pastel de Nata and an espresso coffee. Despite popular belief, we were taken where the tour guide believes the best tarts are, and with a post coming up about our favourite having tried a good number of them during our time there, you’ll have to wait to find out if we agree!
A massive thank you to our guide, Carmen, and Secret Food Tour‘s for having us along for a wonderful experience and afternoon exploring the culinary delights that Lisbon has to offer!
Disclaimer: we were given discounted price to the Secret Food Tour in exchange for an honest review.
However as always, all pictures and views are our own.
You can also find us on:
Hi, I want to return now it’s been a long time since we visited. We had some marvellous food there. Everyone loved the tarts as I had a cuppa instead.
It was our first time together and the food was amazing. We had plenty of tarts!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
That photography is gorgeous and all of that food and wine look so good!www.thediaryofellie.com
Thank you, it was so tasty and worth it!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
This sounds like an amazing tour, and the food looks beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit Lisbon, looks like a great place to go! Grace x
Lisbon has been on my list for ages and it was so worth the wait!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
I am dreaming of Lisbon! My bf and I have chosen it as our next destination and I can't wait! It is gonna be so good! The food looks absolutely amazing! xx corinne
Oh how exciting, we've got more foodie posts coming u which we hope will help you on your planning! Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
That food looks unreal! So clad you enjoyed yourself 😀 xx
Ugh, it was beautiful!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
One of us has been to Lisbon and the other one still has it on her wish list! What an interesting post, you’ve made it even more appealing.Allison | Rambles & Ambles
that food looks amazing! The cheese in the picture especially! that is such a good way to start the new year https://www.brynnieblogs.com
Cheese is the way to life! The best way to start the new year!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
Love your photography and the food looks and sounds divine 😃 fabulous post thanks for sharing Melanie | http://www.frasersfunhouse.com
Thank you so much, means the world. The food really was amazing!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
These all look so delicious! I love cheese and wine!!
We’ve learnt so much about cheese and wine pairings recently!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
A food tour of a city sounds absolutely incredible! I'd never think to do that but it would be amazing to see all of the incredible places you would usually walk by. And 20% wine at lunch? That should be an experience x Sophie http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
We do love a good food tour when we travel, it’s like a must do for us! Amazing experience in each city!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
Now I am definietly hungry again. I love spanish/portugiose food. Looks and sounds like you had an amazing time.Lea, xx
We had the best time, it was nice to try the local cuisine!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
I really shouldn't have read this post before eating dinner, this food looks incredible! Chloe ❤ http://www.anomalouschloe.com
Hahaha sorry! The food really was incredible!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
Loved this post, all of your photographs look absolutely amazing and have made me very hungry haha! X
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed this post!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
A food tour sounds like the ideal way to explore somewhere new! All sounds so yum!
That’s exactly why we love going on food tours! Such a great way to explore different things!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
A food tour sounds great, this made me very hungry! Lovely photos and this is a great post!elise // elssthinks.blogspot.co.uk
Glad you enjoyed the post, thank you so much!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
Portugal sounds like a lovely place to have a food tour — looks like you had an amazing time!
The food there is incredible, we do love a good food tour!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕
The food tour looks great! Another thing to add to my list when I go to Lisbon. And those natas looks so yummy!Ashlee | ashleemoyo.com
You'd love this tour, with a touch of a surprise element!Thank you for reading and commenting☺️💕