Lagos: Evening Food Tour with Local Taverns & Tastings

Summary

Evening strolls, market flavors and laughter in Lagos old town

You’ll wander through Lagos’ old streets with a local guide, tasting classic Portuguese dishes at family-run taverns and market stalls. Expect laughter over plates of fresh seafood, sips of local wine or liqueur at every stop, and stories behind every bite. You’ll leave full — not just from food but from feeling part of something real.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped into the first little tavern when the owner — I think her name was Teresa — waved us over with this huge grin and started chatting about her grandmother’s bacalhau recipe. Our guide Rui just smiled and let her go on; you could tell he knew everyone in Lagos. The smell of grilled sardines hit me before I even sat down. I tried to say “obrigado” properly but Rui laughed (gently) and corrected my accent. It was warm inside, with that clatter of plates and bursts of Portuguese that made me wish I spoke more than a few words.

The evening food tour really does feel like a crash course in Portuguese cuisine — we stopped at three or maybe four spots (I lost count after the second glass of vinho verde). At one place, we dipped bread into this garlicky olive oil while Rui explained how the Algarve’s seafood is different from up north. The sun was setting as we walked past Igreja de Santa Maria — someone pointed out the old earthquake scars on its walls. For a second, everything felt golden and slow, even though there were kids playing football nearby and the air smelled faintly salty from the harbor.

I didn’t expect to try so many things — octopus salad, tiny custard tarts, some kind of spicy sausage that I still think about. There was a moment near the Dom Sebastian statue where our group just stood around licking our fingers and laughing because none of us could remember all the names for what we’d eaten. One of the bartenders poured us a shot of something herbal (I never caught what it was) and told us it would help digestion. Maybe it did? Either way, by the end I felt like I’d actually met Lagos instead of just passing through.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening Classic Food Tour in Lagos

• Start walking food tour
• Pass by Virgin Mary church
• Pass by Saint Anthony church
• Pass by old city entrance gate
• Pass by Dom Sebastian statue

Top questions

How many food tastings are included on this Lagos food tour?

The tour includes around 10 traditional Portuguese food tastings across 3 to 4 stops.

Does the Lagos evening food tour include drinks?

Yes, you get one drink per stop plus an extra local liquor during the tour.

Is there a vegetarian or vegan option available?

No vegetarian or vegan options are offered on this tour.

Where does the morning market tour in Lagos start?

The morning tour meeting point is at Mercado Municipal de Lagos.

Are gluten-free options available on this Lagos food tour?

A gluten-free option is available if requested in advance.

Is this walking food tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants can ride in a pram or stroller and specialized infant seats are available.

Are service animals allowed on this Lagos food tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

How physically demanding is the walking involved?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels with manageable walking distances.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided walks through central Lagos with stops at three to four small local businesses, around ten different Portuguese tastings (from seafood to sweets), one drink at each stop plus an extra local liquor, and plenty of stories shared by your guide along the way before you finish up back in town.