Lisbon Cooking Class: Traditional Portuguese Dishes & Pastel de Nata

Summary

Lisbon food adventure hands-on cooking class with local flavors

You’ll step right into a lively Lisbon kitchen for a traditional Portuguese cooking class—slicing greens for caldo verde, shaping codfish fritters, and swirling custard for Pastel de Nata. With local wine flowing and chefs guiding you every step, you’ll share laughs and stories over your own homemade meal. It’s not just about recipes—it’s about tasting real Portugal together.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you walk into someone’s kitchen and there’s just this warmth? That’s how it felt stepping into the Lisbon cooking class—aprons hanging by the door, the smell of garlic and olive oil already in the air. Our instructor, João, greeted us like old friends (even though I definitely fumbled my “bom dia”). We all gathered around this big wooden table, hands a little awkward at first but loosening up as João passed around glasses of vinho verde. I still can’t pronounce half the menu, but honestly, nobody seemed to mind.

We started with caldo verde—João showed us how to slice the greens super thin (“fina como papel!” he joked). The steam from the pot fogged my glasses, which made everyone laugh. There was this moment when someone dropped a ladle and it clattered on the tile—no one cared; it just added to the noise of conversation and clinking cutlery. The codfish fritters were messy but fun to shape, and I kept sneaking bites of chouriço while pretending to “check the seasoning.”

I didn’t expect making Pastel de Nata would be so fiddly. The pastry was already prepped (thank god), but filling those little tins was trickier than it looked. Maria, another chef, showed me how to swirl the custard just right—she winked when mine overflowed a bit. When we finally sat down together to eat what we’d made—wine poured, plates passed around—I realized I hadn’t checked my phone in hours. There was just this easy feeling of being part of something local for a while.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Traditional Portuguese cooking class

• Join hands-on cooking class
• Learn to prepare 4-course meal
• Prepare starters including Caldo-verde
• Cook main dishes like Bacalhau à Brás
• Bake Pastel de Nata dessert
• Enjoy meal with Portuguese wines

Top questions

How long does the Lisbon cooking class last?

The Portuguese cooking class in Lisbon lasts up to 3 hours.

Is lunch included in the Lisbon cooking class?

Yes, you’ll eat the meal you prepare during the class—including drinks.

Are drinks provided during the cooking class?

Yes, Portuguese wines, beers, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee are included.

Can children join the Portuguese cooking class?

Yes, infants and small children can join; specialized infant seats are available.

What dishes will we cook in this Lisbon class?

You’ll prepare traditional Portuguese dishes like caldo verde soup, codfish fritters or Bacalhau à Brás, and Pastel de Nata.

Do I need any cooking experience for this class?

No experience is needed—the chefs guide you step by step through each dish.

Is public transport nearby for getting to the class?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the location.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for a four-course Portuguese meal (with menus changing seasonally), hands-on instruction from local chefs in Lisbon, plenty of finger foods along the way plus unlimited bottled water and soft drinks. You’ll also enjoy local wines or beer throughout—and finish with your own homemade Pastel de Nata before heading out again.