Lisbon Food Tour: Baixa, Chiado & Bairro Alto Eats

Summary

Lisbon flavors from church cellars to pastry shops and lively markets

You’ll taste your way through Lisbon’s Baixa, Chiado & Bairro Alto neighborhoods with a local guide, sampling fresh pastel de nata, grilled sardines straight off the fire, spicy piri piri chicken with cold beer, and classic bifana sandwiches in an old church cellar. Expect laughter around shared tables and stories that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We ducked down a side street in Baixa, shoes echoing on the old stones, and I caught a whiff of something warm and sweet — pastel de nata, I guessed right away. Our guide Sofia waved us inside Fábrica da Nata, where the trays were still hot from the oven. The custard was silkier than I expected and the top just burnt enough. There was powdered sugar on my sleeve by the time we left. Honestly, I didn’t care.

Chiado felt busier, with students laughing over coffee outside old bookshops. We slipped into this underground restaurant that used to be part of a church — you can still see some of the stone arches if you look up while biting into your bifana sandwich (which is messier than it looks). The craft beer was cold and slightly bitter, which cut through all that porky richness. Sofia told us about how this place used to serve priests after hours — she winked when she said it, so who knows.

Bairro Alto was louder — music drifting out of open windows even in the afternoon. We met Júlio at his tiny tasca; he grilled sardines right there while telling us about his father running this shop back when the neighborhood was rougher. The smoke got in my hair and I didn’t mind at all. Tried piri piri chicken for the first time — spicy enough to make me cough but so good I kept going back for more. Someone at our table tried to pronounce “alheira” and everyone laughed (including Júlio). It felt like we’d wandered into someone’s family dinner.

I still think about that first bite of caldo verde — salty and green and somehow comforting even though it was humid outside. By the end we were sitting outside Portugal’s oldest coffee shop (since 1778!), watching trams rattle past and licking pastry crumbs off our fingers. Didn’t expect to feel so full or so welcome in a city I barely knew yesterday.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Taste traditional Lisbon foods and landmarks

• Visit underground church restaurant
• Try Caldo Verde, Bifana, craft beer
• Sample fresh grilled sardines with stories
• Enjoy Piri Piri chicken and beer
• Taste Portuguese custard tarts at Fábrica da Nata
• Savor Alheira and Codfish croquettes with wine
• See Carmo Convent Gothic ruins
• Tour ends at Restauradores Square

Top questions

How long does the Lisbon food tour last?

The tour typically lasts several hours as you move between neighborhoods like Baixa, Chiado, and Bairro Alto for multiple tastings.

Is lunch included on this Lisbon food tour?

Yes, all tastings are included along with drinks such as local wine and craft beer during the experience.

Are vegetarian options available on this food tour?

The tour is vegetarian-friendly but vegan or gluten-free options may be limited; dietary needs should be shared upon booking.

Where does the Lisbon food tour start?

The route begins in central Lisbon neighborhoods such as Baixa or Campo de Ourique Market area depending on seasonality.

Does this day trip include pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transport options are available nearby for easy access to meeting points.

What kind of foods will I try on this Lisbon food tour?

You’ll sample pastel de nata custard tarts, grilled sardines, piri piri chicken, bifana sandwiches, alheira croquettes, caldo verde soup and more.

Can children join this Lisbon food tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed but infants must sit on an adult’s lap if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings of fresh pastel de nata at an award-winning bakery in Baixa, authentic Portuguese tapas with wine in Chiado’s underground church restaurant, grilled sardines and legendary piri piri chicken prepared by local tasca owners in Bairro Alto—all drinks included—plus time at Portugal’s oldest coffee shop before finishing near Restauradores Square.