Lisbon: Food & Wine Tour with Sit-Down Tastings in Mouraria

Summary

Lisbon’s food scene comes alive in Mouraria’s backstreets with shared plates and Fado echoes

You’ll share real meals around Lisbon tables — smoky chorizo in Baixa taverns, octopus salad in a Fado house, Mozambican snacks with cold beer — all led by local guides who know every shortcut and story. Expect slow moments between bites and laughter over flaky pastel de nata as you wander Mouraria’s backstreets together.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell — not the sweet bakery kind, but something smoky and alive, drifting out from an old tavern near Praça Martim Moniz. Our guide, Tiago, waved us inside before I could even finish gawking at the tiled walls outside. He poured a splash of vinho verde and handed over a “fireman” chorizo that sizzled on its clay dish, still spitting little drops of fat. I’d never had pork that tasted quite like this — peppery, almost sharp — and the bread they served was warm enough to fog up my glasses for a second. I just laughed it off; nobody seemed to mind.

We didn’t rush. That surprised me. Every stop on this Lisbon food & wine tour was a proper sit-down — actual plates, actual conversation, not just grabbing bites on the go. In Mouraria, Tiago pointed out where Fado music began (he hummed a few bars; I tried to join in but… yeah). The octopus salad at the Fado house was bright with lemon and olive oil, and there was this moment when the room went quiet except for forks scraping plates and some old woman singing softly near the bar. I still think about that silence sometimes — how full it felt.

I’m not sure what I expected from “peixinhos da horta” (fried green beans), but they were crisp and salty and came with homemade wasabi mayo that made my nose tingle. There was also a Mozambican spot where we tried chamuças with African beer — honestly, I had no idea Lisbon’s food scene stretched so far beyond Portugal itself. Tiago told us stories about the old Moorish streets while we crossed Baixa’s squares; he knew everyone by name (or maybe he’s just good at pretending?). The best view over Lisbon came right after a cheese board and sausage plate — or maybe it just felt that way because of the wine.

The pastel de nata at our last stop was flaky enough to leave crumbs all down my shirt (worth it). Someone said these were the best in town; I’m not arguing. By then we’d talked about everything from street art to bus routes to why locals always seem to have time for coffee. The whole day felt less like a tour and more like being let in on something ordinary but special, if that makes sense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Discover Lisbon's food and culture

• Meet at the designated meeting point
• Visit classic Portuguese tavern for chorizo and bifana
• Take photo at Lisbon's oldest church
• Cross Praça Martim Moniz square
• Walk along historic street and taste bifana with beer
• Enjoy octopus salad and bacalhau à Brás in Fado house
• Taste Mozambican chamuças with African beer
• Explore Mouraria neighborhood, birthplace of Fado music
• Try peixinhos da horta and Portuguese cheese board
• View Lisbon downtown and Tagus river from viewpoint
• Sample Portuguese sausage, cheese, and wine board
• End with pastel de nata pastry tasting

Top questions

How many food stops are included on this Lisbon food & wine tour?

You’ll visit five different dine-in restaurants or eateries during the tour.

Does this Lisbon food tour include drinks?

Yes, four drinks are included—wine or beer options at several stops.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Vegetarian-friendly options are available if requested at booking; vegan or gluten-free choices may be limited.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide at the designated meeting point in central Lisbon.

Is this tour suitable for children or strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

What neighborhoods does the tour visit?

The main focus is on Baixa and Mouraria neighborhoods in Lisbon.

How long does each tasting last?

Tastings are relaxed sit-down experiences rather than rushed grab-and-go stops; timing varies per venue.

Will we try pastel de nata on this food tour?

Yes, you’ll taste pastel de nata from one of Lisbon’s most praised bakeries during the final stop.

What’s included

Your day includes seven tastings across five dine-in spots—think smoky chorizo, octopus salad in a Fado house, peixinhos da horta with homemade mayo—plus four drinks (wine or beer), all led by an English-speaking local guide who brings every street corner to life as you walk through Baixa and Mouraria together.