This was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. We took the ferry from Lisbon across the river (stunning view!!) and were warmly picked up by our João, who shared a bit about the local picturesque village on the way. Joana and João were very warm people, kind, welcoming and we had a lot of fun — we felt like we found new friends in Lisbon. The homemade Portuguese meal was super delicious and prepared with love, one could tell. We enjoyed not just the food, but also the conversations about culture, politics, and life in Portugal. If you're looking for something authentic, warm, and off the beaten path, make sure to visit Joana and João.
My husband and I had an enjoyable day where we got to stroll through the island, browse the local markets and cook and enjoy a delicious meal. Paulinha was a super host who was patient and explained things really well. Thank you again for the great tips, your warm and welcoming hospitality and sharing your stories with us.
Maria was a fantastic host and chef. She welcomed us into her home and taught us some simple recipes for very good food. I would always recommend Maria - she was great.
When you arrive at Filipa's home you are greeted by a beautiful view of the surrounding area and treated to a traditional Portuguese home with small doorways and few windows which allow the insides to remain cool. If you are seated outside you will be sitting in the shade of a beautiful old olive tree. Filipa is a beautiful person inside and out with a serious passion for food. She ensures all of her dishes are traditional Portuguese-Alentejo cuisine and you treated to a series of appetizing smalls dishes introduced by a lovely Portuguese cordial drink. My favorite starter was the Baked sheep's milk cheese which has a soft yet flavorful taste. Filipa continued to entertain us with interesting tales of how the recipes came about. All the food was simple yet delicious and prepared solely by Filipa. The experience is relaxing and enjoyable, it will take about 3 hours in total but it is well worth it!
Cristina is an AMAZING host, I was very welcomed in her house. We met outside the house and went to the market and she invited me to have a typical Portuguese Custard in one of the top places to have it in Lisboa. This will be a great experience for travelers as this is very typical in Portugal and everyone loves Portuguese Custards. We visited the market and had lots of fun discovering traditional Portuguese food. She showed the products that she was cooking, like the cod, clams, coriander…Cristina is funny and very friendly and we engaged very well. Her home is very comfortable, she welcomed me as a friend and I felt very happy in her place. Her house is a typical Portuguese middle class flat in Lisboa, so travelers will experience the real Lisboa and a Portuguese house in the capital. Cristina is very bubbly and loves to chat and share her experiences, we got along very well and I was never bored. I believe travelers will love to meet her. Her place is the typical middle class flat in Lisbon, Cristina is very welcome and the food was AMAZING. The traditional flavors were all there and it tasted home! All the ingredients that she used were very good quality. I definitely recommend Cristina, she has the spirit to welcome foreigners to her home and show them who the Portuguese people are and how we eat! Even being Portuguese I loved the experience and I will be back with my partner that it is English so he can try proper Portuguese food.
We spent a delightful dinner meal in Defne’s garden. Food was delicious! Defne is very friendly and knowledgeable. We shared family meal experiences.
Wonderful taste of Lisbon! We had a wonderful time getting to know Isabel and her family in their lovely home (with a gorgeous view!). My two sons and I took the class, and she was patient and informative as we prepared the three dishes. I really recommend this class.
Traveling Spoon organized a last minute booking for my large group of 22 guests in Lisbon with Defne - they LOOOOOOOOOVED her!!!
For your market tour, please meet Jorge at Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos, a traditional Portuguese market just outside Porto. The market is divided into two levels: the upper level offers fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats, while the lower level is home to one of the region’s best fresh fish markets. Explore the stalls with Jorge, meet local vendors, and shop for seasonal ingredients you'll use later in your cooking class. After the market tour, enjoy a 20-minute drive to Jorge’s home, where you'll cook a delicious Portuguese meal from scratch.
This hands-on market-to-table cooking experience in Porto is perfect for food lovers eager to discover local flavors and traditional recipes in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Amazing day with Patrizia and Giovanni at their beautiful house. We learned a lot about both Italian and Portuguese cooking and are starting to attempt the recipes at home - the recipes were straightforward and easy to replicate. The food was delicious and spending the day with Pat and Gio was one of the highlights of our trip - so relaxing and like we'd been friends forever. We did not rent a car - hired a taxi from town. It was doable but needed a bit more time for planning (and bigger tip to ensure a return pick up).
Pedro is great! This is an unusual experience… in a good way!!. He welcomes you into his home, you have an opportunity to have real conversation about food, culture, history, family, etc. He taught us how to make a typical Portuguese meal (Cataplana). We also enjoyed time on his rooftop while making his carrot salad and having a cocktail. Overall, this was a fantastic experience. Don’t hesitate to book!
You’ll be warmly welcomed by Maggie, Romain, and their two adorable cats, Newton and Penny, into their apartment in Sintra, just a short walk from the Portela de Sintra train station. In this 2-hour hands-on Portuguese cooking class in Sintra, you’ll have the option to learn how to make the iconic Pastel de Nata from scratch or choose a traditional Portuguese meal.
If you select the Pastel de Nata experience (default menu option), Maggie and Romain will guide you through making these beloved custard tarts the traditional way - starting with homemade puff pastry and finishing with perfectly caramelized tops. Roll up your sleeves to help Romain knead and fold the puff pastry dough, then join Maggie in preparing the creamy custard filling. As the tarts bake, enjoy lighthearted stories about how Maggie and Romain met, their adventures in learning to bake, and fascinating insights into Portuguese food and culture. Once your tarts are ready, sit down to enjoy them along with a few additional pre-prepared dishes.
Prefer a savory meal? Opt for the Traditional Portuguese Menu, and learn to cook a comforting home-style dish such as bacalhau à brás (salt cod with eggs, onion, and matchstick potatoes) or arroz de polvo (octopus rice), guided step-by-step by your hosts. Please let them know your menu preference when booking your Sintra cooking class.
Ana and Carina were amazing! My boys and I had such a fun time learning to cook Pastéis with them. They were kind, passionate and so fun to be around!
Begin your shared, guided market tour with a visit to the local market of Algés, to explore the aromas and vibrant colors of seasonal, local fruits and vegetables. Ana and Carina will teach you how to select the freshest produce, while you learn about regional ingredients used in Portuguese cooking. After your market tour walk to their cooking studio for your Portuguese cooking class. Learn traditional techniques and culinary secrets passed down from generation to generation, while you prepare a starter, main course and dessert.
Teresa is extremely knowledgeable, very friendly to talk to and her wine class is one of the best I’ve ever been to! She understands the difference between Portuguese wines and wines from other countries, and contextualizes it in a fun and interactive way. My favorite culinary memory from the experience was trying the Alvarhino, a white wine typical of vino verde region. It was crisp and refreshing, great for the summer heat and also goes really well with food. It was also the most memorable since Teresa corrected some previous misunderstandings I had about Vino Verde. We enjoyed Teresa’s workshop thoroughly, and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about Portuguese food and wine culture!
Join Maria for a delightful open-air picnic at the breathtaking Sete Cidades lake viewpoint and garden. Surrounded by lush nature, you'll take in stunning views of the lake from the mountainside, nestled among vibrant trees, flowers, and botanical gardens. Sete Cidades lake is a 45-min drive from downtown Ponta Delgada.
Enjoy a short, scenic hike as you explore the beauty of the volcanic landscape and dramatic coastline, before settling at a peaceful picnic table to begin your experience. Picnicking is a beloved tradition in Azorean culture, and Maria is excited to share this local custom with you.
Your picnic will feature a delicious spread of fresh, locally sourced ingredients - chorizo balls, assorted salads with local cheese and jams, sandwiches, pork pâté, and traditional Azorean desserts such as milk and bean pudding, along with seasonal fresh fruit. Vegan and gluten-free picnic options are also available upon request.
Sofia lives with her partner in the city center, very close to Lisbon's best spots. She enjoys cooking a homecooked Portuguese meal with a Mediterranean influence, using fresh, seasonal produce. Sofia and her husband enjoy spending hours fishing together and they are so excited to share their home, food, culture and traditions with those visiting Lisbon. You can expect to try a few traditional Portuguese dishes and wines at Sofia's home. Enjoy a relaxed evening where you'll learn more about life in Portugal, culinary traditions, share stories, exchange experiences and discover the culture and history. Join Sofia and her husband for a fun conversation around the table immersed in local culture and share a few dishes such as octopus with roasted potatoes and salad or stuffed squid or cuttlefish or codfish with corn bread or arroz de pato (duck rice) and mackerel fillets in vinaigrette sauce. End your meal with dessert such as chocolate mouse, coffee and port wine. 1-2 glasses of red, white or green wine will be served with your meal.
Cooking with Maria was such a great experience. She is very friendly/personable and we all cooked together to make traditional azorean food. I loved walking around her garden…her back yard is so beautiful. Definitely recommend scheduling this if you’re looking for an activity to do while in são miguel.
Absolutely delicious and heartwarming experience! As always, our Traveling Spoon was the best part of our trip to Portugal! Paulo and his family were such a joy to spend time with, and the meal we made together was incredible. We got to know them personally and learn more about Portugal and its history. There were so many amazing courses that we could barely walk out afterwards. I’ve already made Susana’s cake recipe since returning to the States. And on top of that, they have a cute dog... :)
In your 2-hour Evora cooking class, learn to make an appetizer, main course and dessert. Learn to cook Algarve style octopus salad or fish soup, seafood cataplana and a traditional dessert. After cooking you will share the meal you helped prepare. You will also have the opportunity to understand the pairing of wines that will be served along with the meal.
Meet Sofia and Joaquim in their cozy home in beautiful Evora and enjoy a quiet culinary experience in Sofia's beautiful garden. The historical center of Evora, is just a couple of blocks from their house.
During your experience, Sofia and her husband Joaquim will make you feel like you are at home, so prepare for a truly local Portuguese evening. Besides being a professional chef and an expert in culinary experiences, Sofia used to be a tour guide, so expect a truly interesting experience, where Portuguese food, culture and history will be mixed together.
Enjoy traditional dishes from around Evora while Sofia and Joaquim share stories about their growing up and tales of local life. One of the highlights of the experience will be Sofia's cooking demonstration: preparing smoked sausages on a special “assadeira” clay dish. The result: an incredibly tasty surprise. You will also try different wines from nearby vineyards, giving you a true taste of local life and culinary traditions.
Travel inland from the port in Ponta Delgada and discover the culture through food, in this Azorean cooking class in a local home, in Fenais da Luz. We recommend all cruise travelers this Ponta Delgada Excursion, for a true and authentic taste of local cuisine. Maria is excited to share her culture through food in this authentic Azorean cooking class in Ponta Delgade. After a welcome drink, snack and tour of Maria’s garden and home, start your cooking class. Your experience can either be hands on or a demonstration, so please note which you would prefer when making your booking. During your cooking class learn how to make a traditional Azorean meal featuring seasonal ingredients. You will learn how to make a soup such as a traditional fish soup, followed by two main dishes of a fish and meat dish. Then end your experience learning to make a dessert like rice pudding or passion fruit mousse (featuring passion fruit from Maria’s garden when in season!).
Maria’s recipes have been passed down through her mom and grandmother and Maria is passionate about showcasing her family and island’s culinary history with guests. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your traditional Azorean family-style meal, which will be served either at the grape-vine covered terrace, in summer months, or at Maria’s dining table in colder months. End your meal with a selection of coffee, tea and homemade liqueurs or wine. If there is a specific dish you want to learn to make, like octopus, please note this during your booking. Maria will be happy to accommodate your requests!
