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.
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!!!
Your small group Lisbon cooking class starts with a tasting of cheese, chorizo and wine from various regions of the country, so that you can prepare your palate for the flavors enjoyed in an authentic Portuguese meal. During your 2-hour hands-on cooking class in Lisbon, learn to cook three traditional Portuguese dishes from scratch. The cooking class focuses on fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, so the menu might change depending on the season and product availability. Each dish that you will prepare is a tribute to the rich culinary heritage of Portugal, a sensorial experience that will transport you to the past, through the stories and recipes shared through generations. After cooking, sit down to share a traditional Portuguese home-cooked meal using Ana and Carina's grandmother's recipes, that you helped prepare.
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!
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!
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.
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... :)
