$37 - $75 Book Now

Traditional Lisbon Cooking Class with a Lovely Local

All amenities

Family Friendly
Vegetarian friendly
Turkish, English, Portuguese
Apartment
Has animals
Cooking demonstration
home cook
Cooking Experience
3 - 4 hours
Min 1, max 7 guests
Start times: 11:00am, 5:00pm
Join Defne for a hands-on Portuguese cooking class (or demo if you prefer) in Lisbon, where you'll create three traditional dishes from scratch. Over 1.5 hours, you'll learn to prepare an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Sip on wine as you watch Defne work her magic, or roll up your sleeves and dive in to help her bring each dish to life. As you cook, Defne will share stories behind the recipes, how they’re prepared in other cultures, and plenty of helpful tips and tricks. Wrap up your Lisbon cooking experience with a coffee and a taste of Ginjinha, Lisbon’s beloved cherry liqueur.
Meal
1.5 - 2 hours
Min 1, max 7 guests
Start times: 12:00pm, 6:00pm
Step into Defne’s beautiful apartment for a Portuguese culinary adventure that brings Portugal's rich history to life. Inspired by her research on Portuguese gastronomy, Defne celebrates the diverse influences that shaped Portuguese cuisine—infusing flavors, recipes, and ingredients from across the globe.

Your experience with Defne features classic Portuguese dishes, each steeped in history, from the Mediterranean and beyond. You’ll enjoy a fresh, seasonal meal at her beautifully set dining table or, if the weather allows, outdoors in the garden. Savor dishes like tremoços (pickled beans), salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad), caldeirada de peixe (fish stew), and arroz doce (rice pudding). Paired with two glasses of Portuguese wine, each course offers a taste of Portugal's culinary heritage.

Please note that Defne’s menu is seasonal and may vary based on local produce availability. If you have any dietary preferences, kindly let her know in advance.
Notes
Defne can accommodate lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, on request. Please inform her in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, while booking your Lisbon cooking class online.

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.

  • Tremoços (pickled beans) and olives
  • Salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad)
  • Caldeirada de peixe (fish stew)
  • Arroz de doce (rice pudding)
  • Vinho verde (Portuguese wine)

More about Defne

Defne is a globe wanderer and a true nomad; her travels have taught her the profound value of connection, community, and empathy. Originally from Istanbul, she holds a deep passion for exploring and discovering links between cultures, foods, people, places, and tastes. Join her mission to break down cultural barriers, one delicious bite at a time! As your culinary guide, Defne will lead you on an exploration of how Portuguese cuisine connects diverse cultures and traditions. You’ll uncover not only the timeless flavors of Portugal but also the rich stories and cultural connections behind each dish.

What others are saying

Nov 16, 2025
"Experience a local’s home from their company + neighborhood to the cuisine that is the heartbeat of the area! The cooking itself is pretty simple and straightforward, but the joy is the conversation and cultural immersion. Defne was a lovely host, and you do not feel like a stranger in her home. She was very hospitable, kind and welcoming. The food was just an added bonus!"
Kylie
Oct 26, 2025
"We have taken other cooking classes in our travels but our evening with Defne was an all around wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived, it was as if we had arrived at a friend's house. Nothing pretentious or uncomfortable, we immediately started helping in prepping dinner, while exchanging stories. Dining in Defne's lovely backyard was a treat on this Fall evening. Our meal was yummy, but also included dishes we will be able to replicate. As said earlier, just a great experience!"
Donna
Oct 25, 2025
"Was a relaxing and amazing experience! I highly recommend this cooking class! I learned alot about portuguese cooking and took home some Recipes to make for my family and friends 🧡."
tara
Oct 22, 2025
"I’ll keep it bier, Defne is knowledgeable and caring. Don’t miss this experience. Here love of food and life shows naturally through her time with us. She knows family and friends matter and sharing a meal with her reminded me of how special everyday family dinner can be."
Manny
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Cancellation

  • No worries booking: free cancellation within 24 hours of booking.
  • Cancel anytime up to 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus service fees.
  • If your experience is cancelled within 48 hours of your experience, no refund is provided.

Location

Frequently asked questions

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