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Lisbon Food Tour

Hidden Flavors of the Hillside: Mouraria & Graça

2-7 people

Intendente -> Martim Moniz

~5-6 hours

2:00pm
Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat

Quick Bite: On this afternoon food tour in Lisbon, we’ll explore the old and the new in the kitchens of Mouraria and Graça, which are home to historic and scenic backstreets. 

In Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods of Mouraria and Graça, where scenic little streets spread out, web-like, in the shadows of St. George Castle, the smell of change (and, of course, garlic) is in the air. Though a long neglected corner of the city, these days many old buildings are rapidly being renewed here, new communities are sinking roots and new restaurants are opening, challenging the stodgy and rough identity that the area is famous for. After all, this is where fado – Lisbon’s trademark musical style – was born in seedy 19th century taverns. Here is one of the bastions of the annual St. Anthony celebrations, where sardines are grilled on street corners. Here also is an incredibly diverse population of old locals, new immigrants and Portuguese bohemians living as neighbors. Here can be found the flavors so integral to the city’s traditions – right alongside delicious evidence that this place is in a state of transition.

On this afternoon food tour in Lisbon, we will be exploring, bite by bite, the fascinating transformation in these two neighborhoods and the food that reflects it.

From new wave seafood spots to old-school taverns stubbornly holding on to their classic recipes, we’ll go in search of this enticing district’s taste of both tradition and change. We’ll begin with the daily specials at an age-old tasca, or neighborhood restaurant, a quintessential Lisbon experience. Up the hill, we’ll visit a new school taberna where the chef/owner applies unorthodox technique to the fish and seafood traditions of Portugal. Later, we’ll get a taste of spanking fresh clams, when in season, and the famous prego, steak sandwich, at a workingman’s lunch counter. There will be house-made piripiri sauce that made its way here from West Africa, ancient garum sauce that has been produced here since Roman times and many more saucy bites along the way. We’ll stop by a community-run kiosk for a bite of something sweet and finish our odyssey at an old neighborhood association located in a rundown palace where we will have a sip of chilled muscatel while enjoying something that thankfully remains the same – the timeless view of the sun setting behind the castle on the hill.

Fee includes everything consumed on the walk. Some special features:

Features fantastic views Can accommodate pescatarians and non-fish eaters
Children welcome, but not strollers Seafood featured but can be substituted
Gluten-free options available Samples alcohol
Be prepared to climb some hills Cannot accommodate vegetarian or vegan diet

OUR TOURS IN THE PRESS

MULTIMEDIA

ROUTE

DISABLE

FAQ

How are you dealing with COVID-19 risk on your walks?

We have reinforced our commitment to safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our walks in terms of social distancing and hygiene while maintaining the quality of the experience. For more details on our precautions, read here. We are proud to have received the tourism stamp of clean & safe for our safety precautions.
Our routes have been altered during this period of time to ensure the safety of our guests, guides and community. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans.
What are the current travel restrictions or requirements in Portugal?
You can read the full travel regulations by location for Portugal here. Currently there are no quarantine requirements in Portugal Continental unless symptoms are shown or there is known contact with an infected person. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans. Please contact us for specific questions on travel restrictions.
What is included in the fee?
In addition to your Culinary Backstreets guide, all food consumed on the walk – almost a dozen different edible specialties – are included in the price. A limited selection of alcohol is served on the walks and is included in the price.
Why is the Culinary Backstreets tour more expensive than some other walking tours?
Our approach is different than most tour companies. Each of our culinary walks is the outcome of considerable research. We work with academics in the field and our own team of experienced professionals – both guides and local journalists. Our ongoing publishing of articles, from restaurant reviews to features about the intersection of food and culture, constantly feeds new material into the culinary walks, so they evolve and constantly improve. Though costly, we believe that this is how to create the quality experiences we strive for. We practice honest tourism and would never accept a free lunch or any sort of commission. On the contrary, we are proud to know that the money spent during the culinary walk goes to support businesses that we believe in, helping to preserve the social and cultural fabric of the cities we love so dearly.
How does the payment process work?
Once you have made a reservation, we require the full fee to be paid in order to complete the online booking. Your card will not be charged until the booking is accepted. Our online booking system uses Stripe to process secure payments.
What is your cancellation policy?
90% will be refunded if given 1 week notice prior to walk and 50% will be refunded if given 72 hours notice or more. Less than 72 hours is non-refundable.
Are your walks public or private? How many people are on them?
Our walks are 2-7 people and are open to the public. If you would like to do a private walk, you can book it for a supplement by selecting book entire excursion. If it is not available on booking, we may be able to arrange one for an additional fee. Please contact us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com for more information.
Can I get a discount if I join more than one walk?
Yes, we offer a 10% discount to those who join more than one walk. Please email us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com if you’d like to join multiple walks.
Are your walks suitable for people with food allergies?
This can vary based on a number of factors, including the food item in question. Please email us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com to discuss your situation before booking. Participants with bell pepper allergy can join this walk.
Are your walks suitable for vegetarians and pescatarians?
We can accommodate pescatarians on this walk, however, many of the Portuguese classics contain meat or seafood and is not appropriate for vegetarians. Please note all dietary restrictions during booking so that your guide can prepare accordingly.
Are your walks suitable for a gluten-free diet?
This walk can be altered for gluten-free diets, but they may skip a few bites. Please note all dietary restrictions during booking so that your guide can prepare accordingly.
How physically demanding are the walks?
The walk covers a few kilometers of fairly hilly terrain, broken up into almost a dozen stops over almost 6 hours. Please note that Lisbon does have many hills and the streets and sidewalks of Lisbon can be cobbelstone, therefore, we do recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.
Can children join the walks?
Of course! We offer a 50% discount to children ages 12 and under, and we charge $25 for children 6 and younger.
Can you pick me up from my hotel? How will I return, once the tour is over?
Our tour prices don’t include transportation. If you book a tour, you’re responsible for arriving to the pre-arranged meeting spot on your own. Once the tour is over, we will help you get an authorized, safe taxi to your hotel, or provide directions on public transportation, if you’re interested in that.
How much food will I get to try?
This is really up to you. We generally make between 7 and 10 eating stops on our walk and try to include some breaks from eating along the way. The price includes as much food as you’re open to trying. We offer a suggested portion size at each stop and you can take our recommendation if you’d like. Our walks often involve street food and sharing food.

US$140/ adult

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