Lisbon

Célia, Lisbon Bureau Chief

Célia is a journalist, writing mostly about travel and food, and is the co-author of the book “Eat Portugal”, winner of a Gourmand World Cookbook Award. Her work can be seen in such publications as The Guardian, The Times (London) and Eater and she appeared on the Netflix program “Somebody Feed Phil” and The Wine Show. A proud Lisboeta with a wicked sweet tooth, Celia keeps searching for the best pastéis de nata so you don’t have to.

Austin, Lisbon Correspondent
Austin is an American writer and photographer based in Lisbon, Portugal. He was previously based in Bangkok, Thailand, for more than 20 years, from where he contributed to just about every major food and travel publication, as well as to more than 30 guidebooks for Lonely Planet. In 2018, he wrote and photographed the James Beard Award finalist, The Food of Northern Thailand. His next book, The Food of Southern Thailand, will be out in 2023.

Gisela, Culinary Guide

Gisela’s curiosity is what set her on a path to become a tour guide 2016, with the entire city of Lisbon as her beautiful “office.” She loves learning from her clients, who come from all over the world, and to share with them her knowledge. Her biggest reward is to see them learning and smiling with her. Defined by her joy and smile, she is most passionate about people and their stories, along with history, philosophy and culture. Gisela believes communication is a super power that keeps the world spinning and that there’s no better way to communicate than seated at a table tasting good traditional food!

Ines, Lisbon Walk Leader

Born and raised in Lisbon, Inês loves her city and its history. She studied European Studies, Leisure Management and Tourist Entertainment. Besides being a tour guide she works as a storyteller, actress and playwright. As a tour guide, she shares her knowledge of history, culture and, naturally, the richness of Portuguese cuisine.

Irene, Lisbon Walk Leader

Though native to Italy, Irene is European vagabond at heart and has called many of the continent’s greatest dining cities home before settling in Lisbon. Her standards are understandably high. But her affair with food began at her grandmother’s elbow as a little girl in Italy. Her grandmother not only taught her how to cook but how to love food, a defining characteristic of Irene’s life ever since. Formerly a restaurant owner in Lisbon and a chef there and onboard catamarans that sailed the Mediterranean, Irene is always interested in new culinary experiences. An avid and curious cook and traveler, she has set roots in Lisbon, dug deep into its culinary life and is eager to share all that she has discovered.

Kika, Lisbon Walk Leader

Born and raised in Lisbon, don’t get Kika started about the city’s charms- the light, tile-clad buildings, the history, the beaches and, of course, the food. A professional tour guide and talented home cook, Kika is a natural ambassador for her city’s cuisine. When she’s not leading tours in the backstreets, she’s probably in one of her favorite pasteleria trying to satisfy her addiction to Portuguese pastries.

Martim, Lisbon Walk Leader

Martim, born in Lisbon and raised in the Chiado district, has been rambling in backstreet eateries since before he could reach the counter of the corner tasca. He got a bachelor in Law and worked as a lawyer for a few years, but recently decided to take a chance out of the corporate world. Passionate about the richness and history of the Portuguese gastronomy, Martim loves the Portuguese people’s way of life and their deeply entrenched habit of spending long hours around a table with family and friends.

Patricia, Lisbon Walk Leader

Patricia Brum is an archaeologist with a special connection to Portuguese gastronomy through her work in the ruins of Troia, where the Romans produced salted fish and fish sauces, like garum. Unlike almost all Portuguese, bacalhau is not her thing, but she’ll wax poetic over a plate of fresh clams with garlic and cilantro.

Rodrigo, Lisbon Photographer

Photographer Rodrigo Cabrita was born in Oeiras, Portugal in 1977. He started his career at the daily newspaper Diário de Notícias in 2001 and has worked at a variety of publications since then. He is now a freelance photographer and takes part regularly in exhibitions. Rodrigo has won several photojournalism awards, most notably the Portuguese Gazeta award.

João, Lisbon Walk Leader

João’s diverse roots- Portuguese, French, Angolan and Cape Verdean- means he grew up in an all-star kitchen where a proper French tart may be in the oven while a big pot of Cape Verdean cachupa simmers on the stove. His Lisbon today reflects this mixture and his fluency with the many cultures at home in the city make him a natural guide to its cuisine. With a background in the restaurant industry and a passion for Lisbon’s urban culture, João loves to share the fresh face of the city with guests.

Lara Branco, Lisbon Walk Leader

Born in Angola, Lara grew up Lisbon, after her family moved there in 1974, part of a wave of migrants from the former colonies who moved to Portugal. In Lisbon, her family established a restaurant serving African cuisine as a way to survive in their new home. It was within this environment, at her grandfather’s restaurant, that she grew up and developed her affair with food.

Lara studied marketing and advertising in university and worked for many years as a television and film producer. However, her passion for food led her to open her own restaurant in Lisbon. It was through this venture that she discovered the crucial role that culinary experiences play in evoking emotions and memories, creating narratives around our senses and leaving an indelible mark on people’s lives. The sheer joy of witnessing someone taking their first bite and seeing their eyes light up with pleasure is what motivates and rewards her work.

Laura, Lisbon Walk Leader

Laura, a proud 5th-generation Lisbon local, or “Alfacinha”, knows the city’s hills like the back of her hand, with the iconic Castelo de São Jorge —overlooking her grandparents’ homes— a cherished childhood playground. With a degree in Social and Cultural Communication and a background in advertising, she gradually grew interested in the wine culture and recently earned an MBA in Wines and Spirits from the Burgundy School of Business. Her professional and personal journey spans across Europe, Asia, and Central America. With an insatiable curiosity – and appetite! – Laura’s worldview is a rich tapestry of diverse references, flavors, aromas, and intercultural exchanges.

André grew up in Lisbon and has lived all around the world, including in the United States, the UK, Belgium, and Cape Verde. Over the years, he has worked in a variety of creative industries and even taught surfing in the south of Portugal. André returned to Lisbon in 2024 and is eager to show visitors the city’s incredible culinary traditions and how it honors its heritage while embracing new ideas and innovations. In his free time, André loves to explore Lisbon’s historic neighborhood and also its nearby beaches. Fun fact: he’s a magician, performing monthly in Lisbon!