Song Of The Sea: Fish, Seafood And Tradition In Lisbon’s Port Zone

Ines was the perfekt guide. Very likeable, knowledgeable, friendly, entertaining and passionate.

This was our 2nd Culinary Backstreets Tour, and we enjoyed it as much as our first! The tours are small groups & Laura was a fountain of knowledge. We loved all the places she took us to visit. Looking forward to future tours!

We are so glad we booked direct. This avoided third party (international company) mark up. Great local guide giving hometown perspective to the food scene of Lisbon.

What a wonderful experience! Walking the different neighborhoods and seeing the people and food in those areas. The food was excellent, the walk through the areas interesting and informative and our guide was spot on with the timing and the information. She was friendly and did not overwhelm us and we had the time to savor the different tastes.

We did the Song of the Sea tour in Lisbon with the wonderful guide, Laura Oliveira. We had done the culinary tour in Porto the prior week, with Bruno, also a great guide. What a wonderful way to get to know a bit of the city, the culture, the history. We met local sellers, importers, wine people, and local restauranteurs, almost all small family run and many with long histories. The experiences in each case were unique and off the typical tourist trail. And the food was outstanding. Would do this again in the next city we visit.

This tour gives you an introduction to a very select group of local Lisbon establishments that are passionate about the food they offer and its relevance to Portuguese cuisine and culture.

Laura made our tour. She was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly. The food and wine was tried was all delicious, and so varied. I really enjoyed our history lesson at the beginning, which framed the rest of the tour. Wholeheartedly recommend!

Kika made the tour! Her enthusiasm and knowledge was as important as the food. We appreciated who drawings to explain things. Very creative. A memorable experience in Lisbon. . Thank you Kika 😀

Kika was the best! She was full of energy and enthusiasm and her sketches to explain things is such a great idea. Highly recommend you go with her.

This was our second Culinary Backstreets tour in Portugal. It is truly amazing how much you can learn about a place through its food history and traditions. Our guide, Kika, was engaging and knowledgable. Each stop on the tour showcased vendors and restauranteurs who are absolutely passionate about what they do. On our tour we had people who tried foods they never would have otherwise, and they were delighted with them. I highly recommend a Culinary Backstreets tour if you’re visiting Lisbon! You won’t be disappointed!

We love doing foodie walks and Culinary Backstreets is always our first choice. Tours are well researched, not touristy and the guides are very knowledgeable and entertaining. Inez in Lisbon was as exceptional as Golden in Athens and Goncha in Istanbul.

This was a fantastic tour. Our guide (Ines) made the tour informative, engaging and fun.

Celia was our guide for this tour and it was simply incredible! All the stops are small shops that aren’t (yet) overrun with the influencer crowd. Each bite was extremely tasty. Celia was also very knowledgeable about Lisbon history and culture and gave many great insights. Another nice benefit is that it was mostly flat, except for one hill towards the end but we never felt rushed to move on to the next stop. This tour was 11/10 and a must for any visitor to Lisbon.

Kika was very knowledgeable and friendly! We highly recommend this tour. A culinary adventure is a great way to learn about the city, its history, and Portuguese culture. Some of the best bites we have had after a week of being in Lisbon exploring on our own. We especially enjoyed our time with Orlando and eating at the dockside restaurant at the end. We even ate smoked eel and liked it!

It was an incredible experience. Kika was extremely knowlegeable and pleasant to be with. The food was amazing, tasty and quite surprising. I highly recommend this tour for a taste of Portugal and it’s culture.

An excellent walking tour of the fishy parts of Lisbon! Ines, our guide was brilliant; knowledgable, informative, entertaining and she knew so many people we met in the stops and along the streets. We had 6 or 7 stops including coffee and pastel del nata, the fish and vegetable market, traditional salt cod snacks, Morqueca in a fabulous African Portugese restaurant , a coffee roastery and ending at a brilliant and unexpected flame grilled fish restaurant hidden away from the tourist trail. As is my experience with Cullinary Backstreets, they don't skimp; there was plenty of food and wine for us all indeed I didn't need an evening meal afterwards! What I especially appreciate is that if there's something we're interested in, they'll buy one for us to try - two types of figs for example. It's a foodies delight. Be prepared for a reasonable amount of walking though - but it's definitely worth it!

We had an absolutely wonderful time on the Song of the Sea tour with Culinary Backstreets. Exploring Lisbon's Time-Out market and learning about the local seafood traditions was a real highlight of our trip. Our guide was fantastic. Francisca shaped and guided our tour around our interests and created a memorable experience that we cherished! Highly recommend this to anyone visiting Lisbon!

Always a great experience with Culinary Backstreets. As usual, I learned a lot about Portuguese food and culture and ate delicious food along the way. Kika is a top tier guide.

This was an absolutely fantastic tour and one of the highlights of my time in Lisbon. The stops were excellent, I learned so much, and every bite along the way was delicious. My favorite part was our guide, Inês. She was incredibly knowledgeable—not just about the history of the neighborhood and the food we were tasting, but about the people behind it all. It seemed like she knew every shop owner we visited, and getting introduced to so many locals made the experience feel genuinely personal rather than just another food tour. She also handled an unexpected change flawlessly. When one of the shopkeepers was running late, she improvised by taking us to a coffee producer for a bonus stop, which ended up being one of the coolest parts of the day. On top of everything else, Inês was just wonderful to spend a few hours with. The conversation flowed naturally throughout the tour, and she created such a welcoming atmosphere for everyone in the group. I’d highly recommend this tour to any type of traveler. I was traveling solo, and it was a perfect experience—I never felt out of place and met some great people along the way. I couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon.

Wonderful information and the amount of food for the timing was perfect! Everything was delicious and the guide was very friendly and knowledgeable

Excellent experience! Kika was an exceptional leader who shared her city and experiences with our small group. We had the opportunity to meet vendors in the market and small shop owners- all were kind and shared a wealth of information about the food and history of the dishes. During the walking we explored different neighborhoods and local places. We got a taste of traditional and authentic food and wine. A lot was off the tourist path and we still had some of the iconic dishes of the city. Kika was outstanding and I highly recommend this tour.

We are big fans of history, urban exploration, and seafood in all its forms, so the ‚Song of the Sea’ tour seemed like a no-brainer for us—and we were right! Our guide, Kika, expertly led us through half a day of Lisbon’s fishy highlights along with a crash course in the rich history of Portugal’s people and their interactions with the world. The tour began in the historical fish market of Lisbon, now half-consumed by the Time Out Market. Kika led us through both the traditional and modern sides of the market, stopping at stalls to share fresh fruit, tinned fish, and coffee— and to pick up a bag of Portuguese barnacles, for later. From there, we walked through some of Lisbon’s fascinating neighborhoods, both solidly working-class and upscale, sampling bites at some really remarkable spots along the way. Highlights for us included cured tuna and rosé at a boutique wine and cheese shop, and a really incredible eel sandwich. Kika was both a tour guide par excellence, answering all our many questions and introducing us to some truly unique people and places, but also a great companion for a long walk and a meal. We enjoyed the information and the company as much as the food, which was exceptional. The capstone of the tour was lunch at a typical Portuguese tasca, or taverna, where the chef himself came out to show us how he roasted his fish. Every bite was excellent, but it wasn’t just an opportunity to gorge yourself. We truly feel like we understand Lisbon better now than we could have just by guiding ourselves around. We absolutely recommend this tour for: (sea)foodies, history buffs , fans of urban travel, and anyone with a curious mind who is not opposed to walking up and down a lot of Lisbon’s hills. We definitely needed the water bottles we bought with Kika at the beginning of the tour!

An absolute must-do, and worth every penny! Our guide, Kika, was so knowledgeable about the city, wine, and food. I love learning about the history of a city and as we walked through the neighborhoods Kika thoughtfully intertwined interesting facts about the area. The food at each stop was delicious and the vendors and owners at each location were so kind. Kika was also great at paying attention to the pacing and rest needs of our small group. Highly, highly recommend!!!

The time we spent walking was a great way to make certain we also digest our food! The culinary walk about was not only that, but also a bit of a history tour, which was an added bonus. Our guide was well versed in local stories and was well articulated. The food portions were great and the final lunch was more than expected.

Laura’s relationship with the locals in the market, restaurants and wine stores was priceless and enriched our experience immeasurably.

Our family of three really enjoyed the Song of the Sea tour lead by Kika. She shared with us the story of Portugal and the history of the national obsession with seafood. From our first bite of the pastel de nata to our last lunch stop, the tour was a feast for our eyes, ears, and of course, mouths! For me, the highlight was meeting the various vendors, who gladly shared their passion for their food with us tourists. The food was delicious at every stop, and we ended the day very satisfied. Logistics: communication and directions were excellent. We found Kika easily. My husband has a few food restrictions that Kika was able to accommodate since we notified in advance. This was much appreciated so he didn’t feel left out of any part of the tour. The walking was pleasant and never too much at one time. We walked about a total of 2 1/2 miles over the whole day. At the end of our tour, Kika even offered us suggestions on where to see fado, and places to eat at our next destination (Lagos). Overall, I definitely recommend this tour, and especially Kika, for a warm, entertaining, and definitely filling taste of Portugal.

This was a wonderful experience. Kika really took care of us - we tried so many different foods, including some surprises, got to know several neighborhoods that we would not have known to visit otherwise, and learned a lot about Portuguese culture, history, and life today. Kika, our small group, and the people we met along the way were great company. A perfect way to spend half a day in Lisbon. We will absolutely be doing another tour then next time we get a chance.

I'd highly recommend this tour, and others that Culinary Backstreets run too! We took our two children, aged 6 and 8, and they really enjoyed it too. Our guide, Kika, was amazing, so knowledgeable and interesting about Portuguese history and how it impacts the food culture of Lisbon. She was also really kind to our children and was able to adapt some of the dishes to suit them too. Thank you Kika, we had a great time!

Learning the culinary history of Lisbon while discovering local gems outside of the tourist zones was a wonderful experience. The food was delicious and varied. Overall great tour with our guide Laura and I would strongly recommend.

Very enjoyable food tour with many stops and a final lunch stop. Kika was a great guide, very knowledgeable about Portugal's history and its food. Highly recommended.

Wonderful tour—sampled a wide array of seafood, met local vendors, and enjoyed a lively and informative discussion of Portuguese food history. Kika (Francisca) is an excellent guide.

This was my 2nd tour with Culinary Backstreet Lisbon and the service was consistently excellent. I loved the curated (truly) local businesses that we visited. I especially appreciate that I was able to join the Song of the Sea tour even though I have a severe crustacean allergy - Laura was very mindful of it. Getting fresh clams from the seafood market and having one of the restaurants cook it for our final meal was definitely something to remember. Laura was engaging, pleasant, and was an exceptional guide. I noticed that this is true for the other guide (Kika) from a previous tour, as well. I am exceptionally appreciative of Laura’s recommendation for a coffee shop (Flor da Selva). It was an excellent recommendation, the owner gave me a tour of the facility, and they knew Culinary Backstreet! I love it when you truly partner with local businesses. I will definitely keep Culinary Backstreets in my future travels. Muito obrigada!

We loved this tour. Celia was a great guide, very knowledgeable about Lisbon and its food. Highly recommended.

We loved every part of the tour, from seeing new neighborhoods, touring markets, meeting vendors and of course eating way too much incredible food. All delicious. None of that would have mattered if our guide Kika hadn’t been so fabulous herself. She brought everything to life as she shared the history of where we were and why we were eating what we were there. This is a don’t miss tour if you’re in Lisbon and if you’re lucky you’ll be guided by Kika!

Ines is amazing, my wife Amy wrote a review for both us and captured the essence of our impressions from the tour. You will see us again.

There are tours that show you a city, and then there are experiences that allow you to step inside its soul. Our "Song of the Sea" walking tour with Culinary Backstreets wasn’t just a culinary excursion; it was a masterclass in belonging. From the very first step, our guide, Ines, dismantled the barrier between "visitor" and "local." Ines didn't just recite history; she shared her life. She opened doors not by unlocking them, but by extending her own connections. Through her stories, the port zone stopped being a geography lesson and started feeling like a neighborhood we had simply been away from for too long. By the end of the day, the transformation was complete. The city no longer felt like a backdrop—it felt like home. I can now walk into the wine shop, see Francisco, and exchange a genuine hello, rather than a nod of a stranger. I’m already planning how I’ll introduce friends to the incredible snacks at Bibs, savoring the thought of their reactions to flavors I now count among my favorites. And as for that little seaside spot we visited for lunch? That remains my own delicious secret. If you are looking to peel back the layers of Lisbon and find the pulse beneath the pavement, do not just take a tour - take this one. It is a rare, authentic gift of a day.

My husband, 23 year old daughter and I had a truly outstanding experience on this tour in Lisbon lead by the very knowledgeable and personable, Ines! She shared her love of Lisbon and Portugal through her vast knowledge of its history linking it to food and culture. Ines introduced us to many sides of Lisbon and proud proprietors of non touristy food and wine shops and restaurants which we could never have accessed on our own. It is obvious that The company has high standards for its guides. The small group model also makes a huge difference as well.

We had a fabulous time on this tour. Kika, our guide, was amazing -- so friendly and knowledgeable about the food, the history, and the neighborhoods that we visited. The various food vendors cuisine that she introduced us to were superb, and included a broad variety of dishes. It was such a pleasure to be on her tour. We learned so much about Portuguese cuisine and history. We had a wonderful time - we highly recommend this tour with Kika! 10/10

Kika is a fountain of knowledge about the history of the food of Lisbon from antiquity to current times. The tour could probably have lasted three days and she would still have more to tell. Additionally, she draws great pictures to leave you with some notes about the adventure. Culinary Backstreets tours make it feel like you have a family member in that city who wants to show you all their favorite spots. No other tour makes you feel as much like a local.

amazing experience! Laura met the group (just 2 of us!) at the Time Out Market in Lisbon. And proceeded to introduce us to some of the absolute stars of the fish market! I loved this peek into the knowledge and passion these folks hold for all the delights of the water! Then we got the history of Portugal's local food as well as the influx of products and culinary influences from around the world. Plenty of delicious food, variety of food outlets, cafes, restaurants. All of the choices felt very personal and well curated. Will look for these tours in my next adventures!

Laura was a great tour guide and provided many very interesting facts around the history of Portuguese food and the impact the country had on many other countries and the development of culinary specialities. Her choice of food sampling was superb.

The tour was fantastic. Our guide, Laura, gave us an in depth history of Portugal and the influence it had on not only food but on sailing and technology. The food stops were excellent, especially meeting some of the more notable fish mongers at the market. Highly recommended tour where you will have some great food, meet interesting characters and learn about so much because of a very special guide like Laura.

This tour was an incredibly way of getting to know Lisbon, its food, and its history. The guide was engaging and friendly

A wonderful tour to a new area of Lisbon with an excellent guide. Plenty of different food stops and things to try - almost all in restaurants which wouldn’t have been part of our normal itinerary. We loved it!

We had a fantastic time with Celia doing the Seafood centered tour in Lisbon. The food was utterly fantastic and the scope covered different types of food, including local coffee and wine (well within the 'tradition' scope). The final meal was just a blast. In all a very memorable way to spend a day in Lisbon.

My wife and I explored the neighborhoods of Lisbon with Celia. It was the highlight of our trip! Celia took us to spots we would’ve never discovered on our own. Her knowledge of the culinary history and her relationships with the people that we visited, made the experience incredibly special.

This was such a wonderful tour, with Francisca. She was knowledgeable about the culture, which helped explain many things. The food we shared was also amazing and we all loved the experience.

I have done several food tours around the world, and Kika is the best guide I've had yet! Extremely knowledgeable, great communicator (she draws great pictures 😉), and passionate about food and Portugal as a whole! We went to some incredible places where pride of ownership is at the forefront of the experience. Great food, wonderful people, and extremely informative (food and history). Book the tour, you won't regret it!!

It was a very non touristy experience with a very passionate guide! We visited quiet areas and tasted deliscious food. All in good company. We really enjoyed it!