Lisbon’s Post-Colonial Feast

Our tour in Lisbon was one of the most memorable days of our 2-week trip. Our guide, Kika, gave us the most immersive and enjoyable walkthrough of Portugal's history, entangled in colonization, trade, and global expansion. It gave us insight and context into how so many communities have enriched Lisbon, as we got to taste the cuisines and meet the people writing those stories. Kika gave us extra facts, tips, recommendations, and even bonus neighborhood stops as we walked, making sure to take us to the shady side of the street during the heat wave. She was a bank of knowledge. Our group of 7 people was the perfect size to feel intimate, create conversation, and get to know each other. Last but certainly not least, the food was excellent, diverse, and unexpected. We recommend you book this tour if you want to learn and get to know the real people and cultures who make Lisbon what it is, not any one dimensional notion from internet recommendations. You'll leave full, inspired, and more educated.

Lara was our guide. I already did a tour with your company, in Barceleona. So happy with that, I decided to do one in Lisbon. Such a big learning curve about food and history of this beautiful country.

I have taken food tours all over the United States and Europe, and what Kika delivered today was much more than a food tour. It was a history lesson, a walking conversation, and a feast disguised as a food tour. Kika is a former teacher, and it shows. Early in the tour she drew a simple map of the world on a sheet of paper and then continued adding notes, arrows, dates, places, and ideas throughout the day. It was a remarkably effective teaching strategy that tied together the complex story of Portugal and its former colonies. By the end of the tour, that piece of paper had become a visual record of everything we had learned. And yes, the food was outstanding. Every stop felt authentic rather than curated for tourists. We tasted Brazilian pastries, Cape Verdean cachupa, Goan specialties, piripiri chicken, and more. The portions were generous enough that I cannot imagine anyone leaving hungry. What impressed me most was that every dish came with a story. Nothing existed in isolation. A pastry led to a conversation about immigration. A bowl of cachupa became a lesson in history and identity. Even the condiments opened the door to discussions of trade, exploration, and cultural exchange. The food was delicious, but the context made it unforgettable. There were only five guests on our tour, which made the experience feel more like spending a day with an exceptionally knowledgeable friend than following a guide with a lollipop. This was our second tour with Culinary Backstreets, having previously taken one in Istanbul, and both experiences were exceptional. The company has a remarkable ability to use food as a window into the history, culture, and identity of a place. If you are looking for a food tour, this tour is excellent. If you are looking for a deeper understanding of Portugal, its history, its people, and the influence of its former colonies—all while eating extraordinarily well—this tour is exceptional.

I went with a friend on a two-week trip through Europe, and this tour was my favorite part of the whole thing. Our guide Kika, gave us so much history and knowledge throughout our tour. It was so personal that there were only the four of us on the tour. She also gave us so many recommendations for the remainder of our trip, and they were all amazing. Worth every penny. Cannot recommend it enough.

A fascinating, delicious and informative tour with a friendly guide. We ate amazing food, and gained a deeper insight into Portuguese history and culture. Highly recommended!

Be prepared for an epicurean if gluttonous food tour through multiple Portuguese-speaking cultures that have made the Arroios neighborhood their home. It will start deceptively small in portions but by the time it ends you will have eaten at least 3 delicious lunches, and expanded two belt slots. Our guide, Gisela, was wonderful, and clearly enjoys her job. I highly recommend the food tours offered by Culinary Backstreets- we previously did Lisbon at the Crossroads, which was also a fantastic experience!

This tour was the highlight of our trip. Our guide, Johnny, was extremely knowledgeable about food and Portuguese history. We went to several authentic restaurants where we sampled food from the various colonial countries. We met the restaurant owners, heard about their country and the connection to Portugal. The food was outstanding! Our guide also pointed out many interesting things in the neighborhoods that we visited. Great tour!!!

Outstanding tour of Lisbon focused on culinary delights in the diverse Portuguese neighborhood of Arroios. Joao/ ‘Johnny’ our guide was enthusiastic and incredibly informed about the culture and culinary history of Portuguese cuisine. Not only did we enjoy food at each stop, we met the owners and entrepreneurs that brought their food and traditions from their native countries. This is a must for foodies, history buffs, and citizens of the world!

We took the post-colonial feast tour with Kika in May, our third food tour with Culinary Backstreets. We love the company’s ethos and focus on lesser-known spots and community stories. This tour was no exception! We learned so much about Portugal’s colonial history and how it shapes Lisbon’s food scene and immigrant communities today. We tried so many unique foods that we never would have found on our own, and got to explore different neighborhoods away from the tourist crowds. Kika is so knowledgeable and passionate - we could have talked with and learned from her all day! She has clearly spent time building relationships with the shop and restaurant owners, and it was a highlight to interact with and hear directly from them, too. She also generously shared dining, sightseeing, and shopping recommendations for the rest of our stay. 10/10 recommend booking this tour - I promise it will be a highlight of your trip to Lisbon!

My wife and I absolutely loved the Culinary Backstreets, Lisbon tour. It was a highlight of our stay in Lisbon. Our tour guide, Kika, was fantastic. A true professional who shared so much with us about Portugal, Lisbon and its food. With this tour, we visited restaurants and ate food we otherwise would not have! In my opinion this tour is a must if you are visiting Lisbon.