Lisbon reveals itself best through its flavors and its music. From fado, the soulful 19th-century music genre and living soundtrack of the city, to the tastes of traditional neighborhood taverns, the city’s culture comes alive in a way you can see, hear and savor.
These historic traditions, woven into the very fabric of the city, continue to shape daily life, local gatherings, and the unique character of Lisbon’s neighborhoods.
The Best Way to Experience Fado in Lisbon
On our Food & Fado Tour, you can spend an evening tracing the story of fado in Lisbon by walking through Mouraria and Alfama. These neighborhoods were where the music first took root and flourished. Along the way, you’ll stop to enjoy bites, local drinks, and home-style specialties. You will experiencing firsthand how food and fado come together to shape Lisbon’s cultural identity.
We’ll cap off the evening with a three-course dinner and live fado performance at one of the city’s top venues, immersing you in the traditions that continue to define Lisbon today. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll not only taste and listen, but also gain the stories and context that bring these customs to life.
Read on to see how you can experience food and fado –two of the most enduring facets of Lisbon’s heritage– in an unforgettable way.
Tracing Fado’s Origins in Mouraria
Mouraria is widely considered the birthplace of fado, where the music first emerged in the early 19th century. Its narrow streets were home to the city’s earliest fadistas, who sang of longing, love, and the struggles of everyday life often infused with saudade –a deep, wistful sense of yearning unique to Portuguese culture.
On our Lisbon Food & Fado Tour, our adventure starts at the centrally-located Praça da Figueira, located just a couple minutes away from Mouraria, to then continue wandering into the neighborhood. Here we’ll start to trace the roots of fado and even pass the former home of Maria Severa, often recognized as Lisbon’s first known fadista, whose life and songs helped define the genre.
Local Flavors: Petiscos
Lucky for us, Mouraria is also a great place to explore Lisbon’s vibrant food scene. Dotted with small, family-run tascas (taverns), and traditional eateries, it’s a great place to try petiscos– typical Portuguese snacks usually served alongside drinks, at parties, before meals, or sometimes as a whole meal on their own.
Some of our favorites include:
- Pastéis de Bacalhau – Salted cod croquette
- Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato – Clams with cilantro, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice
- Pica Pau – Pork or beef chunks sautéed with garlic, bay leaves, and olive oil
After touring Mouraria’s labyrinthical streets on our Lisbon Food & Fado Tour, we’ll end up at a gorgeous former jewelry atelier-turned-restaurant for a seafood petisco and wash it down with a glass of vinho verde.
Insider Tip: If you’re in Lisbon during the summertime, make sure to try caracóis –small, savory snails simmered in garlicky, herbed broth and eaten as a classic seasonal petisco. We’re particularly fond of the ones at Zé da Mouraria.
Exploring Alfama Through Music, Meals, and Memories
If Mouraria tells the story of fado’s beginnings, Alfama shows how the tradition lives on today.
Scenic Highlights: Miradouros
This hillside district is one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods, and features some of the city’s most picturesque cobblestoned alleys and tiled façades. It’s also where you’ll find some of the city’s most current atmospheric fado venues, from small taverns to renowned fado houses.
Before diving into the flavors and music of the neighborhood, we’ll pause at two of Lisbon’s most iconic miradouros (viewpoints): Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol. From these terraces, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Tagus River, as well as Alfama’s maze of rooftops and landmarks, setting the stage for the experiences to come.
Ginjinha Like a Local
Of course, food and drink are just as central here in Alfama.
On our Lisbon Food & Fado Tour, we’ll stop by a local resident’s home to taste her homemade ginjinha, the sour cherry liqueur that’s a point of pride in Lisbon. It’s a warm, personal introduction to Alfama and a tradition that visitors rarely get to experience.
A Culinary and Musical Finale
After enjoying the views and ginjinha, the evening culminates with a three-course Portuguese dinner at one of Alfama’s finest fado houses, where you’ll experience the full force of saudade –the deeply felt emotion at the heart of fado –while savoring a meal that embodies Lisbon’s culinary heritage.
Experience Lisbon Through Food and Fado
Exploring Mouraria and Alfama through their food and music is more than just a night out. It’s a journey into Lisbon’s cultural DNA. And that’s exactly what our Lisbon Food & Fado Tour is designed to do.
From petiscos in Mouraria to ginjinha and panoramic views in Alfama, and finally a traditional Portuguese dinner. All with live fado at one of the city’s top venues. This evening connects Lisbon’s history, flavors, and music –brought vividly to life by our expert local guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s Included?
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Small group of 10 guests maximum
- 9 food tastings & 3 drinks (enough for a full meal)
- Tickets to a fado performance
How long does the tour last?
The Lisbon Food and Fado Tour lasts approximately 4 hours.
What if I have allergies or dietary restrictions?
We’re happy to adapt the tour for a variety of dietary needs. Some common accommodations include:
- Vegetarian
- Pescatarian
- Gluten-free (not celiac)
- Non-alcoholic options
- Pregnant women
We do our best to accommodate allergies, but depending on their severity and combination, options may be limited. Substitutions are offered when possible, though not guaranteed. We strongly recommend reaching out to our Guest Experience team in advance to confirm if the tour is right for you. Please note: This tour is not recommended for vegans, or those with celiac disease, due to the risk of cross-contamination.
Will it be enough for a full meal?
The experience includes a traditional snack, a three-course dinner, and three drinks along the way. Ensuring you end the evening well-fed and content.
Book your Lisbon Food and Fado Tour today and immerse yourself in the sounds, flavors, and stories that make the city unforgettable.