Song of the Sea, Seafood and Tradition

From$135

5 hours – 6 hours

Lisbon, Portugal

About this activity

On this food tour of Lisbon’s Port Zone, we’ll visit people and places in the historic port district to find the city’s very best seasonal bounty of the sea.

Highlights

Lisbon port seafood tour adventure.
Fresh fish tasting at Mercado da Ribeira.
Traditional Portuguese saltcod experience.
Gourmet seafood samples in Alcântara.

Full description

A day in search of the best seasonal bounty of the sea, sampling several preparations of fish and seafood. We’ll start with a pastel de nata fresh from the oven & a bica. We will then make our way through Lisbon’s most stunning fish market, Mercado da Ribeira, where Lisboeta shop for fish and seafood. There we will check in with our favorite fishmonger to discuss the day’s catch before visiting a small shop in the market dedicated to saltcod and tinned fish where we will be treated to a tasting. We’ll then make our way through the neighborhood to a small wine shop for a tasting with the shop’s boisterous owner, who happens to be a very good cheesemaker. Then we head down to the port for grilled fish at a hidden grill joint beloved by port workers. Finally, we will reach Alcântara, we will visit a few local favorites to find the best cod cakes, the prized shrimp of the northern coast, percebes, the barnacles that are harvested from the rocky coast of Portugal and clams.

Beyond the bustling districts of the centro, Lisbon’s port and the old neighborhoods clustered around it have always had a close connection with the waterfront and its industries, especially fishing. The city’s iconic varinas, itinerant fish vendors, lived and worked on the streets here until quite recently, selling their goods from a basket hoisted on their heads. Street life still remains a big part of the port zone’s narrow alleys, which are lined with small traditional shops and restaurants, many with a big charcoal grill out front for cooking up whatever fish is in season. No less scenic than more famous areas like Alfama, this is a lesser-explored part of the city with much to offer to the hungry and intrepid.

On this Lisbon food tour, we’ll explore the people and places around the port district, where old traditions die hard and the day’s catch is always the discussion. We’ll spend the day in search of the very best seasonal bounty of the sea, sampling several preparations of fish and seafood in a variety of neighborhood institutions.
We’ll start with the ultimate indulgence of any market excursion, a pastel de nata fresh from the oven and a bica, Portuguese-style espresso. We will then make our way through Lisbon’s most stunning fish market, Mercado da Ribeira, where the most discerning Lisboeta shop for fish and seafood. There we will check in with our favorite fishmonger to discuss the day’s catch before visiting a small shop in the market dedicated to saltcod and tinned fish where we will be treated to a tasting. We’ll then make our way through the neighborhood on our way to a small wine shop for a tasting with the shop’s boisterous owner, who also happens to be a very good cheesemaker. Then we head down to the port for grilled fish – sardines, of course, when in season – at a hidden gem of a grill joint beloved by port workers. Finally, following the riverfront to the east, we will reach Alcântara, a working-class district where local workers nurtured a lively culinary culture that includes some of the city’s best cervejaria, no-frills seafood and beer halls, as well as venues for Fado, Lisbon’s unique musical tradition. Here we will visit a few local favorites to find the best cod cakes, the prized shrimp of the northern coast, percebes, the goose barnacles that are harvested from the rocky coast of Portugal and delicious local clams.

In these humble neighborhood institutions we’ll do what Lisboeta do best: relax and enjoy the freshest seafood in the world with a cold glass of vinho verde, letting the vibrant life of the port zone provide the irresistible background music.

Included / Excluded

Guided tour through Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods
Tastings of traditional Greek dishes and local specialties
Wine tasting featuring small Greek producers

Transportation to and from the meeting point

Meeting point

Start Location

Av. Dom Carlos I, Lisbon, Portugal

Important information

Know before you book

The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
Some stops may not be suitable for individuals with mobility impairments due to stairs and uneven terrain.
The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Know before you go

Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.
Bring a light jacket or sweater as evenings can be cool.
Ensure you have a valid ID if you plan to participate in wine tasting.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

More than one week before the beginning of the activity: 90% Refund Less than one week before the beginning of the activity: 50% Refund Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: No Refund

Reviews

5.0(31 reviews)

Justin Markley

Jun 2026

5.0

We really enjoyed our tour with Dennis, great food and conversation! It was a great introduction to Tokyo and we really appreciated all his helpful tips for navigating the city

Liu Marian

Jun 2026

5.0

My husband booked the Monzen-Nakacho tour a couple of months ago. We wanted to do a food tour in Japan, because did a food tour in another country with another company and had a good time. This tour is the next level. Dennis and Kan (invited by Dennis so we had two guides!) are not only personable and knowledgeable, they know how to break down the barriers for us to learn Japanese culture. My husband understands Japanese food while I’m completely ignorant, and both of us had a wonderful time. We were (apparently) there for the food, but we got to learn the history, beliefs, and culture behind and beyond the food and drinks. Getting to meet locals who are masters of their crafts is another highlight. Dennis and Kan were great in getting us to interact with locals and with each other within our small group. Six hours flew by and it felt like we have known these people for much longer because of the meaningful conversations! Will return for their other food tours when we visit Japan again!

Ditha Rimadiputri

Jun 2026

5.0

I wanted to taste and get a better grasp of Tokyo’s culinary scene, and this tour delivered exactly that. Elly, our wonderful tour guide, shared a wealth of historical knowledge and fascinating insights about the city and its food culture. As a professional chef, I left the tour feeling inspired, satisfied, and genuinely impressed by the variety of foods I was able to experience. My biggest thanks go to Elly for guiding us to some of the best bites in Tokyo and making the experience so memorable.