My Honest Review of the Lisbon Portuguese Cooking Class with 3-Course Dinner (2025)

I was frankly looking for something a bit different to do in Lisbon. Of course, you could see the sights, like the old trams and the beautiful castles, which are definitely must-dos. I really wanted an experience that felt a little more connected to the city’s pulse, you know, something a local might actually enjoy. So, this cooking class with a full dinner seemed like a pretty good idea. To be honest, I’m not a super skilled person in the kitchen, but the promise of learning to make real Portuguese food and then, well, eating it, was something I just couldn’t pass up. The entire idea of spending an evening with new people, all creating something together, was almost too good to resist. So, I booked it, pretty much hoping for a fun evening and maybe, just maybe, coming away with a recipe I could actually make back home.

Arriving and Getting Started: First Impressions

So, I found the place without much trouble, tucked away on a really charming side street. The first thing that hit me was the amazing smell, which was like a mix of garlic, olive oil, and something sweet I couldn’t quite place, anyway it was incredibly welcoming. The kitchen space was, in a way, just perfect; it was not some shiny, industrial room, but a warm, almost family-style kitchen with colorful Portuguese tiles on the walls. It seriously felt like stepping into a friend’s home. The chef, our guide for the evening, greeted everyone with a huge smile and a glass of crisp Vinho Verde, which is a local green wine, you know. Right away, the atmosphere was super relaxed and friendly, sort of making everyone feel comfortable. We, I mean the other guests and I, all started chatting almost immediately, which was really a good sign for the evening ahead.

Getting Your Hands Dirty: The Cooking Experience

Okay, after the introductions and the wine, we, you know, got right down to business. Each person had their own station with a cutting board and a really sharp knife, which was sort of impressive. The chef was honestly fantastic, I mean, he explained everything in a simple way, showing us techniques instead of just telling us what to do. He made a point that we weren’t just following a recipe; we were, in a way, learning the ‘why’ behind each step. For example, he showed us this special way to chop onions so they almost melt into the sauce, which, as a matter of fact, was a new one for me. The experience was pretty much hands-on from the beginning. We were all chopping, stirring, and tasting as we went, with the chef offering tips and funny stories along the way. Honestly, the mood was just full of laughter and teamwork, which made the whole process feel less like a lesson and more like a dinner party where everyone chips in.

The Stars of the Show: Breaking Down the 3-Course Menu

The food we made was, frankly, the main attraction of the entire evening. It wasn’t some overly complex, chef-y menu; instead, it was a showcase of genuine, home-style Portuguese cooking, which is kind of what I was hoping for. The whole thing was structured around three classic courses that, you know, told a story about the country’s food traditions. Every dish used fresh, local ingredients that the chef had clearly picked out with a lot of care.

The Appetizer: A Bite of Portuguese Tradition

So, we started with something deceptively simple yet really tasty. It was a kind of rustic bruschetta, but with a seriously Portuguese twist. We worked with Pão Alentejano, a regional bread that is slightly dense and so good for toasting. Then, we rubbed it with fresh garlic, you know, just like you’re supposed to. Next, we topped it with a mix of chopped tomatoes, onions, high-quality olive oil, and, here’s the best part, some smoked sausage, or chouriço. Honestly, learning how to properly char the sausage to release its smoky flavor was a great little tip. It was a really good start, super flavorful and a perfect thing to nibble on as we kept cooking.

The Main Course: Mastering a Portuguese Classic

The main event, as it were, was Bacalhau à Brás. Now, I had seen this on menus all over Lisbon, but I had obviously no idea what went into it. Bacalhau, as the chef explained, is salt cod, and it’s basically the heart of Portuguese cuisine. The whole preparation was quite an interesting process. First, we had to rehydrate and shred the cod, which frankly was easier than I thought it would be. Then, we cooked it with heaps of thinly sliced onions and crispy, straw-like fried potatoes. The final step, and definitely the most important, was stirring in scrambled eggs to bind it all together into this, you know, creamy, savory mix. To be honest, I was a bit worried mine would be a mess, but it actually turned out great, which was very rewarding.

The Sweet Finale: Indulging in Dessert

At the end of the day, no Portuguese meal is complete without something sweet. I was really hoping we would make Pastéis de Nata, the famous custard tarts, but we made something different and, in a way, just as special. We prepared a Baba de Camelo, which literally translates to ‘camel’s drool’— a name that, you know, got a lot of laughs. Basically, it’s a super simple yet incredibly decadent caramel mousse made from just two ingredients: cooked condensed milk (dulce de leche) and egg whites. We whipped the egg whites into these really stiff peaks and then gently folded them into the caramel. The result was this light, airy, and intensely sweet dessert that was just the perfect way to finish our cooking adventure.

The Social Aspect: Dining Together and Making Connections

Anyway, after all the chopping and stirring, the best part finally arrived. We all sat down at a long, beautifully set table to enjoy the meal we had just created together. This part was arguably just as important as the cooking itself. The chef opened a few more bottles of wine, a really lovely red from the Douro Valley this time, and we all just settled in. It honestly felt less like a formal dinner and more like a big family meal. We passed around the dishes we had made, you know, everyone complimenting each other’s efforts. The conversation just flowed really easily. We were a pretty mixed group, with people from all over the world, but we had this shared experience, so we had plenty to talk about. Sharing stories and laughing over the food we’d made with our own hands was, I mean, a genuinely special feeling.

Was It Actually Worth It? A Final Look

So, the big question is whether this experience is a good use of your time and money in Lisbon. For me, it was absolutely worth it, pretty much one hundred percent. You’re not just getting a dinner out; you’re getting a hands-on cultural lesson, a social evening, and some genuinely useful kitchen skills all rolled into one. I left feeling really happy and full, of course, but also with a much deeper appreciation for Portuguese culture and food. It’s an activity that, frankly, stays with you longer than just a picture of a landmark.

You know, some travel experiences just check a box, but this one actually felt like it filled a part of you up. It’s pretty much the kind of memory that makes a trip feel truly meaningful. I learned that Portuguese food is about simple, good ingredients and a whole lot of heart, which is a pretty great lesson, honestly.