Join Paula for a market tour of a traditional neighborhood market. Paula will meet you by the exit of the ferrry and then walk 15-20 minutes to the neighborhood’s main market. Paula has been visiting the market for her entire life, First going as a young girl with her mother to help carry groceries home. Many of the vendors still recognize Paula from when she was a girl! Paula will point out some typical Portuguese ingredients and you will collect some of the vegetables, meat and fish that you will use during your cooking experience. Stay at the market about 15-20 minutes before heading home to Paula’s apartment to begin your cooking lesson. Please note the market tour is available Tuesday through Saturday mornings.
Join Paula in her home for a Lisbon cooking class where you will learn to make 2-3 Portuguese and Portuguese-Goan dishes. Learn to make two appetizers side-by-side such as pataniscas de bacalhau, traditional Portuguese cod fritters, and Goan bojas, gram flour fritters made with onion and cumin seeds. Then go on to make a main dish, where you can select between a Portuguese or Goan main dish, such as bacalhau a braz, a traditional Portuguese dish of cod with shredded potatoes and egg, or a Goan curry. After cooking sit down together at Paula’s dining table. End your meal with a sweet dessert and coffee or tea.
Your experience will take place in Almada, just a short 7-minute ferry ride from downtown Lisbon. Paula will meet you at the ferry and take you on a lovely 10-minute walk through the center of town to her apartment, located just a few meters from the ferry. Start your meal with a welcome drink of some Portuguese wines that come from a 200-year old winery in the Alentejo region of the country’s south (If you are traveling to the south and are interested in visiting the vineyard and its award-winning underground winery let Paula know and she can provide recommendations!). Enjoy some appetizers which will highlight traditional Portuguese cuisine as well as Goan dishes influenced by the area’s Portuguese history. You might try pataniscas de bacalhau, a very traditional Portuguese cod fritter, along with Goan gram flour fritters, while Paula describes the dishes’ intertwined history. Then sit down to a family-style meal that you will enjoy with Paula. Your meal will include Portuguese and Portuguese-influenced Goan dishes. If you prefer a traditional Portuguese meal, or a full Goan-centered meal with dishes like Goan crab curry, please let Paula know when you make your booking. End your meal with a sweet dessert and coffee or tea.
1. Please note this host has a cat.
2. Paula can accommodate a vegetarian diet, if informed in advance.
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
Portuguese winePataniscas de bacalhau (traditional Portuguese cod fritter) and Goan gram flour frittersBacalhau a braz (a traditional Portuguese dish of cod with shredded potatoes and egg) or Goan curryDessert and coffee or teaBorn to a Goan family who has lived in Goa, Mozambique and Portugal, Paula is a true reflection of the cultural diversity embedded in Portuguese cuisine. Paula’s love of food and cooking started from a young age, and food brought her family together early and often. Her mother, an artist in the kitchen, would constantly invite people into their homes (Paula remembers when she was at school she would come home on a Saturday to find her mother had invited the entire teaching staff over for a meal). Paula’s family cooked internationally – one night they might eat traditional Portuguese homecooking while the next night her mother would make Goan samosas from scratch, teaching Paula the proper technique to make the dough and fold the samosas correctly. When Paula’s mother passed away a few years ago, her mother’s friends began coming to Paula, saying how much they missed her mother’s cooking. It was this that started Paula on her second career, in food. She began by cooking the family recipes, Goan and Portuguese, that her mother’s friends loved so much. After taking a course in cake design, Paula also started baking and found another passion in creating art from cakes. She opened her own cake studio has been baking and doing catering for friends since then. Paula is a true artist with food, and she welcomes you into her home to share a Portuguese meal with international influence that will help you to truly understand Portuguese-Goan culture and local life.
"My husband and I had an enjoyable day where we got to stroll through the island, browse the local markets and cook and enjoy a delicious meal. Paulinha was a super host who was patient and explained things really well. Thank you again for the great tips, your warm and welcoming hospitality and sharing your stories with us."
"Great Cooking Experience and Meal! Paula hosted my family in her kitchen for a wonderful cooking experience and meal. We learned a lot about the Portuguese culture and foods. Paula was welcoming, friendly, generous and even made my dad a special lemon cake for his birthday. Thanks for a fantastic experience!"
"It was a truly authentic cooking experience. We had an absolutely wonderful day with Paula, and she told us so much, including about the surrounding area and life in Portugal. She also shared many cooking tips with us. We were able to decide what we wanted to cook that day, and thanks to Paula's experience, the food tasted incredibly good. We can definitely recommend this cooking class!"
"Paula was simply amazing, extremely knowledgeable, patient, and great conversationalist. We learnt so much about not just Portuguese cuisine but also Portuguese culture and history. The trip to the market was very fun and Paula was willing to accommodate our requests to try a few unique ingredients which we had never seen before. The cooking session was also very easy to follow and Paula taught us many cooking skills that we could take away. All in all a great experience and would recommend anyone interested in Portuguese culture/cuisine or cooking to sign up!"
"We were so pleased to have Paula to ourselves. She is serious about teaching you the nuances of the Portuguese cooking process. Opening her home & experience with us a wonderful experience. The ONLY complaint we have is the walk back to the ferry took too long, because she knows everyone in the village and had to give each a greeting!!! 🥰"
"10/10 recommend, she was so informative about every process and was so patient with us, made us feel at home so quickly. You can definitely tell she has a passion for what she does, she was the sweetest, funniest, kindest person we have met. She makes sure to customize the meals to your preference and is guaranteed to create a yummy meal with you. I couldn’t tell what was more amazing, the cooking or the food shopping, as we shopped for ingredients Paula explained every item she picked out and why she picked that specific ingredient. If you want to experience a true Portuguese dish and culture as me and my partner so badly wanted, we got that and more. 10/10"
"My granddaughter and I have a wonderful day cooking a delicious meal with Paula. It was a
great way to experience more of Portuguese culture and Paula was great fun to be with."
"Paula was a wonderful host! Her communication even before we arrived in Portugal was amazing. Her knowledge and cooking expertise was so appreciated and absolutely delicious (especially dessert)!! It was a fun, personal experience right in her home. Lovely guide who went above and beyond to ensure that we enjoyed ourselves from start to finish! We most certainly did. Definitely a day that we will never forget xo"
"What a joy to be in our host’s home for a wonderful Goan meal which, under Paulina’s guidance, we prepared. Paulina made it an adventure as she met us at the ferry, had tickets for a tram to the market to buy fresh fish and vegetables, then on to another market so that we could purchase spices. All along the way we smiled as she greeted many friends. The whole experience was one of warmth, friendship and delicious food."
"Paula was fabulous!! This was more than just a cooking class. We are seasoned cooks yet we learned so much from Paula. We learned whisking techniques, working with puff pastries and identifying bad clams. Paula was very knowledgeable of the area. Very fun and kind. We really enjoyed our day."
"Paula is a very nice person and was a great host. It was nice visiting the local market. The menu was very delicious and for sure we will try to cock it again back at home. I am not sure we will be able to get stingray as an ingredient, though. But we will find a substitute.
We also learned some interesting details to improve our cocking in general.
So all in all we are very happy with the experience highly recommend Paula as a host."
"Our cooking class with Paula was the highlight of our family trip to Portugal! Our family of 5 adults loved walking through the market with Paula, where we saw so many varieties of fresh fish and met the King of Fruit. In the kitchen, Paula does a great of explaining each part of the cooking process, sharing her own tips and cultural insights. Together we cooked clams, fish stew and pastel de nata and had a fun meal eating it all together! Paula was so friendly and fun to be with! I also appreciate that she contacted me before our trip to ask what we wanted to cook, so we could customize the meal."
"Our cooking class with Paula was the highlight of our family trip to Portugal! Our family of 5 adults loved walking through the market with Paula, where we saw so many varieties of fresh fish and met the King of Fruit. In the kitchen, Paula does a great of explaining each part of the cooking process, sharing her own tips and cultural insights. Together we cooked clams, fish stew and pastel de nata and had a fun meal eating it all together! Paula was so friendly and fun to be with! I also appreciate that she contacted me before our trip to ask what we wanted to cook, so we could customize the meal."
"Paula was very personable and knowledgeable. She provided many helpful hints to prepare
the dishes at home. We had a person who had a food allergy that Paula expertly navigated
to give us a great experience. Paula was a great host whom we all would recommend."
"Paula is a very sweet soul. I enjoyed her company and her teaching a lot. She had amazing
tips. It was so nice to see her in her environment, going shopping together, cooking and
eating together. I highly recommend this experience"
"Paula was the perfect host. We prepared 3 dishes and she provided all the ingredients. We
thoroughly enjoyed our time with her and I have since messaged her on more than one
occasion for additional recipes. We will return next year and visit again!"
"What a fun few hours with Paula! My wife and I took the 10m ferry ride from cais de sodre to cacilhas which was a wonderful start to the morning and had the best views of the bridge. Paula met us and took us to a quaint local market. Everyone knows her there and it was so great to see multiple generations operating the stalls. Then we went to her place and made some fish curry, pasteis de nata and chorizo, accompanied by rice and fresh bread. She gave us a choice of Portuguese or Goan (my heritage) dishes. The food was so good and I can't wait to try the recipes back home. Paula is so wonderful and patient. Even tho' it was a half day of our 3 days here, I would highly recommend this experience for some truly local flavor!"
"Paula is a wonderful, gracious hostess and teacher. She showed us around her market and butcher, gave us some history on Goan food and culture and provided a splendid meal with excellent instruction. We even purchased some Pastel de Nata pans to be able to ATTEMPT to recreate them at home without her tutelage. A great experience that I cannot recommend enough."
"We had a great time cooking with Paula, our group of 6 including young children (aged 7
and 8), their parents and grandparents. Paula was warm, accommodating and full of great
stories and recipies. Highly reccomended!"
"We had a great day with Paula. She is very knowledgeable about cooking, but especially pastry desserts. Her pastel de nada were out of this world. It was fun getting to experience a typical day in the life of a local, learn a few tricks, and eat some great food. Also Paula is very accommodating with the selection of recipes and types of food. If you don’t like something, she will work around it."
"We recently did the Private Market Tour & Cooking Class with Paula as a family - which included my two children (ages 5 and 10). Paula was absolutely amazing. She was warm, welcoming, and incredibly accommodating with the kids. She made them feel involved in every step of the cooking process, from choosing ingredients at the market to stirring pots in the kitchen.
The market tour was both fun and informative; Paula gave us insights into local produce and ingredients while also sharing a bit about Portuguese traditions. Once back in her kitchen, she created a relaxed environment where everyone could take part. When my 5 year old son complained about being left out because his sister was doing a task, she was quick to involve him in another cooking task. Plus, we all I learned so much & the food was AMAZING.
This was a memorable experience for our family, and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a personal, hands-on cooking class & meal. Thank you, Paula, for making our day so special!"
"We really enjoyed the experience of cooking a Portuguese meal in Paulas's home. She told us stories relating to her life and culture and gave us cooking tips. She proivded the recipes following our experience and told me where to find the tins to make pastel de nata. It was a fantastic way to spend a part of our day. As an added bonus you ride the ferry across the river and see another charming piece of Portugal. We find that cooking with a local is an amazing way to appreciate another country's culture."
"Paula was a lovely and pleasant host. We cooked a fish stew, green bean tempura and
desert. When everything was done, we had a nice dinner."
"Such a wonderful time! I am so grateful to Paula for opening up her home to me. We made
a Goan chicken curry and clam curry and pastel de nata. She shared cooking tips and
stories. It was a lovely evening and I would absolutely recommend it, even if you’re solo!"
"We loved everything about this class. Learning aboutvand making goan food with Paula. She was super accommodating to all our interests. It was fascinating to learn of her history The food was all delicious and we look forward to making the clam and fish curries at home for our friends
Highly recommend this food experience!"
"My partner and I did a cooking class with Paula a few days ago and it’s been a highlight of our trip to Lisbon! After a short ferry ride to Cacilhas, Paula greeted us, walked us through her home town, and let us accompany her to a few markets for our ingredients.
We were invited into her home for the cooking class, which made for a personable and intimate experience…her sweet cat, Mozart, even made an appearance! We made four different dishes and Paula was terrific about accommodating any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
We ended the experience by sharing our meal and wine in her dining room and laughing and swapping stories. I like to think we came in as students and left as friends!
I highly recommend this class! To be clear, this is an intimate experience in Paula’s home and, unlike many cooking classes, NOT in a commercial kitchen. She has a cat, personal belongings, and similar space restrictions that many of us have in our home kitchens. This is part of what we loved so much about the experience…in addition to the wonderful food and conversations.
Paula’s communication before and after the experience is thorough and clear. I can’t wait to remake these recipes at home!"
"Learned fun cooking techniques. Enjoyed the Goen spices. Custard making was amazing and tasted wonderful.
Came in as students, left as friends."
"We had a wonderful day with Paula! We were able to explore the section of Lisbon she grew up with while she told us stories about living there. Each meal she created for us was delicious. We had a nice time sitting around the table with good food and wine while learning about the Portuguese culture. Would recommend for a fabulous and authentic experience!"
"We spent a delightful dinner meal in Defne’s garden. Food was delicious! Defne is very
friendly and knowledgeable. We shared family meal experiences."
"Wonderful experience and fantastic meal. Would highly recommend to foodies. Chef is
fluent in English."
"Paula was an amazing host! She was so warm and welcoming, offered a personalized
menu, and an intimate experience! The food was delicious and Paula offered so many
great cooking tips. Her expertise was appreciated."
"It was a very nice evening with nice conversations,
Good food and helpful explanations, especially when it comes to the "Pastel de Nata", we
would like to do it again."
"Paula gave us a sensational day of stories , cooking advice and cooking experiences that we will treasure.
Making Pasteis da Nata ‘s in Lisbon is one off the bucket list … the visit to the markets and walk around town was fun and such a great “locals” experience…
Paula is a wonderful host and it was a delight to share her kitchen and dining table , highly recommended 👏👏👏"
"Paula picked us up at the ferry dock. She accompanied us past tourist hotspots and the local market hall to her home. She listened 100% to what we wanted to eat, even our vegetarian diet was taken into account. We were given recipes for everything we cooked, and we also learned how to make pastei da nata. We learned a lot about the country and its people and had a delicious meal together. Thank you dear Paula for the successful lunch!"
"Such a lovely experience. Paula was so very personable and knowledgeable about live in Lisbon and the cacilhas area. Meeting was across the river at the ferry terminal. We walked along the riverside learning about each other, we arrived at the market where we had some of the freshest plums and fruits we’ve had in a while. We returned to her house and made a mix of Goan and Portuguese dishes followed by pasteis de nata. We enjoyed her company and appreciated her recommendations for other parts of the city ."
"Paula tailored the cooking class to our needs — avoiding foods we don’t eat. She was appropriately communicative from the time we did our booking. She engaged our kids well and imparted wonderful cooking tips throughout the lesson. We feel well equipped to host a pescatarian Portuguese dinner. Thank you Paula."
"Sofia and Carlos warmly welcomed us into their home. They prepared a fantastic meal -
the best octopus I’ve ever had, freshly caught on their boat. My kids loved it. Dinner was a
perfect family experience. I’d highly recommend it!"
"My time with Paula was wonderful! She made me feel right at home for the moment she picked me up at the ferry to entering her home. She educated the significance of ingredients along the way, and I feel equipped to cook cultural dishes of Portugal back home for my family! Would 100% recommended and do again! Thank you Paula!!! -K"
"Paula gave us a lovely workshop! She picked us up from the boat terminal from where we embarked on a little tour of the area. After some grocery shopping at the local market, we started cooking in her cozy kitchen (big groups will be challenging) and after that of course enjoyed our meal together. She’s very kind, gives great tips and you’ll get the recipes sent to you afterwards. Highly recommend adding this to your trip to Lisbon!"
"Paula is amazing! She hosted my wife and I on our honeymoon. She hosted us at her house, offered some interesting dishes we could choose and suggested a few classics. From seeing and gathering ingredients to the fun, leisurely pace of cooking, to great conversations over a meal, it was an experience we won't forget!
Also, Paula has an amazing backstory and we were so impressed by her as a person. She is a pillar of the community and gives back so much to those around her. Her passion and care is infectious even if she's not one to brag about herself. Get to know her - she's amazing!"
"The cooking experience with Paula was informative and pleasurable. The hands on participation in her kitchen and sitting down enjoying the meal was an incentive to come home and prepare some Portuguese food with our friends. Thanks you Paula for your hospitality!"
"We took Paula‘s cooking class on our trip to Portugal and had a fantastic time. Paula is so enjoyable to be with and really provides great instruction. The pastel de nata came out amazing as did all the other delicious dishes we made. Warm and inviting atmosphere and great one on one hands-on cooking. Thank you so much, Paula, we had a great time!"
"Amazing day with Paula. Shopping in the market and then cooking in her home. It was
great to get to know her culture and heritage through the food. Also shared the recipes with
us. Can’t wait to try when we get home"
"We had a lovely afternoon with Paula and she was very gracious even though I didn’t get
her communication via WhatsApp
She was gracious and so informative The food was delicious as well"
"Such a lovely afternoon & evening with Paula. She taught me to make a couple of dishes &
dessert. It was a hot day so she made fresh lemonade for us to have while we cooked. I also
learned a few new techniques to try for when I get home. Thanks for everything Paula!"
"Paula met me at the ferry exit and we started the day with a lovely walk along the Tagus river where Paula provided history of the buildings that had once housed fish operations. We then visited the market to select the fish and sides for our meal. It was such a great experience to process the creation of a meal while chatting in her apartment in the center of Cacilhas. Our meal was delicious. I had a great time. So much better being in a home kitchen rather than a commercial “school setting.” And I finally learned how to cook fish in salt! Great teacher! Five stars!!!"
"Our hostess Paula met my wife and I at the ferry at Cacilhas at 10 AM and took us on a walking tour along the river with great views of Lisbon. She then lead us through a very informative tour of a local market to pick up the ingredients necessary for our cooking lesson. We arrived at her charming home at 11.
Paula engaged us in interesting conversation about her personal history and about life in Lisbon whilst patiently instructing us in the preparation of the food we would be dining on. Following Paula’s lead, we prepared Sikkema Clam Curry, Arroz de Pato (Duck Rice) and Pasteis de Nata.
Some time after 2 we sat and enjoyed our meal together. The food was the best we experienced during our stay in the Lisbon area. Paula was very generous with her time and walked us back through town to the ferry at 3:30 where we said our goodbyes.
Paula is an excellent hostess and a very clear and patient teacher. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience and highly recommend her services to anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a uniquely Portuguese experience!"
"Paulina was absolutely fantastic. She made my daughter and I feel like family. She not only taught us how to cook some amazing Goan dishes but also gave us a tour and history lesson of her town. My daughter and I cannot quit talking about what a wonderful day and lady she is. Highly recommend for anyone. Thanks Paulinha. See you next time."
"Thank you so much Paula for this great experience. My kids and I were delighted by this day
and the wonderful meal we shared."
"One of the most unique and exclusive experiences me and my gf have ever experienced. Right from the start Paula was very inviting and made us feel comfortable in her hometown of Almada. Loved the fact that we actually picked out our own ingredients from the local market. Paula not only taught us about clever cooking tricks but also taught us about the Portuguese culture as well. We def made a friend while we were there! Obrigada Paula!!"
"Paula is a fantastic host, she welcomes you into her home and makes you feel like family. I
couldn't imagine a better day than the day we spent with Paula cooking and learning about
the surrounding area. One of our best days on our trip to Portugal."
"The hostess was fabulous full of practical cooking tips and patient instructions on how to cook our meal of clams, fish in curry sauce, salad and patel de nata - all delicious for a nice noon meal. The bonus was to meet a very nice hostess to learn about her life and living in Portugal."
"Spending time with Paula and learning about the goan Cusine was a very memorable
experience. I definitely enjoyed the company and making the pastel de nata was great"
"Spending time with Paula and learning about the goan Cusine was a very memorable
experience. I definitely enjoyed the company and making the pastel de nata was great"
"A brilliant experience. My partner and I spent an evening cooking and eating with Paula. We learnt so much about the cuisine and about Paula. The food was delicious and the evening was a very enjoyable. We recommend this to anyone who wants a truly authentic experience."
"It was a wonderful day with Paula.
Would book it again and again.
She was super friendly and funny and responded to all of our requests and questions. (translated by Google)"
"Excellent communication from the start. Paula was welcoming and personal in her approach, suggesting options to suit our tastes. We learned a lot as amateur cooks from our guided, hands on experience and very much appreciated her useful tips. Paula provided a relaxed, ‘at home’ atmosphere, making for easy conversation. Thanks, Paula, for a memorable holiday experience."
"It was absolutely amazing. The food was great of course but the best part is that the host, Paulinha, made us feel at home. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who may be interested."
"Fantastic experience. In addition to learning new dishes, we had a lot of fun and the food is excellent.
Paula is a very communicative and cheerful person with a lot of patience to explain all the details. I strongly advise you to try it out. (Google translated)"
"I really enjoyed the experience. I learned how to cook a lot of food. The food was great and the
Paula is super friendly, super friendly."
"Paula met us at the ferry. We enjoyed our waterfront walk to the markets where we given some of the history of Almada. We shopped and then went to her home and prepared lunch. She explained how to prepare foods with precision and passion. We shared a delicious lunch of Sukkem Clams, Goan Fish Curry with Basmati Rice and Pasteis De Nata. Paula cooks from her heart and her senses."
"What a beautiful day with a lovely hostess! She was knowledgeable and so fun! We enjoyed her company as much as the cooking! Awesome class! Don’t miss this opportunity for a beautiful day! We LOVE Paula! ❤️"
"Paula’s cooking class was great. We like to cook and learned new tips and specific Portuguese recipes. Truly enjoyed meeting her, preparing and eating a meal in her home. It was a nice ending to a fabulous week in Portugal. It’s more than a cooking class…you will discover her way of life too."
"Paulinha was absolutely amazing the the food was delicious! I enjoyed hearing her stories
about her family and learning more about Portugal. Best Pastel de Nata in the city!"
"What a perfect evening. We took the short ferry ride from Cais do Sodre in Lisbon across the Tagus River to Cacihas. We arrived a bit early and took advantage of seeing the Man of War and submarine on display nearby plus a brief walk through the town. Paula met us at the fountain about 50 m from the ferry terminal at the agreed time. She asked about what types of food we liked to eat and if there were any food allergies (dairy in our case). Our menu consisted of traditional Portuguese and Goan cooking. Paula picked up a few ingredients at her local market and off we went to her place. We worked under Paula’s guidance in her apartment-sized and very well equipped kitchen to prepare octopus salad (Portuguese), onion bhajis Goan style, Portuguese pork with potatoes and clams. The wine was plentiful and dessert consisted of a delicious custard made of sugar syrup and egg yolks. Paula was the perfect guide, teacher, and host. In additional to learning some new cooking techniques and recipes, we learned about the culture in Cacihas. We would highly recommend Paula for groups of 2-6 who are seeking an authentic cooking experience."
"What a perfect evening. We took the short ferry ride from Cais do Sodre in Lisbon across the Tagus River to Cacihas. We arrived a bit early and took advantage of seeing the Man of War and submarine on display nearby plus a brief walk through the town. Paula met us at the fountain about 50 m from the ferry terminal at the agreed time. She asked about what types of food we liked to eat and if there were any food allergies (dairy in our case). Our menu consisted of traditional Portuguese and Goan cooking. Paula picked up a few ingredients at her local market and off we went to her place. We worked under Paula’s guidance in her apartment-sized and very well equipped kitchen to prepare octopus salad (Portuguese), onion bhajis Goan style, Portuguese pork with potatoes and clams. The wine was plentiful and dessert consisted of a delicious custard made of sugar syrup and egg yolks. Paula was the perfect guide, teacher, and host. In additional to learning some new cooking techniques and recipes, we learned about the culture in Cacihas. We would highly recommend Paula for groups of 2-6 who are seeking an authentic cooking experience."
"Paula was a lovely and very knowledgable host. We made fish curry, bhajis, fried fish, and halwa and they all came out really delicious. She met us straight outside the ferry and took us on a market tour, we got to see a lot of the neighborhood and beautiful views of Lisbon across the river on the way. Paula was a great teacher and taught us a lot not only about the food we made, but also about wine, Goa, and Portuguese cooking as a whole. The whole experience was very casual and warm. Would definitely book again when family comes to visit."
"Our day with Paula was so fun and memorable. My husband and I thought this would be a nice addition to our honeymoon itinerary since we'd be cooking together for the rest of our lives and the day was perfect. We loved learning about her tips, techniques, and spice blends in the kitchen! We had a lovely, customized meal, but most of all enjoyed walking around Almada, visiting the shops and chatting with the locals - all of whom where friendly with our host. It was so easy to get there from Time Out Market in Lisbon- just a quick ferry ride with nice views. You're sure to have a bom dia with Paula!"
"Our day with Paula was so fun and memorable. My husband and I thought this would be a nice addition to our honeymoon itinerary since we'd be cooking together for the rest of our lives and the day was perfect. We loved learning about her tips, techniques, and spice blends in the kitchen! We had a lovely, customized meal, but most of all enjoyed walking around Almada, visiting the shops and chatting with the locals - all of whom where friendly with our host. It was so easy to get there from Time Out Market in Lisbon- just a quick ferry ride with nice views. You're sure to have a bom dia with Paula!"
"Honestly a really great experience. Great food, great technique and great conversation. This is the day I learned how to cut an onion properly lol"
"This was such a fun experience!! Paula is such a warm amd knowledgeable chef with a passion for food"
"While it was absolutely pouring rain, Paula lit up our spirits and taught us a lot about Lisbon, cooking and life. She is a regular celebrity it her community with everyone from market owners to folks in the street stopping to say hello. Our food turned out well and we enjoyed the day."
"Actually spending time with Paulinha! She was such a delight. Sharing stories of her life in Portugal and the role food played in the lives of her family and friends. If I lived in Portugal she would certainly be among my circle of friends. Thank you for a wonderful day visiting the market, preparing the delicious food (and wine)!!"
"Such a wonderful experience! Paula provided such a local and customized experience. The market tour of local places to shop was so nice. Cooking with her was so relaxed and informative. It was personakized and a nice change in pace. Gained so much cultural and historical knowledge while eating and drinking well. This experience is highly recommended!"
"Our host Paula was excellent and the experience was great. Lovely food and good company. A great way to spend the day. Thoroughly recommend."
"Excellent experience with great stories of the place, people, and Paula’s family. Great food as well."
"Paula is a lovely person who really brings you into her life, not to mention her kitchen! Class is informal and truly private, like a meal with a new friend - I admittedly prefer a more structured class with written recipes, guidance as you do the cooking, and a focus on the history and nuances of the food. The highlight was a trip out to have a drink with Paula’s neighbors afterwards - a true locals experience with the kindest imaginable crew!"
"Paula is a warm and knowledgeable host who makes you feel at home in her neighborhood from the moment she meets you at the ferry. My husband and I spent the afternoon cooking and talking in Paula’s kitchen, learning about Portuguese food and traditional techniques. We thoroughly enjoyed the day, and highly recommend this experience. We feel we’ve gained a wonderful friend in Paula!"
"I came to find some cultural cooking tips, walk through the fish market, and enjoy a tasty meal. I left having found a friend - and much more cooking knowledge than I can digest, for now. Our day was an unexpected adventure that let me experience a day in the life of a Portuguese resident - to feel, for a delightfully fleeting moment, that I was part of this community. Paula is a great communicator before (and after) the event which helps her tailor it to her audience. It's a very informal experience that feels like you're cooking with a long lost Aunt."
"Paula met us at the ferry, took us for a delightful walk along the waterfront and through the old town, then brought us to the market and shops where she purchased all the fresh ingredients to make our lunch. Her instructions and guidance in the kitchen resulted in an authentic and delicious meal. She then walked us back through another part of town to the ferry. We are so glad we decided to spend a day of our visit to Lisbon with Paula. We can’t wait to make some of the dishes for our families and friends."
"First we had to follow and shop at the local market. Then home to Paulina for cooking. A very nice day. (Translated by Google)"
"Paula was wonderful, the food was great, and we learned so much about cooking, food, and Portuguese culture. If this is available, book it, it will be your favorite memory."
"I wanted to do something different and fun while I was in Lisbon. This was my fifth trip so I had done most of the tourist things. Paulinho's cooking class was just fantastic. She is very organized and considerate as to what you want to make. I cannot recommend this class enough. Do not let the ferry ride(10 min) deter you. It is very easy and your subway pass works on this as well."
"This was probably the highlight of our entire 2 week vacation in Portugal. Paulinha was an excellent host-she prepared some recipes for us that were easy to follow but also represented a new challenge for us. She is a good teacher who balances helping you learn with making the day stress-free. After the cooking class she took us on a brief tour of the city and up to a spectacular vantage point where we could look down on the river over Lisbon. I really strongly recommend this experience. It was truly a great way to learn about the place we were visiting, eat some delicious food and get a sense of the cultures that make up Portugal. "
"Paulina met us at the ferry station, and we walked together through a very scenic route to her studio, stopping at the market on the way, and getting to know eachother. At the studio we cooked more than 3 dishes following her precise instructions, and then ate what we prepared, which was very tasety. The whole event took much longer than planned, without even noticing… Paulina is an extremely welcoming and interesting host - we reccomend this experience to those who are interested in people and food combined. We loved it."
"This was a wonderful experience! We made arroz con mariscos and an orange swiss cake roll, both of which were delicious. Paula is a great teacher and she took the time to show us around the city afterwards on a little tour which was magical. Highly recommend."
"SO MUCH FUN! Paulinha was a wonderful host and we had a blast spending the afternoon with her! You feel as though you’ve been friends for years as she takes you around her neighborhood to get ingredients and then back to her cute bakeshop to prep the meal. My husband and I loved feeling right at home with Paula as she taught us traditional cooking techniques and introduced us to some seafood we’ve never had before like ray and shark! All was enjoyed over a glass (or two) of wine or beer! It felt like we were hanging out with an old friend. After lunch, she walked us along the river giving us a unique and beautiful view of Lisbon from Almada. We loved learning about the neighborhood as much as learning about the delicious meals! We absolutely recommend this experience for an authentic afternoon in a quaint, Portuguese neighborhood! Thank you so much, Paula!"
"Amazing class. I learned so much about Portuguese home cooking, culture, and history. A really great instructor. I highly recommend for anyone that has the time and would like to learn more about Portuguese cuisine"
"We love cooking classes when we are in a new city, but the experience is completely dependent upon how good the host/hostess is. Paula was THE BEST! She took the time to show us around her town and was greeted by MANY friends while we were walking the streets. But the magic truly happened when we got to her kitchen and she treated us like family. The food, fun and laughter was something that will always make Lisbon special! If you ever get to Lisbon, DO NOT miss a chance to spend time in the kitchen with Paula!"
"Teacher was amazing... 4 star b/c of tech problems."
"OMG, That was one of the most amazing gastronomic experiences in my travels.
Paula is a very kind and talented host, her explanations about how to prepare some dishes are as memorable as the best samosa I ever eat in my life.
In these apocalypses times, Paula experience is must do in Lisbon, I would say 100xtimes better than eating in a normal restaurant."
"Interesting and relaxing. Paula is a dedicated host. The market visit could have been longer with more explaination, but appart from that we really enjoyed both the food we cooked (especially the pasteis de nata) and the discussions we had. Don't hesitate in telling her what specialty you would like to prepare, she can adapt her recipes!"
"Paula hosted my family in her kitchen for a wonderful cooking experience and meal. We learned a lot about the Portuguese culture and foods. Paula was welcoming, friendly, generous and even made my dad a special lemon cake for his birthday. Thanks for a fantastic experience!"
"A Sure Holiday Highlight!
We (three friends) loved the concept of Traveling Spoon and our experience with Paulinha was even better than we could anticipate. She met us near the ferry and took us on a scenic walk to her culinary shop, explaining the history of her town and Lisbon and sharing her story with us. When you walk with Paulinha through her neighborhood, you quickly recognize that she is known, liked and respected. After arriving at her shop (too cute), she provided us some options for appetizers and wine then we set about preparing a mix of Portuguese and Goan dishes with her. She explained everything in a way that left us feeling as if we could prepare each item afterwards in our own homes. The results were delicious and, combined with the local wines and great conversation, this was our top holiday experience among the many others we had in Lisbon. I would definitely book this experience again and highly recommend it to others!"
"A trip highlight and perfect for families. Paulinha was a wonderful host and our visit and cooking experience was the highlight of our Lisbon visit. We started with a market visit and then proceeded to Paulinha's cooking studio to learn how to make Portuguese and Goan dishes--all delicious! Our day was filled with stories about local customs, visits to nearby spots with gorgeous views and some of the best food I'd ever had. We will take this experience home with us and cannot wait to share the recipes and stories with family and friends. Would highly recommend Paulinha as a host, especially to families with children as she is very used to teaching kids about cooking.
Even the experience of taking the ferry from Lisbon across the water was wonderful, a great way to see a different view of the city."
