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Jul 22
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Eat This City: 3-Day Food & Drink Guide to Lisbon

By Food, Taste Vacations, Travel Tips, Wine No Comments

This guide is for travelers seeking to extend their stay in Lisbon after our Portugal Food & Wine Vacation. This 3-day food and drink guide to Lisbon will take you from iconic bites to unexpected sips—with a few sunset views along the way.

Lisbon isn’t just a feast for the eyes—it’s a feast for your tastebuds. From buttery pastries fresh out of 100-year-old ovens to wine bars tucked into cobbled alleyways, Portugal’s capital is a dream for food and drink lovers.

 

🍳 Day 1: Bold Breakfasts, Big Views & Classic Sips

Morning: Design-Driven Breakfast Crawl

Start your Lisbon adventure with style—and coffee.

  • The Folks: Minimalist, warm, and buzzy. Try their scrambled egg tartines or the Turkish eggs.

  • Seagull Method Café: Small but mighty. Get the pancakes with ricotta and honey or a savory brunch bowl.

  • Dear Breakfast: Sleek, calm, and great for solo travelers. Order the croque monsieur or matcha pancakes.

Pick one—or hop between them for a progressive Lisbon breakfast tour.

Midday Snack: A True Local Bite

Stop at As Bifanas do Afonso for one of the city’s most beloved pork sandwiches. This humble spot serves juicy bifanas (marinated pork in a papo seco roll) that are simple, spicy, and perfect with mustard.

Afternoon: Sips + View

Then, stroll to Largo das Portas do Sol, a scenic overlook where you can enjoy a cocktail or vinho branco at a plaza-side kiosk. This is the ideal lazy afternoon spot to people-watch with a breeze off the Tagus River.

Dinner: Alfama Flavors & Fado Feels

Book a table at São Jorge—not the castle, but the restaurant tucked into Alfama. Order the grilled octopus, which is smoky, tender, and perfectly Portuguese.

After, grab a small glass of Ginjinha, Lisbon’s signature cherry liqueur, from a hole-in-the-wall shop like A Ginjinha Espinheira near Rossio Square. Sip it standing up like a local.

 

🧀 Day 2: Pastéis, Local Wines & Rooftop Sunsets

Morning: Custard Tart Showdown

Start at Pastéis de Belém, the legendary origin point of the pastel de nata. Then compare with Manteigaria next door, beloved for its caramelized top and perfectly creamy center. There’s no wrong answer—just different styles.

  • Insider tip: Add cinnamon and eat them warm. Always warm.

Afternoon: 

  • Wander into the Cais do Sodré neighborhood for lunch at Sol e Pesca, a quirky restaurant built inside a former fishing tackle shop. Choose from a menu of Portuguese conservas (tinned seafood) paired with crusty bread and crisp white wine.

    • Try: Spiced mackerel + Vinho Verde

Dinner: Contemporary Lisbon at Antù

Set in the Alfama section, Antù blends industrial chic with upscale casual vibes. Think modern takes on Portuguese staples, moody lighting, and inventive cocktails.

 

🥂 Day 3: Hidden Cafés, Theater Bars & Rooftop Toasts

Morning: Slow Start at a Secret Café

Sleep in, then make your way to Teatro da Garagem. Behind this cultural center is a quiet café with excellent city views, a creative vibe, and surprisingly good food. Sit on the patio with a sandwich and espresso—or wine, no judgment.

Afternoon: One Last Toast at the Top

Before dinner, revisit Largo das Portas do Sol if you loved it, or head to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte—another incredible lookout, often with musicians and couples watching the sun drop.

Grab a drink from a nearby kiosk or mobile bar and take it all in. Try a Porto Tonic—white port + tonic water, typically garnished with citrus and mint. It’s light, slightly sweet, and totally refreshing.

Dinner: Farewell Meal with a View

Tucked into a quiet alley near Santa Apolónia, Taberna Sal Grosso feels like eating in a local’s living room. It’s cozy, affordable, and full of flavor. The menu changes frequently, but expect creative twists on Portuguese comfort food like slow-cooked pork cheeks, octopus rice, or roasted pumpkin with goat cheese.

Or lean into spontaneity and ask a local for their favorite tasca (small tavern). Lisbon is full of hidden treasures waiting to be found.

 

Final Must-Trys (If You Missed Anything…)

  • Conservas (Tinned Fish): Try spiced sardines or octopus at Sol e Pesca.

  • Queijo da Serra: A soft, buttery sheep cheese from the mountains.

  • Craft Beer: Grab a pint at Dois Corvos in Marvila, Lisbon’s craft beer district.

  • Pro Tip: Reservations are highly recommended!

Hungry Yet?

Lisbon knows how to feed you—heart, soul, and stomach. We highly recommend spending at least three days exploring, as this city delivers layers of flavor at every turn.

📌 Save this 3-day food and drink guide to Lisbon for your next adventure—or send it to a travel buddy who owes you a bifana.

 

 

Jun 18
Love0

Pairing Food With Local Drinks: 8 Cities That Get It Right

By Beer, Food, Spirits, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

One of the best ways to explore a destination is through its flavors. It’s not just about what’s on your plate, but in your glass. Around the world, some cities go above and beyond, offering local pairings that are more than just delicious—they’re cultural experiences.

Whether it’s a flaky pastry paired with fortified wine or street tacos served with smoky mezcal, these 8 cities perfect the pairing game, giving food-loving travelers something to savor and remember. Let’s talk about pairing food with local drinks.

1. Porto, Portugal

Pairing: Pastel de nata + Tawny Port
Why it works: Portugal’s famous egg tart is a sweet custard dream, and when you pair it with a chilled tawny port, the caramel notes sing. In Porto, you can hop between pastry shops and historic port lodges in a single afternoon.

Pro tip: Visit Café Majestic for coffee and a tart, then cross the river to Graham’s or Taylor’s for a port tasting with cheese and chocolate or let us organize a perfect tasting for you.

2. Cape Town, South Africa

Pairing: Bobotie + Chenin Blanc
Why it works: Bobotie is a spiced meat pie with sweet-savory flavors that shine next to a crisp, slightly fruity Chenin Blanc—a South African favorite that’s having a global moment.

Pro tip: Visit Franschhoek or Stellenbosch for a taste of the Cape’s best pairings, included on our South Africa Wine & Safari Vacation.

3. Brussels, Belgium

Pairing: Moules-frites + Saison beer
Why it works: Mussels in white wine sauce, served with golden fries, call for something dry and effervescent. Enter: saison—a Belgian farmhouse ale that’s bubbly, slightly funky, and perfect with seafood.

Pro tip: Pair each course with a different Belgian beer. You’ll find entire menus dedicated to beer pairings here.

4. Tbilisi, Georgia

Pairing: Khinkali (soup dumplings) + Qvevri wine
Why it works: Georgia is the birthplace of wine, and its amber-hued, skin-contact wines made in clay vessels (qvevri) pair beautifully with hearty local dishes. Khinkali—juicy, meaty dumplings—balance perfectly with the tannic bite of an unfiltered Rkatsiteli.

Pro tip: Try a wine bar like Vino Underground to taste traditional qvevri wines alongside small plates like lobio and sulguni cheese.

5. Mumbai, India

Pairing: Butter chicken + Indian craft beer
Why it works: Mumbai’s vibrant street food and bold curries need refreshment, and India’s exploding craft beer scene delivers. A hoppy pale ale or mango-flavored wheat beer cuts through rich dishes like butter chicken or pav bhaji.

Pro tip: Visit Bombay Canteen or Gateway Taproom for regional dishes paired with creative cocktails and local brews.

6. Bordeaux, France

Pairing: Entrecôte à la Bordelaise + Left Bank red
Why it works: Bordeaux may be famous for its wine, but the food deserves equal praise. A juicy steak in a red wine-shallot sauce sings with a classic Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot blend from the Médoc.

Pro tip: Go beyond châteaux—try a casual wine bar in the Chartrons district to sample regional bottles with cheese, pâté, and duck confit.

7. Mendoza, Argentina

Pairing: Empanadas + Malbec
Why it works: Mendoza’s empanadas (often filled with spiced beef and olives) are baked to golden perfection and practically demand a glass of inky, bold Malbec. The wine’s dark fruit and spice echo the smoky meat and flaky pastry.

Pro tip: Tour vineyards on bike in the Uco Valley, stopping for empanadas and asado lunches with mountain views.

8. Adelaide, Australia

Pairing: Kangaroo loin + Barossa Shiraz
Why it works: Adelaide’s food scene is fearless, local, and bold—just like its wines. Kangaroo, a lean, gamey red meat, pairs perfectly with the spicy intensity of a Barossa Valley Shiraz.

Pro tip: Head to the Adelaide Central Market for snacks, then take a short trip into wine country for cellar-door tastings with seasonal lunch pairings.

From the dumpling houses of Tbilisi to the wine cellars of Adelaide, these cities prove that food and drink are made to be enjoyed together. So next time you travel, don’t just ask what’s for dinner. Ask what goes with it.

Want to learn more about pairing food with local drinks? Check out our featured travel destinations!

May 15
Love0
Portugal tour

Portugal Tour Served Up Beauty, Bacalhau, and Bottles of Wine

By Food, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

I recently had the pleasure of guiding one of the most memorable tours I’ve ever experienced—our Taste Vacations Portugal Food & Wine Tour—and I’m still smiling just thinking about it.

We stayed at the stunning Vintage House Hotel in Pinhão—easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. With views of terraced vineyards and the Douro River right outside our windows, it was already magical. Then on Day 2, the power went out… across the entire country! But if you’re going to lose electricity for 12 hours, this was the place to be. The peaceful atmosphere, incredible scenery, and good company made it a night to remember.

While in the Douro, we enjoyed a wonderful tasting at Quinta da Aveleda, where gorgeous gardens and top-tier wines set the tone for the days to come. As one guest put it, “The excursions, wineries, and restaurants were exquisitely curated!”

Portugal Tour cooking class

Next, we headed to Porto, where the energy picked up and so did our appetite. We took a cooking class with the charismatic Chef Hugo, diving into traditional Portuguese dishes, like bacalhau and caldo verde soup, while sipping wine and laughing together in the kitchen. It was hands-on, delicious, and so much fun. Of course, no trip to Porto would be complete without tasting its namesake—Port! We enjoyed generous pours and learned just how special (and diverse!) these fortified wines truly are.

To round out the tour, we traveled to the Alentejo region and visited the walled town of Évora, with a stop in the tiny village of Monsaraz for a lunch I’ll never forget. At Sabores de Monsaraz, we were treated to an unforgettable lunch prepared by Dona Isabel, a small but mighty Portuguese woman who served us delicious home-cooked dishes—including fava beans and a homemade mint digestif that still have us talking. “Each meal had something special,” one guest shared. “The curation of the dining experiences was extraordinary!”

Portugal tour winery stop

Throughout the tour, I was joined by our amazing local guide, Francisco, whose deep knowledge of Portuguese history, wine, and culture brought every experience to life. His passion and insight made the trip even more meaningful.

What made this journey truly exceptional, though, was the group itself. “The trip exceeded our expectations. We had an amazing group of people on the trip, and everyone became quick friends,” said another guest. And that’s what Taste Vacations is all about—connecting over great food, exceptional wine, and unforgettable experiences.

Portugal tour boat tour

From vineyard views to home-cooked meals, the Portugal tour offered us warmth, flavor, and hospitality at every turn.

If Portugal’s now calling your name—trust us, it’s worth answering.

Mar 31
Love0
Food Tastes Better on Vacation

5 Reasons Food Tastes Better on Vacation

By Food, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

There’s something undeniably special about the food we eat while traveling. A simple meal can feel like the most exquisite dish you’ve ever tasted, and a glass of wine can seem richer and more complex than any bottle you’ve opened at home. But why is it that food tastes better on vacation? Is it just the setting, or is there a more comprehensive reason that this seems to always be true?

The answer lies in a mix of psychology, environment, and experience. Traveling enhances our senses, shifts our perspectives, and allows us to appreciate flavors in new and exciting ways. Whether you’re indulging in fresh seafood along the coast, sipping wine at a centuries-old vineyard, or savoring a homemade dish in a cozy family-run restaurant, food and drink become an essential part of the journey. Here are five reasons why food tastes better when you’re on vacation:

1. The Power of Place

Food is deeply connected to its surroundings. A glass of wine in Bordeaux, a plate of pasta in Italy, or learning how to make bowl Pasteis de Nata in Portugal doesn’t just taste better because it’s authentic—it tastes better because you’re immersed in the environment that created it.

Local ingredients are often fresher and sourced in their prime. The tomatoes in a Caprese salad in Sorrento taste sweeter because they were grown in the Italian sun and picked at peak ripeness. The seafood in a coastal town seems more vibrant because it was caught that morning. Eating in a setting that enhances the dish—whether it’s a vineyard, a bustling market, or a quiet countryside inn—adds to the overall experience and makes the flavors even more pronounced.

2. The Joy of Discovery

One of the greatest joys of travel is discovering new flavors and culinary traditions. When we step outside our comfort zones, we open ourselves up to regional specialties, unfamiliar ingredients, and cooking techniques that tell a story about a place.

Tasting something for the first time heightens our sensory experience. Trying Georgian khachapuri while overlooking a vineyard, enjoying a traditional pintxos crawl through San Sebastián, or indulging in a perfectly prepared steak in Argentina introduces us to the culinary soul of a destination. These new experiences create lasting memories and make food taste even better.

3. The Influence of a Relaxed Mindset

At home, meals are often rushed. Between work, responsibilities, and daily routines, we rarely take the time to truly savor our food. On vacation, that all changes. We slow down. We take in our surroundings. We appreciate each bite without distraction.

Studies show that when we’re relaxed, our perception of taste improves. Less stress allows us to focus on flavors, textures, and aromas. A simple croissant and coffee, enjoyed on a quiet morning at a sidewalk café, can feel like a moment of pure bliss. The act of being present and engaged in a meal enhances our enjoyment and makes food taste better.

4. The Social and Cultural Experience

Food is more than just sustenance—it’s an experience meant to be shared. Whether it’s an intimate dinner with fellow travelers, a guided wine tasting led by a passionate winemaker, or a communal feast at a local festival, the social element of food enhances our enjoyment.

When we travel, we have the opportunity to connect with locals, chefs, and artisans who share their culinary traditions with us. Learning the story behind the dish—where it comes from, how it’s made, and why it’s special—deepens our appreciation. A simple meal becomes extraordinary when it’s accompanied by stories, laughter, and cultural insight.

5. The Adventure Factor

Traveling pushes us to try things we might not normally eat at home. We step outside our comfort zones, take risks, and embrace the adventure of food. Whether it’s foraging for truffles in Italy, joining a hands-on cooking class in India to learn how to use those incredible spices, or sipping an unusual craft beer in Belgium, the excitement of new experiences heightens our senses and makes flavors more vivid.

We also tend to indulge more on vacation, allowing ourselves to enjoy rich flavors, multi-course meals, and leisurely dining experiences without guilt. This sense of freedom and adventure contributes to why food seems to taste better when we travel.

For those who love to travel for food, wine, and beer and agree that food tastes better on vacation, exploring destinations through guided culinary tours offers the ultimate opportunity to taste the world in a meaningful and unforgettable way (with someone else managing all the logistics and finding the hidden gems to discover). Whether it’s savoring wine in the rolling hills of Spain or indulging in farm-to-table dining in a hidden countryside retreat, the journey of food is one worth savoring. Discover how you can experience the best flavors the world has to offer. 

Nov 18
Love0
Taste Vacations Travel Club

The Amazing Food & Wine of Georgia (The Country)

By Food, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

The food and wine of Georgia are captivating – that was one of the major impressions of my first trip to the country.

Georgian Wines

Georgia is currently one of the hottest locations in the wine world for industry insiders. It is known as the birthplace of wine, since it has a relic from 8,000 years ago containing resin from fermented grapes – farther back than anywhere else on the planet. Georgia has 350 native grape varieties, most of which you have never heard of. It is also famous in the wine industry for its emphasis on “natural wine”, or wine made from grapes without fertilizers or pesticides and produced with nothing added.

Then you throw in the romance of the kvevri, a clay vessel used for fermentation that is located underground, and you have an amazing wine industry producing excellent wines. But two other things impressed me the most when I was in Georgia. First, that the country has somehow kept alive its winemaking traditions for the past 8,000 years, despite multiple invasions, sometimes by countries intent on destroying its grapes. Second, that pretty much every restaurant boasted of serving Georgian wine – no need to convince the locals to drink and sell the local wine!

Georgian Food

Georgian food has no such equivalent cache as does the wine industry. Tell me – what do you know about the food from the country of Georgia? Chances are your answer is nothing. Once you start reading about traveling to Georgia, you will read about how great the food is. I was, nevertheless, blown away by the food, for multiple reasons.

  • There is a traditional way to eat in Georgia. Most meals are served family style and the dishes even come out in a traditional order. For me, this was a much more fun experience and certainly simplified ordering, since we could just order a bunch of dishes (and have our Georgian guide do it).
  • Much of the produce, grains, and meats are grown and raised locally. This is truly farm to table eating and they do it because it is the easiest thing to do, not because it is trendy.
  • Georgian cuisine uses a lot of vegetables and nuts and they are cooked into flavorful dishes rather than just served on their own. While meat is served at most meals, the country is truly a great place for those trying to increase their vegetable intake.
  • The supra, sort of a banquet feast, is by itself a common custom in Georgia. Normally there is a “toast maker” or master of ceremonies and the wines are integrated into the meal. You can (and will if you join us in Georgia) spend hours enjoying the food, wine, and culture of one supra.

The Food & Wine of Georgia

On our Georgia Food & Wine Tour, we of course indulge in lots of food and wine. But the tour is so much more than that. We visit different sorts of wineries where we speak with owners and winemakers, taste wines, and learn how the wine making process works. We visit markets and food producers. We do a craft beer tasting and have the opportunity to taste chacha, a homemade spirit made of the dregs from the wine grapes.

In the end, the best thing about visiting Georgia is that the experience is real. You are much more likely to encounter a home winemaker than an industrial winery in this country. And we think you will love it.

Join us for a Georgia Food & Wine tour in 2025 and find out for yourself!