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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Defne

Lisbon, Portugal

USD
$79-$169 per person

Traditional Lisbon Cooking Class with a Lovely Local

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Defne

Defne is a globe wanderer and a true nomad; her travels have taught her the profound value of connection, community, and empathy. Originally from Istanbul, she holds a deep passion for exploring and discovering links between cultures, foods, people, places, and tastes. Join her mission to break down cultural barriers, one delicious bite at a time! As your culinary guide, Defne will lead you on an exploration of how Portuguese cuisine connects diverse cultures and traditions. You’ll uncover not only the timeless flavors of Portugal but also the rich stories and cultural connections behind each dish.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-7 guests) Step into Defne’s beautiful apartment for a Portuguese culinary adventure that brings Portugal's rich history to life. Inspired by her research on Portuguese gastronomy, Defne celebrates the diverse influences that shaped Portuguese cuisine—infusing flavors, recipes, and ingredients from across the globe.

Your experience with Defne features classic Portuguese dishes, each steeped in history, from the Mediterranean and beyond. You’ll enjoy a fresh, seasonal meal at her beautifully set dining table or, if the weather allows, outdoors in the garden. Savor dishes like tremoços (pickled beans), salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad), caldeirada de peixe (fish stew), and arroz doce (rice pudding). Paired with two glasses of Portuguese wine, each course offers a taste of Portugal's culinary heritage.

Please note that Defne’s menu is seasonal and may vary based on local produce availability. If you have any dietary preferences, kindly let her know in advance.

Cooking experience: (1-7 guests) Join Defne for a hands-on Portuguese cooking class (or demo if you prefer) in Lisbon, where you'll create three traditional dishes from scratch. Over 1.5 hours, you'll learn to prepare an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Sip on wine as you watch Defne work her magic, or roll up your sleeves and dive in to help her bring each dish to life. As you cook, Defne will share stories behind the recipes, how they’re prepared in other cultures, and plenty of helpful tips and tricks. Wrap up your Lisbon cooking experience with a coffee and a taste of Ginjinha, Lisbon’s beloved cherry liqueur.

Notes: Defne can accommodate lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, on request. Please inform her in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, while booking your Lisbon cooking class online.

Languages spoken: English, Turkish, Portuguese

Sample menu

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.
  • Tremoços (pickled beans) and olives
  • Salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad)
  • Caldeirada de peixe (fish stew)
  • Arroz de doce (rice pudding)
  • Vinho verde (Portuguese wine)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (15)
Defne treated my granddaughter and me like old friends from the rime we arrived, and visiting her was one of our best experiences in Lisbon. In addition to learning several cooking tips, we shared a delicious meal and conversed about our worldviews and travel adventures. Enthusiastically recommend!
- olen February 19, 2026
Defne was a joy to meet! The food was excellent, and we hope to try and replicate a dish at home. It was a pleasure to meet a like-minded world traveler and exchange views. My granddaughter also loved the cat!
- olen February 17, 2026
Defne was amazing, got to get an inside look about the culture and life in Lisbon, and recommendations of places to visit while we were traveling. Told us a background of everything we cooked and it was all DELICIOUS!
- vivi February 02, 2026
Experience a local’s home from their company + neighborhood to the cuisine that is the heartbeat of the area! The cooking itself is pretty simple and straightforward, but the joy is the conversation and cultural immersion. Defne was a lovely host, and you do not feel like a stranger in her home. She was very hospitable, kind and welcoming. The food was just an added bonus!
- Kylie November 16, 2025
We have taken other cooking classes in our travels but our evening with Defne was an all around wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived, it was as if we had arrived at a friend's house. Nothing pretentious or uncomfortable, we immediately started helping in prepping dinner, while exchanging stories. Dining in Defne's lovely backyard was a treat on this Fall evening. Our meal was yummy, but also included dishes we will be able to replicate. As said earlier, just a great experience!
- Donna October 26, 2025
Was a relaxing and amazing experience! I highly recommend this cooking class! I learned alot about portuguese cooking and took home some Recipes to make for my family and friends 🧡.
- tara October 25, 2025
I’ll keep it bier, Defne is knowledgeable and caring. Don’t miss this experience. Here love of food and life shows naturally through her time with us. She knows family and friends matter and sharing a meal with her reminded me of how special everyday family dinner can be.
- Manny October 22, 2025
We just finished our cooking class and lunch with Defne- an absolutely wonderful experience. Defne could not have been more welcoming and hospitable. The communication beforehand was great, asking about allergies and food preferences. We got a lesson in Portuguese cuisine and had a delicious lunch with the most amazing host If you’re looking for a great experience, look no farther, this is it!!!
- Jordan October 18, 2025
What a gem! It was so nice having Dafne cook for us we got to all join in and help out in making the dinner. She gave us an unforgettable memory for me and my friends i would definitely recommend. She has an adorable backyard where we ate and it was very cozy and cute. Thanks Dafne for your warmth and inviting us in to your home! 😊
- Pari October 03, 2025
We had a lovely evening and experience with Defne in her home! She was very gracious and the food was absolutely delicious. She paired the courses with local wine and taught us many things about local cuisine and culture. Her private patio garden was lovely to share a meal and make new friends!
- Mary September 22, 2025
We joined this class during our trip with a friend and her 3-year-old child, and it was such a wonderful experience. Instead of focusing on strict techniques, Defne showed us how cooking can be simple, fun, and something to truly enjoy every day. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and even with a small child, the class was engaging and enjoyable for everyone. Sharing a meal afterward, while talking about Portuguese history, spices, and everyday life, made it even more special. It felt like spending time with old friends, and I would love to join again when I return to Lisbon. Highly recommended!
- Tom August 29, 2025
Defne was a wonderful host. Very knowledgeable about the food and background of the food prepared. After she taught us how to cook the meal, we had a fabulous dinner and conversation in her garden. Plenty to eat and easy new recipes to try when we return home
- Robert May 28, 2025
What an amazing evening, Defne was a terrific hostess. This is a casual informal cooking class in a cozy kitchen. The recipes she shared are simple, delicious, and things that we can make when we get back home Best of all it was a beautiful night and we could sit outside in her garden, enjoying a relaxed dinner with plenty of wine great conversation and amazing food
- Lorraine May 18, 2025
Delicious experience in Lisbon! This was a wonderful way to begin my adventures in Lisbon. Defne is a fantastic host and a great cook. She walked me through two recipes and then we shared a delicious meal in the garden. Defne has a wealth of local and culinary knowledge to share which made this experience really special.
- Kateryna_to November 19, 2024
We spent a delightful dinner meal in Defne’s garden. Food was delicious! Defne is very friendly and knowledgeable. We shared family meal experiences.
- Chelsea September 30, 2024
Read More

Defne

$79-$169 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $119 $89 $79
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $169 $119 $119
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $119 $89 $79
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $169 $119 $119
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Defne

Defne is a globe wanderer and a true nomad; her travels have taught her the profound value of connection, community, and empathy. Originally from Istanbul, she holds a deep passion for exploring and discovering links between cultures, foods, people, places, and tastes. Join her mission to break down cultural barriers, one delicious bite at a time! As your culinary guide, Defne will lead you on an exploration of how Portuguese cuisine connects diverse cultures and traditions. You’ll uncover not only the timeless flavors of Portugal but also the rich stories and cultural connections behind each dish.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-7 guests) Step into Defne’s beautiful apartment for a Portuguese culinary adventure that brings Portugal's rich history to life. Inspired by her research on Portuguese gastronomy, Defne celebrates the diverse influences that shaped Portuguese cuisine—infusing flavors, recipes, and ingredients from across the globe.

Your experience with Defne features classic Portuguese dishes, each steeped in history, from the Mediterranean and beyond. You’ll enjoy a fresh, seasonal meal at her beautifully set dining table or, if the weather allows, outdoors in the garden. Savor dishes like tremoços (pickled beans), salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad), caldeirada de peixe (fish stew), and arroz doce (rice pudding). Paired with two glasses of Portuguese wine, each course offers a taste of Portugal's culinary heritage.

Please note that Defne’s menu is seasonal and may vary based on local produce availability. If you have any dietary preferences, kindly let her know in advance.

Cooking experience: (1-7 guests) Join Defne for a hands-on Portuguese cooking class (or demo if you prefer) in Lisbon, where you'll create three traditional dishes from scratch. Over 1.5 hours, you'll learn to prepare an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Sip on wine as you watch Defne work her magic, or roll up your sleeves and dive in to help her bring each dish to life. As you cook, Defne will share stories behind the recipes, how they’re prepared in other cultures, and plenty of helpful tips and tricks. Wrap up your Lisbon cooking experience with a coffee and a taste of Ginjinha, Lisbon’s beloved cherry liqueur.

Notes: Defne can accommodate lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, on request. Please inform her in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, while booking your Lisbon cooking class online.

Languages spoken: English, Turkish, Portuguese

Sample menu

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.
  • Tremoços (pickled beans) and olives
  • Salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad)
  • Caldeirada de peixe (fish stew)
  • Arroz de doce (rice pudding)
  • Vinho verde (Portuguese wine)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (15)
Defne treated my granddaughter and me like old friends from the rime we arrived, and visiting her was one of our best experiences in Lisbon. In addition to learning several cooking tips, we shared a delicious meal and conversed about our worldviews and travel adventures. Enthusiastically recommend!
- olen February 19, 2026
Defne was a joy to meet! The food was excellent, and we hope to try and replicate a dish at home. It was a pleasure to meet a like-minded world traveler and exchange views. My granddaughter also loved the cat!
- olen February 17, 2026
Defne was amazing, got to get an inside look about the culture and life in Lisbon, and recommendations of places to visit while we were traveling. Told us a background of everything we cooked and it was all DELICIOUS!
- vivi February 02, 2026
Experience a local’s home from their company + neighborhood to the cuisine that is the heartbeat of the area! The cooking itself is pretty simple and straightforward, but the joy is the conversation and cultural immersion. Defne was a lovely host, and you do not feel like a stranger in her home. She was very hospitable, kind and welcoming. The food was just an added bonus!
- Kylie November 16, 2025
We have taken other cooking classes in our travels but our evening with Defne was an all around wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived, it was as if we had arrived at a friend's house. Nothing pretentious or uncomfortable, we immediately started helping in prepping dinner, while exchanging stories. Dining in Defne's lovely backyard was a treat on this Fall evening. Our meal was yummy, but also included dishes we will be able to replicate. As said earlier, just a great experience!
- Donna October 26, 2025
Was a relaxing and amazing experience! I highly recommend this cooking class! I learned alot about portuguese cooking and took home some Recipes to make for my family and friends 🧡.
- tara October 25, 2025
I’ll keep it bier, Defne is knowledgeable and caring. Don’t miss this experience. Here love of food and life shows naturally through her time with us. She knows family and friends matter and sharing a meal with her reminded me of how special everyday family dinner can be.
- Manny October 22, 2025
We just finished our cooking class and lunch with Defne- an absolutely wonderful experience. Defne could not have been more welcoming and hospitable. The communication beforehand was great, asking about allergies and food preferences. We got a lesson in Portuguese cuisine and had a delicious lunch with the most amazing host If you’re looking for a great experience, look no farther, this is it!!!
- Jordan October 18, 2025
What a gem! It was so nice having Dafne cook for us we got to all join in and help out in making the dinner. She gave us an unforgettable memory for me and my friends i would definitely recommend. She has an adorable backyard where we ate and it was very cozy and cute. Thanks Dafne for your warmth and inviting us in to your home! 😊
- Pari October 03, 2025
We had a lovely evening and experience with Defne in her home! She was very gracious and the food was absolutely delicious. She paired the courses with local wine and taught us many things about local cuisine and culture. Her private patio garden was lovely to share a meal and make new friends!
- Mary September 22, 2025
We joined this class during our trip with a friend and her 3-year-old child, and it was such a wonderful experience. Instead of focusing on strict techniques, Defne showed us how cooking can be simple, fun, and something to truly enjoy every day. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and even with a small child, the class was engaging and enjoyable for everyone. Sharing a meal afterward, while talking about Portuguese history, spices, and everyday life, made it even more special. It felt like spending time with old friends, and I would love to join again when I return to Lisbon. Highly recommended!
- Tom August 29, 2025
Defne was a wonderful host. Very knowledgeable about the food and background of the food prepared. After she taught us how to cook the meal, we had a fabulous dinner and conversation in her garden. Plenty to eat and easy new recipes to try when we return home
- Robert May 28, 2025
What an amazing evening, Defne was a terrific hostess. This is a casual informal cooking class in a cozy kitchen. The recipes she shared are simple, delicious, and things that we can make when we get back home Best of all it was a beautiful night and we could sit outside in her garden, enjoying a relaxed dinner with plenty of wine great conversation and amazing food
- Lorraine May 18, 2025
Delicious experience in Lisbon! This was a wonderful way to begin my adventures in Lisbon. Defne is a fantastic host and a great cook. She walked me through two recipes and then we shared a delicious meal in the garden. Defne has a wealth of local and culinary knowledge to share which made this experience really special.
- Kateryna_to November 19, 2024
We spent a delightful dinner meal in Defne’s garden. Food was delicious! Defne is very friendly and knowledgeable. We shared family meal experiences.
- Chelsea September 30, 2024
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $119 $89 $79
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $169 $119 $119
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $119 $89 $79
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $169 $119 $119
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.