Rick Steves Recommends Foodies Visit This Incredible European Capital City

Enjoying the food at your destination of choice is as much about culture as it is about taste. For Rick Steves, the travel blogger and television host, discovering the culinary delicacies as he travels is more about the experience, rather than just filling a hunger. That's why he says that Lisbon, Portugal's capital city, is an excellent destination for foodies looking to mix an experience in with their meals.

Portuguese cuisine is often connected to its staple, bacalhau, a salted cod that reportedly can be served a different way every single night of the year. But there's much more to Portuguese cuisine. "I love how Europeans embrace their culture with such expertise, passion, and abandon," Steves wrote on his blog. He pointed to Lisbon as a city proud of its delicacies. And those delicacies include both food and drink.

In fact, Steves hyped the city's wine-bar "picnics" as a simple way to match the right port, one of the country's most famous beverages, with the right seafood, cheese, and meat varieties. Not only do quaint bars and restaurants provide the perfect drinks to accompany the right food, but many feature live fado performers, who perform mournful, yet bittersweet songs often described as "Portuguese blues." (That being said, Lisbon is for foodies — the must-visit city in Portugal for wine tasting is Porto, a three-hour train ride from the capital city.)

In Lisbon, food and community merge at a bustling open market space blended with a food court. Steves explained that combining a variety of chefs' expertise into one area gives foodies a chance to sample multiple options at affordable prices. Communal tables give food lovers a chance to share the experience with like-minded locals and travelers alike.

While this isn't the place for a quiet, elegant meal, the energy of Time Out Market, housed on one side of the large hall hosting the traditional market Mercado da Ribeira, is palpable. The "food circus" atmosphere, as Steves called it, is not only trendy but affordable. Portugal is, after all, one of the best vacation destinations where the U.S. dollar goes the furthest.

For those looking for a foodie destination mixed with local nightlife, head to Lisbon's Pink Street. Yes, the street is literally painted pink, and local restaurants have reclaimed an area that used to be the red-light district of the city. Located only two blocks away from Time Out Market, the most popular nightlife street in the city is easily accessible and the perfect way to continue your exploration of all facets of Lisbon culture.

Foodies approach their meals in different ways. Some want to know all the details behind the preparation or the cultural significance, while others simply want to sample the best of the local cuisine. For those new to the scene and unsure where to start, guided tours highlighting the local culinary delights are always an option. Steves suggested taking a foodie tour in Lisbon as a way for travelers to immerse themselves in the food culture without having to have an abundance of knowledge beforehand. 

These groups tend to be small. Steves said, "when you figure in the cost of the meal — the tours are a solid value." Many of these tours are specific to a certain neighborhood or area of Lisbon, making it easy to incorporate them into your existing travel plans. The Heart of Lisbon Food Tour, for example, offers a sampling of authentic Portuguese foods in tucked-away locations along your walking route through three neighborhoods. If you prefer a more relaxed and motorized sightseeing experience between food samples, the Lisbon Tuk Tuk Food Tour may be more your speed. 

Steves shared his experience with a walking food tour offered by Inside Lisbon, which ended with a ferry ride. Food lovers come in all packages, as does the foodie experience. So, whether your interest lies in pairing the best port with a delicious pork bifanas sandwich or finding the best pastels de nata for dessert, you can't go wrong with Lisbon. After a visit, you will have no doubt why it was named the happiest holiday destination in the world.