Our Story
Touta is Chef Cynthia’s childhood nickname, and a tribute to the memories, travels and moments that have shaped her culinary voice, a journey of flavors both nostalgic and timeless. Here we embrace a freestyle approach to Lebanese cuisine, reimagining tradition with creativity while always honoring its essence.
By blending cultures, we create dishes that reflect our personal connection to the flavors of Lebanon, combining locally sourced ingredients with artisanal Lebanese products. Our menu is built around the joy of sharing, a tribute to the Lebanese tradition of gathering around the table to make lasting memories.
We are deeply committed to sustainability, working closely with local farmers and producers so that every ingredient is fresh, seasonal and responsibly sourced. With a passion for diversity and excellence, we set out to showcase the very best of Portugal alongside the most authentic flavors of Lebanon.
Cynthia
The ChefCynthia is Owner and Executive Chef of Nazira Catering, Lebanon and MENA's renowned catering house. A member of the Académie Nationale de Cuisine and co-founder of Les Disciples Escoffier Liban, she holds a Management and Culinary Arts diploma from the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon and over 28 years' experience, including an internship at Fauchon, and alongside Emile Cauvière, MOF and bakery World Champion.
Across her career she has staged hundreds of royal weddings, VIP dinners and banquets for 2,000+ guests in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE and beyond. In 2018, under Chef Yannick Alléno, she won the L'Esprit Entrepreneur prize (Arts Culinaires International) from Bocuse & Co.
In 2024 she brought it all to Lisbon with Touta, pairing the best of Lebanon with the finest Portuguese ingredients. Within ten months TheFork ranked it among Portugal's 10 best restaurants, and in 2026 Touta earned its first Sol from Guia Repsol Portugal.
Rita
Managing Partner & Marketing DirectorRita began her career in television in 2003 after earning a degree in Fine Arts and Communication, a path that took her across Dubai, Egypt and Qatar as a content creator and executive producer on shows like The Voice, MasterChef and Arabs Got Talent.
Working beside world-renowned chefs, a new passion took hold: gastronomy. In 2013 she joined Nazira Catering in Lebanon as operations manager, merging the visual and culinary worlds into memorable experiences. Years of relentless dedication now find their home at Touta, where she shapes every detail as managing partner.
