Pastel de nata is a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry dusted with cinnamon.
Pastéis de Nata was invented by monks at the Hieronymites Monastery (Portuguese: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Lisbon before the 18th century. Convents and monasteries at the time used large quantities of egg whites to starch religious habits worn by friars and nuns. It was common for monasteries and convents to use leftover egg yolks to make cakes and pastries, resulting in the spread of sweet pastry recipes across the country.
Following the dissolution of religious orders and the impending closure of many convents and monasteries in the aftermath of the 1820 Liberal Revolution, the monks began to sell Pastéis de Nata at a nearby sugar refinery to create income. The monastery was closed in 1834, and the recipe was sold to a sugar refinery, whose owners opened the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém in 1837. To this day, the descendants own the company.
Some of the best pastel de nata stops in Lisbon are listed below.
Pastéis de Belém
No list would be complete without a stop at Pastéis de Belém, where it all began. They started making the original Pastéis de Belém in 1837, using an ancient recipe from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Every day, that secret recipe is recreated by hand in their bakery using only traditional methods. and the recipe has remained unchanged since 1837.
Pastelaria Santo António
Need something sweet to keep you going on your way up to the historic Castelo de So Jorge? This Alfama building’s pretty blue-and-white tile-clad facade conceals an elegant and contemporary padaria (bakery) serving freshly baked award-winning pastéis de nata, waffles, ice cream, sandwiches, and espresso.
Manteigaria, Rua do Loreto
Ask a local where to go for pastéis de nata, and half of the time (perhaps more) they will suggest Manteigaria. This nata factory and bakery hybrid in Bica lets customers watch the confectionery wizards work their magic from behind the counter, while also having the chance to indulge in the finished product alongside an espresso. Locals like to stop by in the mornings and in the evenings after dinner (the shop closes around midnight). Plan for a quick bite or take some on the road with you, because this isn’t a hangout and fills up quickly. There is also a second counter at Time Out Market in the historic Mercado da Ribeira.
Pastelaria Cristal
Pastelaria Cristal is a small, cosy cafe with a big reputation in the palace and embassy-studded residential neighborhood of Lapa-Estrela. This unassuming location is home to a pastel de nata that is the cream of the custard crop, with melt-in-your-mouth pastry and heavenly custard that will make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Cristal is a huge hit with the locals, as well as gaining national acclaim. Drink it with uma bica, a simple espresso shot.
Casa Dos Pasteis De Nata
If you get a sweet tooth while strolling through the laid-back streets of Lisbon’s Areeiro neighborhood, stop by this unpretentious bakery on Avenida Joo XXI. Its version of the iconic tarts offers a rich and creamy filling enveloped in a crisp, light pastry, hidden away from the throngs of tourists who frequent the more well-known bakeries. Add a sandwich and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to turn an afternoon snack into a filling lunch.
