Where to find the best pastel de nata in Lisbon
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of biting into a fresh pastel de nata from one of Lisbon’s bakeries; crunchy, sweet (and if you’re lucky, still warm) there’s a very good reason they’re a must-try on most people’s travel bucket lists. Of course, with great popularity comes imitation, and not every pastelaria (pastry shop) serves up pastel de natas worthy of recommendation. Luckily for you, we’ve tried them to find the very best.
But first, for those of you who don’t know, the pastel de nata is believed to have been created before the 18th century in Belém, just outside Lisbon. Those with an eager eye will notice that many desserts in Portugal are egg-based, and that’s because back then, convents and monasteries used large quantities of egg-whites for starching clothes, which meant the leftover yolks were used for baking. The perfect pastel de nata will have flaky, almost filo-like pastry, and a sweet, creamy centre.
Something you should know about pastel de natas; they’re made to be eaten immediately. It’s often tempting to buy a six-pack in stores, but unless you have people to share them with (or you’re feeling up for a challenge) they won’t taste remotely as good the next day. Aside from that, there are no rules. Many shops will offer a small sachet of cinnamon, but you should enjoy the sweet treat however you see fit. We recommend sitting at a table, watching the world go by with a glass of vintage port. Mouth watering at the thought? Bookmark our selection of the best pastel de natas in Lisbon for inspiration on your next trip.
Manteigaria
Pastel de natas can be overly sweet, and sometimes cloying, but Manteigaria manages to get the filling just right, with a smooth, creamy consistency and hint of vanilla. Apparently that’s down to the quality of the ingredients used – whole eggs, butter instead of margarine and no preservatives – and the baking of the pastry which is all done by hand and requires several months of training to be nailed. With eight different bakeries around Lisbon, including one in the ever-popular Time Out Market, it’s pretty easy to get your hands on one of Manteigaria’s pastel de natas without having to make a special trip.
Address: Av. 24 de Julho 50, 1200-109 Lisboa, Portugal (and across Lisbon)
Website: @manteigaria.oficial on InstagramLa Boulangerie
It’s rare to find bakeries in Lisbon that serve anything other than traditional Portuguese treats, but La Boulangerie is a great place to enjoy a long brunch, finished with a pastel de nata. Freshly baked, and with extra cinnamon, their version of the classic pastry is wonderfully buttery – and as it’s slightly outside of the centre of Lisbon, there’s a more local feel about this bakery. Take yours with a cup of coffee and enjoy them on the terrace outside.
Address: R. do Olival 42, 1200-742 Lisboa
Website: laboulangerie.pt
Pastéis de Belém
Some places are ‘touristy’; that doesn’t necessarily make them bad. Pastéis de Belém is a perfect example of this. Speak to anyone in Lisbon, and they’ll likely tell you that you should make time to visit during your trip. The pastelaria is so popular that the queue of customers lining up to get their hands on regularly snakes out of the door and down the street, but it’s worth waiting if you have time for the crunchy pastry and sweet filling. Open since 1837, the pastry shop allegedly has the original recipe for the Pastéis de Belém as it was produced by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery, and the result is a particularly sweet treat. Service isn’t the most personal – more quick and efficient – so if you’re looking for a place to sit and soak up the atmosphere, this won’t be it. The shop itself is beautiful, but if you want to head away from the crowds, take your treats to go and eat them as you stroll through the neighbourhood.
Address: R. de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisboa
Website: pasteisdebelem.pt
Federico
The pastel de nata has become so popular that there are hundreds of different versions, all claiming to be the best. Most people will want nothing but the classic tart, but those who like to break away from the norm will appreciate the one created in Federico (which is, incidentally, one of the most beautiful restaurants in Lisbon). Heavy on the pastry, and served in two small bites rather than as a complete tart, the accompanying coffee ice cream and caramel give just the right amount of kick to an otherwise sweet dessert. You might be tempted to order one plate to share, but trust us when we say you’ll want the whole dish to yourself once it arrives.
Address: R. do Diário de Notícias 150, 1200-088 Lisboa
Website: palacioludovice.comFábrica da Nata
Chances are, most people have tried a Fábrica pastel de nata on their trips to Lisbon; they have two shops in the busiest areas of the city, so it’s almost impossible not to pop in. These are arguably some of the sweetest pastel de natas in the city, perfect for adding a shake of cinnamon to. In summer, the brand will often serve them up with their now-famous pastel de nata-flavoured ice cream, which is a delicious addition for those with a sweet treat. If that’s not up your street, enjoy yours with a cup of coffee as you watch the chefs create their next batch for hungry customers.
Address: Restauradores Square and Rua Augusta
Website: fabricadanata.com
Vegan Nata
Lisbon might not be the most vegan-friendly city, but it’s making strides for those who don’t eat dairy, and a pastel de nata shop especially dedicated to vegans is a great step forward. Since egg and butter are major components of the pastel de nata, you might be wondering how exactly they perfect the dough and filling. Soy cream and milk replaces the animal products, and the result is a perfectly flaky and creamy tart. Located in Bairro Alto, and around the corner from Manteigaria and Castro, it’s perfectly placed to serve up pastel de natas for those with dietary requirements. And the brand is focused on sustainability, too, which means that all products and packing are made with zero plastic, and fully recyclable.
Address: R. da Misericórdia 9, 1200-208 Lisboa Portugal
Website: vegannata.pt
Francisco NogueiraCastro
This fun shop is immediately noticeable when you’re walking through the shopping area of Chiado, thanks to the Alice in Wonderland-style animatronic legs sticking out of a giant pastel de nata. But despite the bold window decor, Castro is relatively traditional; it only sells pastel de natas, alongside a selection of hot and cold drinks, and the clear panels overlooking the kitchen mean you can watch the chefs at work. Castro’s goal when it opened in early 2022 was to make the best pastel de natas – and we’d argue that they might just have done it. Not too sweet, with a wonderful flaky, almost-salty pastry, and almost always fresh out of the oven. What’s not to like?
Address: R. Garrett 38, 1200-204 Lisboa
Website: castropasteisdenata.ptPastelaria Santo Antonio
If it’s your first visit to Lisbon, you’ll likely be visiting Castelo de Sao Jorge at some point on your trip. On your way to the attraction, you’ll almost certainly need a break from climbing the seemingly endless hills, and Pastelaria Santo Antonio is located at the ideal spot to give you your final boost of energy. But it’s not really about the location; these pastel de natas are truly moreish. So much so that they won the annual, highly competitive National Tasting of Pastel de Nata in 2019, and have been a favourite of tourists ever since. They’re made on-site, are served warm and have none of the greasiness that some pastel de natas have. There’s an upstairs seating area, or you can take yours to go as you queue for castle entry.
Address: R. do Milagre de Santo António 10, 1100-351 Lisboa
Website: hpastelariasantoantonio.negocio.sitePastelaria Versailles
Pastelaria Versailles opened in 1922, and was a huge part of the neighbourhood of Saldanha. Since it’s slightly outside of the city centre, it struggled in the 1980s and almost went bankrupt, but was thankfully saved and has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. The biggest draw is the Art Nouveau decor, with mirrors, chandeliers and trinkets throughout the shop interior making it a photographer’s dream. The long counter is filled to the brim with pastries, treats and – of course – pastel de natas, and your inner child will be screaming at the sheer amount of sugar on offer. Don’t skip the classic pastel de nata, which is creamy and sweet, but if you have time we recommend staying for lunch and enjoying the atmosphere and wonderful, well-oiled service.
Address: Av. da República 15 A, 1050-185 Lisboa
Website: grupoversailles.pt