Last Updated on January 10, 2026

Four Places to Try pastéis de Nata in Lisbon

 

The Story of Pastéis de Nata

The use of egg whites to starch religious garments in the early eighteenth century was the catalyst for what is now one of Portugal’s most famous dishes. That practice led to a surplus of egg yolks, and to avoid waste, monks and nuns invented rich, egg-yolk-based desserts and pastries. The famous custard tart baked in a crispy pastry shell was created at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, Lisbon, and the pastéis de nata were initially sold to help support the monastery.

By 1820, after Portugal’s Liberal Revolution, the finances of many religious institutions became precarious, and the entrepreneurial monks at the Jerónimos Monastery sold their recipe to a nearby sugar refinery. In 1837, the owners of the refinery opened a bakery called Pastéis de Belém, and there, as I discovered, the pastéis de nata are still made today using the original recipe.

Portuguese explorers travelled the world and brought the recipe for their own pastries to Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Macau, and other former Portuguese territories. Over time, that recipe was adapted to local tastes and ingredients – so, for example, the Macau version is unlikely to contain cinnamon or lemon, and it has a wobbly custard and a softer pastry.

Today, you can find Pastéis de Nata (or Pastel de Nata) in bakeries around the world. But, for the real thing, of course, you need to go to Lisbon, Portugal.

Picking the best Pastéis de Nata

Lisboans and visitors alike have strong feelings about their favourite pastéis de nata, and each time I visit Lisbon, my own opinion sways. While official prizes are awarded each year in the city, it remains a most subjective experience.

You can happily spend days eating and appreciating the subtle variations these iconic custard tarts offer. From the flakiness of the pastry, the sweetness and wobble of the filling, to whether you like to add a shaking of both cinnamon and sugar, there is much to divide opinion. Is the pastry served too warm or too cold? Do you prefer your pastry to be crispy or just flaky? These are matters that resulted in hours of happy discussion as I strolled up and down Lisbon’s hills in search of the best pastéis de nata. Although no consensus was reached, beautiful views from Lisbon’s miradors were appreciated. After days of research, I left for the airport on a wave of sugar.

Pastéis de Belém

Pastéis de Belém – the original home to the pastéis de nata and still going strong. I loved the crisp pastry and just the right wobble. Be prepared to queue. Take time to have a look at the bakers preparing the pastries behind glass windows in the bakery. Afterwards, treat yourself to a visit to the magnificent Jerónimos monastery, a stunning 16th-century monastery with a beautiful cloister, refectory, and church.

Pastéis de Belém, R. de Belém 84-92, 1300-085 Lisbon.

Pastelaria Santo António

Winner of the 2019 best pastéis de nata, this small bakery is still producing the sort of quality that had me walking up a steep hill to get my teeth into. The reward was a Pastéis de Nata with a delicious filling and perfect custard-to-pastry ratio. A charming, traditional Portuguese bakery and café, it is near São Jorge Castle in the historic Alfama neighbourhood, making it ideal for a coffee and pastry break during sightseeing. The shop is modest and local-feeling but offers a variety of Portuguese sweet treats, lunchtime snacks, and coffee in addition to the pastéis de nata

Pastelaria Santo António R.do Milagre de Santo António, 10, 1100-351, Lisbon

Manteigaria

Manteigaria has multiple outlets in Lisbon, Porto and Braga, and a few worldwide in Paris, Madrid and Macau. I loved the custard in their pastéis de nata, which, for my palate, had just the right level of sweetness. Great pastry too.

Founded in 2014, the original Manteigaria location is housed in a historic building in the Chiado district with an Art Nouveau façade that once belonged to “Manteigaria União,” a butter distributor — reflected in the name “Manteigaria” (butter maker). Manteigaria keeps it simple: its focus is on top-quality pastéis de nata and coffee, and there’s nothing else on offer.

I can recommend a walk up through the steep alleys of the Alfama district, filled with tiles and street art, and reward yourself with a pasty from the Alfama branch of Manteigaria, a minute’s walk from the tiled and charming, bougainvillaea-filled mirador de Santa Lucia overlooking the city.

Manteigaria, Largo Portas do Sol 90, 1100-564, Lisbon

Castro

Castro is another popular bakery selling pastéis de nata that is worth seeking out. There are three outlets in Lisbon and one in Porto. They aim to elevate the pastel de nata beyond a simple street snack to something closer to craft pastry in their Pastéis de Nata Atelier, where you can see the pastries being made. They also pride themselves on encouraging their customers to enjoy the pastries however they like.

While I enjoyed the pastry, the filling was too sweet for my taste. However, some of my friends say these are the best in Lisbon.

All three Castro bakeries in Lisbon are in the historic centre, perfect for a break from sightseeing. Check their website for the addresses.

Castro

The Unmissable pastéis de nata

Any trip to Lisbon should include pastéis de nata. Whether you try the original recipe in Belém at the famous bakery founded in the 19th century, pick up a warm tart from a specialist counter in Chiado, or seek out a neighbourhood café in Alfama while exploring its steep, winding streets or even go on a pastéis de nata crawl (yes they do exist) each pastelaria offers its own take on the classic, reflecting local tradition and artisanal skill. Paired with a strong bica espresso, a pastéis de nata is a taste of Lisbon’s history, daily life and love of simple, exceptional food

For more about the local gastronomy, check our review of Eating Europe, Lisbon