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In the event you strive only one native delicacy in Portugal’s capital, let it’s the revered pastel de nata. These Portuguese custard tarts have grow to be a supply of nationwide satisfaction. Their uniquely flaky, savory pastry has captivated foodies since they have been created in Belém’s Jerónimos Monastery within the 1800s.
I’ve had a comfortable spot for pastéis de nata lengthy earlier than I started my Lisbon meals excursions, but they’re nonetheless the very first thing I yearn for once I’m again within the metropolis!
By now, extra locations are whipping up batches of those egg custard treats than ever earlier than. Out of the handfuls of dreamy spots scattered throughout town, these are the place you’ll discover the perfect pastel de nata in Lisbon!
Manteigaria
Photograph credit score: Manteigaria
Manteigaria has quite a few branches across the metropolis and several other Porto, however my most well-liked alternative is the one on Rua do Loreto. Not like different pastelarias on our checklist, Manteigaria completely sells pastel de nata and occasional, so if you happen to’re available in the market for one thing else, you higher look elsewhere.
Inside the tiny store, there may be solely room for about 15 individuals since many of the area is taken up by a glass-fronted pastry kitchen the place clients could watch the white-hatted cooks smoothing the layered butter pastry into iron tins.
My first pastel de nata right here blew me away; it was the proper steadiness between creamy and crunchy with a crisp and light-weight pastry case. The heat, velvety custard filling exploded into my mouth with the preliminary chunk, and the remainder didn’t final lengthy.
Manteigaria (€) – Rua do Loreto 2, 1200-108 Lisboa, Portugal – Open daily from 8:00 am to 12:00 am
Pastéis de Belém
Photograph credit score: Pastéis de Belém
This subsequent one is an effective one! Pastéis de Belém in Rua de Belém isn’t just a spot you go for certainly one of these conventional snacks; it’s a whole expertise that I urge everybody to have.
Recognizing Pastéis de Belém gained’t be troublesome; simply preserve an eye fixed out for the road midway down the road and the white and blue coloured tiling on the partitions out entrance, and also you’re there. I discovered the interiors of this place to be fairly elegant, from the distinctive ceiling carvings and fancy chandeliers.
After I bought my order of two pastéis de nata, I might see why my Portuguese buddies dubbed this spot the place for the perfect pastéis de nata within the metropolis. Between the graceful and luscious texture of the custard and the crunchy pastry, it was so divine that I ordered two extra to-go.
Pastéis de Belém (€€) – R. de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal – Open daily from 8:00 am to eight:00 pm
Fábrica da Nata
Photograph credit score: Fábrica da Nata
Steps away from the Monumento dos Restauradores, you’ll discover Fábrica da Nata. These of us have additionally bought two extra shops alongside Rua Augusta and in Colombo Procuring Middle, so if you happen to’re nearer to both of them, you’ll be able to pop in; they’re equally as scrumptious.
Fábrica da Nata jogged my memory of an old-style espresso home with trendy standalone chairs, ornate ceiling fixtures, and free-standing picket barrels. I additionally loved the life-sized replicas of the pastel de nata out entrance beside the door.
I need to say, the pastel de nata at Fábrica da Nata was a pure slice of heaven; every custardy layer had a delicate tinge of caramelization and an virtually zest to it, and the entire flavors paired excellently with the buttery crust.
Whereas I didn’t strive one myself, there was an possibility on the menu the place you can even get a scoop of ice cream on high of the pastel de nata. It might sound a bit unusual, however the lady sitting subsequent to me ordered it, and I regretted not doing the identical.
Fábrica da Nata (€) – Praça dos Restauradores 62 -68, 1250-110 Lisboa, Portugal – Open daily from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm
Santo António
Photograph credit score: Santo António
Tucked away in an exquisite tile-covered constructing close to Castelo de São Jorge in Alfama, Santo António could also be close to one of many metropolis’s greatest sights. Nevertheless, even locals enterprise from their lesser-known neighbourhoods on the outskirts of town to come back right here.
As you stroll inside, the whiff of custard is certain to seize your senses, and you’ll spot the pastry cooks behind the counter pouring powdered sugar throughout their newest batch.
I grabbed my order and pulled up a seat alongside the picket accent wall; there was an actual buzzy ambiance concerning the place, with all of the individuals chatting away and indulging of their pastries.
Hats off to chef Luís Ascenção for mastering the troublesome steadiness of getting that well-fired colour of the custard whereas being cautious to not burn the pastry. I assumed the pastel de nata right here had a cinnamony contact to it with some gentle, spicy notes. Nevertheless, the wealthy, eggy custard dominated the flavour profile.
Santo António (€€) – R. do Milagre de Santo António 10, 1100-351 Lisboa, Portugal – Open daily from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm
Vegan Nata
Photograph credit score: Vegan Nata
Simply since you’re sticking to a vegan food plan doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t expertise the tastiness of a pastel de nata; Vegan Nata in Chiado resides proof of that!
Vegan Nata goes above and past to make sure their merchandise have a minimal impression on the atmosphere, from nonplastic water and edible cups you’ll be able to nibble on after you’ve completed your espresso.
The within of Vegan Nata is sort of small, so I most well-liked to snag a seat out entrance to get pleasure from my pastel de nata. There have been solely a handful of areas; it was a little bit of a battle to get one because the climate was good that day, however I succeeded ultimately.
If I hadn’t identified that these pastel de nata I bought right here have been vegan, I wouldn’t have observed that they weren’t the true factor. The bottom was constituted of soy and oats, whereas the custard nonetheless tasted as candy as regular, however they used a dairy-free milk substitute.
Vegan Nata Chiado (€€) – R. da Misericórdia 9, 1200-208 Lisboa, Portugal – Open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Versailles
Photograph credit score: Versailles
Positioned within the Saldanha space, Versailles is sort of a cafe you’d discover someplace in France that sells French-style pastries and pastel de nata. You may as well decide up some principal course dishes if you happen to’re hungry earlier than your dessert.
If I have been, to sum up Versailles in a single phrase, I might say grand. The constructing is sort of outdated, however the house owners have clearly blended that into the design with classic options reminiscent of darkish purple eating desk covers, opulent wall engravings, and chequerboard flooring.
My order at Versailles was one pastel de nata alongside an additional sturdy double espresso; don’t decide me; it was early within the morning. My espresso got here first, so I shot it down in a single: daring, intense, and as bitter as ever; that’s how I like my espresso within the morning, and this one match the invoice.
Although I wasn’t overly hungry, the pastel de nata right here left me wanting increasingly. The outer crust was gentle with a delicate crunchiness, and the filling was silky and opulent with lemon flavors and a barely eggy aftertaste.
Versailles (€€) – Av. da República 15 A, 1050-185 Lisboa, Portugal – Open daily from 7:15 am to 10:00 pm
Conclusion
With such an overflow of pastelarias everywhere in the Portuguese capital, you gained’t have any trouble finding a spot to strive some pastel de nata.
Whilst you’ll definitely be spoiled for alternative whatever the neighborhood you’re in, you’ll shortly discover out a few of these pastry retailers merely do these egg tarts higher than others! Luckily, you gained’t should do any trial and error as a result of the entire locations on this checklist have been put to the check on my own.
