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Lisbon is awash with wonderful pastelarias providing conventional Portuguese candy treats like pastéis de nata and pastéis de belém. To not point out the pastry outlets providing delicacies from different components of Europe, like French croissants.
You’d be forgiven for feeling a bit of bit head-spun by all of the choices. That can assist you discover the perfect Portuguese desserts in your subsequent Lisbon meals tour, I made a decision to take a more in-depth take a look at a few of the finest pastry outlets I’ve discovered on all my Lisbon adventures through the years.
Pastéis de Belém
Photograph credit score: Pastéis de Belém
Pastéis de Belém is considered one of Lisboa’s actually historic pastry outlets, situated close to the Jerónimos Monastery. They’re arguably finest recognized for their iconic pastel de Belém. Nevertheless, they have an in depth menu with numerous different choices value attempting, together with bolo de arroz, in addition to English muffins and queen muffins, not like something you’d get your fingers on in London.
The ambiance transported me again in time with its conventional Portuguese tiles. I might virtually really feel the generations of people that walked by the doorways again in 1837 when Portugal was nonetheless recovering from the Liberal Revolution.
After all, I ordered their pastel de Belém, which they’re well-known for. It was completely garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered sugar. Together with that, I grabbed considered one of their in-house takes on the well-known Pastéis de Nata as a result of I used to be feeling additional peckish. The egg custard tart was barely richer than the likes of a crème brulee, however it was firmly locked in place by a calmly blistered high that gave means gently as I bit into it.
Pastéis de Belém (€€) – Rua de Belém 84-92, 1300-085 Lisbon, Portugal – Open day by day from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Pastelaria Santo António
Photograph credit score: Pastelaria Santo António
Pastelaria Santo António is a captivating Lisbon pastry store with a popularity for representing the perfect of conventional Portuguese candy treats whereas giving them a contemporary twist. Nestled within the picturesque Alfama neighborhood, it’s a fantastic place to cease for a snack whereas diving deep into the realm’s wealthy cultural historical past.
The inside is cozy and has an inviting ambiance that strategically makes use of lighting to direct you to the choices within the pastry case. I respect this strategy within the morning, because it’s straightforward on the eyes when it is advisable rise up early to get a head begin in your day.
I ordered the Pastel de Nata, which they’re well-known for. The Portuguese egg tart’s custard was wealthy and creamy with the flavour of high-quality egg yolks, rigorously melded with sugar. It was completely encased in a crispy pastry shell that made it straightforward to eat out of hand.
Pastelaria Santo António (€€) – Rua do Milagre de Santo António 10, 1100-351 Lisbon, Portugal – Open each Monday to Saturday from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM and closed each Sunday.
Pastelaria Alcôa
Photograph credit score: Pastelaria Alcôa
Located within the Chiado district of Lisbon, Pastelaria Alcôa gives a pleasant array of conventional Portuguese pastries. Most of the bites served right here comply with the unique recipes that have been laid down a long time, if not centuries in the past. But additionally they have many desserts and baked specialties which were reinvented with fashionable twists.
The inside ambiance exhibits respect for Lisboa’s historic tradition with its basic Portuguese décor, such because the classic tiles, wood furnishings, and the easy, elegant particulars that mirror Pastelaria Alcôa’s lengthy historical past.
I couldn’t assist however attempt the Manjar de Laranja, which is created from orange juice and zest and thoroughly thickened earlier than being served chilly. I discovered it to be completely refreshing on a heat day when the contemporary oranges occurred to be in season in Portugal. The genuine orange tinges stayed with my palate for the remainder of the day.
Pastelaria Alcôa (€€) – Rua Garrett 37, 1200-203 Lisbon, Portugal – Open day by day from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Pastelaria Versailles
Photograph credit score: Pastelaria Versailles
Pastelaria Versailles in Lisbon’s Avenidas Novas harkens to a bygone period when Portugal swayed the tastes of world tradition. From the primary second you set foot inside, the opulent inside is matched solely by the candy aroma of their delectable pastries.
This isn’t the type of place you pop by whilst you’re dashing to discover close by websites just like the Gulbenkian Museum or the Avenida da Liberdade. You need to give your self time to absorb the intricate particulars of their grand chandeliers, the finely embellished moldings, and intricately upholstered furnishings.
Their menu is loaded with must-try pastries and patisserie treats like their signature Pastéis de Nata, with a shell just like puff pastry. Nevertheless, I selected their Baba de Camelo. There’s some tongue-in-cheek humor harkening again to Lisboa’s historic Moorish connections as Baba de Camelo actually interprets as “Camel’s Drool.”
In the present day, it’s created from sweetened condensed milk, which they simmered till it lowered all the way down to a caramel-like sauce. I had it garnished with a light-weight sprinkle of cinnamon and a few decadent chocolate shavings.
Pastelaria Versailles (€€€) – Avenida da República 15A, 1050-185 Lisbon, Portugal – Open each Monday to Saturday from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM and each Sunday from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
Manteigaria – Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata – Chiado
Photograph credit score: Manteigaria
Manteigaria is considered one of Lisbon’s most well-known pastry outlets. Whereas they’ve unfold all through the town, their unique pastry store in Chiado continues to be essentially the most iconic. It attracts its identify from the butter manufacturing unit that when occupied the area.
One of many fundamental options of Manteigaria is its open kitchen idea. You get to observe them work their magic; while you see the extraordinary course of they undergo, you’ll perceive why they take into account themselves to be the perfect pastel makers within the metropolis. I appreciated their effectivity and talent to maneuver a excessive quantity of pastries with out leaving you ready in line; wait till you see it for your self.
Whereas they’re well-known for making Pastéis de Nata, I felt like attempting a bit of one thing completely different. So, I ordered their Pão de Deus. It’s a candy bun that looks like an commercial for the native sugar refinery. It’s glazed with a candy sugar syrup that’s simply sticky sufficient to cement the floral coconut topping. I tore it aside into little items and dunked it of their robustly fragrant black espresso.
Then I ordered two of their Bolo de Arroz that I saved for later. They’re a standard Portuguese rice flour muffin with only a mild tinge of sweetness. A taste virtually paying homage to rice pudding however with the feel of a young muffin. It turned out to be the right mid-afternoon snack whereas I used to be touring the ruins of the Carmo Convent.
Manteigaria (€€) – Rua do Loreto 2, 1200-108 Lisbon, Portugal – Open day by day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Panificação Reunida de São Roque
Photograph credit score: Panificação Reunida de São Roque
Conveniently situated the place Bairro Alto meets the Principe Actual district, Panificação Reunida de São Roque is near a number of common vacationer sights like Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and the Elevador da Glória.
The environment of Panificação Reunida de São Roque exudes a way of old-world authenticity, which makes it highly regarded with the locals. The inside design is ornate in all the precise locations. My eyes feasted on the sculpted moldings and complex tile patterns.
The menu focuses on basic Portuguese pastries, together with the ever-present Pastéis de Nata, and rustic breads. I used to be there throughout the vacation season and tried a few of their bolo rei “King Cake.” I cherished how the silky brioche-like dough was delicate and chewy but agency sufficient to carry the delicately candied fruits, raisins, and nuts.
Panificação Reunida de São Roque (€€) – Rua da Rosa, 190, 1200 – 390 Lisboa, Portugal – Open each Sunday to Thursday from 7:00 AM to three:00 PM, and each Friday and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
