Calling all food lovers! What’s a trip to Portugal’s capital without a stop at the city’s most iconic bakery to taste the unforgettable Pastéis de Belém?
Let’s dive in!
Contents:
> What is a Pastel de Nata?
> A Brief History of Pastéis de Belém
> Onwards to the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém!
> Food Tours & Cooking Classes in Lisbon
💡 Insider Tips 💡
⭐ Top Tip: Free guided tour of the capital
💤 Hotels accommodation: a selection of value-for-money accommodation.
What is a Pastel de Nata?
A pastel de nata (plural: pastéis de nata) is a small custard tart with a crispy, caramelized top, a bit like a mini flan.
The key ingredients? Flaky puff pastry and a rich custard made from egg yolks, milk, and sugar.
They’re best enjoyed warm, often with a sprinkle of cinnamon or powdered sugar.
Every food lover—from first-time tasters to the most renowned food critics—agrees on one thing: the Pastéis de Belém, made from a secret recipe in the kitchens of the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, are the best pastéis de nata in the world. With their perfectly crisp pastry and irresistibly creamy filling, they easily outshine the competition!
The only thing left to do is try them for yourself and see what all the fuss is about!
A Brief History of Pastéis de Belém
The Origins of Pastéis de Belém
The story of Pastéis de Belém begins in the cloisters of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Believe it or not, it all started with a need for starch! The monks used vast quantities of egg whites to starch their habits,
leaving them with an excess of egg yolks.
Faced with the question of how to use them up, they found a delicious solution: and just like that, Pastéis de Belém were born!
From Monastery to Bakery
In the 1820s, the Liberal Revolution in Portugal led to the closure of many monasteries, including the Jerónimos Monastery.
The monks were forced to leave, and in 1837, one of them decided to sell their secret custard tarts to make a living. They sold their tarts in a small shop next to a former sugar cane refinery, just steps away from the monastery,
and the now-famous “Pastéis de Belém” were officially named.
Even back then, the Belém district attracted numerous visitors eager to explore the Monastery of Jerónimos and the Tower of Belém. The monks’ sweet pastries became an instant hit, and the small shop quickly turned into an institution!
Pastéis de Belém Today
Since 1837, the recipe for Pastéis de Belém has been passed down in strict secrecy to only a handful of pastry chefs.
Today, just 3 of the 180 employees working at the Fabrica dos Pastéis de Belém know the exact recipe.
The success of these custard tarts is nothing short of extraordinary: the shop now produces nearly 20,000 of them every single day!
Onwards to the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém!
Now that you know everything about the history of Pastéis de Belém, it’s time to move on to the best part—tasting them!
A True Institution
Finding the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém couldn’t be easier: just look for the long line of eager foodies waiting to get their hands on these legendary Lisbon pastries!
Don’t be put off by the queue outside the shop—most people are there to buy their treats to go. To avoid a long wait, step inside the bakery; it’s much larger than it appears, with nearly 400 seats. You should be able to find a table to enjoy your Pastéis de Nata, accompanied by a nice cup of coffee.
While you’re there, take a moment to appreciate the timeless decor, with its iconic blue-and-white azulejos tiles. You can also catch a glimpse of the bakers hard at work in the open kitchen.
But don’t expect to steal the secret recipe for Pastéis de Belém! The puff pastry and custard are made in the “Oficina do Segredo” (the Secret Workshop), a room accessible to only a select few chefs. While the exact proportions of the main ingredients (eggs, milk, sugar) remain a mystery, it’s rumored that the Pastéis de Nata recipe includes a secret ingredient that no one has managed to uncover!
Practical Information
Head to the Belém district, west of Lisbon’s city center. The Antiga Confeitaria de Belém is housed in a historic building, just a short walk from the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries.
The nearest transport options are:
- Tram: Line 15E to the Belém-Jeronimos stop
- Bus: Lines 728, 729, 714, and 727 to the Belém stop
- Train: Take the Cascais line from Cais do Sodré station to Belém station, followed by a 10-minute walk.
The bakery is open daily from 8am to 9pm (until 10pm from July 1st to September 15th).
Food Tours & Cooking Classes in Lisbon
Looking to dive deeper into Lisbon’s rich culinary heritage?
From food tours to cooking workshops and tastings, Captain Ulysses has handpicked a selection of must-try activities for you (with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance):
👉 Portuguese cuisine with these curated culinary experiences.
Save Time! Book Your Visits Activities in Advance!
😴 Find Your Accommodation in Lisbon!
Credits
Heather Cowper
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