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For those who strive only one native delicacy in Portugal’s capital, let it’s the revered pastel de nata. These Portuguese custard tarts have turn out to be a supply of nationwide satisfaction. Their uniquely flaky, savory pastry has captivated foodies since they had been created in Belém’s Jerónimos Monastery within the 1800s.
I’ve had a gentle 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 after 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 the town, these are the place you’ll discover the most effective pastel de nata in Lisbon!
Manteigaria
Picture credit score: Manteigaria
Manteigaria has quite a few branches across the metropolis and a number of other Porto, however my most popular selection is the one on Rua do Loreto. In contrast to different pastelarias on our record, 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’s solely room for about 15 folks since a lot of the area is taken up by a glass-fronted pastry kitchen the place clients might 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 right 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 remaining didn’t final lengthy.
Manteigaria (€) – Rua do Loreto 2, 1200-108 Lisboa, Portugal – Open day by day from 8:00 am to 12:00 am
Pastéis de Belém
Picture credit score: Pastéis de Belém
This subsequent one is an efficient one! Pastéis de Belém in Rua de Belém is not only a spot you go for certainly one of these conventional snacks; it’s a complete expertise that I urge everybody to have.
Recognizing Pastéis de Belém gained’t be troublesome; simply preserve a watch 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.
Once I acquired my order of two pastéis de nata, I might see why my Portuguese mates dubbed this spot the place for the most effective 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 day by day from 8:00 am to eight:00 pm
Fábrica da Nata
Picture credit score: Fábrica da Nata
Steps away from the Monumento dos Restauradores, you’ll discover Fábrica da Nata. These people have additionally acquired two extra shops alongside Rua Augusta and in Colombo Buying Heart, so if you happen to’re nearer to both of them, you possibly can 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 wood barrels. I additionally loved the life-sized replicas of the pastel de nata out entrance beside the door.
I have to say, the pastel de nata at Fábrica da Nata was a pure slice of heaven; every custardy layer had a refined tinge of caramelization and an nearly 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 prime 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 day by day from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm
Santo António
Picture credit score: Santo António
Tucked away in a phenomenal tile-covered constructing close to Castelo de São Jorge in Alfama, Santo António could also be close to one of many metropolis’s greatest points of interest. Nevertheless, even locals enterprise from their lesser-known neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the town to come back right here.
As you stroll inside, the whiff of custard is bound 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 wood accent wall; there was an actual buzzy ambiance concerning the place, with all of the folks chatting away and indulging of their pastries.
Hats off to chef Luís Ascenção for mastering the troublesome steadiness of getting that well-fired shade 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 mild, 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 day by day from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm
Vegan Nata
Picture credit score: Vegan Nata
Simply since you’re sticking to a vegan weight loss plan doesn’t imply you possibly can’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 setting, from nonplastic water and edible cups you possibly can nibble on after you’ve completed your espresso.
The within of Vegan Nata is sort of small, so I most popular to snag a seat out entrance to take pleasure in my pastel de nata. There have been solely a handful of areas; it was a little bit of a battle to get one for the reason that climate was good that day, however I succeeded in the long run.
If I hadn’t identified that these pastel de nata I acquired right here had been vegan, I wouldn’t have seen 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 day by day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Versailles
Picture 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 can too choose up some predominant course dishes if you happen to’re hungry earlier than your dessert.
If I had been, to sum up Versailles in a single phrase, I’d say grand. The constructing is sort of outdated, however the homeowners have clearly blended that into the design with classic options equivalent to darkish crimson eating desk covers, opulent wall engravings, and chequerboard flooring.
My order at Versailles was one pastel de nata alongside an additional robust double espresso; don’t choose 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.
Regardless that I wasn’t overly hungry, the pastel de nata right here left me wanting an increasing number of. The outer crust was mild with a refined crunchiness, and the filling was silky and splendid with lemon flavors and a barely eggy aftertaste.
Versailles (€€) – Av. da República 15 A, 1050-185 Lisboa, Portugal – Open day by day from 7:15 am to 10:00 pm
Conclusion
With such an overflow of pastelarias all around the Portuguese capital, you gained’t have any problem finding a spot to strive some pastel de nata.
When you’ll actually be spoiled for selection whatever the neighborhood you’re in, you’ll shortly discover out a few of these pastry outlets merely do these egg tarts higher than others! Thankfully, you gained’t should do any trial and error as a result of the entire locations on this record have been put to the take a look at on my own.
