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Lisbon is awash with superb pastelarias providing conventional Portuguese candy treats like pastéis de nata and pastéis de belém. To not point out the pastry retailers providing delicacies from different components of Europe, like French croissants.
You’d be forgiven for feeling slightly bit head-spun by all of the choices. That can assist you discover the very best Portuguese desserts in your subsequent Lisbon meals tour, I made a decision to take a better have a look at a number of the greatest pastry retailers I’ve discovered on all my Lisbon adventures over time.
Pastéis de Belém
Photograph credit score: Pastéis de Belém
Pastéis de Belém is certainly one of Lisboa’s really historic pastry retailers, positioned close to the Jerónimos Monastery. They’re arguably greatest recognized for their iconic pastel de Belém. Nevertheless, they have an intensive menu with plenty of different choices price making an attempt, 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 certainly 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 method gently as I bit into it.
Pastéis de Belém (€€) – Rua de Belém 84-92, 1300-085 Lisbon, Portugal – Open daily 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 very best of conventional Portuguese candy treats whereas giving them a contemporary twist. Nestled within the picturesque Alfama neighborhood, it’s an important 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 recognize this strategy within the morning, because it’s simple on the eyes when you might want to 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 simple 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 observe the unique recipes that had been laid down many years, if not centuries in the past. But in addition they have many desserts and baked specialties which have been reinvented with fashionable twists.
The inside ambiance reveals 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 strive the Manjar de Laranja, which is comprised of orange juice and zest and punctiliously thickened earlier than being served chilly. I discovered it to be completely refreshing on a heat day when the recent 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 daily 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 form 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 wish 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.”
Right now, it’s comprised of sweetened condensed milk, which they simmered till it diminished right 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 certainly one of Lisbon’s most well-known pastry retailers. Whereas they’ve unfold all through town, their authentic pastry store in Chiado remains to be probably the most iconic. It attracts its title from the butter manufacturing unit that when occupied the area.
One of many essential options of Manteigaria is its open kitchen idea. You get to observe them work their magic; whenever you see the extraordinary course of they undergo, you’ll perceive why they take into account themselves to be the very best pastel makers within the metropolis. I preferred their effectivity and skill 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 making an attempt slightly one thing completely different. So, I ordered their Pão de Deus. It’s a candy bun that appears 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 conventional Portuguese rice flour muffin with only a gentle tinge of sweetness. A taste virtually harking back 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 daily from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Panificação Reunida de São Roque
Photograph credit score: Panificação Reunida de São Roque
Conveniently positioned the place Bairro Alto meets the Principe Actual district, Panificação Reunida de São Roque is near a number of fashionable vacationer points of interest 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 appropriate locations. My eyes feasted on the sculpted moldings and complicated 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 through the vacation season and tried a few of their bolo rei “King Cake.” I cherished how the silky brioche-like dough was comfortable 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.
