Pastéis de Nata are one of Portugal’s most iconic pastries — and believe me, as a Brazilian (Eli) who grew up eating Pastéis de Nata in São Paulo, I can confidently say that Lisbon is the best place in the world to try them.
Also known in English as Portuguese egg custard tarts, Pastéis de Nata are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and best enjoyed warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon. More than just a sweet treat, they are deeply rooted in Portugal’s culinary identity and everyday culture.
During our time exploring Lisbon, we made it a mission to taste Pastéis de Nata at several well-known bakeries and local-favorite spots across the city. In this blog post, we’re sharing 4 top places to try Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon, based on our own experience, so you know exactly where to go for the real thing.
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Food Matters in Portugal 🇵🇹
Food matters. A lot.
It brings people together, sparks conversations, and creates memories — especially when you travel.
Coming from Brazil, this felt very familiar to us. Back home, bakeries — or padarias — are everywhere. They’re not just about bread. You’ll find sweet and savoury pastries, coffee, sandwiches, and even full meals.
In Brazil, Pastéis de Nata are usually found in padarias. They’re easy to find and often enjoyed with a quick coffee during the day.
In Portugal, especially in Lisbon, the experience feels different. While you can still find Pastéis de Nata in regular bakeries, the best ones are often made in specialized Portuguese bakeries, where this pastry is the star.
Portuguese bakeries share a welcoming spirit with Brazilian padarias, but they focus more on tradition and technique. This gives them a unique identity, different from French or English bakeries.
When we visited Lisbon for the first time in October 2019, food quickly became a big part of our experience. We tried familiar dishes, discovered new flavours, and asked locals for recommendations — both on the streets and on Instagram.
Lisbon locals are friendly, proud of their cuisine, and always happy to share their favourite food spots — especially when it comes to Pastéis de Nata. ☕🥧
Pastéis de Nata vs. Pastéis de Belém: What’s the Difference?
Of course, there was one pastry we had to eat in Lisbon: Pastéis de Nata.
In simple terms, Pastéis de Nata are traditional Portuguese egg tarts — creamy on the inside, flaky on the outside, and usually sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. You’ll find them in bakeries all over Portugal, and every place has its own version.
However, this is where many first-time visitors get confused.
Pastéis de Nata and Pastéis de Belém are not the same thing.
According to people from Lisbon, Pastéis de Belém are a category of their own. They are made using a secret recipe that has been kept for generations and can only be tasted at Pastéis de Belém, located in Belém, a historic district of Lisbon.
While they look similar to Pastéis de Nata, locals will quickly tell you:
the recipe, the texture, and even the flavor are different.
That’s why, technically speaking:
- Pastéis de Nata → available everywhere in Portugal
- Pastéis de Belém → exclusive to one place, one recipe, one location
Both are delicious — just not the same.
Want to taste the original Pastéis de Belém?
Join 📍 this guided experience in Belém, where you’ll learn the story behind the famous pastry and have the option to taste the legendary Pastéis de Belém at their original location. 👇🏻
4 Top Places to Try Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon | Let the Countdown Begin
Now it’s time for the fun part.
Let’s start the countdown of 4 amazing places to eat Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon — plus one local bonus tip.
Keep reading until the end, because we’ll also share an important tip about Pastéis de Belém and why they’re different from the classic Pastéis de Nata.
1. Manteigaria – Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata
Our first recommendation is Manteigaria – Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata, and it holds a special place for us. This was the very first Pastel de Nata we tasted in Lisbon — and it set the bar high from the start.
Where to Find Manteigaria in Lisbon
Manteigaria is located at Rua do Loreto 2, 1200-108, in the vibrant Chiado neighbourhood of Lisbon, Portugal. Conveniently, it sits right next to Chiado metro station, making it an easy stop if you plan to explore the city by public transportation.
What to Expect
This small and welcoming café focuses on doing one thing extremely well: Pastéis de Nata. The pastries come straight from the oven, with a creamy, silky custard filling and a crispy, flaky exterior. Unsurprisingly, they are the kind that makes you want to order another… and then another.
You can enjoy your pastel at the bar while chatting with others in line, or simply take it to go. Additionally, Manteigaria offers different box sizes, which is perfect if you want to bring some home (or share — if you can resist).
Prices & Experience
At the time of our visit in October 2019, prices were surprisingly affordable. Each pastel cost €1, and buying a box of six made them even cheaper per unit. Considering the quality, it felt like an absolute bargain.
Because Pastéis de Nata are their main specialty, Manteigaria delivers consistently excellent results. That said, after tasting nearly 10 different versions across Lisbon, choosing a favorite became harder than expected!
Drinks Available
To complete the experience, Manteigaria also serves coffee and Port wine, making it a great spot to slow down and enjoy your pastry the traditional Portuguese way.
2. Aloma – Since 1943
Our second recommendation is Aloma, and interestingly, it was also the second Pastel de Nata we tried on our very first day in Lisbon. Coincidentally, it’s located on the same street as Manteigaria, which says a lot about how easy it is to find great Pastéis de Nata in the city.
Where to Find Aloma in Lisbon
Aloma is located at R. José Estêvão 127, 1150-004 Lisboa, Portugal. This location is slightly outside Chiado, but it’s well worth the short detour if you’re exploring Lisbon beyond the most touristic areas.
This variety of locations across the city also highlights just how deeply Pastéis de Nata are woven into Lisbon’s daily life.
Taste & Our Experience
We really enjoyed Aloma’s version of the Pastel de Nata. In fact, the custard cream tasted even richer and more indulgent than the one at Manteigaria. However, the pastry shell was not quite as crispy, which ultimately comes down to personal preference.
That said, it was still excellent — and very memorable.
Why We Recommend Aloma
If you have time to explore different neighborhoods in Lisbon, we absolutely recommend stopping by Aloma for one pastel… or two… or maybe three 😉. Beyond Pastéis de Nata, they offer a wide selection of traditional Portuguese pastries and provide a more comfortable space to sit, relax, and enjoy your treat at a slower pace.
3. A Pousadinha – Doçaria Conventual (Lisbon location now closed)
Our third stop for Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon was A Pousadinha – Doçaria Conventual. This was the last Pastel de Nata we tried in the city, and it made for a very satisfying way to end our tastings.
Where We Visited in Lisbon
At the time of our visit, A Pousadinha was located at Rua de São Paulo, 188 – Lisbon, Portugal, near the Cais do Sodré area.
However, looks like that Lisbon location has since closed, which explains why you may no longer find it listed on Google Maps today.
But, A Pousadinha is still active as a brand and continues to operate from Tentúgal, a town well known in Portugal for its traditional conventual sweets.
Our Experience
When we visited the Lisbon shop, the Pastéis de Nata were fresh, warm, and delicious, earning this stop a solid third place on our list. The custard was smooth and comforting, and the pastry held its structure nicely — a great final impression.
In addition to Pastéis de Nata, A Pousadinha also offered many other traditional Portuguese pastries, which made choosing just one quite difficult.
Why We’re Still Including It
We’re keeping A Pousadinha in this article because this list reflects our real experience discovering Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon. Lisbon’s food scene evolves constantly, and small traditional bakeries sometimes close or relocate.
If anything, this is a reminder that when you find a great pastelaria in Lisbon, it’s worth stopping in — you never know how long it will be there.
👉 Tip: If you’d like to try A Pousadinha today, we recommend visiting their Tentúgal location and checking their official Instagram for the most up-to-date information.
4. Pastelaria Santo Antonio
The fourth and final spot on our list is Pastelaria Santo António. While this one was on our radar, we unfortunately didn’t have time to stop and try it during our visit to Lisbon.
Why It Made Our List Anyway
Even though we didn’t taste it ourselves, Pastelaria Santo António came highly recommended by one of our Instagram followers, @customtoursportugal, who mentioned that it was considered “the best custard tart in Lisbon in 2019.” With a reputation like that, we couldn’t leave it out.
Our Take
Since we didn’t get the chance to visit, this one isn’t a personal recommendation — but it’s absolutely on our list for next time. When we return to Lisbon, we’ll definitely stop by for a coffee and, of course, a Pastel de Nata to see how it compares.
Where to Find Pastelaria Santo António
Pastelaria Santo António is located at R. Milagre de Santo António N.º 10, Lisbon, Portugal, just steps away from Lisbon’s Cathedral area.
👉 Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, we also recommend checking @customtoursportugal on Instagram for local inspiration and food recommendations around Lisbon.
5. Bonus: Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata (Still Open & Highly Rated)
While researching places that are still open and loved today, one spot kept coming up: Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata. Although we didn’t get the chance to try it ourselves, it has earned a strong reputation among locals and visitors alike.
Why It’s Worth Noting
Castro is known for focusing almost exclusively on Pastéis de Nata, baking them fresh throughout the day. Many reviews highlight the balanced sweetness, creamy custard, and flaky pastry, making it a popular stop for those exploring central Lisbon.
Where to Find Castro
Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata is located at
Rua Garrett 38, 1200-204 Lisboa, Portugal, right in the heart of Chiado — an easy stop if you’re already visiting places like Chiado, Bairro Alto, or Baixa.
👉 Tip: If you’re visiting Lisbon today and want a reliable place for Pastéis de Nata in the city center, Castro is a great option to add to your list.
Pastéis de Belém: A Separate Stop Worth Planning
Pastéis de Belém are not the same as Pastéis de Nata, and they deserve their own stop.
When we visited Belém in October 2019, we arrived early in the morning and found long lines outside Pastéis de Belém. Most visitors were stopping for pastries before heading to Jerónimos Monastery, which is right next door.
Instead of waiting, we adjusted our plan.
We visited the monastery first and returned around lunchtime. By then, the bakery was almost empty. No crowds. No rush. Just time to enjoy the experience.
What we learned from that visit:
- Early mornings are the busiest time
- Visiting Jerónimos Monastery first is a smart move
- Late morning or lunchtime is much calmer
- You can order pastries to go or sit inside
- Pastéis de Belém are perfect as dessert after lunch
We ordered ours at the counter to go and enjoyed them later, slowly and stress-free. Sometimes, planning your timing makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for reading our Pastéis de Nata review from Lisbon.
Trying local food is one of the best ways to understand a destination, and for us, Pastéis de Nata were a big part of discovering Lisbon. From classic bakeries to iconic spots like Belém, every tasting came with its own story.
If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon, we hope these tips help you enjoy the experience — and maybe avoid a few crowds along the way.
If you’d like to keep exploring with us, here are a few helpful reads from our Lisbon journey:
- Day trip from Lisbon to Belém (yes, with Pastéis de Belém)
- Our vlog experience at Pastéis de Belém
- Best tips for getting around Lisbon
- Highlights of the Lisbon Transit Pass
And if you’ve tried Pastéis de Nata somewhere we should know about, feel free to leave a comment. We’re always happy to add new spots to our list for the next visit. ☕🥧
