Lisbon isn’t short of things it does well, but the custard tarts you’ll spot in every window from Belém to Alfama might be the city’s proudest export. The hunt for the best pastel de nata in Lisbon is a cherished pastime for both locals and newcomers. Some swear by the queues at Belém, while others reckon it’s the hole-in-the-wall pastelerias in less touristy corners that serve up the real thing.
At its heart, this delicacy is about flaky pastry, a creamy custard centre (ideally with a hint of vanilla and lemon), and a top that’s caramelised just-so. You can also sprinkle a touch of cinnamon or icing sugar (if you fancy it). If you’re after the real Lisbon experience, it’s worth sampling a few to find your favourite, as well as tucking into a few other typical Portuguese sweet treats.
Pastel de nata in Lisbon: a slice of history
Porto may have recently upped its custard tart game, but the story of the Portuguese custard tart starts back in the 18th century in Lisbon. Monks in the Belém neighbourhood started baking up these custard tarts with leftover egg yolks and secret spices.
You’ll hear a bit of friendly confusion over names. You’ve got the famous Pastéis de Belém straight out of the original bakery in Belém using a secret recipe, and pastel de nata everywhere else—same family, slight twist.
Top places for the best pastel de nata in Lisbon
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in Lisbon who doesn’t have a strong opinion on where to get the city’s best Portuguese custard tart. From historic bakeries drawing queues that snake down the street, to tiny, family-run pastelarias known mostly to locals, Lisbon’s got no shortage of top contenders.
Pastéis de Belém – does it live up to the hype?
For many, a trip to Pastéis de Belém is a must when visiting Lisbon. Few bakeries in Lisbon are as legendary. This blue-tiled institution has been churning out pastel de nata since 1837, and the recipe is still a secret, passed down from monk to baker and never fully revealed. The pastry here tends to be thinner and flakier, while the custard filling is silkier and slightly less sweet than you’ll find elsewhere.
If you’re curious about Lisbon’s pastry culture and don’t mind a bit of bustle, at least one visit to Pastéis de Belém is a rite of passage. Plus, there are plenty of things to do in Belém while you sink your teeth into your custard tart. Decide for yourself if the hype has substance, or if a quieter neighbourhood pastelaria wins your loyalty.
Award-winning custard tart bakeries
Libon holds O Melhor Pastel de Nata, an annual pastel de nata competition, where a panel of chefs, bloggers, and gastronomy experts.
Confeitaria da Glória
A bit further out in Amadora, this spot clinched the title of Lisbon’s best pastel de nata for 2023. Remarkably, this was the first time the bakery had entered the city’s biggest custard tart competition, making the win even sweeter.
Pastelaria Aloma
A real heavyweight in Lisbon’s pastel de nata scene, Pastelaria Aloma has serious credentials—taking home the top prize at the competition in 2024, and consistently placing in either second or third position in other years.
Famous pastelarias in Central Lisbon
If you’re strolling through Baixa or Chiado, it’s hard to go wrong. Central Lisbon is packed with pastelarias, each with its own take on the classic custard tart, and plenty with some serious pedigree.
Confeitaria Nacional
Located on Praça da Figueira, this pastry shop is as grand as they come, with polished counters, chandeliers and a history stretching back to 1829. Their pastel de nata has a delicate, slightly caramelised top and a custard that’s rich but never too sweet.
Fábrica da Nata
Here they churn out warm tarts all day in a space that feels part café, part pastry theatre. You can watch bakers fill trays with silky custard, then tuck in while the tarts are still piping hot.
Manteigaria
This spot has no seating and no frills—just a long glass counter and the regular sight of trays coming fresh from the oven every few minutes. The combination of crisp, whisper-thin pastry and velvety custard makes this spot a favourite for both locals and visitors.
Best pastel de nata in Alfama
Alfama’s winding lanes aren’t just for live Fado shows and wine—the local pastelarias here have their own loyal followings. The beauty of this neighbourhood is that you can stumble on smaller, lesser-known bakeries tinkering with the classic recipe.
Alfama Doce
A proper old-school spot where the pastel de nata flies out of the oven all morning. The vibe is no-frills, with a few locals gathered at the counter and a constant stream of regulars popping in for their fix. The custard here is creamy with a gentle hint of lemon, and the pastry holds that sought-after crackle when you bite in.
Santo António
This bakery has carved out a reputation for innovation, occasionally offering pastel de nata sprinkled with toasted almond or flavoured with cinnamon. Their upstairs seating is a grand place to soak up the Alfama buzz.
Vegan and gluten-free pastel de nata in Lisbon
Lisbon’s sweet scene has welcomed plenty of newcomers in recent years, and vegan or gluten-free foodies aren’t left out when it comes to pastel de nata. There are a few reliable spots genuinely worth a visit if you’re after a plant-based or wheat-free fix, without sacrificing the creamy filling and crisp pastry.
Vegan Nata Chiado
This little café in the heart of Chiado is dedicated entirely to vegan pastéis de nata. It’s the go-to spot if you’re plant-based or just curious to see how the vegan version stacks up.
Gal Cafe
Up in the lively Anjos neighbourhood, Gal Cafe is a bright, creative vegan hangout serving not only their own take on the classic nata, but an ever-changing range of sweet and savoury treats. including avo on toast.
Green Beans Vegan Café
A fully vegan café with a focus on quality, Green Beans bakes plant-based pastel de nata that gets high marks for both texture and taste. They pride themselves on sustainable ingredients, so it’s a good shout for conscious eaters as well as anyone fancying something a bit different.
Rice Me Deli
For the gluten-free crowd, Rice Me Deli is a standout. The entire spot is designed for coeliacs, and their pastel de nata swaps out the wheat without losing that crisp pastry shell. The filling is lush and not overly sweet, so it’s an easy recommendation for those avoiding gluten.