Portugal's best custard tarts: beyond the cities

Portugal’s got a proper sweet tooth, and it shows—just pop into any pastelaria and you’ll be spoiled for choice. The country takes its pastries seriously, with locals nipping in for a quick coffee and something sweet at all hours. Pastel de nata might steal the spotlight—and the big cities often get most of the attention—but you’ll find cosy cafés and traditional bakeries all across Portugal serving up these creamy tarts. Each place has its own local take, giving you the chance to find the perfect Portuguese pastel de nata, plus plenty of other sweet temptations along the way.

Pastel de nata in Lisbon and Porto

The very famous "Pastel de Belém" and "Pastel de Nata" Flickr

Most folks kick off their custard tart journey in Lisbon or Porto, and it’s no wonder—the original recipe and all those time-honoured bakeries are right there. Lisbon has its pastel de nata legends (you can't really chat about custard tarts without someone mentioning Belém), and Porto’s got its own custardy crowd-pleasers up north. But let's venture away from the two main Portuguese cities, in search of a pastel de nata that comes with a quieter, more laid-back setting.

Top pastel de nata spots beyond the big cities

André Luís, CC BY 2.0 Flickr

Pastelaria Briosa (Coimbra)

Pastelaria Briosa sits right in downtown Coimbra, just across from Largo da Portagem and with a cracking view over the Mondego River. Order a meringue or pastel de tentúgal to go with your pastel de nata. 

Although a bit of a tourist spot, the pastries are at a decent price, and the place is still pretty traditional inside. The pastry shop is also steps away from the university and the old town, making it an easy addition to any day spent exploring the city.

Gato Legal Coffee Roastery (Ponta do Pargo, Madeira)

Gato Legal Coffee Roastery is a real community spot for coffee and pastry lovers. The cafés cheerful, colourful chairs are very inviting, and many rave about the vegan burger.

Ponta do Pargo itself sits on the island’s far western tip, where you can soak up wild Atlantic views and take a stroll to the striking Farol da Ponta do Pargo lighthouse.

Padaria Fanepão 88 (Aveiro)

Set in the heart of Aveiro, Padaria Fanepão 88 is a go-to for fresh pastries and tasty breakfast. The area’s big with students, so there’s a buzzing, youthful edge—not to mention handy links to the rest of the town on foot or by bus.

You’re just up the road from the colourful Art Nouveau buildings, the buzzing Mercado do Peixe (fish market), and all those tiled houses Aveiro is known for.

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Riviera Cake Shop (Albufeira, Algarve)

This pastry shop makes a brilliant base for sweet-toothed wanderers, serving up plenty of cake, including an amazing black forest gateau, as well as pastéis de nata, of course. 

The area is popular with expats (especially Brits) and you’re within easy reach of the local market, the Albufeira Archaeological Museum, and those sun-drenched beaches that pull people to the Algarve in the first place.

Vela d'Ouro (Sines, Alentejo)

This café and pastelaria gets plenty of local love for its friendly vibe and, quite notably, for its vasquinhos. These little pastries are unique to Sines, and you won’t find them just anywhere—think buttery, slightly crunchy, and just right with an espresso.

You’re literally a stone’s throw from Sines Castle, so it’s easy to tuck into a treat and then have a wander around the old ramparts or down towards the sea.

Alternative desserts for sweet-toothed travellers

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Some of the most popular Portuguese desserts are overshadowed by the pastel de nata, but there's plenty more out there to try. A day trip to Sintra wouldn’t be complete without a fluffy travesseiro—these sugar-dusted pillows of almond and egg cream are a real favourite with visitors and locals alike. Down in central Portugal, bolo de arroz makes a simple but moreish companion to your morning coffee, especially if you stumble into a busy pastelaria where it’s fresh from the oven.