Lisbon : the best places to taste and buy natas
Pastel de nata is one of the symbols of Lisbon and Portugal. The Lisbonans are true fans of this dessert they savor at any time accompanied by an espresso or a latte. Nowadays, this pastry is known all over the world and its fame keeps growing. In Hong Kong, pasteis de nata are the most popular pastries. The KFC fast-food chain even offers nata pasteis as a dessert. So, nothing like a weekend or a trip to Lisbon to return to the source of this little Portuguese dessert, a mini custard based on cream. In the Portuguese capital, you will be able to taste the best pastei of nata in the world. And know that in the purest tradition, it is served hot and it is sprinkled with cinnamon before tasting. Where do you find the best pasteis de nata in Lisbon? I give you the best addresses below.
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
1. PASTELARIA ALOMA – The best pastel of nata of Lisbon and the World
Did you know that there is a contest in Lisbon for the best pastel of nata ? The competition is very serious and its jury is composed, among others, of a pastry chef, a historian of Portuguese pastries and an oenologist. The appearance, the crunchiness of the dough, the freshness, the cream and the flavor of the pasteis de nata are evaluated. The Pastelaria Aloma won the competition in 2012, 2013 and 2015. Located in the district of Campo de Ourique, the shop opened since 1943 occupies a small room of 30m2. His fame is international since even the New York Times and CNN have spoken about the best pastel of nata of Lisbon and the world. 85% of the clientele is from Lisbon because no tourist guide mentions this pastry yet. So do not hesitate to go to the Pastelaria Aloma because it is still a well kept secret. For the moment…
NB: since the writing of this article, the pastelaria Aloma has been a huge success and has started to open sales points throughout Lisbon and even in the airport. A chance for everyone to enjoy the best pasteis de nata in Lisbon !
Price : € 0,95 each nata
Historic address (the first shop in the district of Campo de Ourique) : rua Francisco Metrass 67, Lisboa
Opening hours : daily from 8 am to 7 pm (closed on December 25th, 26th and January 1st)
Other addresses where you can find Aloma pasteis from Aloma :
- Pastelaria Bijou do Calhariz : Largo do Calhariz 2, Lisboa
- Aloma counter in the shopping center Amoreiras : avenida Eng. Duarte Pacheco, Lisboa
- Aloma counter in the shopping center El Corte Inglês : avenida António Augusto de Aguiar 31, Lisboa
- Aloma counter in the Lisbon Airport : Alameda das Comunidades Portuguesas
Website : http://www.aloma.pt/
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/Pastelaria.Aloma
2. PASTEIS DE BELEM – The Reference, the Legend
It is here, where is still today the shop of Pastéis de Belém that was invented this world-famous Portuguese pastry : pastel de nata. At the beginning of the 19th century, near the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery) and Belém Tower, there was a refinery of cane sugar, which was imported from the territories colonized by the Portuguese. The small factory was coupled with a small business that sold a bit of everything. In 1834, revolutionary and republican movements closed all convents and monasteries and religious were expelled. In 1837, in order to make a living, a former occupant of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos decided to sell small custard-based puddings in this small shop according to the original recipe learned in the Monastery. These small pastries are quickly called Pastéis de Belém. Soon, visitors get used to come and enjoy these pasteis. The original and ancient recipe, still held secret, is passed between the different masters pastry cooks who succeed behind the stove for nearly 180 years.
Adress : Rua de Belém 84-92, Lisboa
Opening Hours : daily from 8 am to 11 pm
Website : http://pasteisdebelem.pt/fr/
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/Pastéis-de-Belém-Página-Oficial-259064930776155/
3. A MANTEIGARIA – Better than the Pasteis of Belém?
This store reopened in July 2014. Located behind a beautiful Art Deco facade of a 1900 building, the building is the former headquarters of a Portuguese butter brand. The interior of the pastelaria is marble, as at the time, and a tiny counter allows you to order your pasteis de nata. The work plan of the pastry chef is visible to all and is often a tourist attraction. Aristides, the owner, does not hide the fact that he wants to do better than the famous Pasteis of Belém. The secret of the pasteis Manteigaria comes from the fact that they are made with butter imported from France, a little cinnamon, some lemon zest, some homemade sugar and no preservatives. The shop is already selling 4,000 pasteis de nata a day and is about to open a shop in Madrid and another in London. A counter of the Manteigaria also exists at Time Out Market which I often talk about in this blog.
The price: € 1 each nata
Addresses :
Hours of the rua do Loreto shop : daily from 8:00 to midnight
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/manteigariacamoes/
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
4. PASTELARIA ALCOA – The traditional reference from Alcobaça
The Pastelaria Alcôa opened in Lisbon in the district of Chiado in February 2017. But this house has existed since 1957 in the city of Alcobaça, it follows the traditional recipes of the religious of this city. Paula Alves has been the boss of the brand since 1983. The pasteis de nata are produced daily on site according to the traditional recipe inherited from the monastery of Alcobaça. Everything is respected point by point : cooking times, quantities of sugar and the use of copper utensils, as it was more than 500 years ago. Hot pasteis de nata are made almost every hour. Other traditional pastries are prepared in Alcobaça and transported to Lisbon every day. Many of them have been awarded in different traditional Portuguese pastries.
Price : € 1,10 € each nata
Adress : rua Garrett 37, Lisboa
Opening hours : daily from 9h to 22h
Website : http://pastelaria-alcoa.com/
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pastelariaalcoa/
5. FABRICA DA NATA – The sign that invades the historic center
It is hard not to notice the 2 Fábrica da Nata shops in the very center of Lisbon. Opened in March 2016, the first shop is located on Praça dos Restauradores. The second, which opened in April 2017, is located in Rua Augusta, the main pedestrian and shopping street in the center of Lisbon. Here, as at the Manteigaria Camões mentioned above, pasteis de nata are made in the sight of customers. These pastries have very quickly gained an excellent reputation from tourists and Lisboans themselves. The know-how is there, without a doubt. I also advise you to savor the pasteis de nata, just after leaving the oven at 350 °. The shop also offers to taste its pastel de nata with a glass of port wine or a glass of cherry liquor (ginjinha). You will also be able to compose a snack menu with a pastel de nata for dessert and a sandwich, salty donuts or quiche.
The price: € 1 each nata, 6 € the box of 6 / € 2,20 € a nata with a glass of port wine or ginjinha (Portuguese cherry liquor)
Addresses :
Opening hours : every day from 8h to 23h
Website : https://www.fabricadanata.com/fabricadanata-1
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/fabricadanata/
6. BALCAO DO MARQUES – The best natas near the Marquês de Pombal square
Balcão do Marquês was ranked number 3 in the 2015 ranking of the best nata in Lisbon. Located near Marquês de Pombal Square, the snack bar is still very popular because it is very close to one of the nerve centres of the Portuguese capital. You can stay for breakfast if you stay in the area or even for lunch. A real old-fashioned Portuguese snack bar that is worth a visit.
The price : € 1 each nata
Address : Avenida Duque de Loulé 113-119, Lisboa
Nearest metro station : Marquês de Pombal station – yellow or blue line
Opening hours : 7am – 9pm Monday to Friday / 7am – 3pm on Saturday
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/Balcão-do-Marquês-247195318665714/
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
7. NATA LISBOA – The youngest boy
In 2011, advertising agent José Carlos Campos decided to create his own brand of pasteis de nata and sell them worldwide. The slogan of the company is “The World Needs Nata” and was supposed to be international from the beginning. The first shop opened in the Chiado district and sells about 400 natas a day. Currently, Nata Lisboa has 29 franchise stores in the world, in cities such as Paris or Abu Dhabi. Many other shops will open in the coming months. At Nata Lisboa, it is also possible to have lunch, have a drink with friends and even buy some design articles on the theme of Lisbon.
Price : € 1,10 each nata
Addresses and hours :
- Rua da Prata 78, Lisboa
- Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 19:00
- Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00
- Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo 5-11, Lisboa
- Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 21:00
- And all the addresses near Lisbon and in the rest of Portugal and the World here >>> http://natalisboa.com/index.php/en/contacts-english
Website : http://natalisboa.com/index.php/en/
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/NATALisboaPORTUGAL/
8. CONFEITARIA NACIONAL – The reference of the historic center
Opened in 1829, this confeitaria (maker of pastries) is the oldest in Lisbon. The cake it sells most is, of course, the pastel de nata : about 1 000 per day. It is a pastry shop that also offers a large selection of cakes and petits fours, inspired by the trips of its illustrious founder, Balthazar Castanheiro, for instance. The Portuguese tradition is mixed with the inspiration of French and Spanish pastries.
The price : € 1,15 each nata at the counter, 6,60 € the 6-box
Adress : Praça da Figueira 18B, Lisboa
Opening hours : every day from 8 am to 8 pm
Website : http://www.confeitarianacional.com/uk/#index.html
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/ConfeitariaNacional
9. NATA DE LISBOA – The latest one born in the city centre of Lisbon
The Nata de Lisboa boutique is the most recent of this selection, it opened in September 2018. Located on Lisbon’s most famous pedestrian street, Rua Augusta, it offers very well-made pastéis de nata made in a traditional way before your eyes. The store has some indoor tables and others on the street where it is also possible to have coffee, cappuccino, water or juice.
The price : € 1 each nata
Address : rua Augusta 222, Lisboa
Nearest metro : Baixa-Chiado (blue or green line) or Rossio (green line)
Opening hours : every day from 12pm to 11pm
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
10. A PADARIA PORTUGUESA – The brand that goes up …
A Padaria Portuguesa is one of the most successful bakery and pastry shops in Portugal in recent years. It is one of the cheapest and quality places to eat in Lisbon. Beyond the wide variety of delicious breads (30 different recipes), the brand offers cakes, croissants and sandwiches. And of course, the inevitable pastel de nata, of excellent quality. This is a great place to have breakfast too. Note, try pastel de chaves, a meat pie that melts in your mouth.
Addresses : numerous points of sale in all Lisbon neighborhoods and especially the historic and commercial districts. Shops also in the cities near Lisbon. The list of shops is here >>> http://www.apadariaportuguesa.pt/
Hours : variables according to the stores
Website : http://www.apadariaportuguesa.pt/
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/apadariaportuguesa
And some more addresses to taste the best pasteis de nata of Lisbon …
– CASINHA DO PAO, a brand specializing in pastries with a shop window that opens your appetite with pasteis de nata always in the spotlight
- Price : 1 € the pastel of nata, 4,80 € the box of 6
- Addresses :
- Amoreiras Shopping Center
- Centro Colombo
- Centro Vasco da Gama
- Almada Forum
- Centro Comecial Fonte Nova
- Centro Comercial Rio Sul
- Opening hours : daily from 10h to 22h or 23h
- Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/acasinhadopao/
————————–
– PASTELARIA BIARRITZ, opened since 1962 in the district of Alvalade and famous for its pasteis de nata. The pastry shop also offers a homemade cake, the Biarritz, and a wide choice of savory snacks.
- Price : 1,10€
- Adress : Largo Frei Heitor Pinto 1, Lisboa
- Opening hours : every day from 8 am to 9 pm
————————–
– CHIQUE DE BELEM, number 1 in the 2011 ranking of the best pastel de nata of Lisbon. The recipe for pasteis has not changed since 1945.
- Price : 1,10€
- Adress : Rua Junqueira 524, Lisboa
- Opening hours : daily from 6 am to 9 pm
————————–
– PASTELARIA FIM DE SECULO, a traditional pastry with a large selection of miniature cakes and pastries. The main specialty of the house are the pasteis de nata.
- Price : 0,90€
- Adress : rua João Frederico Ludovice 28, Lisboa
- Opening hours : Monday to Sunday from 6h to 20h
- Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pastelariafimdeseculo/
————————–
– PASTELARIA NILDE, since 1946 with patrons from northern Portugal
- Adress : Rua Morais Soares 61 B, Lisboa
- Opening Hours : du lundi au samedi 6h30 – 21h00
- Website : http://pastelarianilde.wix.com/pastelarianilde#!distincoes/cfvg
- Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pastelarianilde.pastelarianilde/
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
A CLASS TO LEARN TO MAKE PASTEIS OF NATA IN LISBON ? IT’S HERE !
Leave a Comment