Caution: This article may trigger an irresistible craving for a warm pastel de nata. Proceed only if you’re ready to give in to temptation!
Few things define Lisbon quite like the pastel de nata – Portugal’s iconic custard tart with a flaky, buttery crust and golden caramelised top.
Born from monastic traditions and perfected over centuries, this small pastry carries the warmth of Lisbon’s cafés and the pride of Portuguese baking.
A Brief History About Pastel de Nata
The pastel de nata dates back to the 18th century, when monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém began selling these sweet pastries to support the monastery’s upkeep.
When the monastery closed, the secret recipe was sold to the nearby sugar refinery, which opened the now-famous Pastéis de Belém bakery in 1837. To this day, only this shop bakes the tarts using the original recipe.
Everywhere else in Lisbon, pastry chefs have reimagined the classic, each with their own take on texture, creaminess, and that perfect hint of cinnamon.
If you’re in Lisbon (or nearby), these are the best places to taste the city’s most beloved treat.
1. Pastelaria Aloma
Tucked in the quiet neighbourhood of Campo de Ourique, Pastelaria Aloma has long been a reference point for locals, and with good reason.
Their custard tarts have repeatedly won the Melhor Pastel de Nata de Lisboa competition, including the 2025 edition.
The pastry is delicate and crisp, encasing a rich custard with just the right balance of sweetness and vanilla. Best enjoyed still warm from the oven, preferably with a bica (espresso).
Address: Various Locations around Lisbon: Campo de Ourique, Graça, El Corte Inglés.
2. Manteigaria
If you only have time for one nata stop in central Lisbon, make it Manteigaria.
With its open kitchen and constant rhythm of freshly baked tarts emerging from the oven, this spot in Chiado (and several other locations across the city) is a favourite for both locals and visitors.
The buttery layers and glossy custard top are so irresistible that you’ll probably find yourself ordering a second before finishing the first.
Address: Chiado, TimeOut Market, Rua Augusta, Alvalade , Belém, Campo de Ourique, Saldanha, Parque das Nações, Príncipe Real, Portas do Sol, Cascais
3. Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata
In the heart of Praça Luís de Camões, Castro offers a slightly more modern interpretation.
Their tarts are beautifully uniform, with a caramelised top that’s almost brûlée-like. The filling leans on the creamier side, making each bite smooth and indulgent.
The minimalist setting and specialty coffee make this a refined stop in between sightseeing.
Address: Rua Garrett 38, Rua Áurea 254, Praça da Figueira 3C
4. Fábrica da Nata
Located on Avenida da Liberdade and Restauradores, Fábrica da Nata feels like a temple dedicated to Portugal’s favourite pastry.
You can watch bakers prepare and bake the tarts behind glass panels, then enjoy them warm in the elegant tiled dining room.
Their natas have a distinct caramel aroma and are perfectly paired with a sprinkle of cinnamon. And you even have a version with ice cream on top!
Address: Praça dos Restauradores, Rua Augusta, Centro Colombo. You can also find Fábrica da Nata in Porto.
5. Santo António
Winner of the Melhor Pastel de Nata de Lisboa in 2019, Pastelaria Santo António sits just below São Jorge Castle, making it an ideal stop after a morning of exploring Alfama.
Their tarts are rich and slightly denser, with a golden hue that hints at a slow baking process. Grab a box to go, they travel surprisingly well down Lisbon’s hills.
Address: R. do Milagre de Santo António 10
6. Versailles
Step into Pastelaria Versailles and you step back in time. With its ornate Belle Époque décor and chandeliers, this historic café on Avenida da República serves one of Lisbon’s most elegant pastéis de nata.
The pastry is flaky perfection, with a smooth custard that’s lighter than most. It’s a slice of Lisbon’s golden past with your morning coffee.
Address: Av. da República 15A, Rua da Junqueira 528
7. Confeitaria Nacional
Founded in 1829, Confeitaria Nacional is one of Lisbon’s oldest and most iconic bakeries. Located on Praça da Figueira, it has a long tradition of artisanal baking.
Their nata is less sweet than others, with a slightly more eggy flavour and a crisp, rustic crust, true to the 19th-century style.
Address: Praça da Figueira, Praça Dom Pedro IV 18B
8. Nata Lisboa
With the slogan “The world needs nata”, Nata Lisboa is both a local chain and a global ambassador of the pastry.
Their cafés are modern and bright, and their natas are consistently well-balanced.
If you’re exploring multiple neighbourhoods, chances are you’ll pass one, and it’s always worth a quick stop.
Address: Atrium Saldanha – Nr. 40, Level 2, Estrada de Benfica, 711, Almada Forum Nr. 3.29, Alameda dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra, 112 Cascais. It is also located in Porto and many other locations around Portugal.
9. Choupana Caffé
On Avenida da República, Choupana Caffé is known for its pastries and strong coffee culture. While their croissants and cookies are popular, their nata deserves equal praise.
The custard is silky and the pastry layers have a buttery richness that complements their house-roasted coffee beautifully.
Address: Av. da República 25A
10. Bread & Friends (EPIC SANA Hotel)
Inside the chic EPIC SANA Hotel, Bread & Friends takes pastry-making to a fine-art level.
Their pastel de nata feels more like a gourmet dessert, elegant, precise, and deeply satisfying.
Enjoy it in the calm of their lounge or as part of the hotel’s luxurious breakfast experience.
Address: Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo 8, Bread & Friends River Deck
C.C. Vasco da Gama,
11. Confeitaria Glória (Amadora)
Outside the city centre, Confeitaria Glória in Amadora is worth the short trip.
Winner of the Best Pastel de Nata in Lisbon in 2023 and known for their high standards and loyal clientele, their pastel de nata combines a crisp shell with a thick, rich filling. Locals say it’s one of Lisbon’s best-kept secrets.
Address: Av. dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra 2A, Amadora
12. Casa do Padeiro (Pontinha)
Another hidden gem beyond central Lisbon, Casa do Padeiro in Pontinha is celebrated for its authentic craftsmanship.
The custard has a slightly toasted flavour, and the pastry layers shatter at the first bite.
It’s a neighbourhood favourite that embodies the spirit of traditional baking.
Address: Av. Vale Grande 18, Pontinha
13. Pastelaria Casa do Preto (Sintra)
In the fairytale town of Sintra, Casa do Preto is a must-visit. Though best known for their travesseiros, their pastel de nata is equally remarkable – flaky, creamy, and deeply satisfying after a walk through the historic streets. Enjoy it with a view of the Sintra hills.
Address: Estr. Chão de Meninos 40, 2710-194 Sintra
15. Pastelaria Fim de Século
In the northern part of Lisbon, Pastelaria Fim de Século serves one of the most well-rounded natas in the city, not too sweet, not too heavy, with a crisp crust and custard that tastes freshly made. It’s a true local’s spot, where you’ll often find residents enjoying one with a newspaper.
Address: R. João Frederico Ludovice 28, 1500-205 Lisboa
16. Casa São Miguel
Located near Graça, Casa São Miguel is a small, unpretentious bakery turning out beautifully golden pastéis de nata. Their custard has a subtle citrus note that adds freshness, and the service is friendly and relaxed, the kind of place where you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
Address: Rua de S. Miguel, Nº 5| 1100-542 Lisboa
17. A Brasileira
An icon of Chiado, A Brasileira is more famous for its history (and its statue of Fernando Pessoa) than for its pastry, but their nata remains consistently good.
The setting alone makes it worth it: sipping espresso at a marble table, surrounded by the buzz of Lisbon life.
Address: Rua Garrett, 120/122, Lisboa
18. Alfama Doce
Nestled in Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, Alfama Doce offers a traditional take on the pastel de nata, rustic, caramelised, and with a slightly more intense egg flavour.
It’s a charming stop during a walk through Alfama’s winding lanes.
Address: R. da Regueira 39, 1100-435 Lisboa
19. Nat’elier
At Nat’elier, innovation meets tradition. The presentation is pristine, and the flavour refined, ideal for those who appreciate a more modern pastry style. Each tart feels carefully balanced between sweetness and texture.
Address: R. de Santa Justa 87, 1100-581 Lisboa
20. Pastéis de Belém
No list would be complete without the original – Pastéis de Belém. Since 1837, this pastry factory has been baking pastéis de nata according to the secret recipe purchased from the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, who once lived in the nearby Jerónimos Monastery.
The result is the most authentic version of the pastry: crisp, layered, and filled with silky custard that defines the very essence of Portuguese baking.
Address: Rua de Belém nº 84 – 92, Lisboa, Portugal
Lisbon’s love affair with the pastel de nata is as enduring as its sunshine.
From the traditional ovens of Belém to the sleek cafés of Chiado and the hidden gems of the suburbs, each bakery offers its own story and style.
Whether you prefer yours creamy or caramelised, eaten standing at the counter or savoured slowly with coffee, one thing is certain, the pastel de nata is not just a pastry, it’s a piece of Lisbon’s soul.
Click here to get your very own Pastéis de Nata Home Baking Kit!