Pastel de nata is the most famous pastry in Lisbon and the whole of Portugal, so you absolutely have to try it. And why not try the best pastel de nata in Lisbon?
Quick answer: My #1 pastel de nata in Lisbon is Manteigaria (best balance of flaky crust + custard). For the “original” experience, go to Pastéis de Belém.
I’ve tried all the places I’ve found around Lisbon, from local cafés to bakeries to places that make and sell only pastel de nata.
The pastel de nata and the Pasteis de Belém are similar, but there is a difference, and I recommend you try both if you get the chance.
I’ve made a list of the 7 best places that I’ve tried, and I’m excited to hear which one is your favorite. Comment below.
Pastel de nata vs Pastéis de Belém (what’s the difference?)
They’re similar custard tarts, but Pastéis de Belém is the original recipe from Belém, while “pastel de nata” is the broader category you’ll find across Lisbon. Try both—then decide which you like best.
How to taste-test (quick):
- Try one plain first, then add a little cinnamon.
- Look for a flaky crust + warm custard (fresh batches are best).
One thing I noticed as I tried more and more was that they differed quite a lot in flakiness, flavor, and mouthfeel.
Each venue has its own story, creating the custard egg tart with a flaky crust that is just amazing.
When it comes to the best pastel de Nata in Lisbon, opinions vary, so make your own judgments.
However, in my mind, the best pastel de Nata in Lisbon comes from Manteigaria.
Tip: Try a bite as it is, but then add cinnamon. It elevates the pastel de nata even more, and it’s just an amazing experience.
1. Manteigaria (My absolute favorite)
Manteigaria wasn’t the first pastel de nata I tried, but I keep going back for it, and I have to fight myself not to eat two every time.
The flavor is just amazing. You can really taste the vanilla, and the crust is buttery with an amazing flakiness.
They make it behind windows, so you can see them actually making it and the process. It’s quite fun to see.
Today, they have locations all around Lisbon, from Principe Real to Time Out Market in Cais do Sodre, but my favorite is still the one in Rua Augusta 195-197.
There is just a tiny difference in the flavor. I believe it’s because they’re churning out so many that you always get them fresh.
I tried the one in Principe Real the other day, and it’s also amazing, but it wasn’t lukewarm, so it wasn’t exactly the same.
Address: Rua Augusta 195-197, Baixa, 1100-619 Lisboa, Portugal
2. Pastéis de Belém (The Original)
Pastéis de Belém is the original pastel de nata, or Pastéis de Belém as it is known. This iconic establishment makes around 20,000 pastries daily.
They also make an amazing Bolo de Berlim, which I recommend you try if you have room in your stomach for it. It tastes amazing.
It was created back then because of pure survival. The monks at Jeronimos Monastery started selling sweet pastries, developing a secret original recipe that has remained unchanged since 1837.
Address: Rua de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal
Tip: Explore other great places to enjoy brunch in Lisbon.
3. Fábrica da Nata
The first time I tried Fábrica da Nata was in Colombo Shopping Mall, located in Benfica. Just a 20-minute car drive from the center.
The pastel de nata tastes super delicious; it’s not as tasty as Manteigaria, but still much better than what you get at a local café.
You can also see them make it in the store, and overall, it’s super cozy. They have a lot of locations around Lisbon, also one on the famous street: Rua Augusta.
Address: Rua Augusta 275 A, 1100-052 Lisboa, Portugal
4. Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata
It was not until 2024 that I got to try Castro’s pastel de nata. I tried the one in Chiado near Armazéns do Chiado, another mall I like.
I had high expectations, as I had seen this pastel de nata all over TikTok, but I did get a little disappointed. It tasted absolutely amazing, but because I had built up so high expectations, it could only disappoint me.
I couldn’t taste much Vanilla, and the custard filling overall wasn’t as tasty, but the crust was super delicious.
That said, I still recommend it, and the store itself is the prettiest of them all. They primarily sell pastel de natas, and that’s what they’re known for.
Address: Rua Garrett 38, 1200-204 Lisboa, Portugal
5. Nat’elier | Pastel de Nata
Nat’elier’s pastel de nata is super classic. It tastes good, nothing extraordinary, and the crust is flaky and buttery.
They kept a high quality and an even product when producing them, so I have nothing bad to say.
It’s actually a good place to start, because then you have a base for how pastel de nata tastes, and then you can go to the other places.
Address: R. de Santa Justa 87, 1100-581 Lisboa, Portugal
6. Nata De Lisboa
Nata De Lisboa has a beautiful store in the heart of Baixa. It’s super tiny; you walk straight into the counter.
There isn’t really anywhere to sit, but you can stand and eat your pastel de nata. You can also mix it with a “shot” of ginjinha; it tastes amazing as well.
Although the pastel de nata is very ordinary, it tastes good when you sprinkle some cinnamon on top. It’s just a good classic pastel de nata.
Address: R. Augusta 222, 1100-042 Lisboa, Portugal
7. Confeitaria Nacional
This store piqued my attention because of how unique it was. We were at the food market at Praça da Figueira, where I saw the store.
When you come in, it’s a super old-school store with multiple pastries, including their take on the pastel de nata.
Like some of the other places, it tastes good. I remember the crust being super buttery and flaky, but the filling is missing some flavor.
Address: Praça da Figueira 18B, 1100-241 Lisboa, Portugal
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3 Gluten-Free Pastel de Nata in Lisbon
If you’re allergic to gluten, there are three places in Lisbon where you can try a gluten-free pastel de nata.
I haven’t tried these myself, so I cannot say whether they taste good, but I think it’s worth a shot to try the famous Portuguese pastry.
Pastelaria Zarzuela
Pastelaria Zarzuela is located in Cais do Sodré and offers a wide selection of cakes, pastries, and bread.
While you’re there, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Targus River.
Batardas
Batardas bakes a wide range of gluten-free products, so they might have more options for you.
Their pastel de nata is sold in boxes of 6, and as I understand it, they don’t make them fresh for you, so just be aware of this.
Rice me
This is more of a restaurant-and-bar type of place, but they also have a bunch of gluten-free meals and pastries. I’m sure it’ll be heaven for anyone with gluten allergies.
Wrap-Up: Best Pastel de Nata in Lisbon
There is no doubt in my mind that the best pastel de nata in Lisbon is the one from Manteigaria. And if I have to be super specific, then the Manteigaria on Rua Augusta in Baixa.
However, we’re all different and appreciate different elements in the pastel de nata, so if I could recommend three places to try, I would recommend: Manteigaria, Pasteis de Belém, and Castro.
Those three places are quite different in the pastel de nata you end up with, and they’re all worth a try.
Which pastel de nata is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.
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