Pastéis de Belém

We did a taste test...and Pastéis de Belém came out on top!

First and foremost, I must admit that I am not a fan of the pastel de nata. I don't like eggy pasties/desserts, so prefer the rare natas that are more firm and taste like vanilla instead of egg.

However, we were in Belem so had to finally give Pastéis de Belém a go and boy did they exceed expectations. There is good reason that they insist that these are not pastéis de nata, but are Pastéis de Belém, and I have to agree. They are in a league of their own. (For clarity's sake, "pastéis" is the plural of "pastel".)

Because I'm not a huge fan of the filling, my main interest is the dough and do like that most natas are made with laminated dough (multi-layered). Unlike most natas though, where you can only see the layers once you've bitten into them, Belém's layers are visible by simply turning them over and looking at the bottom. When I first saw this, it reminded me of a good croissant, which is something I love. And when I bit into it, it was definitely different (and better) than any other nata I've had. I actually LIKE this one.

As far as visiting Pastéis de Belém, if you like natas, I would say it's worth the trip from Lisbon, especially because you can add the Tower of Belem, the Monument to the Discoveries, Jerónimos Monastery and park...and Gelato Davvero CCB to the visit. But even if you don't like natas, if you're in the area already/anyway, I'd highly recommend stopping in. People have asked me for years if I've tried these yet and I always simply deflected by saying that I'm not a fan of natas to begin with, but no more. I still don't think I'd go out of my way to have these, but they're definitely worth a try for those of us that don't like them and are definitely worth a special visit for anyone who does like natas.

And no matter how long the line might look from the street, they know how to get you in and out quickly. And there are two lines. One to sit down and one for takeaway. We chose takeaway and then went to park to enjoy ours. But we did notice that they have a ton of inside seating, so don't despair if the inside seating line looks long. And the interior at Belém is beautiful , for those that appreciate architecture and design. (And no, there is no discount for quantity. They are 1.50 per nata, no matter how many you buy.)

While there, we did also have natas from Manteigaria - Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata (just a few doors down), and they too are good, but not as good as Belém's. (My wife also likes Fábrica da Nata, but prefers the natas up north in Porto, especially from Castro - Atelier de Pastéis de Nata in the old town. Yes, they have a shop in Lisbon too, but she says they taste different up north.)

(For those who haven't tried them, natas are an eggy/custard tart beloved throughout Portugal and are responsible for the Chinese's egg tart. (As with many things, during the Age of Discovery the Portuguese introduced a lot of the world to many Portuguese delicacies.) As we have traveled around Portugal, we have found that as with many things, even though it is a small country, there are regional differences between things and the nata is no exception. So, if you like natas, I recommend trying them everywhere you go because you too will likely find a favorite and for less than 2 Euros for a morning coffee and nata (in many places, once you get outside the cities), why not give them all a try. (You've tried Portuguese coffee, right? It's the best in...

Wow…just wow. I was initially a bit dubious about visiting Pastei de Belem; like, sure, they invented the pastei de nata, but everyone else has had hundreds of years to catch up — how could they possibly be that different, especially to warrant the giant line? Boy was I proven wrong — I am SO glad that I decided to get over my fear that Pastei de Belem was a giant tourist trap and just take the plunge. The outer crust is so unbelievably flaky; it’s rich, buttery, and unbelievably crispy, and it holds up shockingly well even after being trapped in a box for a few hours. The shell’s crunch is the perfect contrast against the creamy, custardy center; the pastry is very lightly sweetened, so it’s easy to pop back one, two…or even three of these little tarts without feeling too weighed down or getting a sugar high.

While the line may look intimidating, it honestly moves way faster than you would expect. The critical thing to note is that there are two lines; the left line is for dining in, and will move way slower even though it looks a little shorter. If you don’t mind taking your pastei de nata to go (which I would recommend doing if you’re planning to visit any of the other Belem attractions — the lines are just as long, if not longer, everywhere else, and munching on a pastel de nata is a great way to pass the time), I would recommend hopping into the counter serve / takeaway line on the right. They have their menu posted online and outside, so be sure to take advantage of the wait to take a look and decide on what you want before you get to the front. The pastei de nata are, of course, the main attraction, but Pastei de Belem also has a wide variety of sweet and savory pastries that are just as tasty. My mom got their beef puff, and I had their veggie spring roll, which were both fantastically flaky and crispy, and just generally a great savory bite before we dug into the...

Pastéis de Belém Review 🌟✨

📍 Location: Pastéis de Belém is located in the charming Belém district of Lisbon, making it an essential stop for both locals and tourists.

📜 History & Legacy: This iconic restaurant has a long and rich history dating back to 1837. It’s world-renowned for being the original creator of the famous Portuguese custard tart, Pastéis de Nata, a true piece of culinary art.

🍮 Must-Try: Their Pastéis de Belém are freshly baked throughout the day, with a perfectly crispy, flaky crust and creamy custard filling that's subtly sweet and aromatic. Don't forget to sprinkle some cinnamon and powdered sugar on top—it’s the authentic way to enjoy it.

🌿 Ambience: The restaurant has a cozy, traditional Portuguese interior, with beautiful azulejo (blue tile) decorations that add to the charm. Despite the constant buzz of tourists, the atmosphere remains warm and welcoming.

👨‍🍳 Service: The staff are friendly and efficient, even during busy times. Their pride in their history and product shines through in the service.

🏷️ Price: Very reasonable considering the quality and the historic value. Each tart costs about €1.50, making it affordable for everyone.

📸 Photo-Worthy: Perfect for photography lovers! The pastries, interior decor, and the charming surroundings are all Instagram-worthy.

✨ Verdict: A must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Lisbon. 🌍 Whether you're a foodie, history enthusiast, or just someone looking for an authentic Portuguese experience, Pastéis de Belém will not disappoint.

✅ Tip: Go early to avoid long lines, and pair your tart with a cup of their signature espresso or a glass of...