Nata Lisboa — Restaurant in Porto

5/5!! After tasting many Pastel de Nata in Porto I found this place to be the top spot for the most delicious Natas!

First impressions might be misleading and after going through a lot of tasting I came to the conclusion that one of the best telling features of great Natas is the texture of the crust. You need to see a lot of distinct crunchy layers!! If that is missing, most likely you will miss the true experience!

Nata Lisboa pastels have that perfect crunchy crust that seems difficult to perfect! The filling has a perfect custardy texture with a lot of eggyolk and a balanced, not overly sweet taste. Freshly baked and warm these are the best treats. I picked one during the tasting. Then came back for 3 more the next day. And looking to stack up even more.

Below is for true Nata aficionados! :D So you can stop the read here.

When you're trying to discern the characteristics of an exemplary Pastel de Nata from a mediocre one, there are several aspects to consider.

Characteristics of a Great Pastel de Nata: Crispy and Flaky Crust: The outer shell should be super flaky, much like puff pastry. It should have numerous layers that crunch slightly when bitten into.

Caramelization: The top of the custard should have spots of dark brown caramelization. This not only adds to the appearance but also imparts a slightly burnt taste, which contrasts beautifully with the sweet custard.

Creamy Custard: The custard inside should be soft, creamy, and not overly set. It should be smooth with a velvety texture and have a rich taste of vanilla and egg.

Balance of Flavors: A great Pastel de Nata strikes the right balance between the sweetness of the custard and the slightly salty, buttery taste of the pastry. The hint of caramelization adds another layer of flavor.

Temperature: Traditionally, Pastéis de Nata are best served warm. Heating them slightly can enhance the flavors and textures, making the experience more delightful.

Freshness: Like many pastries, Pastel de Nata is best consumed fresh, ideally the same day it's made. A fresh tart will have a crispy crust and a creamy center, while an older one might become slightly soggy or the custard might start to separate.

Indicators of a Sub-Par Pastel de Nata: Soggy Crust: A crust that isn't crispy or feels moist indicates either a storage issue or a problem during baking.

Overly Set or Rubbery Custard: The custard shouldn't feel like set gelatin. If it's too firm or rubbery, it's not ideal.

Lack of Caramelization: A uniformly pale custard top without those characteristic dark brown spots can indicate under-baking or a reluctance to achieve the desired slight burnt taste.

Too Sweet or Bland: The sweetness needs to be balanced. If the tart is too sweet, it can be overwhelming, and if it's too bland, it's missing the richness that characterizes the dessert.

Stale Taste or Texture: As mentioned, freshness is crucial. A stale Pastel de Nata will have a noticeable decline in both flavor and texture.

Overwhelming Egg Taste: While the custard is egg-based, it shouldn't taste just like an egg. The flavors should be well-blended...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Nata Lisbon in Porto, and I must say it was an incredible experience! The breakfast I had was not only good but also absolutely tasty, leaving me completely satisfied and ready to take on the day.

The highlight of my visit was definitely their Natas. Let me tell you, these Natas are a true culinary delight! They were simply perfect in every way, and it's no surprise that they have received awards for their exceptional quality. The delicate pastry, the creamy filling, and the hint of caramelized sugar on top all came together to create a heavenly treat for my taste buds.

Not only was the food outstanding, but the ambiance of Nata Lisbon was also lovely. The cozy and inviting atmosphere, along with the friendly staff, made me feel right at home. The attention to detail in the decor and the comfortable seating added to the overall charm of the place.

I also want to commend the exceptional service I received during my visit. The staff members were knowledgeable and passionate about their Natas, patiently answering all my questions and making recommendations based on my preferences. Their dedication to providing a top-notch experience truly stood out.

If you're in Porto and looking for a place to indulge in delicious Natas, Nata Lisbon is an absolute must-visit! Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend trying their breakfast options as well; they are as delicious as they come.

Thank you, Nata Lisbon, for an unforgettable experience. I'll definitely be back for more of your amazing Natas and warm...

This was an odd experience, with more wrong than right, but some real positives at the same time.

We were looking for somewhere to have lunch, liked the location and the look of the menu, and sat down.

We both opted for the Lisboa salad at 11 euros 50, including a soft drink and one of the Nata pasties, which is a very good price by UK standards.

I ordered a sardine salad, and my wife ordered a Mediterranean salad. The waitress came back and checked if I definitely wanted sardines and I confirmed that I did.

We waited around 35 minutes for the food, and when it came I got a tuna salad instead of a sardine one. I really didn't want to wait for another prolonged period for it to be replaced, so I just ate it.

Both salads were very good.

We then had our Nata pastry, which was spectacular, and a coffee, which was also very good.

Despite the very slow service, and the wrong order, I came away with a great deal of sympathy for the member of staff. She was friendly, cheerful, and working hard under difficult circumstances, trying to do everything herself. Since COVID hospitality has been struggling across the world and it's very difficult to get the balance of service, ingredients and price right.

This was a nice place to watch the world go by, with a lot to see on a warm day, so it wasn't a great deal of hardship to have a long wait. Everyone didn't feel that way however, and there was some grumbling and complaining from...