Pastelaria Adega — Restaurant in San Jose

We heard about Pastelaria Adega from friends who raved about their authentic Portuguese pastries, especially the pastéis de nata, so when we were in the San Jose area, we decided to check it out. We just walked in on a whim one afternoon, no reservations or wait needed, and were immediately drawn to the beautiful display case full of fresh-baked goods. It’s a charming spot that brings a slice of Portugal to downtown, and we left with a box of treats to enjoy at home.

ATMOSPHERE: This cozy Portuguese bakery has a clean, inviting setup with white tiled walls, a long glass display counter showcasing rows of golden pastries, and an open kitchen where you can see the bakers at work with their oven. It’s compact, fitting maybe 20-30 people if including a few small tables or standing areas, with a casual, bustling vibe during peak hours. The wooden floors and simple decor give it an authentic, unpretentious feel, perfect for a quick grab-and-go or a relaxed coffee break in downtown San Jose.

MENU: The focus is on traditional Portuguese baked goods, with stars like pastéis de nata (egg custard tarts) in classic and flavored varieties, croissants (plain, chocolate, almond, ham & cheese), bola de berlim (filled doughnuts), pão de deus (coconut brioche), and savory options like chouriço bread, steak or pork sandwiches, and grilled ham & cheese on sourdough. They also offer gluten-free rice flour muffins and a selection of coffee and tea. Everything is made in limited quantities daily, so flavors and availability can vary.

FOOD: Assorted Pastéis de Nata We couldn’t resist grabbing a mix of these iconic egg custard tarts in various flavors: classic plain, blueberry, chocolate, passionfruit, strawberry, and lemon. Each one had a flaky, buttery pastry shell with a creamy, not-too-sweet custard that’s torched to perfection on top for that signature caramelized finish. The flavored ones added a fun twist: the blueberry had a jammy burst, the passionfruit was tangy and tropical, and the strawberry brought a fresh fruitiness without overpowering the base. They were all served fresh and warmish from the display, making them addictive,easily some of the best we’ve had outside Portugal. Highly recommended as a sampler box for sharing.

Bola de Berlim These Portuguese doughnuts were pillowy soft, lightly fried, and dusted with sugar, with options for egg cream filling. We got a couple filled ones that were generously stuffed, offering a rich, custardy center that paired perfectly with the fluffy dough. Not overly greasy or heavy, they had just the right amount of sweetness and were a great complement to the tarts. If you’re a doughnut fan, these are a must-try for their authentic texture and flavor.

SERVICE: No reservations needed, and we were helped right away on a weekday afternoon. The staff were super friendly and patient, explaining the flavors and recommending the daily specials based on what we liked. Our order came out quickly, well-packaged for takeout.

TIPS: Check their hours: they’re only open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and items sell out fast, especially the flavored pastéis de nata. Arrive early for the best selection, and ask about gluten-free options if needed. Parking on Santa Clara Street can be street-only, so plan for that in downtown. The menu at the counter has more details than any outside signage.

OVERALL: Was it worth the visit? Absolutely. Pastelaria Adega nails the authentic Portuguese bakery experience with standout pastries that are fresh, flavorful, and transportive. We’ll be back for more tarts and to try the savory...

I placed an online order for pickup and in the photos the pastries seemed bigger (referring to the Pastel de Nata), but they are bite size pastries (this is my first time having a pastel de nata so I'm not sure if these are there normal sizes) I think the photos need to be more accurate in their website.

Upon arriving to the bakery, on the side there is a section with bread and bags- I saw my name on one of the bags. I wanted to double check it was ok to just grab it and leave so I tried asking one of the workers that was not busy, but she went to another worker (an older lady with grey/black hair) to assist me, but the older worker displayed a rude attitude- She looked at me and completely ignored my attempts to ask her a question. It's disappointing to receive such poor customer service; although she was assisting someone else, she could have acknowledged me and asked me to wait. Neither the 1st or 2nd worker helped me so I had to ask a 3rd employee. This kind of behavior leaves a negative impression, and unfortunately, I don't think I'll be returning to this bakery in the future.

(Let me mention that before stopping at the bakery I called and asked if I needed to get in line if I was picking up an online order. I was told that I just had to go up to the front/counter to pickup.They should have told me that they have a section to pick-up online orders and I can just grab and go. She made it seem like I had to stop at the counter and this is why I didn't take the bag and leave.)

BTW the pastries were ok and overpriced. The flavor was not the best like they make it seem in social medias.... My local donut shop...

I feel like they probably sell like one order in seven minutes. There’s a single guy who makes the drink, food, and sells the pastries at the register. They should definitely have one more person in front splitting the labor. Waited 20 minutes when the line literally had four parties ahead of us… made me wonder if they’re trying to artificially generate the perception that they always have a line? They seem to have started moving faster once the line behind us hit the door (there were only three groups behind us for three longest time. Meanwhile there’s like four staff people in the back cooking slowly and watching haha. Not sure how this has never been called out in a review before.. I’m not even a harsh critic usually this just seemed so funnily badly operated lol. Like what a waste to not be selling products faster - so much stock but sales are soooo slow. Once you get to the front of the line though the one guy (jack of all trades) is friendly, nice, and the food’s pretty good! Omg the egg tarts are AMAZING! Best I’ve had in my life.

Food: A+ Ambience: A Service:...