As passionate as Porto natives are about port wines, bacalhau, and meat-heavy sandwiches, they’re also partial to a sweet treat on occasion.
If you’ve ever joined my Porto food tours, you probably noticed that many popular Porto desserts are variations of confections from other corners of Europe. While the Portuguese have plenty of saccharine snacks of their own, their spins on international desserts are just as tasty.
Below, you’ll find all my favorite Porto desserts, along with the best places to try each one!
Almond tarts might be the Porto dessert closest to my heart, and I’ve never visited the city without tucking into at least one or two slices.
The Portuguese have had an affinity for almonds for centuries. Legend has it that an Arab prince planted countless almond trees in the south to mimic the appearance of the snow-covered fields his northern wife was so fond of.
Whether there’s any truth to this is uncertain, but one thing’s for sure: this mix of almonds, flour, sugar, and eggs makes for a delectable dessert. It’s typically served on its own, though it’s even tastier with a dusting of icing sugar.
Padaria Ribeiro is a contemporary pastry shop in Miragaia, though there are a bunch of branches throughout the wider Porto area. Many people flock here for the pastel de nata, but I have a soft spot for the almond tarts.
The base was thick, crisp, and buttery, while the caramelized almond filling provided some crunch and had the perfect level of sweetness.
Padaria Ribeiro (€€) – P. de Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 21, 4050-526 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Simple yet incredibly delicious, ovos moles are bite-sized morsels made up of an egg yolk-based filling and a sugary wafer crust.
These snacks originally came from Aviero, a charming city just outside of Porto. They were first whipped up by nuns in the Convento de Jesus de Aveiro in the 16th century and gradually made their way north to Porto.
In most cases, you’ll find ovos moles prepared in the shape of shells or barrels.
To secure the finest ovos moles, you’ll need to catch the train and head a little outside of town to M1882 – Ovos Moles de Aveiro. This traditional bakery is filled with vintage blue and white tiling and bright white walls.
They have a couple of variants of ovos moles here, but I don’t think you can go wrong with the classic version. While the egg filling was rich and creamy, the outside was delicately sweet and lightweight.
M1882 – Ovos Moles de Aveiro (€) – R. Dom Jorge de Lencastre 37, 3800-142 Aveiro, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Croissants have become rather popular in Porto over the years, but the natives have put their own spin on this crescent-shaped sweet pastry. Portuguese croissants are similar to brioche bread and only really share the shape of their French counterparts.
It’s believed that croissants made their way to Portugal during the 19th century. This was at a time when the French had yet to switch to the flaky puff pastry version of croissants we all know and love, and Porto residents stuck to the original brioche-style recipe.
In Porto, croissants are typically enjoyed with a coffee or stuffed with various fillings.
Confeitaria São Domingos in Miragaia is my go-to spot for Portuguese-style croissants. It’s a modern, compact bakery that’s bustling at any hour.
I’ve tried a couple of the pastries here, but their cake-like croissants are heavenly. My preferred way to snack on their dense, fluffy, and syrupy croissants is with a smooth and bitter espresso or an earthy cup of black tea.
Confeitaria São Domingos (€) – Largo São Domingos 37, 4050-545 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm, closed every Sunday
The king of all Portuguese confections, the humble pastel de nata is a huge source of pride for the country. Though these egg and custard-filled delights hail from the Lisbon area, that hasn’t stopped them from becoming a staple Porto dessert, too.
Pasteis de nata were crafted by monks in the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém in the 1700s, and it wasn’t long until they landed in northern Portugal.
Between the crispy pastry and indulgent filling, pasteis de nata are pretty wonderful on their own. That said, I’ve often seen them topped with cinnamon or a pinch of icing sugar.
I could create an entirely separate list of where to try pasteis de nata in Porto, but Confeitaria do Bolhão in Bolhão is always a reliable spot.
The only thing I love more than the elegant cream and green interior and ceiling-high pastry displays is their pasteis de nata. They’ve got a silky-smooth vanilla-imbued filling and a gorgeous lightweight crust with a touch of saltiness.
Confeitaria do Bolhão (€€) – R. Formosa 339, 4000-252 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Croissants aren’t the only French dessert that Porto has put its own spin on. I’ve spotted eclairs in almost every second Porto bakery, each lined with whipped cream rather than the traditional custard filling. Yet, the choux pastry and chocolate topping remain largely the same.
Leitaria da Quinta do Paço, which initially operated as a dairy, is revered for fashioning the first Portuguese eclair in the 1950s.
Over the years, the toppings available have become increasingly diverse, though chocolate still stands as the serving style of choice for many.
After visiting dozens of bakeries in Porto, I’ve yet to find finer eclairs than those on offer in Padeirinha Doce. This no-frills Ribeira haunt has eclairs that are to die for.
Their whipped cream was fresh and airy, turning a rather indulgent Porto dessert into something much lighter. The pastry was soft and pillowy, with a mild enough flavor to let the cream and milky chocolate take center stage.
Padeirinha Doce (€€) – R. de Augusto Rosa 46, 4000-098 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm
Like in many cities, Italian ice cream is a big hit among locals, and in this case, it’s pretty much become a Porto dessert in its own right. Unlike some of the city’s international-inspired treats, the standard gelato recipe of milk, cream, and sugar hasn’t changed much.
Gelato was invented in Florence in the 16th century, though it didn’t take off in Porto until the early 1900s. As any dessert-loving foodie knows, gelato comes in dozens of flavors and is enjoyed from either a cup or a cone.
Gelataria Portuense is one of the best-loved gelato shops in Porto, straddling the line between Bolhão and Baixa.
For such a small spot, they’ve got a hefty number of gelato flavors on offer, and they even have a selection of standard and gluten-free cones. I’d heard so many friends gushing over the pistachio ice cream here, but I’m partial to their bittersweet, velvety dark chocolate flavor.
Gelataria Portuense (€) – R. do Bonjardim 136, 4000-114 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
When the desserts are as delightful as those in Porto, it’s worth giving into your sweet tooth from time to time! You’ll find bustling bakeries and mouthwatering pastry shops peppered across the city, each filled with beloved Porto desserts and international classics.
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