Lisbon is awash with amazing pastelarias offering traditional Portuguese sweet treats like pastéis de nata and pastéis de belém. Not to mention the pastry shops offering delicacies from other parts of Europe, like French croissants.
You’d be forgiven for feeling a little bit head-spun by all the options. To help you find the best Portuguese desserts on your next Lisbon food tour, I decided to take a closer look at some of the best pastry shops I’ve found on all my Lisbon adventures over the years.
Photo credit: Pastéis de Belém
Pastéis de Belém is one of Lisboa’s truly historic pastry shops, located near the Jerónimos Monastery. They are arguably best known for their iconic pastel de Belém. However, they have an extensive menu with lots of other options worth trying, including bolo de arroz, as well as English cakes and queen cakes, unlike anything you’d get your hands on in London.
The ambiance transported me back in time with its traditional Portuguese tiles. I could almost feel the generations of people who walked through the doors back in 1837 when Portugal was still recovering from the Liberal Revolution.
Of course, I ordered their pastel de Belém, which they’re famous for. It was perfectly garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered sugar. Along with that, I grabbed one of their in-house takes on the famous Pastéis de Nata because I was feeling extra peckish. The egg custard tart was slightly richer than the likes of a crème brulee, but it was firmly locked in place by a lightly blistered top that gave way gently as I bit into it.
Pastéis de Belém (€€) – Rua de Belém 84-92, 1300-085 Lisbon, Portugal – Open every day from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Photo credit: Pastelaria Santo António
Pastelaria Santo António is a charming Lisbon pastry shop with a reputation for representing the best of traditional Portuguese sweet treats while giving them a modern twist. Nestled in the picturesque Alfama neighborhood, it’s a great place to stop for a snack while diving deep into the area’s rich cultural history.
The interior is cozy and has an inviting ambiance that strategically uses lighting to direct you to the offerings in the pastry case. I appreciate this approach in the morning, as it’s easy on the eyes when you need to get up early to get a head start on your day.
I ordered the Pastel de Nata, which they are well known for. The Portuguese egg tart’s custard was rich and creamy with the flavor of high-quality egg yolks, carefully melded with sugar. It was perfectly encased in a crispy pastry shell that made it easy to eat out of hand.
Pastelaria Santo António (€€) – Rua do Milagre de Santo António 10, 1100-351 Lisbon, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM and closed every Sunday.
Photo credit: Pastelaria Alcôa
Situated in the Chiado district of Lisbon, Pastelaria Alcôa offers a delightful array of traditional Portuguese pastries. Many of the bites served here follow the original recipes that were laid down decades, if not centuries ago. Yet they also have many desserts and baked specialties that have been reinvented with modern twists.
The interior ambiance shows respect for Lisboa’s historic culture with its classic Portuguese décor, such as the vintage tiles, wooden furniture, and the simple, elegant details that reflect Pastelaria Alcôa’s long history.
I couldn’t help but try the Manjar de Laranja, which is made from orange juice and zest and carefully thickened before being served cold. I found it to be perfectly refreshing on a warm day when the fresh oranges happened to be in season in Portugal. The authentic orange tinges stayed with my palate for the rest of the day.
Pastelaria Alcôa (€€) – Rua Garrett 37, 1200-203 Lisbon, Portugal – Open every day from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Photo credit: Pastelaria Versailles
Pastelaria Versailles in Lisbon’s Avenidas Novas harkens to a bygone era when Portugal swayed the tastes of world culture. From the first moment you set foot inside, the opulent interior is matched only by the sweet aroma of their delectable pastries.
This is not the sort of place you pop by while you’re rushing to explore nearby sites like the Gulbenkian Museum or the Avenida da Liberdade. You want to give yourself time to take in the intricate details of their grand chandeliers, the finely decorated moldings, and intricately upholstered furniture.
Their menu is loaded with must-try pastries and patisserie treats like their signature Pastéis de Nata, with a shell similar to puff pastry. However, I chose their Baba de Camelo. There’s some tongue-in-cheek humor harkening back to Lisboa’s historical Moorish connections as Baba de Camelo literally translates as “Camel’s Drool.”
Today, it’s made from sweetened condensed milk, which they simmered until it reduced down to a caramel-like sauce. I had it garnished with a light sprinkle of cinnamon and some decadent chocolate shavings.
Pastelaria Versailles (€€€) – Avenida da República 15A, 1050-185 Lisbon, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM and every Sunday from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
Photo credit: Manteigaria
Manteigaria is one of Lisbon’s most well-known pastry shops. While they’ve spread throughout the city, their original pastry shop in Chiado is still the most iconic. It draws its name from the butter factory that once occupied the space.
One of the main features of Manteigaria is its open kitchen concept. You get to watch them work their magic; when you see the intense process they go through, you’ll understand why they consider themselves to be the best pastel makers in the city. I liked their efficiency and ability to move a high volume of pastries without leaving you waiting in line; wait until you see it for yourself.
While they’re famous for making Pastéis de Nata, I felt like trying a little something different. So, I ordered their Pão de Deus. It’s a sweet bun that feels like an advertisement for the local sugar refinery. It’s glazed with a sweet sugar syrup that is just sticky enough to cement the floral coconut topping. I tore it apart into little pieces and dunked it in their robustly aromatic black coffee.
Then I ordered two of their Bolo de Arroz that I saved for later. They’re a traditional Portuguese rice flour muffin with just a light tinge of sweetness. A flavor almost reminiscent of rice pudding but with the texture of a tender muffin. It turned out to be the perfect mid-afternoon snack while I was touring the ruins of the Carmo Convent.
Manteigaria (€€) – Rua do Loreto 2, 1200-108 Lisbon, Portugal – Open every day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Photo credit: Panificação Reunida de São Roque
Conveniently located where Bairro Alto meets the Principe Real district, Panificação Reunida de São Roque is close to several popular tourist attractions like Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and the Elevador da Glória.
The atmosphere of Panificação Reunida de São Roque exudes a sense of old-world authenticity, which makes it very popular with the locals. The interior design is ornate in all the right places. My eyes feasted on the sculpted moldings and intricate tile patterns.
The menu focuses on classic Portuguese pastries, including the ubiquitous Pastéis de Nata, and rustic breads. I was there during the holiday season and tried some of their bolo rei “King Cake.” I loved how the silky brioche-like dough was soft and chewy yet firm enough to hold the delicately candied fruits, raisins, and nuts.
Panificação Reunida de São Roque (€€) – Rua da Rosa, 190, 1200 – 390 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Sunday to Thursday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
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