Where to eat the best pastel de nata in Lisbon

You can find a pastel de nata almost anywhere in Lisbon. But some are worth seeking out. Look for crisp pastry and warm, creamy custard. The best stop is often the one that fits your day.

If you try only two, start with Pastéis de Belém and have a warm pastel from Manteigaria in the centre. They are different, so try both and pick your favourite. If you have more time, follow the short tasting walk below.

The best pastel de nata in Lisbon at a glance

You do not need to visit all seven. Pick one nearby, then try another to compare.

Pastéis de Belém: go for the original

Pastéis de Belém is the one to build into a visit to the Belém sights. Its own history dates production to 1837, when pastries based on a recipe associated with the nearby Jerónimos Monastery began to be made beside a former sugar refinery. The name “Pastéis de Belém” belongs to this bakery; elsewhere, order a pastel de nata.

There is more here than a quick takeaway pastel. You are visiting a historic bakery in the same neighbourhood as the monastery, museums and riverfront. If the outside queue looks long, check the separate entrance for tables before deciding how to order. Give yourself time to enjoy Belém instead of crossing the city just for one tart. If you are staying in the centre, one of the shops below is easier.

Best for: first-time visitors who want the original story.
Location: Rua de Belém 84–92.

Manteigaria: a warm nata without a detour

Manteigaria's Chiado shop sits at Rua do Loreto 2, beside Praça Luís de Camões. It is easy to reach between Bairro Alto, Chiado and Cais do Sodré, and the bakers work in view of the counter. The company says each fresh batch is announced by a bell: a useful cue if you want to eat your pastel while the pastry is still warm.

This is a good first stop in central Lisbon. You can stop for a single pastel and coffee without changing your plans. There are also branches around Rossio, Belém, Saldanha and Príncipe Real, so check the official locations for the nearest one.

Best for: a convenient fresh-baked stop.
Try it with: a bica, the local name for an espresso.

Pastelaria Aloma: the award-winning contender

If awards help you choose, try Aloma. The bakery won O Melhor Pastel de Nata again in September 2026, its third win in a row and sixth in total. The contest is for bakeries that make their own pastéis in and around Lisbon. The award is a good reason to try Aloma, but you may prefer another.

Aloma began in Campo de Ourique in 1943 and now lists shops in other Lisbon neighbourhoods, including Graça and Parque das Nações. Try the original shop if you are in Campo de Ourique. The other shops may be easier to fit into your day. Check Aloma's current shop list before you go.

Best for: tasting the current competition winner.
Good pairing: a walk through Campo de Ourique and its market.

Castro: watch a specialist bakery at work

Castro focuses on pastéis de nata. You can watch the bakers work while you wait. The bakery says its pastry is crisp and light, with a less sweet custard and a hint of citrus. Try it alongside a pastel from Manteigaria or Belém and see which you like more.

The official Lisbon locations include Rua Garrett in Chiado, Rua Áurea in Baixa and Praça da Figueira. Rua Garrett is handy on a short tasting walk: you can buy one here, keep walking, and decide whether you prefer it to the other central options.

Best for: comparing a modern specialist with the classics.
Area: Chiado or Baixa.

Pastelaria Santo António: a stop near the castle

The climb towards São Jorge Castle is a good excuse for another pastel. Pastelaria Santo António, at Rua do Milagre de Santo António 10, won Lisbon's best pastel de nata competition in 2019 and remains a useful stop when you are already walking between Alfama and the castle.

The walk uphill is worth doing when you are visiting Alfama or the castle. Add it to an Alfama walk, order one, then carry on towards the viewpoints. It is an easy stop on that walk.

Best for: an Alfama or castle-day pastry break.
Location: Rua do Milagre de Santo António 10.

Fábrica da Nata: a reliable downtown pause

Fábrica da Nata opened its first shop in Restauradores in 2016. It now lists Lisbon shops at Praça dos Restauradores and Rua Augusta, where the pastéis are made on site in view of customers. Both shops are easy stops when walking from Rossio to the river.

Choose it when you want something easy, especially if you are sightseeing in Baixa and want a warm pastry rather than a long wait at a destination bakery. The shop list is worth checking for the current address and hours.

Best for: an easy Baixa or Restauradores stop.
Area: central Lisbon.

Confeitaria Nacional: sit down in old Lisbon

A pastel de nata does not always have to be eaten standing at a busy counter. Confeitaria Nacional, founded in 1829, offers a more traditional pastry-shop experience near Praça da Figueira. Its historic setting is the reason to come; order coffee, look at the wider pastry selection and take a proper break from the streets around Rossio.

If you only want to compare nata shops, start with Manteigaria or Castro. If you want a Lisbon café with a sense of history, Confeitaria Nacional is a good choice.

Best for: a seated coffee and pastry in a historic setting.
Area: Praça da Figueira.

A simple pastel de nata tasting walk in central Lisbon

You do not need a formal tour to compare a few versions. Start at Manteigaria in Chiado for a warm pastel. Continue along Rua Garrett to Castro, then walk downhill into Baixa for Fábrica da Nata on Rua Augusta. If you still have room, finish with coffee at Confeitaria Nacional near Praça da Figueira.

Buy one pastel at each stop and share it if you like. Eat it while it is still crisp. Notice the pastry, the custard and how sweet each one is. This makes it easier to pick a favourite than tasting a box hours later. Check each shop's hours on the day you go.

How to order and enjoy a pastel de nata

For one, say “Um pastel de nata, por favor.” For two, ask for “Dois pastéis de nata, por favor.” The plural is pastéis; in English you will also see “Portuguese custard tarts”. A small espresso is a bica in Lisbon, and cinnamon is optional rather than a test of authenticity.

A fresh pastel matters more than a long queue. Look for crisp pastry and creamy custard. A dark, spotted top is normal. If you are taking pastries away, ask when they were baked and eat them the same day for the best texture. Prices, branch hours and queues change, so use the linked bakery sites for live details.

Vegan or gluten-free pastéis de nata

A traditional pastel de nata contains egg and dairy, and its puff pastry normally contains wheat. For a vegan version, Vegan Nata advertises a dedicated plant-based pastel at Rua da Misericórdia 9 in Chiado. For a gluten-free version, Rice Me Deli lists a pastel de nata at Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar 124 and says its bakery is certified gluten-free by the Portuguese Coeliac Association. Check the current product and ingredients directly with the shop if you have an allergy or coeliac disease; recipes and handling can change.

FAQ - Pastel de nata in Lisbon

Which pastel de nata should I try first in Lisbon?

If you are in central Lisbon, start with a warm Manteigaria pastel. If your day includes Belém, make time for Pastéis de Belém. Try both if you can: the setting and the pastry are different enough to try both.

Are pastéis de Belém and pastéis de nata the same thing?

Pastéis de Belém are the pastries made by the historic Belém bakery using its own recipe and name. Pastel de nata is the general name for the custard tart sold at bakeries throughout Portugal.

Who won Lisbon's best pastel de nata competition in 2026?

Pastelaria Aloma won the 2026 edition of O Melhor Pastel de Nata, its sixth win in the competition. A prize is a reason to visit, but the best pastel for you still comes down to taste and where you are in the city.

Can I bring pastéis de nata home?

You can buy a box to take away, but the pastry gradually loses its crispness. Buy it as late as practical, follow the bakery's storage advice and do not expect it to taste quite the same as a fresh one.

Want to make your own? Compare the pastel de nata classes in Lisbon, or continue planning with our Lisbon food guide and restaurant guide.