Pastéis de Belém

The famous Pastéis de Belém were invented in 1837 in a place in the neighborhood of Belém that still bears the same name today, Pastéis de Belém.

This famous pastry shop breathes Lisbon history. If you want to taste the best pastéis de nata in Lisbon, you have to come here.

History of the Pastéis de Belém

At Pastéis de Belém, right next to the Jerónimos Monastery there was a sugar refinery that, as a result of the liberal revolution of 1820, was closed and its workers expelled, along with the clergy. In a bid for survival, someone — undoubtedly an anonymous hero — began selling little pastries on this spot, which quickly became known as «Pastéis de Belém».

The secretrecipe, belonging to the monastery, was passed down to the master pastry chefs and the shop has been up and running since 1837. According to legend, these pastries still follow the same recipe as nearly two centuries ago..

The truth is that the "secret" ingredient of the Pastéis de Belém is that they are always served warm and crispy.

Some statistics claim that more than 20,000 pastéis are made daily (with records of 55,000 in a single day!).

With numbers like that, it goes without saying that long queues can form, stretching all the way outside the shop. Fortunately, the service is fast and it won't take more than 10 minutes before you have a pastel de Belém melting in your mouth.

How are they eaten?

You won't need to ask the staff for cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle over your pastéis to get the full experience of these beloved national treats. Those are the two classic accompaniments. Along with a good, light coffee.

The difference between Pastéis de Belém and pastéis de nata

Pastéis de nata are a reproduction of the Pastéis de Belém — a "imitation," so to speak. That said, the ones from Belém aren't the only great ones; you can find delicious pastéis de nata all across the country.

The key to a great one is freshness: the less time that has passed since they came out of the oven, the better.

In fact, if you've tried them and can't stop thinking about them, you can find frozen pastéis de nata in some supermarkets and just pop them in the oven for a few minutes back at your vacation apartment in Lisbon.

The Belém neighborhoodis a part of Lisbon that is an absolute must-visit, as it is home to major landmarks such as the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Cultural Centre and more. You can get there from the city centre by taking tram number 15.

Address

Rua de Belém 84

Hours

08:00 – 23:00

How to get there?

Train to Belém from Cais do Sodré, or buses 714, 727, 751 Tram No 15