The whole argument, in one tart. Sonse · CC BY 2.0
Pastéis de Belém
The original custard tart, made to a recipe the shop has kept since 1837.
Every pastelaria in Portugal sells a pastel de nata. This one sells a pastel de Belém, which is a protected name and a recipe the shop has guarded since 1837. The queue outside is for takeaway. The rooms inside — and there are a lot of them, tiled and tunnelling back further than the front suggests — are for sitting down, and usually move faster.
Order them warm, dust them yourself with cinnamon and icing sugar from the shakers on the table, and have the espresso. Two is the correct number. Three is a decision you make on your own.
Before you go
- Two queues
- The pavement queue is takeaway; the door on the left is table service
- Getting there
- Tram 15 from Praça da Figueira, or the train to Belém
- Nearby
- The monastery and the riverfront are a few minutes' walk
Official site — for hours and any booking requirement.
Published · updated · details checked
Researched from published sources rather than a personal visit. Check before you go.
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