The best Portuguese pastry shops in Lisbon
Lisbon runs on sugar and espresso. Walk into any pastelaria and you’ll see how seriously the city takes both. Counters are crowded from early morning, staff move fast, and regulars don’t need to say much. The system is loud, efficient, and built on routine.
Some of these pastry shops have been open since before the Portuguese Republic was even declared. They’ve seen trends come and go, but the glass display cases haven’t changed much, nor have the recipes. You’ll find the same dense doughs, rich egg-based fillings, and powdered sugar toppings that generations have grown up on.
In addition to Lisbon’s old-school pastelarias, in recent years, we also see a new wave of bakers has started poking at tradition and bringing a new sense of contemporaneity to the scene. They’re tweaking techniques, sourcing differently, and putting their own spin on the classics, while also embracing international techniques, recipes and overall trends. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. But when it does, it makes you see Portuguese pastry in a whole new light. Overall, there’s more room for creativity, and often, better coffee to go along with the sweet bites too.
This list isn’t about ranking. It’s about respect, both for the old-school places that have been doing it right for decades, for the innovators bringing fresh eyes to the table, and for the humble pastel de nata, still standing as Lisbon’s greatest edible export.
Feat photo by Time Out Lisboa
The most traditional pastelarias in Lisbon
Confeitaria Nacional
There are few places in Lisbon where time feels suspended in such a sweet way like it does inside Confeitaria Nacional. Founded in 1829 by Balthazar Roiz Castanheiro, this iconic pastry shop in Praça da Figueira is the oldest of its kind in the city, and still remains in the hands of the same family that opened it nearly two centuries ago. The heritage is palpable as soon as one steps inside, with Pombaline architecture, gilded mirrors, painted ceilings, and a view that stretches over one of the city’s most emblematic squares. But the true magic is in the pastries.
The house’s pastel de nata, one of the oldest recipes still in use in Lisbon, follows the original instructions left by its founder. Crisp and caramelized on the outside, rich and velvety on the inside, this custard tart will win your heart after the very first bite. The simplicity of the experience, combined with the legacy behind it, turns it into something unforgettable. Another signature creation is the bolo rei, with a dough similar to brioche, but enriched with crystallized fruits, this is a cake traditionally eaten around Christmas time. Confeitaria Nacional introduced it to Portugal in 1875 after Baltazar Castanheiro Júnior adapted the French gâteau des rois to local tastes, kickstarting a Christmas tradition that endures to this day. Then there’s the bolo romeno (literally Romanian cake), a dense, nutty sponge cake with Eastern European roots, and the ever-popular bolo de arroz, a simple yet perfect muffin with rice flour baked in cylindrical paper molds.
The bakery’s prestige gained it the title of official supplier to the Portuguese royal family in 1873, and today it still serves the Office of the Presidency. But you don’t need a crown to feel the regal touch: just order a pastry and a coffee and grab a seat in one of the upstairs salons. There are now other branches around the city, including in Belém (Av. Brasília) and Amoreiras (Amoreiras Shopping Center, Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco), but for the full experience that takes you back to Lisbon’s golden years, we recommend a visit to the original shop.
📍Praça da Figueira 18B, 1100-241 Lisbon
https://confeitarianacional.com
Photo by Público
Pastelaria Benard
Located in the heart of the city, in Chiado district, Pastelaria Benard is another of Lisbon’s most cherished historic cafés. Founded in 1868 by Élie Benard, a French confectioner, it first opened on Rua do Loreto before moving to its current location on Rua Garrett in 1902, three years before the iconic café A Brasileira became its neighbor. Over the decades, Benard has attracted generations of Lisboners but also travelers, becoming a symbol of old-world charm and the perfect spot for observing the rhythm of the city.
Benard is most famous for its croissants, served warm and filled with chocolate, strawberry, or sweet egg yolk cream (doce de ovos). The recipe is a closely guarded secret, and their delicate texture and buttery aroma make them legendary. Interestingly, despite the fame of its croissants, the best-selling item remains the pastel de nata, likely due to the steady stream of tourists exploring the lively Chiado district.
The café is more than just a straightforward pastry shop as, behind the main room, a deeper dining area serves traditional Portuguese meals alongside lighter options like salads and quiches. During warmer months, the terrace tables outside provide a front-row seat to the elegant bustle of Rua Garrett, while in winter, the wood-paneled interior offers a cozy retreat. Benard has hosted royalty (most famously Queen Elizabeth II) and inspired poets and musicians. It is even referenced in a song by Vitorino, set to a poem by António Lobo Antunes, immortalizing the café as a meeting place of memories and melancholy. Benard represents the legacy of Lisbon’s golden age of cafés, and a visit here is a timeless Lisbon experience.
📍Rua Garrett 104, 1200-205 Lisbon
Photo by Lisboa Secreta
Alcôa
Originally from the town of Alcobaça and highly connected with the monastic traditions of the region, Alcôa is a celebration of conventual sweets, that is, rich, yolk-heavy delicacies perfected centuries ago in the kitchens of nuns. At their Lisbon location on Rua Garrett, inside a former tobacco shop adorned with remarkable ceramic panels by artist Querubim Lapa, these divine confections are presented like jewels behind glass.
Most of their recipes hail from the 12th-century Santa Maria de Alcobaça monastery. One of the absolute highlights is the cornucópia, a crisp, golden pastry shell filled with silken egg yolk cream (doce de ovos). Other highlights include the encharcada, a syrup-soaked egg pudding that delivers a bold wave of eggy sweetness; and the almond delight, intensely flavorful, subtly bitter, with a contrast of crust and chew. Each pastry is accompanied by a small placard noting its name and the awards it has received. You can bet quality is never in question here at Alcôa.
Seating is very limited as this is not a store designed for lingering. You can stand at a small counter with an espresso and your choice of pastry, but we honestly believe Alcôa’s treats are best enjoyed in take-away format, as you wouldn’t want to rush such an indulgent moment.
📍Rua Garrett 37, 1200-203 Lisbon
Photo by Visão
Pastelaria Versailles
For over a century, Pastelaria Versailles has been one of Lisbon’s grandest cafés. Founded in 1922 in the central Avenida da República, this elegant institution was the first great café of the Avenidas Novas neighborhood, quickly becoming a social hub for the families that benefited from the area’s urban expansion. Even today, many of its weekend clients are longtime Lisbon residents returning with children or grandchildren to share memories and delicious food and drinks.
The Versailles dining room is a marvel of Art Nouveau influence, with intricate woodwork, tall mirrors, marble counters, and ornate ceiling carvings designed by Fausto Fernandes. The walls, adorned with paintings by Benvindo Ceia, shimmer under crystal chandeliers, creating a luminous atmosphere that blends nostalgic elegance with daily vitality. Despite its classical style, Versailles is no relic, as it is very alive with the rhythm of modern Lisbon. Come lunchtime, they respond to the heavy flux of nearby office workers and tourists curious to see what the fuss is all about. You can come to Pastelaria Versailles for a quick coffee and sweet treat,t for lunch, or a savory snack such as their legendary meat croquetes, fried to order.
But Versailles is perhaps even better known for its sweets. The duchesse with fios de ovos (a light choux pastry topped with golden egg threads) is a classic choice, as is the rich, house-made chocolate cake (bolo de chocolate). Other traditional delights include the fruitcake (bolo inglês), babás soaked in syrup, and the delicate strawberry delight (delícia de morango). During the holidays, the shop’s bolo-rei, with plenty of crystallized fruits, climbs to the top of the bestseller list.
Though Versailles expanded in recent years to include a charming sidewalk terrace, the real experience lies inside, where servers in tailored black vests and bow ties will make you feel special. If you fancy a little bit of live history, ask for José Gomes Batista, the café’s longest-standing employee, who has worked here for about three decades.
📍Avenida da República 15A, 1050-185 Lisbon
https://pastelariaversailles.com
Photo City Guide Lisbon
Pastelaria Suíça
Here’s another nostalgia evoking pastry shop in Lisbon. The original Pastelaria Suíça has been a historic landmark right downtown since the early 20th century, Suíça held a special place in the hearts of Lisboners for generations until it shuttered its doors in 2018, just shy of its 100th anniversary. Now, the building that once housed this sweet institution is a Zara fashion store, a fact that has left many locals bitter about the changes our city has been undergoing in recent years. Many thought this icon of the Baixa Pombalina seemed lost for good, but in 2024, Pastelaria Suíça made a triumphant return. Reborn just around the corner from its original location, the new space may be smaller, but it honors its past while keeping an open mind for how things have meantime changed in Lisbon’s coffee shop scene.
Classic recipes have returned, including the esquimó, a rich sponge cake layered with sweet egg cream and enveloped in a dark chocolate shell; and the duchesse, adorned with golden strands of fios de ovos. All pastries are produced in-house with the same attention to craft that made the original Suíça famous. But there are also new creations, light meals, and a refined selection of coffees served with modern creativity. Inside, touches of tradition remain: a display honoring the original café, tiles by Viúva Lamego, and elegant Vista Alegre porcelain that recall a time when café culture shaped Lisbon’s daily life. Outside, the iconic terrace returns as a prime spot to sit with a coffee and pastry while the city flows around you.
📍Praça da Figueira, 1100-241 Lisbon
Photo by Público
Pastelaria Aloma
In the neighborhood of Campo de Ourique, Pastelaria Aloma has been a neighborhood favorite for over seven decades. Officially founded in 1949, this historic pastry shop has grown from a local gem to an internationally recognized name, thanks largely to its pastel de nata, which has claimed the coveted “Best Pastel de Nata in Lisbon” award multiple times.
While Aloma is synonymous with its natas, it also excels in other staples of Portuguese pastry. Whether it’s a buttery palmier, a fluffy pão de deus, or a seasonal bolo-rei, everything is made with care, which explains how many regulars this classic Lisbon pastelaria with contemporary looks has.
The original Campo de Ourique shop still charms with its polished wood counters and glass display cases, though Aloma has since expanded to new locations, including inside El Corte Inglés department store (Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 31). It’s a shining example of how a small neighborhood pastelaria can maintain its soul while stepping confidently outside its initial location.
📍Rua Francisco Metrass 67, 1350-139 Lisbon
Photo by Lisbon City Guide
Patriarcal – Panificação Reunida de São Roque
At the junction of Rua Dom Pedro V and Rua da Rosa, between the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real, stands one of Lisbon’s oldest continuously operating bakeries. Known to many as the “Catedral do Pão”, that is, “the cathedral of bread”, Padaria São Roque is beloved for its bread and pastries, as well as admired for its architectural charm.
Though the building itself dates back to just after 1899, its foundations lie atop the former grounds of the Palácio dos Salemas, demolished in the late 19th century to make way for urban expansion. In 1961, this bakery became part of the Panificação Reunida de São Roque, a government-mandated unification of several neighborhood bakeries aimed at sustaining traditional bread making in Lisbon.
What sets Padaria São Roque apart, beyond its long history, is its stunning Art Nouveau interior. With its graceful curves, warm wood finishes, and antique detailing, walking into the small space feels like entering a time capsule. Locals and visitors gather here daily, squeezing into the few tables available for a proper Portuguese style breakfast, or queuing at the counter for freshly baked goods. Among the standout offerings is the house specialty: broa de Coimbra, a dense, slightly sweet cornbread with a rustic crust, not easily found elsewhere in the city. Besides crusty loaves, they also prepare sweet, doughy treats, including Portugal’s usual range of pastelaria cakes, such as pastel de nata; pão de deus, a soft brioche bun topped with sweet egg jam and shredded coconut; dense, buttery croissants; and bola de Berlim, the local take on a Berliner doughnut filled with egg custard. More local classics include the guardanapo, a sponge cake folded like a napkin and layered with custard, and bolo xadrez, a checkerboard-patterned cake often served with a rich chocolate coating. Visit Padaria São Roque and grab a bite of the city’s history, as the world outside keeps rapidly changing.
📍Rua Dom Pedro V 57 / Rua da Rosa 57, 1200-092 Lisbon
Photo by Padaria São Roque
The best contemporary pastry shops in Lisbon
Saga
Located in the typical neighborhood Graça, Saga is everything a contemporary Lisbon pastelaria strives to be: unpretentious, friendly, and always delicious. Opened in 2016 in what was once a family-run clothing shop, this modern neighborhood café has quickly become a local staple, not just for its pastries but also as a reflection of how Lisbon eats today.
Saga is the kind of place where a pastel de nata and a bica go hand-in-hand with light lunches, croissants (plain, filled with chocolate or doce de ovos), and tropical coconut cakes (quindins). The pastry counter will make it hard for anyone to choose. There’s coconut and almond tarts, bolos de arroz, and the beloved bola de Berlim. But Saga also appeals to the appetite of those who prefer savory treats, offering puffs with various fillings (folhados), several fritters (salgados), alongside goat cheese toasts, fresh omelets and, surprisingly, one of the best francesinhas in town, a decadent sandwich from the north of Portugal layered with meat, cheese, and smothered in a rich beer-based sauce. They also have soy and almond milk options for your coffee and a self-service card-only payment system.. Saga exemplifies the new Lisbon pastelaria, which is still nodding to tradition but certainly adapted to the current times.
📍Rua da Graça 128, 1170-170 Lisbon
Photo by Saga on TripAdvisor
Pastelaria Santo António
Tucked into a winding street just below São Jorge’s castle, Pastelaria Santo António may be small in size, but its reputation is quite large, especially since winning the title of “Best Pastel de Nata in Lisbon” in 2019. The pastry, crowned through a blind tasting led by culinary experts, strikes the perfect balance between crispy, golden layers of puff pastry and a creamy custard that’s rich yet delicately spiced with cinnamon.
This pastelaria is named after Lisbon’s most beloved saint, St. Anthony, opened in the late 2010s. Its modern-day appeal lies in quite simple principles: quality ingredients, well crafted pastries, and the option to pair a pastel de nata with a shot of ginjinha sour cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup or a glass of Port wine. But Pastelaria Santo António’s menu doesn’t end with natas. There are also artisanal gelatos in rotating flavors like basil, pistachio, or cherry; freshly made crepes and waffles with a variety of toppings; and light snacks such as toasties, sandwiches, and salads. Santo António cleverly combines old and new, drawing on tradition while embracing contemporary cravings.
📍Rua do Milagre de Santo António 10, 1100-351 Lisbon
www.facebook.com/Apastelariasantoantonio
Photo by Endo Edibles
Padaria Portuguesa
You’ll find this unpretentious and consistent establishment on nearly every Lisbon street corner. Since opening in 2010, A Padaria Portuguesa has become the city’s unofficial go-to for everyday pastry and bread. We could see it as a kind of local Starbucks, but with pão de deus instead of pumpkin spice lattes.
While it may not win any awards for the city’s best pastel de nata, A Padaria Portuguesa has arguably done more than any other establishment to democratize café culture in Lisbon. By offering affordable, reliable breakfasts and lunches in inviting modern spaces. The chain helped normalize the idea of grabbing a croissant and an espresso before work, or tucking into a savory folhado at lunch without breaking the bank. Their house-made pastries include beloved standards like pastel de nata, buttery brioche buns topped with coconut and sweet egg jam (pão de deus), chocolate croissants, bolos de arroz, and dense bolas de Berlim. On the savory side, expect to find a variety of flaky pastries, ham-and-cheese toasties, sandwiches, and more recently, daily lunch specials (like arroz de pato or bacalhau com natas) rolled out in a rebranding campaign playfully titled “Almoçar à Portuguesa”, that is “having lunch Portuguese style”.
It may not be a destination spot for pastry connoisseurs or the most old school Lisbonites who don’t fancy the idea of going to a chain establishment when there’s many one off pastelarias in the city. But A Padaria Portuguesa has redefined what it means to have a neighborhood café in Lisbon. With nearly 80 locations and counting, it’s a modern symbol of convenience and affordability. And, if we’re fully honest, of capitalism too.
📍Multiple locations in Lisbon
Photo by A Padaria Portuguesa
Pastel de nata specialized pastry stores
Antiga Confeitaria de Belém
The line outside says it all: this is where locals and visitors come to taste “the original” pastel de nata, here called pastel de Belém. Just steps away from the Jerónimos Monastery, the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, also known simply as Pastéis de Belém, has been making these flaky, creamy tarts since 1837, when monks passed their secret recipe to the owners of the shop. Since then, the process has remained a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few master pastry chefs who prepare the custard and puff pastry daily in the shop’s “Secret Room.” While many bakeries in Portugal make excellent versions of this iconic treat, true devotees insist you haven’t really had a pastel de nata until you’ve tried one warm from the ovens here. Every day, the team produces up to 20.000 of them (in summer, sometimes even more!), and they disappear quite quickly. Inside, the café stretches through a labyrinth of tiled rooms decorated with blue-and-white scenes of old Belém.
Though famous for their namesake tart, the Confeitaria also serves a wide range of traditional Portuguese sweets and savories, including seasonal bolo-rei and bolo rainha, as well as quince paste to take home to enjoy with bread or a thick slice of cheese as a quick dessert (marmelada), savory pies (empadas), and the beloved sortido, an assorted mix of miniature cakes. Pastéis de Belém is a pilgrimage site for lovers of Lisbon’s culinary history.
📍Rua de Belém 84-92, 1300-085 Lisbon
Photo by Pastéis de Belém on TripAdvisor
Manteigaria
Manteigaria is one of Lisbon’s most beloved pastel de nata factories. It’s not a place to come hang out at, as most stores barely have a counter to sip a coffee at. For many locals, it’s a go-to spot for a quick sweet fix: grab a tart and a bica (Portuguese for espresso) at the counter and you’re back on the street in minutes, satisfied and re-caffeinated.
You can also ask for your natas to take away, but before you step out of the store, allow yourself some time to enjoy the scent of freshly baked pastries and a hint of cinnamon, as you observe the process through their open kitchen. Manteigaria has a steady production all day long, guaranteeing these golden tarts are served warm, no matter the hour.
Though newer than some of Lisbon’s historic institutions, Manteigaria has quickly earned its place among the greats. With several locations across Lisbon and Porto (and even Spain and Macao), it has helped define a new era of pastel de nata culture: modern, minimalist, and focused on quality. Like many of its contemporary pastelarias, this is a place that only sells one speciality, pastel de nata, perfecting the craft precisely because of this extreme focus.
📍Several stores across Lisbon:
Photo by NIT
Nat’elier
In a city proud of its pastry heritage, Nat’elier stands out for its bold creativity. Located near the iconic Elevador de Santa Justa, this boutique bakery sells perfectly delicious traditional pastéis de nata, while it also dares to reinvent Lisbon’s most famous sweet with lots of flair. Think crème brûlée, white chocolate macadamia, cookie cheesecake, apple cinnamon, pistachio, and even tiramisù. Their signature twist? Most flavors are available in both traditional and vegan versions, making it a one of a kind pastel de nata shop in Lisbon.
The name Nat’elier, a fusion of “nata” and “atelier”, reflecting both the artisanal and inventive spirit of the business. Here, natas are a canvas but, no matter the unique flavor profiles they come up with, the core of custard that makes each treat taste unmistakably like a pastel de nata is still there.
Beyond the counter, Nat’elier also offers an experience few others do: a professional masterclass where you can learn to make authentic pastéis de nata from scratch. Taught by professional pastry chefs, including João Batalha, a fifth generation pastry chef and co-owner of the space, these hands-on workshops, which started back in 2018, guide participants through the entire process, from preparing puff pastry to mastering custard technique. It’s a rare opportunity to step inside a real bakery kitchen and walk away with a new delicious skill that will impress folks back home, as well as a few extra tarts. Nat’elier is proof that Lisbon’s most iconic pastry still has room to surprise.
📍Rua de Santa Justa 87, 1100-483 Lisbon
Photo by Nat’elier
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