25
Apr
Pasteis de Belem – Only place to get the real Pastel de Nata
by Annika & Mini
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Pastel de Nata. It’s a Portuguese egg tart pastry that is somewhat the national pastry in Portugal. And there is a place where it all started. Today you can buy the Pastel de Nata everywhere and you don’t need to visit Lisbon and the Pasteis de Belem to get the egg tart. We did a test to see if it is that much better at Pasteis de Belem.
The fascinating thing about this place is that they started making the original “Pasteis de Belem” in 1837. That is a really long time ago and to this day they are using the same recipe. I’m usually not sure that “keeping to such an old recipe” is the best idea but in this case, it really works. More often than not you will improve your recipe over time. However, in this case, we did try the Pastel de Nata in more than one place and it was a huge difference.
Their secret recipe works – let’s leave it at that for now. While in Poznan, Poland we got to try (and bake) the amazing St. Martin Croissants. They were also made from an old secret recipe. But here in Lisbon and Belem, the Pastel de Nata are made the same way that they were in the Jeronimo Convent during the old days.
While visiting Belem you are likely to see a blue marquis and a super long line outside. You have found the Pasteis de Belem – the world known place for their egg tart pastry and what to be said to be the only place to eat the original tart. There is always a line outside of this place. Whenever you visit you are bound to see a long line outside of the Pasteis de Belem. However, there is some inside info that you can keep in mind…
Both of the lines that you see are for take away. If you want to enjoy your pastries at Pasteis de Belem you dont have to wait in line. Just walk straigh inside and take a seat. Be aware that this place is huge and it can fit up to 600 people (don’t quote me on that because I’m not sure if I remember it correctly). One thing is for sure – you will not have to wait in line!
We came here while my mom was visiting and we are glad that we did. Mini had an americano coffee and me and my mom took a cappuccino. Boy they were good! Their coffee tastes incredible – it’s strong but not bitter.
And of course we each had a Pastel de Nata. And they were also really good. According to me and Mini, we felt that the taste of the filling was somewhat like a cheesecake. My mom disagreed but could not say what she thought they tasted like. They are supposed to be served lukewarm and they were!
Ok, so we decided to find out if the lines to the Pasteis de Belem were all because of a hype or if their Pastel de Nata were really that much better than all the other places. We checked out what places were famous for their egg tart (except for the obvious one). Pastelaria Santo Antonio in Lisbon is also known for their tarts. And their café is located in a super nice building. They had a lot of different cakes and goodies to choose from. Since we were here for a taste test we ordered Pastel de Nata and coffees.
Pastelaria Santo Antonio
The egg tarts at this place were ok but very sweet. I felt that they were a little to sweet for my taste. They were also served lukewarm and they were good – until we tried “the real deal“. They served huge cappuccinos that looked amazing but unfortunately, it tasted mostly warm milk.
Here you could see how they were making the pastries (you can see that at Pasteis de Belem to). And it is a cool thing to see.
So the conclusion of the test is that you have to go to Pasteis de Belem and eat a Pastel de Nata. There is a huge difference in the taste and it is worth going to the “real place”. Even if all the pastries look the same wherever you see them – the taste is different!
So after a lot of digging, I found a recipe for the Pastel de Nata. I want to say that this is “the real deal” but I’m not sure that it is. However, I’m pretty sure that they are good! We have not made them yet but they are on our to do list. If you make them please let us know what you thought of them! The recipe is for about 20 egg tarts.
Me and my mom right before sinking our teeth into a pastel de nata.
Address: Rua de Belém nº 84 a 92.
Opening hours: 08.00 – 23.00.
Make sure to check this place out. Yes, it is loud and the waiters are super stressed and might not give you the best of service. But with the number of people that have to cater to – it can’t be easy to work there! And their Pastel de Nata is the best!
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