Pastéis de Belém is one of the must-visit sites in Belem Neighborhood in Lisbon Portugal. It is not a museum or monument but a bakery shop and their signature pastries are Portuguese tarts. If you love Portuguese Egg tarts in Macau, this one here tastes even better.
Expect Long Queue
The line to order is very long but it is still worth the wait. Most of the customers are tourists around the world.
Pastel de Belem
You can find Portuguese tarts all over Portugal but this bakery shop is unique, made according to their secret recipe. The tarts are always served warm straight out from the oven that’s why it is different from other bakeries. The skin is crispy and the tart is soft and custardy. You can eat it without any sprinkle on top or you can sprinkle it up with cinnamon powder & sugar. Personally, I prefer to eat it with the original flavor because it is already quite sweet for me so there is no need to sprinkle more of the sugar on top.
The browned patches on top are a result of the baking process so need not to worry too much. A piece of the Portuguese tart cost Euro 1.10, one is always not enough. You may want to order two.
20,000 tarts daily at the Secret Room
The bakery cafe sells at least 20,000 Portuguese tarts per day. There is a window where you can peep into and see the Pastries are made. All pastries are made mostly by hands according to the traditional processes with their secret recipe for more than 100 years ago.
Since 1837
Pastéis de Belém is unique and it was elected as one of the 7 Wonders of Gastronomy of Portugal. Right now, the owners still do not intend to franchise out more shops. Hence there is only one Pastéis de Belém in the world.
Antique in the Cafe
Some of the antiques can be found displayed on a corner of the bakery cafe.
Pastel de Nata vs Pastel de Belém
Are they the same thing? If you asked me I say yes, they tasted the same as I can’t tell the difference. But Pastel de Belem is only available here at Pastéis de Belém bakery in Belem. Only the Portuguese tart here can be named as Pastel de Belem. The other Portuguese tarts that you find at Lisbon or all over Portugal is called Pastel de Nata.
Legend
The bakery first started in the 17th century by Catholic monks at the nearby Jeronimos Monastery. During the olden days, the monks and nuns usually made cookies and pastries to made money. At the time, convents and monasteries used large quantities of egg-whites for starching clothes so the unwanted egg yolks were then used for pastries and cakes.
Beautiful tiles all over the cafe
Seating up to 400 people
Many would just grab and go as the queue is very long but there are also beautifully restored dining rooms in blue and white tiles also known as the azulejos. The wait isn’t that long (about 10-20 mins) as the turnover of customers is quite fast. Customers come and go, have a very quick bite with coffee then hurried to the tourists’ attraction.
Toilet
Other then Pastel de Belem
Beside pastel de Belem, it also other specialties that you may want to try. However, Bolo-rei; the traditional Portuguese Chrismas cake only available during the Christmas period.
Final thoughts:
Pasteis de Belem is located in Bele Neighborhood and very near to the historical sites, so I highly recommend anyone to go in and check out the ambiance and the whole experience.
22 comments
OMG I love these Portuguese tarts! So much so, that we took 2 boxes home lol! There was a line too when we visited, but I waited my turn. A real must try in Lisbon! You’ve made me want one now lol!
Dear Lisa,
Glad you enjoyed the Portuguese tarts, I love it so much. It certainly taste better than the Macau one.
This reminds me of last summer when I was in Porto. Their desserts are to die for, though some could be a tad too sweet for my liking. Lisbon is next on my list for Portugal!
Dear Norafiqin,
I heard Porto is the second largest city after Lisbon and their wine is amazing, the name of “Port” wine is coming from Porto. I would love to visit Porto too.
I’ve been to Portugal and don’t remember Portuguese egg tarts! They look absolutely delicious! Random- but I love the mosaic tile in several of your photos. Stunning.
The mosaic tiles are one of the icon in Portugal, especially the blue and white one. It is also known as azulejo tiles. Very pretty indeed.
Nice reading your guide of this lovely place. I would love to be in Lisbon and enjoy these egg tarts in person.
Dear Kalyan,
Belem district of Lisbon is one of the important district for tourist, it has lots of ancient historical sites and Belem Pastries is one of the highlight too.
Those tarts look ever so delicious! It is no surprise to see that they sell 20,000+ a day, they seem a must try!
Part of the work is still done by hands and party automated by the machine. The skin of the egg tarts is still done by hands.
Looking at those Portuguese tarts makes me really hungry. It looks so delectable and yummy to eat.
Dear Chelle,
One is never enough, at least order two.
Oh my! I didn’t even know an egg tart was a thing and now I’m about to become obsessed! They look amazing. Do you have any recipes you’d recommend??
Haha, Egg tart is the “thing” in Portugal, a must eat dessert. I know the tart is made from egg yolks and other secret ingredients.
I so wish I had the time to stop in Lisbon on my way through Portugal. I realise that I missed out on egg tarts and a whole lot more. I do know that there is other fabulous food and dishes in Portugal
Dear Rhonda,
Seafood is abundant in Portugal and please check out their sardines, another icon for the country.
I love that it’s close to the historical sites. I’d love to visit Lisbon.
Dear Rosey,
It is only 5 mins walk from the Jeronimos Monastery!
Lisbon is def on my travel list. It looks intrigung and exciitng as a travel destination
Dear Jasmine,
Lisbon is really a beautiful capital city of Portugal. I can see why the super star Madonna wanted to stay here. 🙂
20,000 Portuguese tarts per day! Thats incredible and they do sound tasty!
The owners do not want to have other franchises despite having such good business daily. They insist on running only one shop in Belem district of Lisbon with their secret recipe.