Pastel de Nata. Portugal

Pastel de Nata. Those words alone are likely to spark endless debates on which city, which bakery produces the best, and even what it is that constitutes 'the best'.  

I have to say, when trying to choose the coveted 'best' it is a tricky one.  Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon has pasteis de nata as good as you would expect from the place claiming to be the original.  Still using the secret recipe from 1837 when the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos started selling them to raise money for the closing convents and monastery, the tarts have perfectly flaky pastry and ooze creamy custard.



Hot on their heels though, is Manteigaria, with shops in both Lisbon and Porto.  Watch the bakers as they work, and eat hot from the oven perfect tarts, filled to the brim with caramelised custard.  They also serve a delicious breakfast bowl with oats, berries and nut butter if you feel you need some breakfast before your pastel de nata...but I won't judge you if these glorious tarts are your breakfast!

Find Manteigaria on Rua do Loreto 2 in Bairro Alto in Lisbon, and on Rua de Alexandre Braga near the Mercado do Bolhao in Porto. Pasteis de Belem is on Rua de Belem in Lisbon.

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