Pastéis de Belém

The basics

Pastéis de Belém is a local institution, and many sightseeing tours of Lisbon include a stop for coffee and pastries at the legendary café. Swing by to pick up a bag of the namesake sweets and peek inside the bakery where they’re prepared every day, with the cream mixed up in a secret room in order to protect the time-honored recipe.

For the full experience, visit alongside a tour of the nearby UNESCO World Heritage–listed Jerónimos Monastery or as part of a food tour of Lisbon, and learn the fascinating history of the Portuguese treats.

Things to know before you go

• The pastel de nata and pastel de Belém might look the same, but they’re made using different recipes—which is a great excuse to try both.
• The bakery-café also serves a variety of other cakes, sweet and savory pastries, and hot and cold drinks, some with alcohol.
• The bakery is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, and has an accessible restroom.

How to get there

Pastéis de Belém is in the heart of Lisbon’s Belém neighborhood, just a 5-minute walk from the Jerónimos Monastery. From downtown Lisbon, take tram 15E to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos stop, right opposite the bakery; buses 714, 727, 728, and 751 also stop right outside.

When to get there

The café is open daily year-round from 8am to nighttime , but it’s best to arrive early. There are often long lines from 10am through 4pm, especially during the busy summer months, while the most popular pastries will be sold out by the evening.

Typical foods to try in Lisbon

It’s not just the specialty of pastel de nata that makes Lisbon a great destination for foodies; the coastal city is also renowned for its delicious seafood. Traditional Portuguese dishes to try include arroz de marisco (seafood stew with rice), bacalhau à brás (sautéed cod), and polvo à lagareiro (baked octopus), or you can pick up a prego no pão (steak sandwich) to go.