
One of my favourite treats is a Portuguese custard tart, Pastel de nata. But beware—not all Pastéis de Nata are equal, as Mr. Piglet, a pastel de nata connoisseur, will tell you. We avoid ordering from the big supermarket cafes because they offer poor imitations (in our opinion).
One of our local bakeries supplies them to a few cafes – we are beginning to know where and when. They are best eaten fresh with a sprinkle of cinnamon, but we always ask when they were delivered.
Pastéis de Belém, Lisbon, Portugal
When we next go to Lisbon, the famous Pastéis de Belém cafe will be top of our list of places to visit.
The Belem recipe is a carefully guarded secret. I wonder what the secret ingredient is …
The Story Behind Pastel de Nata
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Pastel de Nata Recipe
If you want to try making some Pastéis de Nata at home, here is a simple YouTube video recipe. I think making the special pastry looks far too adventurous for me. What do you think?
If we were having coffee, I’d buy one for you to try …Talking of coffee, why not check out Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share

Are you tempted?
Foodie Friday: Let’s talk about food: diets, recipes, growing fruit and vegetables, food pictures, etc.
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Mmm…love egg tarts.
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I’m not a fan of pastel de nata but I don’t like anything with custard! In France, my husband, who’s a fan of pastel de nata, buys them from the Lidl bakery and rates them – not sure what that says about him! 😂😂😂
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Hi June, yes, Lidl usually seem to offer quality baked products. And he has tried both? Now I wonder if the Belem tarts are all hype LoL
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No, he hasn’t tried the Belem tarts – yet!
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I had the Belem pastel de nata when I was there last spring. It was so good. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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Hi Natalie, you really are the explorer 🙂 I really must stop talking about going to Lisbon and actually go. It’s only 3 hrs away.
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We enjoyed these when we were there on holiday. Here in the UK some of the supermarkets are selling them, they may not be the same but they, like the wine, remind us of the lovely holiday we had there.
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Hopefully they will persuade you to return to Portugal one day, Brian.
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We did have these at the original cafe in Lisbon! I’m off next week to sample French pastries. This week, it’s English beer, but I really want to find an Eccles Cake.
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Wow! Was the Belem pastel de nata as good as they say? French pastries are so delicious. Our daughter lives in France and I always put on weight when I go there.. My favourite are the strawberry tarts. I also love eccles cakes. My Mother in law used to make them – delicious! Have a good trip
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It was good. Oh no, I better bike hard to earn those calories!! I’m not sure I will find an eccles cake in the next 36 hours, but I did get fish and chips plus sticky toffee pudding twice!
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Sticky toffee pud. Now you’re talking. I love that dessert and usually can’t resist when it’s on the menu.
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I watched the video and this is a baking challenge that I’d certainly try. I wonder though (even if it wouldn’t be as authentic), if a person could used store-bought puff pastry for the first part.
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If you’ve never tasted the real thing you have no frame of reference so why not not give it a try, Terry? Do let us know how they turned out 🙂
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Will do! It won’t be until sometime after we’ve arrived and settled in Texas where I have a reliable oven.
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Those look utterly delicious. I could have one right now. And, yes, they seem far too complicated to make at home.
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Virtual tarts are just as good 🙂
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My favourite tarts….:)
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And it’s difficult to stop at one 🙂
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Oh yes:)
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They look so delicious but I have never eaten any, because I have not found any gluten free. My husband loves them, but dont buy them in the grocery store either. Have a nice Friday!
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What a shame. Anna. Being gluten free must be so restrictive
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yummy!
Foodie Friday – Roasted Veggies – Ladyleemanila (wordpress.com)
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I’ve added your dish to ones to try. thanks for participating in Foodie Friday
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