Pastel de nata is one of Portugal's most famous pastries.
Its origins go back to the 18th century, when monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém used egg yolks to create the recipe. After the closure of religious orders in Portugal, the recipe was sold to a sugar refinery in Belém. In 1837, that business opened what is now known as Pastéis de Belém.
Today, you can find pastel de nata all over Lisbon, but not all are the same.
The two names you will hear most often are Pastéis de Belém and Manteigaria.
Pastéis de Belém is the original. The recipe remains a closely guarded secret, and the bakery has been serving its famous custard tarts since 1837.
Manteigaria is a more recent name, but it quickly became one of Lisbon's favourites. One of the highlights is watching the pastéis being made and baked throughout the day behind the glass counter.
If you want something less touristy, try Pastelaria Cristal on Rua de Buenos Aires.
This traditional pastry shop won Lisbon's "Best Pastel de Nata" competition in 2018 and remains a favourite among many locals.
The debate over Lisbon's best pastel de nata has been going on for years.
And you? Which one do you prefer: Manteigaria or Pastéis de Belém?
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