Tasting a pastel de nata is a must for anyone visiting Portugal! Although this pastry originated in Lisbon at Pastel de Belém, it has become a national icon and is enjoyed from north to south. In another article, we explored the history and curiosities of pastel de nata and Pastel de Belém, but now we want to share with you the best places in Porto to savor this classic treat.
As in any popular destination, Porto also has its fair share of tourist traps and places where quality can be disappointing. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of bakeries and cafés that we know and recommend so that you can enjoy authentic and delicious pastéis de nata.
We’ve also included vegan options because we believe everyone should have the chance to try this delicacy. They may not be the same, but here you’ll find alternatives that maintain the taste and experience of the original.
Join us on this sweet adventure and discover where to eat the best pastéis de nata in Porto!
Where to Eat the Best Pastéis de Nata in Porto?
Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata
Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata is a must-visit for pastel de nata lovers in Porto. Located right in the city’s heart at Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira, 61, this small shop is dedicated to crafting pastéis de nata, offering an authentic and delicious experience.
The pastries are served warm, fresh out of the oven, visible to customers, allowing them to watch the entire baking process. The crust is extremely thin, crispy, and buttery, perfectly balancing the custard filling. The filling is generous, slightly more liquid than usual, with a delicate egg flavor and a subtle hint of lemon.
Although the area is small and the service may not be the friendliest, the quality of the pastéis more than makes up for any inconvenience. At €1.60 per unit (as of February 2025), this is the most expensive option we’ve found so far, but in our opinion, it’s worth every cent.
If you’re in downtown Porto and want to try a pastel de nata close to perfection, Castro is undoubtedly an excellent choice.
Manteigaria
When writing this article, there are two Manteigaria locations in Porto. The one we visited is on Rua dos Clérigos, which stands out for its very simple setup—there’s no seating, making it ideal for takeaway or enjoying your pastry while standing.
The focus is solely on pastéis de nata and hot drinks, in a small and minimalist space. The Manteigaria at Bolhão, on the other hand, is much larger and better suited for those who prefer to sit down, savor the moment, and enjoy their delicious pastel.
Each pastel de nata costs €1.40 (as of 2025), a fair price considering the shop’s reputation. The puff pastry is very buttery and crispy, though quite thin, which slightly changes the typical ratio of crust to custard—a characteristic somewhat similar to Castro’s version.
The filling is not as “eggy” as others, resembling a good custard instead. It has a smooth, well-balanced flavor with a light hint of lemon. Served warm, you can also sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon on top.
Despite its modest space and focus on takeaway service, Manteigaria in Clérigos offers a high-quality pastel de nata—for us, it comes right behind Castro, but depending on personal preferences, some might favor it. This is an excellent choice if you’re in a hurry but craving a warm and delicious pastel de nata.
Nata Sweet Nata
If you’re looking for a good pastel de nata in Porto, Nata Sweet Nata is an interesting option to add to your itinerary. Opened in 2020, this bakery chain has been winning over the city with its specialty: the pastel de nata.
For this article, we visited the location on Rua 31 de Janeiro. Still, they also have a shop on Rua das Flores, near Ribeira, making it easy to stop by, especially if you’re exploring the city center. If you’re planning to visit Braga, they also have a location in downtown Braga.
One of the highlights here is the puff pastry, which is crispy and buttery, with the perfect crunch. The pastries are served warm—a great sign—even though they’re not baked in plain view like in some modern bakeries.
The filling is flavorful, though perhaps not sweet enough—even for someone like me, who loves very sweet desserts. Less sugar and more egg yolks could enhance the color and texture. The price is €1.30 per pastel (as of 2024), making it a great value.
Nata Sweet Nata is focused solely on pastéis de nata—no big surprises, but good quality. If you’re passing by and craving a well-made pastel de nata, it’s worth stopping in. Plus, they even have a small takeaway window at the entrance for those in a hurry.
Padaria Ribeiro
This may not be the most apparent or modern place to eat a custard tart in Porto, but Padaria Ribeiro is one of the city’s oldest and most famous bakeries, dating back to 1878.
Located in downtown Porto, at Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, this bakery offers a wide selection of traditional Portuguese baked goods. Their pastéis de nata are among our favorite choices, along with their delicious almendrados.
Although they’re not served warm, Padaria Ribeiro’s pastel de nata maintains its quality and is an excellent option for those looking for a more classic version. The puff pastry is very crispy but less buttery than some modern alternatives, which, in our opinion, is actually a good thing.
The custard filling is flavorful, with a sweetness that reminds us of old-fashioned recipes—perfect for those who appreciate a more traditional taste. It’s the kind of nata that takes me back to childhood, to what we used to eat 20 years ago.
At just €1.10 per pastel (as of 2024), Padaria Ribeiro offers one of the most affordable options on this list. And with it, you get a delicious, old-school experience, reminiscent of a time before bakeries specialized exclusively in this pastry. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a classic pastel de nata, rich in history and tradition.
Nata Lisboa
Despite its name suggesting a focus on pastéis de nata, Nata Lisboa offers much more than just this traditional Portuguese pastry. The menu includes salads, croissants, quiches, and even brunch options. While the pastel de nata remains one of the most popular choices, having alternatives for everyone is nice.
The puff pastry at Nata Lisboa is crispy and buttery, but with a slight twist that might surprise fans of the traditional pastel de nata—it has a subtly salty touch, likely due to the butter used in its preparation.
This slight difference, combined with a smooth and creamy filling with less egg flavor than other versions, makes this pastel feel more like a classic custard tart than an authentic pastel de nata. The filling is sweet and tasty, but the lack of a stronger egg yolk flavor might disappoint those looking for a more decadent and intense custard.
The pastel is served warm, and cinnamon is provided separately so customers can add it to their liking. The price is €1.40 per pastel (as of 2024), though the touristy atmosphere might not be ideal for those seeking a quieter, more local experience.
This bakery chain has multiple locations in Portugal and abroad, but we visited the Nata Lisboa on Rua de Santa Catarina when researching for this article. It’s a good pastel de nata, but for those looking for a more classic experience, Porto offers other options that stay true to the traditional flavors with a more authentic, local approach.
Vegan custard tarts in Porto
Vegan Custard Tart – Apuro Vegan Bar
Apuro—Vegan Bar is one of our favorite spots for vegan options in Porto. It’s where we tried a vegan version of the pastel de nata. While it’s not a traditional pastry shop, Apuro offers a great experience, with various plant-based dishes and a cozy atmosphere.
The vegan custard tart isn’t the prettiest—it’s small and dense—but it surprisingly resembles the classic version. The custard was especially impressive, as its flavor almost makes you forget it’s egg-free.
Here, the tart is served warm, which is always a plus, and comes with cinnamon on the side, for those who like an extra touch. However, the pastry falls a little short—it’s not as crispy as we’d like, with a softer texture that slightly changes the experience. The flavor is good, but the lack of crunch makes it stand out less.
Overall, though, it’s a well-made option with a slight hint of vanilla and not overly sweet. The Apuro vegan tart costs €2.50, a bit pricier than other pastéis de nata, but the quality and taste make it an excellent choice for those looking to try something different.
The pastel de nata is one of Portugal’s most iconic pastries, but many other Portuguese sweets are worth discovering. These are our favorite sweets and pastries in Portugal.
If you’re a true fan of Portuguese cuisine, we also recommend exploring conventual sweets, whose history is… genuinely delicious!
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