Pastéis de Belém: The Portuguese Custard

One of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy, “Pastéis de Belém” is certainly the best-known pastry in Portugal and an unforgettable stop in Lisbon!

Did you know that they have been produced with the same secret recipe since 1837? It is known by only a few pastry masters who have signed a confidentiality agreement, who prepare these egg custard tarts in a place known as "Atelier of the Secret”.

Pastel de Belém

The tradition says that the delicious “Pastéis de Belém” was created in the Jeronimos Monastery. It is said that the recipe came as a way to make use of the egg yolks that were left over from the manufacture of communion wafers, which are made only with egg white and flour. With the extinction of the religious orders in Portugal, the “Pastéis de Belém” left the Monastery and business was established outside.

Inside the store of Pastéis de Belém

Since then, they have become a tradition and thousands of them are sold every day! The whole process is manual except for the automated injection of the filling. After baking, they cool down in front of the customers, but always come warm to the table! Irresistibly delicious!

* Important tip: at the entrance of the “Pastéis de Belém” store you will usually find a huge queue! Many travelers do not know that it is just for those who want to buy to take away. Inside the store, there are many rooms - The largest one has 400 seats and a very fast queue!

In addition, the prices to take away or eat in the store are the same, so why not go inside and enjoy this historical place to its fullest?

A huge queue to take away!