Pastel de nata (pastel de Belém)
Pastel de nata · Pastéis de Belém · Lisbon (Belém), Portugal
Invented by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery; the recipe is still locked in a secret room.
Know before you go
- Don't hold a table for a long time taking photos in a crowded shop
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The monks' egg yolks and the sugar refinery's secret recipe
The monks of the Jerónimos Monastery used large amounts of egg white to starch their habits and made pastries with the leftover yolks. After the Liberal Revolution of 1820 religious orders were dissolved, and to make a living the monks began selling custard tarts at a nearby sugar refinery. When the monastery closed in 1834 the recipe was sold to the refinery, and in 1837 its owner opened the 'Pastéis de Belém' shop. The original recipe is still locked in a secret room inside the shop.
Source: Wikipedia: Pastel de nata
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The pastel de nata comes from the 'pastéis de Belém' made by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon's Belém district before the 18th century. Monasteries used large amounts of egg whites to starch monks' and nuns' habits, and the leftover yolks went into sweets. After the Liberal Revolution of 1820 religious orders were dissolved, and the monks began selling the tarts at a nearby sugar refinery for income. When the monastery closed in 1834 the recipe was sold to the refinery, whose owner opened Pastéis de Belém in 1837; the original recipe is still kept in a secret room in the shop.
Local customs
Dust with cinnamon and icing sugar and eat warm, with an espresso (bica)
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Portugal: starting a fire is illegal even if it's an accident
- Watch for warnings in the wildfire season (April–October) and call 112 if you see a fire
- Lighting fires in the countryside
Can be punished with a fine or prison.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
Albufeira, Portugal: code of conduct in public places
- Behave appropriately in public
- Behaving inappropriately in streets and squares
On-the-spot fines of €150–1,800.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
Portugal: don't go past cliff warnings
- Keep away from cliff edges and watch for falling rocks (especially in the Algarve)
- Ignoring warning signs and going near the cliff edge
The authorities can fine people who ignore warnings.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
Portugal: learn the beach flags
- When the yellow flag is up, only paddle at the water's edge
- Swim at beaches with lifeguards
- Going into the water when the red flag is up
A red flag means no swimming; take extra care on unstaffed beaches.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
Don’t DON'T
Don't hold a table for a long time taking photos in a crowded shop
Locals appreciate DO
Lisboetas appreciate customers who eat quickly standing at the counter with a coffee.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Pastéis de Belém is about a 3-minute walk from the Jerónimos Monastery
- the takeaway queue moves fast and the seating area is large. Prices and opening hours are set by each shop
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Photos
Photos
Claude Truong-Ngoc · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Yusuke Kawasaki · CC BY 2.0
Sources & verification notes
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