Pastéis de Belém

The famous pastry shop of Belém, where the original custard tarts have been made since 1837.

Beside the monastery of Jerónimos, in Belém, the Pastéis de Belém has been making Lisbon’s most famous pastry for nearly two centuries. The shop’s custard tarts — the pastéis de Belém — come from an old convent recipe, and the queues at the door are part of the ritual of any visit to the district.

History and character

The shop opened in 1837, in a building beside the monastery, where members of the old confectionery trade had kept the recipe of the Jerónimos monks after the religious orders were closed. Since then the tarts have been made by hand in the same way, and the secret of the recipe is kept in the shop’s workshop — the oficina do segredo.

What to discover

The shop of azulejos and blue tones, at the door of Belém’s historic centre.
The tarts, served still warm, with cinnamon and powdered sugar to taste.
The old rooms of the pastry shop, where the tarts are eaten at the counter or at table.
The workshop of the recipe, seen through the glass — the oficina do segredo.

Visiting

The shop is on Rua de Belém, in Lisbon, a short walk from the monastery and from the tram lines to Belém. It is a pastry shop first of all — expect queues at the busiest hours; check the official page for details before your visit.