The pastelarias at a glance
| Place | For | What sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Manteigaria (Bolhão and Clérigos) | The hot pastel de nata | Crisp pastry and buttery custard; Bolhão is larger with seats, Clérigos small, standing and takeaway |
| Confeitaria do Bolhão | Historic café and cakes | Near Bolhão market, since the 1890s; queues at peak times |
| Padaria Ribeiro | Wide choice of fresh pastries | Bakery founded in the late 19th century, large pastéis to have with a galão |
| Castro | Benchmark pastel de nata | Put first in one guide, about 1.60 EUR each |
| Fábrica da Nata | Seeing the oven | Very touristy, visible oven |
| Café Majestic | Belle époque setting | One review finds it overpriced: see Café Majestic |
Where to eat the best pastel de nata in Porto? At Manteigaria, and for atmosphere at Confeitaria do Bolhão, right next to the Bolhão market.
What to order
- Pastel de nata: the custard tart baked in a very hot oven, to dust with cinnamon.
- Galão or bica: the milky coffee in a glass, or the espresso, to go with it.
- Cabinet cakes: at Confeitaria do Bolhão and Ribeiro the choice goes far beyond the nata.
A class to make it yourself
If you want to learn the recipe, a pastel de nata cooking class exists in Porto. To taste more widely, also compare the food tours of Porto.
Practical tips
- Timing: avoid 10-11 am and 3-4 pm, when queues grow; early in the morning the pastéis come fresh out of the oven.
- Eat in or take away: at the counter, coffee and nata cost less than at a table (general rule, to be checked).
- Budget: see the budget for a trip to Porto.
La rédaction Porto Authority, 25/10/2026.
