Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém – A secret from 1837

Creamy, served while still hot straight from the oven, the ”Pastéis de Belém” have worldwide fame, from Rio de Janeiro to Berlin. There’s a song from the 80′s that I remember everytime I go there: -”Just can’t get enough” from Depeche Mode. And here, you just can’t get enough of these cakes, trust me!

Sprinkled with cinnamon, they are probably one of my guilty pleasures. I remember of eating them everytime my favorite football club F.C. Belenenses won (check Clube de Futebol article). So, I was just wishing them to score 2 or more goals and eating the same number of “Pastéis de Belém”. Well, even if they were defeated… I would eat some as well. If Chelsea supporters are called the “Blues” and the ones from Newcastle United are called “Magpies” can you think of a better name as “Pastéis” meaning tarts for F.C. Belenenses fans – also known as the “Blues from Restelo”?

It’s an obvious touristic place you won’t miss, and it’s crowded with both tourists and locals! Maybe because of the cinnamon aroma or just because it’s located two steps from the Hyeronimite Monastery in Belém quarter – one of Lisbon’s local landmarks. Expect huge queues from the early morning and the whole afternoon… It’s as packed as a church for a Sunday wedding, my suggestion is to avoid rush hours.

It’s unique, famous and delicious, and this is the real factory baking the “Pastéis de Belém”, the Portuguese egg custard tart, since 1837.

Try also the English Cake and the Marmelade…