Located near Londres Square at the end of Roma Avenue, Pastelaria Mexicana opened in 1946, and is still running by the same family. The place is in the ground floor of a building in “Soft Portuguese” architectural style. Commonly known as “New State Style” because it was designed during Salazar’s regime (1932-1974). In the area, there are still some impressive buildings from that time in perfect shape like Café Imperio.
Inside, one must admire the ceramic panel by Portuguese master Qerubim Lapa and a jail bird at the corner with some birds. Besides the retro decoration there are the rich and famous visitors: high society stars, tv famous and some aristocrats. The place was a meeting point for several artists from the Surrealism to Neorealism movement. Now is packed with the “Wanabee” movement and also some fake stars.
The place is usually crowded with locals all day long. From early morning coffee or tea to the daily traditional lunch or the afternoon toasts or scones… here you’ll find a good place to enjoy real life of Lisbon in a upper middle class neighborhood where old ladies still wear formal clothes from Gucci, Prada and other Italian designers… and tons of jewels.
Pastelaria Mexicana is famous in the quarter for their own old style cakes such as “Bolo Rei” (Christmas Cake), Palmiers (Palm Trees), Croissants, Jesuites, Bola de Berlim (Berliner) Ducheses, Cupcakes and other sugar bombs… Enjoy a cake and a cup of cold milk – It’s Heaven 🙂
