Category: Pastries In Portugal

5 Great places to eat in Ajuda

6/15/2025

Most known for the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda (National Palace of Ajuda), Ajuda is an often overlooked Lisbon neighborhood with fewer tourists and plenty of nice views.

Views from Ajuda at Night

Nestled between infamous Belém waterfront and Parque Florestal de Monsanto, a huge park full of trails and greenery right in the heart of Lisbon, Ajuda is low key with a combination of grit and charm, not to mention some surprisingly great restaurants.

In this article we will share 5 Ajuda restaurants we tried on this week in Lisbon trip as well as a few outliers just for fun. ;)

Tlaloc un rincón mexicano

One thing many Americans miss when they move to Portugal is actually Mexican food. Great tacos are not especially easy to find in Portugal.

At Tlaloc Un Rincon Mexicano you can scratch that itch with birria tacos, tinga tacos, horchata, and do not forget the tres leches cake.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Tlaloc Un Rincon Mexicano Photo Review

Di Amici by Pizza em Casa

Lisbon has some fabulous Pizza places and we really enjoyed our visit to Amici. Heads up, sparkling sangria may or may not have some limoncello and the 'nduja pizza is a must!

Churrasqueira do Marques

Traditional Portuguese grilled chicken and pork are such simple meals, but when executed well leave you so satisfied. That's the experience we had at Churrasqueira Marques.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Churrasqueira do Marques Photo Review

Food Hub

When you want quick and affordable Kebabs in Ajuda try Food Hub. For around 5.50 euro at the time of our visit you can fill up on a Doner Kebab menu which comes with fries and a drink!

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Food Hub Photo Review

Manápula

A cutesy pizza place in Ajuda serving Neapolitan style pizzas.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Manapula Photo Review

Santo Graal Burger & Grill

Santo Graal (Holy Grail) Burger and Grill serves up gourmet bugers and steaks, crispy fries, and even a blonde and red house ipa.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Santo Graal Photo Review

Fiesta Restro And Snack Bar

Okay so this restaurant is not in Ajuda, it's in Benfica neighborhood and we hit it up after a medical appointment at Hospital da Luz in Amadora.

Hilariously, Fiesta Restro and Snack Bar is not at all a Mexican restaurant, but in fact a spot where you can enjoy Nepalese, Indian, and Portuguese food.

Don't skip the sparkling sangria, pani puri, and momos - they were highlights of this Lisbon trip!

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Fiesta Restro Snack Bar Photo Review

Everest Curry & Sekuwa Corner

This was an Uber Eats order after a long convention day, so it came from the other side of Lisbon to our Ajuda airbnb. The restaurant was running a lot of BOGO offers, so we ended up with way too much food and it lasted for 2.5 meals!

We ordered Jeera rice, chicken stuffed naan, thai curry, and butter chicken. Everything was okay overall. The butter chicken was the best dish we ordered.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Everest Curry & Sekuwa Corner Photo Review

Pasteis de Belem

Belem is a nice walk from Ajuda and you can try two of the most famous Pastel de Nata establishments including Pasteis de Belem.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Pasteis de Belem Photo Review

See Also: How To Make Portuguese Custard Tarts At Home!

Manteigaria

Grab yourself another pastel de nata over at Manteigaria before walking back up to Ajuda. And I mean that very literally, it's an uphill climb and you're sure to burn off all the calories from the pastries so... win!

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Manteigaria Photo Review

See Also: Frequently Asked Questions About Pastel De Nata

MoMo Express

If you're arriving into Lisbon or departing via Oriente Station, you'd be remiss if you skipped Momo Express food truck. Tasty Nepalese momos, flavorful samosas (go veggie for this one!) and chai of this caliber, you'll struggle to find outside of Asia.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Momo Express Photo Review

Forgot to schedule time in ALgarve on your Portugal Trip?

The Algarve is definitely worth visiting on your trip to Portugal! If you have one day, you can make it happen. This article is for you:

Read Now: How to Plan a Day Trip to Algarve from Lisbon

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Pão d'avó Maria PortimÃo

9/9/2024

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I was looking back through photos when we were car shopping. Buying a decent car in Portugal when you're on a budget can be a challenge as the cost of vehicles is high.

One day after driving all around Algarve we ended at Auto D. Henrique in Portimao. We were starving and it was around 7pm yet we managed to buy a few things from the kind lady at Pão d'avó Maria across the way.

PÃO D'AVÓ MARIA PORTIMÃO

Just a few pastries remained at the end of the day along with brigadiero, a Brazilian traditional dessert.

What we ordered.

We ordered two slices of homemade quiche, two coffees (espresso), and a little filled pastry.

PÃO D'AVÓ MARIA Review

Pao d'avo Maria is a small local cafe and bakery in Portimao. The name means literally Grandma Maria's Bread and you have to love the feeling that brings. Our visit was quick and tasty and the service simpatico despite it being the end of day. :)

More Cafe Reviews.

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Pão & PÃO Boutique Vilamoura Cafe

9/9/2024

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Vilamoura is an upscale resort town in the algarve and as a result is chock full of restaurants and cafes.

Let's visit pão & pão boutique for fika.

There is a lot of outdoor seating at this cafe in Vilamoura and we decided to sit outside for our treats,

What we ordered.

We ordered two portuguese pastries and 2 cafes. Remember, when you order a "cafe" in Portugal, you are always ordering an espresso. That is the default here.

In certain regions, like Lisbon, you may hear people order a "bica" and this also refers to an espresso in Portuguese.

While we're at it, you can order a "cafezinho" (pronounced cafe-zeen-yo) which is another way of ordering espresso.

Tarte de Maçã

Maçã is the Portuguese word for apple. A tarte de maçã, or apple tarts, is often available in Portuguese bakeries and cafes.

It's no substitute for a classic American apple pie, but it's still an enjoyable apple pastry with warm cinnamon spice and I'm always a fan of the tarte crust in Portugal.

Bolo de Arroz

Bolo de arroz is another Portuguese pastry which literally translates to "cake of rice".

I loveee bolo de arroz. They are like a very tall muffin and they remind me of a mix between a muffin and cornbread. Bolo de arroz is lightly sweet and it has a dusting of crunchy sugar on top which adds a nice texture!

Discover More cafes

See All Cafe Reviews Here!

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The aldi "chocolate log" pastry we pretend is healthy - Grocery Review

7/15/2024

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You know when you want a pastry, a delicious pastry filled with chocolate, but you also want said pastry to give an illusion of being "healthy" so you can hold your head up high, filled with pride, as you gobble it down?

Yes, I'm sure you've been in this very situation before unless you're one of those people who do not like sweets ... or joy. In which case that is definitely a sad existence and I am sorry to even let myself imagine it for a moment. On the other hand, If you're.a person who does not like sweet treats, but you do still like joy then I support that totally and at times I may even admire you all the more for it! :p

At any rate - we have found a solution for you at Aldi in Portugal!

Espiga multicereais Chocolate

Check this baby out!

I don't truly know the correct translation of the name Espiga Multicereais Chocolate to English.

Multicereais in Portuguese means multi-cereal, as in multigrain in English. Espiga apparently can mean "ear", "cobb", or "spike".

Aldi Portugal's Espiga Multicereais Chocolate aka Chocolate Log

I guess now that I'm looking at the picture while typing this, the decorative (and functional, no doubt) slits at the top do sort of resemble the pattern of a wheat spike - so maybe we solved the mystery after all!

And obviously Chocolate means... chocolate. ;)

This Chocolate Nutella Filled Pastry should be enjoyed with a coffee and a friend

Speaking of chocolate... I want you to notice that this long, chocolate-filled Portuguese pastry is filled from end to end. None of this "filled" donut nonsense where there's one bite's worth of cream and the rest is dry donut. Talk about a scam.

No, my friend, this is the real chocolate-y deal. :)

This Portuguese Pastry is cheia, filled, end to end with nutella/chocolate

But remember, this chocolate pastry is HEALTHY. I mean look at all those little seeds and grains on top! There are bits of oat, flax seed, and who even knows what else - all you need to know is it's healthy. ;)

So many grains in the pastry and on top make this a "healthy choice" *wink*

And because I know you want to see that the inside of the affectionately nicknamed chocolate log pastry is not hollow... someone took a bite just for you! :)

To note, the majority of "chocolate" pastries in Portugal tend to have Nutella slant.

Taking a bite.. for science. The people need to know!

Aldi Portuguese Pastry Review: Espiga MultiCereais Chocolate

We love this chocolate pastry from Aldi in Portugal. It's a 5/5 for us. A great and super healthy reward for surviving the weekly grocery shopping trip.

Jokes aside, the multi-grain element genuinely adds another layer of complexity to the flavor profile that we really enjoy. The nutella-but-thicker filling makes this entire pastry a bit heavy.

You see, when you get half way through eating it, it's so delicious you want to finish it off. But once you finish it off you may feel like you ate just a bit too much.

SO! It's a perfect treat to split in two - one half for you and the other for a buddy or half for now and half for later!

And you should definitely enjoy it with a cafezinho (a little coffee, in cute-portuguese speak)

Aldi - please don't read this and make it smaller. That would be no bueno, er... mau. muito mau. Se faz favor, não faça isso. We like it how it is! Obrigada bjs. :) ❤

How much is the multi-grain chocolate filled pastry at aldi in Portugal?

For the grocery cost-of-living in Portugal researchers, it's essential to know the cost of food staples like this.

The Espiga Multicereais Chocolate pastry is currently .99 euro cents in summer 2024 which is approximately $1.08 USD.

Not too shabby, eh?

Find Similar Content you'll enjoy in these folders:

Aldi • Grocery Reviews • Americans in Portugal • Expats in Portugal • Reviews • Pastries in Portugal

Our Delonghi Espresso Machine

Every great pastry not only deserves, but requires a great cafezinho.

We saved up for a Delonghi that was a nice balance between a solid espresso shot with some optional manual adjustments and the convenience of automation for busy days which, let's face it, is every day. If you're looking for a new espresso machine check out the Delonghi Magnifica on Amazon and compare the price to the Delonghi site to see who has the better sale price on Espresso Machines.

BTW. The cost of these machines is generally much cheaper in Europe than in the US. One of the few appliances where that is true - showing how culturally essential coffee is to the Portuguese people.

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Inspired By Travel: Making Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts

11/10/2023

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In the Summer of 2018 we had a special opportunity to visit friends and get a taste of a wonderful place - Portugal! No list of "top foods to try in Portugal" is complete without the glorious little Portuguese custard tart known as Pastel de Nata!

originally post date 11/12/20

Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts Recipe is filed under:
Desserts • Snacks • Europe • Portugal • Inspired by Travel • Pastry • Egg

Our first Pastéis de Nata came from Portela Cafe on Rua da Graça in Lisbon. It was a short stroll from our airbnb and we wanted to get our Portugal trip off to a good start with cafe and pastries for breakfast! ;)

From there we enjoyed Pastéis de Nata just about everywhere we went - Lisbon, up the Silver Coast, Porto, and even the airport lounge on the way home.

So what exactly is a Pastel de Nata?

Pastéis de Nata are a delightful little treat consisting of a flaky crust filled with custard. Most people enjoy their Pastéis de Nata with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and cinnamon on top! Some people prefer just cinnamon or just powdered sugar while others enjoy a Pastel de Nata as is!

How do you eat a Pastel de Nata?

Easy. Just take a bite for optimal enjoyment of the creamy custard together with the crispy crust. There is a segment of society, however, who prefer to use a spoon to eat the custard first and then eat the crust. Posh. ;p No matter how you eat your pastel de nata, it's going to be delicious!

Portugal Travel Blog:

History of Pastel de Nata

The popular origin story of the Pastel de Nata goes back over 300 years ago to Jerónimos Monastery in Belém. The nuns and monks used egg whites to starch the clothing, leaving a huge amount of egg yolks needing used up. To prevent waste and simultaneously generate income to support the monetary, the custard tart was born. The recipe was later sold when the monastery closed in 1833. Today you can try the original Portuguese custard tart at Pastéis de Belém.

Wait. I'm Confused. Is it Pastéis de Nata, Pastel de Nata or Pastéis de Belém?

Pastel de Nata - one Portuguese custard tart
Pastéis de Nata - multiple Portuguese custard tarts
Pastéis de Belém - Portuguese custard tarts made from the original secret recipe.
The original Pastéis de Belém is only available at Fábrica Pastéis de Belém

It makes me think of how some people say Kleenex any time they mean "tissue" whether it's Kleenex brand or not. Technically, a Kleenex is a tissue, but all tissues are not Kleenex. So all Pastéis de Belém are Pastéis de Nata (albiet branded with the perception of superiority), but not all Pastéis de Nata are Pastéis de Belém. Hope I got that right and hope it makes more sense now!

One last Pastel de Nata in Porto, Portugal

Flash Forward to December 2018 and we were already in withdrawal! On a weekend trip to Toronto we looked up Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market so we could relieve the custard tart experience

Pastéis de Nata from Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market Toronto, Canada | Traveling Through Food

Flash Forward to summer 2019 when family brought back some Pastéis de Nata after attending the Love Never Fails International Convention in Lisbon! And later when we sought out Azores Cafe in Pittsburgh so we could have some more Nata.

Basically, it was high time we tried to make Pastéis de Nata at home...

A Pastel de Nata has two main elements to master:

Flaky Crust
Creamy Custard

Which begs the question....

Can you make Pastéis De Nata with frozen puff pastry?

The answer is yes! If you don't want to go through the effort of making your own puff pastry, you can definitely take the short cut and use frozen puff pastry. I used Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets and it worked like a dream. In the future, I would like to do it 100% from scratch, but it's nice to lower the barrier of entry. ANYONE can make this!

How To Make Pastéis de Nata Custard Step-by-step

I followed LeitesCulinaria's recipe found here

Whisk 3 tablespoons of flour with 1/4 cup of milk until smooth
Bring 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2/3 cup of water to boil. Do not stir this, but let it boil until 220F or 100C
Scald 1 cup of milk (237ml) in a separate small sauce pan. Whisk scalded milk into the milk/flour mixture.
Take the cinnamon stick out from the syrup and pour it into the milk/flour mixture, whisking the whole time. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
Whisk the yolks from 6 large eggs in a bowl. Then whisk them into the milk/flour/syrup mixture.
Strain this thin mixture into a bowl.

How long will Pastéis de Nata uncooked custard mixture last?

Uncooked custard mixture can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days according to LeitesCulinaria.

At what temperature does milk scald? Why do you scald milk

Milk scalds once it is heated above 180F or 83C. Scalding milk can kill bacteria and enzymes that may interfere with thickening in recipes. (sources here and here)

Tips for using Frozen Puff Pastry to Make Pastéis de Nata

You will want to take the pastry out of the freezer well in advance.

How long does it take for frozen puff pastry to defrost/thaw from frozen?
In general, thaw at room temperature for 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

It's important to let the pastry thaw or else you will break it when you try unroll it from the package.

Once the pastry is thawed, you are going to lay it flat on your work space (I used this large cutting board) and then roll it tightly into a log. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate until you are ready to assembly your Portuguese custard tarts!

See this CupcakeJemma video below for the technique:

Assembling Pastéis de Nata

Take the puff pastry log out of the refrigerator and slice it into pieces around 3/4 inches or 18mm.
I used what looks like a vintage mini muffin tin and sprayed with oil to prevent sticking. Place a piece of dough into the pan and use your thumb to press the dough flat into the bottom of the muffin pan and then up around the sides.
Fill each about 3/4 full of the custard mixture.
Bake 8-9 minutes for mini muffin tins at as high as you can get your oven. The recipe recommended 550F or 290C, but our convection oven only goes to 480.

Making Pastéis de Nata with Frozen Puff Pastry | Traveling Through Food

The final product was quite adorable and delicious! This one has a very light dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon on top.

Mini Pastel de Nata made with Frozen Puff Pastry | Traveling Through Food

I also tried to make them in normal sized cupcake tins, but I filled them up too high, causing the custard to run down the side and caramelize way before the pastry was fully cooked. You can tell below that the pastry at the bottom is still soft. I definitely recommend taking seriously the recommendation to fill just 3/4 full!

Mini Pastel de Nata made with undercooked Frozen Puff Pastry | Traveling Through Food

Tip: Fill 3/4 full with custard to prevent overflowing, over caramelization, and undercooked pastry

When do you eat a Pastel de Nata?

According to Eater, "locals eat Pastéis de Nata at breakfast, in the midmorning, after lunch, or in the evening — any time they're craving a snack"

Should you eat Portuguese custard tarts hot or cold?

There's no wrong way! Some people love them warm, others like the texture of the custard better when it is at room temperature. Still others like them cold! The only way to decide is to try them all three ways, don't you agree? ;-)

Do Pastéis de Nata need refrigerated?

In most instances, there won't be any left over since they are so tasty! But on the off chance that you do have left overs it is recommended that you store them in the fridge.

How do you reheat Pasteis de Nata?

Reheating a pastry like this is best done in an oven or toaster oven over a microwave, for sure. 350F around 7 minutes should do the job!

How long do Pasteis de Natas last?

In an airtight box they may last up to 2 days. If refrigerated around 5 days. But seriously, just eat them today. :)

Is there lemon in Pastéis de Nata?

Although this particular recipe did not call for it, many recipes do infuse lemon flavor into the simple syrup by adding lemon rind to the water, sugar, and cinnamon stick! I will definitely try this next time because I love a bit of lemon in a custard.

Tools That Make It Easier To Make Pastéis de Nata at Home:

Pastel de Nata Tools Pepperidge Farm, Puff Pastry Sheets, 17.3 oz (Frozen)

Pastel de Nata Tools 25 Pack Egg Tart Molds Tiny Pie Tartlets Dessert Mold Pans Tin Puto Cup Bakeware Muffin Cupcake Cake Cookie Mold Baking Tool, Round

Pastel De Nata Tools Silpat Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat, Half Sheet Size, 11-5/8 x 16-1/2

Pastel De Nata Organic Korintje Cinnamon Sticks | Perfect for Baking, Cooking & Beverages | 100+ Sticks | 2 3/4" Length | 100% Raw From Indonesia | by FGO

For That Friend Who is Obsessed With Pastéis de Nata:

Gifts For Pastel De Nata Lovers | Traveling Through Food Pasteis De Nata Recipe

Tried This Recipe?
Send us a photo, tag us @travelingthroughfoodtogether, or leave a comment below!
We'd love to try your favorite recipes or hear about foods you discovered while traveling! Submit a recipe or food story to Traveling Through Food

Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts Recipe is filed under:
Desserts • Snacks • Europe • Portugal • Inspired by Travel • Pastry • Egg

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Mourapao Vilamoura Portugal Restaurant Review

7/31/2023

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Mourapão will always hold a special place in our hearts as it's the first place we ate after arriving in Portugal on the D7 visa.

Filed Under: Vilamoura Restaurant Reviews • Algarve Restaurant Reviews • Portugal • Restaurant Review

After those hectic final weeks waiting for the visa to arrive, selling belongings, hoping nothing important was forgotten, visiting with family, traveling and moving internationally for the first time (& during a pandemic!), handling canceled flights etc.... to finally arrive in Vilamoura was surreal. Nothing felt more simultaneously comforting and rewarding than the prospect of a pizza and a pastel de nata at the same time.

Enter Mourapão.

Um café e uma tigelada em Mourapão

Located in Vilamoura near the Marina, Mourapão is a short walk from the secret apartment.
With indoor and outdoor seating available as well as an extensive menu, mourapão can cater to just about any guest.
Bonus, it's open until at least 10pm!

Here's what we have tried:

Tigelada

Tigelada is a traditional Portuguese dessert made with eggs, milk, and sugar. Typically baked in a wood fired oven inside a Portuguese ceramic bowl, this sweet dessert is all about the texture as shown in the photo above.

--> Shop traditional Portuguese Pottery

Pastel de Nata

Pastel de Nata is easily the most popular pastry you must try in Portugal with its flakey crust, pudding like custard filling and optional cinnamon topping. Remember when we made Pasteis de nata at home?

Margherita Pizza

For an optimal experience, be sure to dine in at Mourapao and enjoy classic pizza made with fresh ingredients.
(Although you can get take out or pizza delivery in Vilamoura through apps like Glovo fyi) Take a look at that pizza slice - the cheese pull, the browning, the sheen... If this pizza is for you, you will know it. ;)

Discover more Pizza in Portugal here

Traveling through food

5 Great places to eat in Ajuda

Tlaloc un rincón mexicano

Di Amici by Pizza em Casa

Churrasqueira do Marques

Food Hub

Manápula

Santo Graal Burger & Grill

Fiesta Restro And Snack Bar

Everest Curry & Sekuwa Corner

Pasteis de Belem

Manteigaria

MoMo Express

Forgot to schedule time in ALgarve on your Portugal Trip?

Read Now: How to Plan a Day Trip to Algarve from Lisbon

Pão d'avó Maria PortimÃo

​PÃO D'AVÓ MARIA PORTIMÃO

What we ordered.

PÃO D'AVÓ MARIA Review

More Cafe Reviews.

Pão & PÃO Boutique Vilamoura Cafe

What we ordered.

Tarte de Maçã

​Bolo de Arroz

Discover More cafes

The aldi "chocolate log" pastry we pretend is healthy - Grocery Review

Espiga multicereais Chocolate

Aldi Portuguese Pastry Review: Espiga MultiCereais Chocolate

How much is the multi-grain chocolate filled pastry at aldi in Portugal?

Find Similar Content you'll enjoy in these folders:

Our Delonghi Espresso Machine

Inspired By Travel: Making Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts

So what exactly is a Pastel de Nata?

How do you eat a Pastel de Nata?

Portugal Travel Blog:

​History of Pastel de Nata

Wait. I'm Confused. Is it Pastéis de Nata, Pastel de Nata or Pastéis de Belém?

Basically, it was high time we tried to make Pastéis de Nata at home...

Can you make Pastéis De Nata with frozen puff pastry?

How To Make Pastéis de Nata Custard Step-by-step

How long will Pastéis de Nata uncooked custard mixture last?

At what temperature does milk scald? Why do you scald milk

Tips for using Frozen Puff Pastry to Make Pastéis de Nata

Assembling Pastéis de Nata

When do you eat a Pastel de Nata?

Should you eat Portuguese custard tarts hot or cold?

Do Pastéis de Nata need refrigerated?

How do you reheat Pasteis de Nata?

​How long do Pasteis de Natas last?

Is there lemon in Pastéis de Nata?

Tools That Make It Easier To Make Pastéis de Nata at Home:

For That Friend Who is Obsessed With Pastéis de Nata:

Pin & Share This Post:

Mourapao Vilamoura Portugal Restaurant Review

Tigelada

Pastel de Nata

Margherita Pizza

Pizza in Portugal.

Best Places To Stay in Vilamoura, Algarve Portugal

Algarve Restaurant Reviews

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PÃO D'AVÓ MARIA PORTIMÃO

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