Skip to Content

Where to Eat the Best Pastel de Nata in London

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories London

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london

On where to eat the best pastel de nata in London, who is best placed than this wee Portuguese lass of yours?

Delicious Portuguese bakeries are scattered all over town, and if you’re looking to try the famous custard tart that conquers the heart of many travelers to Portugal, you’ll find a great selection in this guide.

Where to Eat the Best Pastel de Nata in London

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Instance Pexels

Say you’re looking for a nice place to take a break in the busy city of London.

Well, whether you’re a visitor or a local, my best advice as a Portuguese fellow is to grab a treat before you enjoy some downtime.

And better yet, a traditional treat, please!

Some of the best pastel de nata in London are to be found at Cafe Madeira, Lisboa Patisserie and Cafe de Nata, but that’s not all.

A handful of other traditional, authentic Portuguese bakeries and pastry shop have all you need in terms of delicious pastel de nata.

They’re all worth a try in between visits to free rooftops, museums and other shops in London Bridge, Oxford Street and Mayfair – so let’s get to it!

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Cafe Madeira

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Madeira London

If you’re around South London, I would suggest you visit Cafe Madeira, a business run by Portuguese folk – you can’t get more authentic than this.

Have a taste of the flavors of Portugal at the deli, cafe and restaurant, which all offer true blue Portuguese food.

Granted, there are not dozens of amazing bakeries in Vauxhall, but if there’s one to visit, it’s Cafe Madeira.

Here, you will not only find the famous range of meat and seafood dishes so characteristic of Portuguese cuisine, but also a wonderful range of treats, including the world-famous pastel de nata.

This is the place that sells the best pastel de nata in London, undoubtedly – and if you’re watching that diet, mini pastel de nata are also available at Cafe Madeira!

Read: The Best Cinnamon Buns in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Sweet Brigadeiros

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Sweet Brigadeiros

Welcome to Camden Market!

In the middle of the East Yard of Camden Market, which hosts some of the best street food stalls in London, you will find a very cute stand called Sweet Brigadeiros.

The place sells chocolate truffles which are truly melt-in-your-mouth decadent.

Of course, if you’re looking for the famous pastel de nata in London, Sweet Brigadeiros also offers an amazing recipe.

However, my suggestion is for you to try out the famous mini brigadeirinho.

Although this one is not Portuguese, but actually a Brazilian dessert, it is a wonderful chocolate sphere-shaped truffle with chocolate confetti covering it that will remind you to be grateful for the gift of life.

It’s a wonderful treat!

Read: The Best Ice Cream in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Harrods

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

There are lots of amazing things to buy at Harrods, and it’s nothing short of one of the best department stores in London.

We’ve told you a bit about Harrods in the past, notably that it’s located in Knightsbridge, one of the poshest areas in London.

What I love doing is walking around all the pretty streets in London you’ll find near Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Kensington and Paddington while munching on a pastry.

Well, Harrods might offer some of the best luxury fashion brands, but what’s interesting for us is the food hall.

If at some point you feel like taking a break from shopping in London, just know that nearby Elan Cafe on Hans Crescent is one of the best coffee shops to do so.

It’s a completely pink coffee shop, and offers wonders like pistachio coffee, raspberry and lychee macarons and beautiful red velvet cakes.

But if you’re low on budget – as it so often happens, who’s not living in London on a budget?, a couple of pastel de nata at Harrods will prove beyond satisfying.

Read: The Best French Patisseries in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Fortnum and Mason

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: The Times UK

Fortnum and Mason is one of the best places to get decadent macarons in London, and from the food hall to the fashion and makeup bits, it’s an amazing department store to visit.

It’s located on Piccadilly, close to Hatchards, one of the most beautiful bookshops in London, and a few minutes away from Piccadilly Circus.

Since 1707, Fortnum and Mason has been offering a luxury experience to shoppers, but what you may not know is they sell their own version of pastel de nata.

Slightly different from the traditional Portuguese tart, however, quite tasty!

The Fortnum and Mason pastel de nata is more caramelised and sticky than the usual custard tart, and really another way to discover Portuguese pastries!

Read: The Best Cookies in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Galeta, South Bank Market

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Galeta Bakery

If you’re ever wandering around Southbank, looking for hidden gems in London Bridge perhaps, pop by Galeta.

Opened in 2011, Galeta uses only 100% natural ingredients and every piece of pastry is fresh and homemade.

The Galeta bakery started with a market stall offering their famous home-baked cookies, almond croissants and vegan peanut butter blondies…

And you honestly can’t miss this stall in the Southbank Food Market.

Think of piles and piles of cookies, their pièce de résistance, and of course, pastéis de nata with a twist!

Read: The Cutest Bakeries in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Lisboa Patisserie

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Great Cake Places

Lisboa Patisserie is all about the Portuguese authentic seal of deliciousness.

Think of a cute cafe in London tucked away behind Portobello Road, Notting Hill, a cafe in which most of the customers are actually Portuguese.

It doesn’t get better than that.

Lisboa Patisserie offers many different Portuguese treats, and you can expect a long queue which often spills on the sidewalk.

It’s totally worth it when you take the first bite of their famous caramelized custard tarts, all glossy and ready to go with a coffee – or as we Portuguese say, ‘bica’.

A walk around Notting Hill’s colorful streets to digest seems like a good way to keep the day exciting, and of course, pop by Portobello Market if you have the time!

Read: The Best Cheap Eats in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Santa Nata

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Santa Nata

Santa Nata is a bakery focused solely on our holy grail – pastel de nata.

Their mission is to serve perfect cups of this authentic traditional pastry throughout the day – every day.

No matter when you waltz in, there will always be a fresh batch of pastel de nata to eat at the cafe or take away – and it’s baked in front of you!

You just have to wait for the bell to know that there’s a new batch of custard tarts waiting.

Santa Nata was named after the original Pastel de Nata – from the parish of Santa Maria de Belém, in Lisbon.

It gives authentic vibes, and it gives a perfect afternoon in London when it rains.

Read: The Best Cupcakes in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Café de Nata

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Café de Nata

If you’re looking for pastel de nata in London around Soho, Covent Garden or Leicester Square, check out Cafe de Nata.

Actually, even if you’re looking for their pastries in Camden Town, Cafe de Nata has a beautiful, minimalist shop in which you can enjoy pastel de nata and hot drinks.

Launched in 2016, this business focuses on the rich, crisp pastry with smooth cream only – and they’re freshly baked all day, every day.

If you’re lucky, while you’re walking around Soho, you might arrive when a fresh batched has just been taken out of the oven.

There are vegan pastel de nata at Cafe de Nata, as well as plenty of different flavors, from apple and cinnamon to blueberry and raspberry – it’s a treat!

Read: The Best Doughnuts in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Gato Preto Ltd

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Gato Preto Ltd

If you’re looking for a different approach to pastel de nata in London, I would say try Gato Preto.

They produce and supply the best quality bake-from-frozen Pastéis de Nata around!

Gato Preto is an authentic custard tart business, and the goal to develop a unique, irresistible recipe of pastéis de nata is absolutely met.

It’s more of a B2B business, since Gato Preto caters for companies, and while the pastel de nata are frozen, you will feel like it was baked minutes before you eat them.

Delicious!

Read: The Best Bagels in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: A Portuguese Love Affair

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: A Portuguese Love Affair

Moving on to cute cafes in London, here is another jewel!

A Portuguese Love Affair opened its doors in August 2013 at the Flower Market, and in 2016, they opened a Deli/Restaurant with all the good Portuguese treats you could imagine.

But this business is more than just a coffee shop, shop or restaurant: indeed, the team is very involved with its community.

They love their people and their neighborhood – just as much as they love Portugal.

A Portuguese Love Affair even celebrates Santos, a very famous festival in Portugal with their neighborhood!

The party organized is meant to gather money for the Grenfell Tower and brain cancer research, so you have here some of the best pastel de nata… and the satisfaction of being part of a good cause.

Read: The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London

Best Pastel de Nata in London: Plant Bliss

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london
Photo: Veond

There are quite a few amazing vegan bakeries in London to discover, but vegan pastel de nata?

Head on over to Plant Bliss, an entirely plant-based business from which you can order online.

Plant Bliss is also present at various markets around London – not in London, so you might want to order in advance if you have a celebration or a birthday coming up.

If you’re trying to find completely vegan pastel de nata in London, you’ll love this shop.

In addition to the Portuguese custard tart, Plant Bliss also offers a myriad of sweet and savory treats; bread, quiches, cakes, vegan sausage rolls…

Truly one of the most incredible places to find Portuguese pastries and other delicious baked goods!

Read: The Best Croissants in London

Where to Eat the Best Pastel de Nata in London

best portuguese bakery in london - best portuguese bakeries in london - best pastel de nata in london - best bakeries in london - pastel de nata covent garden - cafe de nata london - lisboa patisserie notting hill - portuguese pastel de nata in central london - best pastries in london - best portuguese pastries in london - portuguese pastry shop london

There you have them, the top spots to try the best pastel de nata in London!

I feel like pastel de nata offers the best of both worlds; affordable, and filling with an incredible bite-to-satisfaction ratio.

Whether you’re wandering around looking for cool shops in Soho or are taking a break from the busy city center to discover Vauxhall, you have all the best Portuguese bakeries and pastry shops you could wish for

As you can see, there is a little bit of everything for everyone, from catering options to actual, cute cafes in London where modern and traditional blend.

Come enjoy this famous, rich Portuguese custard tart and brace yourself – you won’t want to stop eating.

Until next time!

Other London Food Posts

Other London Posts

Other London Shopping Posts

Other Travel Posts