The famous pastel de nata and Pastel de
Belém are officially the best cakes in the world, according to the guide Taste
Atlas. Among the top 50, the podium is occupied by the Pastel de Belém,
with a score of 4.9 out of 5, followed by the pastel de nata with a 4.8
rating. Portuguese pastries are on the world’s lips, with Portugal’s own
version of the filled doughnut, the Bola de Berlim, occupying being
fêted in 26th place. The guide suggests Zé Natário, in Viana do
Castelo, as a good place to try one.
Even so, only the pastéis (custard tarts) from
the capital come close to perfection, described by Taste Altas as a cake
traditionally baked by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery, baking since 1837.
Only the custard tarts made in the Fábrica Pastéis de Belém can use the
title Pastel de Belém. The pasteis de nata, which came second on
the list, are recommended in outlets such as Manteigaria, Pastelaria Aloma and
Fábrica da Nata.
