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42 Irresistible Portuguese Desserts And Pastries

Portuguese desserts and pastries are a passion that we regularly enjoy in our adopted home city of Lisbon. Discover our favorite sweet treats in Portugal.

Spoonful of Bolo de Arroz
Image: ©2foodtrippers

We didn’t move to Lisbon because of the Portuguese capital’s obsession for sweet treats but we’re not complaining. Like the rest of the Iberian country, Lisbon has a seemingly endless number of pastelerias (pastry shops) and even more pastéis (pastries).

What Makes Portuguese Desserts Unique?

Pastry Plate at Pastelaria Violeta in Evora
The variety of Portuguese desserts is astounding. We found and ate this trio of sweet treats in Évora. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

There’s no debate that the Portuguese have a thing for sugar and eggs. These two ingredients are prevalent in many but not all Portuguese dessert recipes including the country’s most famous pastel (pastry) – the Pastel de Nata.

The Pastel de Nata was famously invented at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in the 18th century before later achieving international dessert fame. Other doces conventuais (convent sweets) were invented in monasteries across the country even earlier.

Bitten Ovos Moles in Lisbon
Egg yolks and sugar are the two main ingredients in many traditional Portuguese desserts like this sweet, eggy Ovos Mole we enjoyed in Évora as a rich midday treat. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Egg yolks became a common ingredient at that time due to nuns using egg whites to starch their habits. Walk up to a Portuguese pasteleria counter today and you’ll find a variety of beautiful golden hued pastries in between local versions of croissants, donuts and cookies.

Lisbon is literally filled with pastelerias, often more than one on a city block, each selling a range of pastries and super sweet treats. And that’s not counting desserts served in Lisbon restaurants.

Read our Lisbon restaurant guide.

Stacked Queijinho do Ceu at Pastelaria Violeta in Evora
We’re not kidding when we say that Portuguese desserts contain a lot of egg yolk and sugar! | Image: ©2foodtrippers

This situation creates a challenge when we eat dessert in our adopted home city. Should we order a Pastel de Nata, still the most popular local pastry available pretty much everywhere in Portugal, or should we try something different like Arroz Doce? Though we often choose option number one, sometimes we go rogue without any regret.

We don’t just eat pastries in Portugal! Discover more than 100 amazing sweet treats around the world.

Bitten Chocolate Bola de Berlim at Confeitaria Do Bolhao
Although it originated in Germany, the Bola de Berlim is one of the most popular pastries in Portugal. We ate this chocolate version at Confeitaria do Bolhao in Porto. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We’ve made a point to eat lots of Portugal desserts for ‘research purposes’ since we moved to Lisbon in 2019 and it’s one of our favorite aspects of living in Portugal. In this guide, we share our favorite Portuguese pastries and desserts including some with international ties and one that will surprise you.

Discover inspirational desserts in France, Germany and Italy.

Our Favorite Portuguese Desserts

Dessert at Fabrica Imperial
Any meal in Portugal is better when it ends with dessert. We ended a particularly tasty Lisbon lunch with this slice of homemade pie at Fabrica Imperial. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We mentioned that the Portuguese people love desserts and we weren’t exaggerating. Pretty much every Portuguese menu has a sobremesa (dessert) section fill with cake, pudding and more. The number of Portuguese dessert recipes is astounding.

Many of these desserts are filled with egg yolks and sugar but plenty feature ingredients like chocolate and almonds. Some of the best are specific to Portugal while others are global in both origin and popularity.

Matateus at O Rapido
Portuguese desserts come in all shapes in sizes. We ended our lunch at O Rapido in Porto with these tiny Matateus cakes. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Tasting Portuguese desserts has become a bit of a passion project for us. After eating our collective weight in desserts both at home in Lisbon and in destinations like Cascais, Coimbra, Évora, Porto, Sintra and the Algarve, these are our favorite desserts in Portugal:

1. Bolo De Bolacha E Caramelo (Biscuit And Caramel Cake)

Bolo de Bolacha e Caramelo in Lisbon
Our lives have been sweeter since we ate this caramel-drenched slice of Bolo de Bolacha e Caramelo at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço in Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Flavored with both wafers and caramel, Bolo de Bolacha e Caramelo provides a practical solution when deciding between a cookie or cake. The name of this dessert literally translates to Wafer Cake with Caramel. When done right, it’s that and so much more.

Our obsession with this Portuguese cake can’t be understated. Bolo de Bolacha e Caramel is now Mindi’s official Portuguese birthday cake. Daryl is sticking with Bolo de Chocolate since he’s more of a chocolate cake fan.

2. Bolo De Chocolate (Chocolate Cake)

Chocolate Cake at Casa das Tortas in Azeitao
We rarely say no to chocolate cake. When we said yes to this Delicia de Chocolate at Casa das Tortas in Azeitão it was indeed a delicious delight. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Chocolate cake is a dessert that spans the world despite the fact that cocoa beans only grow in equatorial countries like Ghana, Indonesia and Brazil. Although Portugal isn’t one of these countries, chocolate is prevalent in various shapes and forms throughout the Iberian country.

Landeau Chocolate Cake
We ate this slice of signature Bolo de Chocolate at Landeau’s original LX Factory cafe. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Chocolate lovers who visit Portugal won’t want to skip Landeau Chocolate where bakers create the cafe’s signature Bolo de Chocolate, i.e. chocolate cake, with three chocolate layers – cake, mousse and powder. Both the New York Times and Food and Wine agree that Landeau’s version, which sandwiches rich mousse between two tender layers of cake, is the chocolate cake to eat in Portugal.

3. Arroz Doce (Rice Pudding)

Arroz Doce with Spoon on Plate in Lisbon
We ate this Arroz Doce at O Eléctrico do Chile in Lisbon. The neighborhood tasca is a great spot to enjoy traditional Portuguese food as well as simple Portuguese desserts. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Similar to chocolate, rice pudding is popular in countries around the world. The Portuguese version called Arroz Doce, which literally translates to sweet rice, lives up to its name with a rich yellow egg hue and texture that differentiates it from similar versions in countries like Greece.

Portugal’s Arroz Doce recipe includes short-grain rice in addition to egg yolks, milk, sugar and lemon peel. Typically decorated with a cinnamon checkerboard design, the creamy dessert is a hallmark of Portuguese Sobremesas (desserts).

4. Pudim Abade De Priscos (Abbot Of Priscos’ Pudding)

Pudim Abade de Priscos at Pudim do Abade
This decadent slice of Pudim Abade de Priscos impressed us with every bite when we ate it at Pudim do Abade in Lisbon’s Time Out Market. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portuguese clergy didn’t only bake pastries and cakes back in the day. Father Manuel Joaquim Machado Rebelo, i.e. the Abbot of Priscos, invented one of the country’s best desserts in the 19th century… and it’s a pudding.

In addition to the expected egg yolks and sugar, Pudim Abade de Priscos has port wine and bacon in its ingredient roster. Although its roots are in Northern Portugal, the rich pudding (think of a richer, less gelatinous version of Spanish Flan) is available throughout the country.

Pro Tip
Even if you’re full, we urge you to order a Pudim Abade de Priscos when you see it on a Portuguese dessert menu. It’s that good.

5. Bolo Rei (King Cake)

Bolo Rei in Confeitaria Nacional Tin
Confeitaria Nacional isn’t just the oldest baker in Lisbon. It’s also the bakery that introduced Bolo Rei to Portugal. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Bolo Rei is the king of holiday desserts in Portugal – and we’re not just saying this because Bolo Rei translates to king cake. These cakes line the shelves at pastry shops and markets throughout the country during the extended holiday season that lasts from late October to early January. If you visit Portugal during Natal, these colorful cakes are almost impossible to avoid.

We first encountered Bolo Rei in Porto during a mid-November visit and later bought a big ring topped with candied fruits. While not our favorite Portuguese dessert due its dry texture, this holiday cake completes a Portugal evening filled with eggnog and Christmas carols.

6. Leite Creme (Cream Milk)

Leite Creme at Versailles in Lisbon
We cracked through the sugar shell to get to the creamy custard when we ate this Leite Creme at Pasteleria Versailles in Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Although Portuguese chefs weren’t the first to top custard with caramelized sugar, the country has adopted the global dessert as its own. After eating similar versions in England (Burnt Cream), France (Crème Brûlée) and Spain (Crema Catalana), we consider Portugal’s Leite Creme to be closest to the Spanish version.

In Portugal, both casual eateries and fancy restaurants serve Leite Creme, a creamy dessert with hints of both lemon and cinnamon. Not surprisingly, egg yolks and sugar are also in the mix.

7. Bolo De Queijo (Cheesecake)

Cheesecake at Mito in Porto
We ate this Bolo de Queijo topped with port wine sauce at Mito in Porto. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Cheesecake is most associated with New York City. And while the dessert may have been refined and perfected in the big apple, it’s actually a global dessert that likely originated in ancient Greece. Fans of this dessert will be happy to find it in Portugal too.

The best way to eat cheesecake in Portugal is to order a slice of Bolo de Queijo topped with port sauce. Since this fortified wine is exclusively produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley, adding port sauce transforms cheesecake from global to Portuguese.

8. Mousse De Chocolate (Chocolate Mousse)

Chocolate Mousse at Sal Grosso
One spoonful of this Mousse de Chocolate was enough to end our meal at Sal Grosso on a sweet note. Who are we kidding? We ate the entire serving with no regrets. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Mousse de Chocolate is a dessert that made its way to Portugal after traveling the world. However, unlike other desserts, chocolate mousse has a definitive origin – France.

This journey is no surprise considering that two of the key ingredients in chocolate mousse are eggs and sugar. Adding chocolate and butter is not much of a stretch and makes perfect sense in this dessert-friendly nation.

9. Bolo De Maçã (Apple Cake)

Bolo de Maca in Lisbon
Would apple cake taste different by a different name? Not if it’s called Bolo de Maçã at Leitaria da Quinta in Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Apples are grown throughout Portugal but the best apples can be found in Alcobaça orchards near Lisbon. Our favorite Portuguese apples are Fuji and Royal Gala; however, any local apples taste good in a Bolo de Maçã recipe.

Baked with ingredients found in a typical Portuguese pantry, Bolo de Maçã is the apple cake our grandmothers would have baked if they were born in Portugal. In addition to apples, this cake features ingredients like sugar, flour, butter and eggs.

10. Bolo Xadrez (Chess Cake)

Bolo Xadrez at Versailles in Lisbon
We didn’t have to be chess experts to enjoy this slice of Bolo Xadrez (i.e. chess board cake) at Pastelaria Versailles in Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

More complicated than a typical Portuguese dessert, Bolo Xadrez layers yellow and chocolate sponge cake in a checkerboard design, separates the layers with cream and coats them in chocolate icing. This certainly isn’t a dessert we’d want to bake at home, but that’s not an issue in Portugal.

We ate Bolo Xadrez for the first time soon after we watched The Queen’s Gambit. Not only did the Netflix show inspire us to craft Gibson cocktails at home, but it also motivated us to order a slice of this chess board cake at a Lisbon pasteleria. We’re glad on both counts.

11. Toucinho Do Céu (Bacon Of Heaven)

Toucinho do Ceu at Versailles in Lisbon
We enjoyed eating this heavenly slice of Toucinho do Céu at Pastelaria Versailles in Lisbon. Although the English translation of this dessert is Bacon from Heaven, almonds provide its defining flavor. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Toucinho do Céu intrigued us before we took our very first bites of the luscious dessert. Considering that its name translates to bacon from heaven, this intrigue was inevitable since bacon is one of our favorite foods.

Invented by Guimarães nuns in the Braga district during the 18th century, this cake’s name derives from pork fat that was used in its original recipe. Although that ingredient is now optional, the name stuck. Non-optional ingredients include lots of sugar and eggs as well as ground almonds and butter.

12. Bolo De Mel (Honey Cake)

Bolo de Mel at Fabrica Santo Antonio in Madeira
We bought this tasty Bolo de Mel at Fábrica Santo António in Funchal. The iconic Madeira bakery was founded in 1893. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Bolo de Mel is an iconic Madeira cake that dates back to the 15th century when Portugal was a major player in the spice trade. The sweet cake’s ingredient list includes honey (or molasses) as well as spices like cinnamon and clove. It’s popular all year round but especially during the holiday season.

Discover more great things to eat in Madeira.

Bolo de Mel at the Olhao Market
Proving that you don’t have to travel to Madeira to eat Bolo de Mel, we enjoyed this Bolo de Mel in the Algarve. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

However, Madeira isn’t the only Portuguese region that bakes Bolo de Mel. We found a wonderful Bolo de Mel in the Algarve town of Olhão. The honey cake we ate in the seafaring town delighted us with its soft center and ooey gooey coating.

13. Torta De Amêndoa (Almond Pie)

Almond Cake at Incomum in Sintra
Incomum, one of the best restaurants in Sintra, served us this fantastic slice of Bolo de Amêndoa after our lunch. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Torta de Amêndo is a great option for those who love sweet almond desserts but don’t eat pork. In all honesty, it’s not that different from Toucinho do Céu except for the latter’s controversial ingredient.

This difference doesn’t sway us either way since we like both desserts. However, we appreciate that Torta de Amêndo is the better option for our Vegetarian and Kosher readers.

14. Gelado (Gelato)

Gelato at Gelataria Portuense
The Port Gelado at Gelataria Portuense may be the most innovative ice cream we’ve eaten in Portugal. It’s also one of the best. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Portuguese didn’t revolutionize modern ice cream. That credit goes to Italy. This situation doesn’t stop Gelado from being one of the most popular desserts in Portugal among kids of all ages.

Perhaps ice cream is so popular because the best Portuguese Gelado makers have connections to Italy. Some claim Italian heritage while others honed their craft at Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna. Although many of the country’s top gelaterias are in Lisbon, restaurants and shops serve tasty scoops of Gelado all over the country.

Read our Lisbon ice cream guide.

Our Favorite Portuguese Pastries

Queijadas da Sapa
Queijadas da Sintra may be the smallest Portuguese pastries that we’ve encountered in Portugal but that doesn’t make them any less tasty. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

If you can’t find pastries in Portugal, then you’ve failed in your sweets finding mission.

Every time we eat a new pastry in Portugal, we find two more to try. We’d eat them all in one sitting, but then we’d get sick. However, that being said, we’ve eaten a preponderance of traditional Portuguese pastries since our first visit more than 13 years ago.

Though our Portugal pastry mission continues as we explore the country through its food, these traditional Portuguese pastries are the ones we crave most:

15. Pastel De Belém

Pasteis de Belem
Four Pasteis de Belém are better than one at Pasteis de Belém. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Pastel de Belém is special. Not only was this egg tart the gateway convent pastry that ignited our sweet Portuguese obsession, but the Pastel de Belém is also Portugal’s signature pastry.

Legend has it that monks invented the Pastel de Belèm in the 18th century using yolks left over at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos from egg whites used to starch habits. After securing the historic Pastel de Nata recipe, Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém has continued the sweet tradition for almost two centuries.

Although Pasteis de Nata are available in every corner of Portugal, there’s only one place to eat the original incarnation. Luckily for you and us, Belém is just a short distance from Lisbon. These ‘natas are worth the journey since they’re just a little bit better.

16. Pastel De Nata (Custard Tart)

Pastel de Nata in Portugal
With multiple locations in Lisbon and beyond, Manteigaria is a great spot for eating Pasteis de Nata in Portugal. Warning – Once you eat one, you’ll want to repeat the experience every day during your visit. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

If you only eat one dessert in Portugal, it should be a Pastel de Nata. This simple Portuguese egg tart has conquered the world but it’s best eaten in its home country.

If you’re wondering what differentiates a Pastel de Nata from a Pastel de Belèm, the answer comes down to geography. Unlike a Pastel de Belèm, a Pastel de Nata can be baked anywhere while a Pastel de Belèm is specific to one location.

In Portugal, Pasteis de Nata are baked everywhere and they’re almost always good.

Read our Lisbon Pastel de Nata guide.

17. Queijada De Sintra

Queijada da Sapa
We started our day trip in Sintra with Queijadas de Sintra at Queijadas da Sapa. The pastry has been a local favorite since the Middle Ages. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Miniature cheese pastries called Queijadas are available all over Portugal but the most famous ones are baked in Sintra. Besides the cheese that gives Queijadas their name, other ingredients include eggs, sugar, milk and flour.

Eating these little pastries in Sintra is like channeling history. Once used as currency, Queijadas de Sintra date back to the Middle Ages. However, the Sapa family has ‘only’ been baking them since the latter half of the 19th century. Don’t hold that against them as they seem to have sorted out the formula by now.

Pro Tip
Be warned that Queidjas can be addictive. You may want to buy a few extra to enjoy on the train ride back to Lisbon.

18. Indiano

Coffee Indiano at Versailles
The Indiano is a hidden gem among Portuguese pastries. We ate this one with coffee icing at the Pastelaria Versailles kiosk located in the sprawling Colombo Shopping Center. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Most Portuguese pastries seem to be available at every single pasteleria. The Indiano is not one of these pastries. In fact, we’re only seen the unique pastry at Versailles and Confeitaria Nacional during our travels around Lisbon.

We’re yet to figure out how the Indiano got its name or why it’s not more popular. Its moist cake base provides a spongey base for cream and icing. We’ve eaten Indianos topped with chocolate, vanilla and coffee icing and have enjoyed them all.

19. Travesseiro (Pillow)

Two Travesseiros at Piriquita in Sintra
Although Casa Piriquita has been baking Travesseiro pastries in Sintra since 1862, the pillow-like pastry tastes as relevant as ever. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Queijadas aren’t the only pastry that call Sintra home. A second Sintra pasteleria bakes an equally notable pastry called Travesseiro.

Casa Piriquita has been baking pastries since 1862 as they proudly advertise at their Sintra shops. Crowds queue for the chance to eat the pillow-like Travesseiro pastry made with almonds and puff pastry.

Not surprisingly, Travesseiro’s other ingredients include eggs and sugar. This is a Portuguese pastry after all!

Pro Tip
If you’re wondering whether to try a Queijada or Travesseiro when you visit Sintra, the answer is yes. The two pastries are entirely different from each other and they’re both good. The only way to discover your favorite is to give both a try.

20. Queijada De Évora

Queijada de Evora at Pastelaria Violeta in Evora
Évora’s Queijadas are similar to Sintra’s Queijadas in both size and flavor. We ate this tiny treat at a local Èvora bakery during a trip to Alentejo. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Évora is the most notable city in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Much of its noteriety comes from ancient Roman ruins and historic sites that earned the city its UNESCO status. But the city’s food culture is an equally valid reason for visiting Évora.

Though we could also wax poetically about Alentejo’s viticulture, we’ll save that for a future article. Instead, we’ll instead sing the merits of trying a Queijada de Èvora during your visit. Better yet, try two since the tiny, cheesy pastries feature local sheep’s milk as well as (you guessed it) sugar and eggs.

21. Queijo De Figo (Fig Cheese)

Miniature Queijo de Figo Portuguese Pastries at Confeitaria Do Bolhao
We got our figs on with these Queijos de Figo at Confeitaria Do Bolhao in Porto. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Ironically, Queijos de Figo aren’t made with cheese. They also don’t have any eggs.

Instead, this pastry’s primary ingredients are Algarvian figs and granulated sugar.

Queijo de Figo at Kubidoce in Olhao
There’s nothing like eating a Queijo de Figo in the Algarve. We at this one baked with carob at Kubidoce Padaria Confeitaria Bombonaria in Olhão. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The fig-forward pastry gets its name from those figs as well as its torta cheese-like shape. It also comes in a larger cake version.

22. Torta Da Azeitão (Pie Of Azeitão)

Torta de Azeitao at Pastelaria Cego in Azeitao
We ate this Torta de Azeitão at Pastelaria Cego in Azeitão where the pastry was invented more than a century ago. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Despite its preponderance of egg yolk, the Torta de Azeitão is different from most traditional Portuguese pastries. But why?

For starters, it’s NOT a conventual pastry and was instead invented at an Azeitão pastry shop. Then there’s its jelly roll like form created with sponge cake and egg cream.

The Torta de Azeitão is fun to eat thanks to its soft texture and flavors like lemon and cinnamon. It especially tastes good when paired with a glass of Moscatel – a special fortified wine produced in the same region where the rolled pastry was invented.

23. Jesuita (Jesuit)

Jesuit Pastry at Confeitaria Do Bolhao in Porto
We ate this iced Jesuita at Confeitaria Do Bolhao in Porto. We thought about counting the pastry’s many layers but then we ate it instead. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Invented in Santo Tirso near Porto, the Jesuita gets its name from triangular Jesuit habits. Whether covered with sweet icing or almonds, this layered Portuguese pastry is always triangular in shape.

We’ve eaten both Jesuita versions and even tried one layered with apples instead of sweet eggy cream. The pastry’s flakiness distinguishes it from other pastries in the country

24. Ovos Mole De Aveiro (Soft Eggs Of Aveiro)

Ovos de Mole de Aveiro at Versailles in Lisbon
Covered in shell-shaped wafers, the yellow center of this Ovos Mole was both yolky and sweet. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portugal’s Ovos Mole de Aveiro may be the country’s most unusual pastry to receive protected Protected Geographical Indication status from the European Union. Surrounded by communion wafers, the center of each Ovos Mole has bright yellow, super sweet custard made with a preponderance of egg yolk and sugar.

Although nuns invented Ovos Mole in the town of Aveiro, the dessert is readily available throughout Portugal. Some pastelerias take the extra step of crafting the eggy treats to look like fish and seashells, but a typical Ovos Mole tastes cloyingly sweet regardless of its shape.

25. Pâo De Deus (God’s Bread)

Pao de Deus at Versailles in Lisbon
We ate this coconut-topped Pâo de Deus at Pastelaria Versailles in Lisbon. Available all year round, the revered pastry gets the spotlight on November 1st each year as part of Portugal’s All Saint’s Day celebrations. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Pâo de Deus was a pastry that spoke to us before we tasted it. We had high expectations based on its name alone – the Portuguese pastry’s name impressively translates to God’s Bread. As an extra bonus, the pastry enjoys a long history as a treat eaten on All Saint’s Day each year.

After one bite, we quickly realized that the Pâo de Deus’ brioche base is covered with a sweet, eggy coconut topping. Alas, we’re not coconut fans. We still recommend it for those who like brioche, coconut and traditions.

26. Dom Rodrigo

Dom Rodrigo at Kbidoce in Olhao
The Dom Rodrigo may not be the prettiest Portuguese pastry, but this one we ate in the Algarve tasted great. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Most Portuguese pastries have a history and the Algarve’s Dom Rodrigo is no exception. However, its story isn’t particularly definitive.

While we know that the origin of the Dom Rodrigo dates back to the 18th century, we’re not sure who invented it. Was it invented by a man named Rodrigo or was it merely named after a man with this surname? And was that man a monk or a wealthy patron or even a military figure? We may never know these answers but we do know a few things…

First, we know that the Dom Rodrigo is popular in Portugal’s southern Algarve region where it was invented. We also know the pastry’s ingredients include almonds, cinnamon, egg yolks and sugary egg yolk threads called fios de ovos. Finally, we know that the ugly yet tasty pastry looks best when it’s wrapped in colorful foil and displayed like a miniature pyramid.

27. Pastel De Tenútgal

Pastel de Tenutgal at Pedacos de Azeitzao Vertical
The Pastel de Tenútgal is distinctive among Portuguese pastries for its long shape and crispy exterior. We ate this one in Azeitão. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Pastel de Tenútgal isn’t as famous as the Pastel de Nata but maybe it should be.

Not only does the Pastel de Tenútgal pre-date Portugal’s famous egg tart by two centuries, but it’s also a longer and crispier pastry filled with sweet, creamy doce de ovos. Plus, in a bit of a twist, the clever clergy who created the Pastel de Tenútgal were nifty nuns as opposed to motivated monks.

Hailing from in Tenútgal, a town near the university city of Coimbra, this long, crispy conventual pastry is easy to find throughout Portugal. And, like many of the best Portuguese pastries, it’s a protected dessert with IGP status.

28. Bolo Moscatel (Moscatel Cake)

Bolo do Moscate at Pastelaria Cego in Azeitao
Since it was morning, we paired this Bolo Moscatel with coffee. However, fortified moscatel wine Moscatel is the recommended pairing at other times of the day and into the night. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portugal’s Moscatel may not be as famous as its Port wine, but Setubal’s fortified Moscatel wine is equally enjoyable to sip after dinner. It’s also a fine pastry ingredient as evidenced by the Bolo Moscatel.

In fact, we prefer Pastelaria Cego’s Bolo Moscatel over the Azeitão bakery’s more famous Torta de Azeitão. With its satisfying dried fruit flavor of moscatel raisin in the middle, this crispy, crunchy pastry hits our sweet spot.

29. Queijinho De Ceu (Cheese From Heaven)

Queijinho do Ceu at Pastelaria Violeta in Evora
We ate this Queijinho de Ceu in Évora, our personal pastry heaven. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Although Queijinho de Ceu literally translates to cheese of heaven, this heavenly pastry doesn’t contain any cheese. Instead, it’s made with grated almonds, dusted with powdered sugar and filled with doce de ovos.

The pastry’s name is a nod to its shape in lieu of its recipe. We wouldn’t mind if the Queijinho de Ceu’s recipe actually included cheese. But we also don’t mind that it doesn’t.

30. Queijada De Feijão

Queijada de Feijao in Lisbon
This Queijada de Feijão didn’t stay in our hands for long. We quickly ate the Portuguese bean tart at a local Lisbon pasteleria before continuing with our morning walk. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Not to be confused with the Queijadas produced in Sintra and Évora, the Queijada de Feijão doesn’t have cheese in its ingredient list. Instead, this classic Portuguese pastry adds white beans and ground almonds to its sweet eggy paste.

Although Joaquina Rodrigues garners respect for inventing Portugal’s iconic bean cake in her home city of Torres Vedras during the late 19th century, dessert eaters don’t have to travel to central Portugal to sample a Queijada de Feijão. Most neighborhood pastelerias serve this pastry in Lisbon as well as in other cities throughout Portugal. It’s that popular.

Pro Tip
Stop by Fábrica do Pastel de Feijão if you’re walking around Alfama in Lisbon and want to try a more modern bean cake. However, be aware that opening hours are currently limited.

31. Morgadinho

Morgadinho at Kubidoce in Olhao
The flavor and appearance of this Morgadinho we ate in the Algarve differs from all other pastries featured in this guide. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

With its white fondant coating and a silver dragee (silver ball bearing) on top, the Morgadinho looks like a simple sweet. However, in the case of this Algarvian delicacy, looks can be deceiving.

One bite into a Morgadinho reveals a different flavor from other popular Portuguese pastries – pumpkin. Don’t worry, the Morgadinho still has enough egg yolk and sugar to make it taste Portuguese.

32. Barriga De Freira (Nun’s Belly)

Barriga de Freira at Pedacos de Azeitzao
Although the Barriga de Freira was originally baked in Arouca near Porto, we ate this one in Azeitão near Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Barriga de Freira stands out from other Portuguese conventual pastries because of a name that literally translates to nun’s belly. Talk about a name that combines religion and humor in one fell swoop!

Typically enjoyed during the Christmas season, many of the Barriga de Freira’s ingredients will seem familiar. They include sugar, butter, ground almonds and, of course, egg yolks.

Discover more Christmas desserts eaten around the world.

33. Bolo De Arroz (Rice Cake)

Bolo de Arroz at Versailles in Lisbon
A Bolo de Arroz is a not-too-sweet way to start the day in Portugal. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Bolo de Arroz, which translates to rice cake, likely got its name from one specific ingredient – rice flour. A staple of Portuguese pastelerias, it’s an anomaly among its pastry peers. Despite having a crispy top layer sprinkled with sugar, this Portuguese pastry is as savory as it is sweet.

Although the Bolo de Arroz recipe doesn’t include corn meal in addition to rice flour, we liken the Portuguese pastry to an American corn muffin. The textures are similar and neither is too sweet.

International Pastries In Portugal

Eclairs at Time Out Market Lisbon
Some of the best Portuguese desserts are associated with other countries. Fancy French éclairs sold at Lisbon’s Time Out Market are a prime example of this phenomenon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Since there’s a limit to the amount of traditional Portuguese desserts and pastries that we can eat, sometimes we want something different. Luckily, we have no problem in this scenario since many of the most popular Portuguese pastries originated in other countries.

Just like Portugal left its culinary mark in countries around the word, other countries have influenced Portuguese cuisine. Beyond savory food like hamburgers and pizza, Portuguese people have added several global desserts to their diet.

These are our favorite international sweet treats to eat in Portugal:

34. Eclair

Portuguese Eclairs
Portuguese Éclairs are sweeter than their French cousins, not that we’re complaining. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The French may have invented Éclairs in the mid 19th century, but the Portuguese have made the oblong French pastry their own. We found this concept odd until we bit into our first Portuguese Éclairs at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço in Porto and then it all made sense.

Discover more Porto food favorites.

Leitaria da Quinta do Paço has been filling Éclairs with fresh chantilly cream and topping them with milk chocolate since the 1920s but they don’t stop there. Other flavors run the gamut though our favorites are lemon and croquant.

Warning
Once you eat an Éclair at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço, you’ll develop a sweet addiction that can only be satisfied with more Éclairs. The dairy has multiple locations in Lisbon, Braga and Porto to satisfy this addiction. In case you can’t tell, it’s one of our favorite pastry shops in Portugal.

35. Bola De Berlim

Chocolate Bola de Berlim at Confeitaria Do Bolhao
If you see a chocolate Bola de Berlim in Portugal, order it. We ordered this one at Confeitaria Do Bolhao in Porto. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Traveling donut fans can satisfy their donut cravings in Portugal by eating a Bola de Berlim. However, these Portuguese pastries aren’t related to American donuts. Instead, immigrants brought the concept from Germany almost a century ago.

Discover more great donuts eaten around the world.

A Portuguese Bola de Berlim is bigger and sweeter than a jam-filled Berliner in Berlin. Although doce de ovos, a sweet cream made with egg yolks and sugar is the typical filling, we prefer chocolate inside our fried bundles of joy.

Pro Tip
You can find Bola de Berlim at pastelerias, train stations and even at the beach.

36. Brigadeiro

Chocolate Brigadeiro on Plate
Since Brigadeiros are little, you may want to order two. We ate this one at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço in Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portugal and Brazil have a symbiotic relationship that transcends the two counties’ intertwined past and shared language. Though they’re separated by an ocean and 8,000 kilometers, certain Brazilian foods are readily available in Portugal. These foods include sandwiches, Feijoada and Brigadeiros.

Invented in Rio de Janeiro and named after a Brazilian politician, Brigadeiros are easy to find in Portugal. The pastry’s traditional recipe includes condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter plus chocolate chips to coat the balls. Don’t worry if you don’t like chocolate – Portuguese pastry chefs create Brigadeiros in a rainbow of flavors besides chocolate.

37. Cinnamon Bun

Cinnamon Bun at Copenhagen
We bought this Cinnamon Bun at Copenhagen Coffee Lab and ate it with freshly brewed specialty coffee at our apartment. We’re lucky to live just five minutes away from the cafe’s flagship Lisbon location. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We’ve eaten cinnamon buns around the world but many of our favorites have been in Scandinavia. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that the little cardamom and cinnamon cakes at Lisbon’s Copenhagen Coffee Lab, one of Lisbon’s best coffee shops, make us happy.

While we refer to cinnamon buns as Korvapuusti in Helsinki and Kanelbullar in both Sweden and Norway, we choose to call them Danishes when we eat them in Lisbon. We called them Kanelsnegle in Copenhagen when we finally made it to Denmark but you have to admit that calling them Danishes is more fun.

Discover more cinnamon buns around the world.

Chocolate Chip Cookie at Milkees
Milkees’ chocolate chip cookies are big enough to share but so tasty that you’ll want to eat them by yourself. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Chocolate Chip Cookie is having its moment in Europe. Not only have we eaten elevated cookies at Paris coffee shops and restaurants, but we regularly eat amazing chocolate chip cookies at Milkees, one of our favorite Lisbon cafes.

Brazilian baker Joāo Pedro Erthal bakes the classic American cookie in Portugal – and it’s as good as any cookies we’ve eaten in the USA. If there’s a more international pastry in Portugal, we have yet to find it.

39. Croissant

Portuguese Croissant
We ate this crescent-shaped Croissant at Paderia Ribeiro in Porto. It tasted as ‘eggilicious’ as it looks. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Although France is inexorably connected to the Croissant, the European country can’t claim credit for inventing the crescent-shaped rolls. That credit goes to Austrians who invented the Kipferl in Vienna. The French also can’t keep the croissants within their borders. Italians bake a version called a Cornetto. In Portugal, it’s just called a Croissant.

As is the case with most Portuguese pastries, Portuguese Croissants are sweeter, heavier and doughier than their French brethren. Even plain ones get a sprinkling of powdered sugar… and then there are Croissants filled with doce de ovo at spots like Croissant de Sesimbra in our first Lisbon neighborhood. Oh my!

40. Palmier

Iced Palmier at Versailles in Lisbon
The glazed Palmiers at Pastelaria Versailles are a guilty pleasure which we occasionally indulge. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Palmiers have different names around the world. Spaniards call the French pastry Palmeras while Mexicans call them Orejas. Mindi grew up calling them Elephant Ears. In Portugal, they’re called Palmiers just like in France. However, they’re not exactly the same.

While the French make palm-leaf shaped Palmiers with puff puff pastry and sugar, Portuguese bakers take the pastry one step further by making versions with sweet icing or filling them with ovos de doce. Sure, you can eat a plain Palmier in Portugal. But where’s the fun in that?

41. Salame De Chocolate

Salame at Time Out Market Lisbon
Unlike Presunto (cured ham), Salame de Chocolate is popular with both carnivores and vegetarians in Portugal. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portuguese people love their cured meat, especially Presunto Porco Preto made from special black pigs. They also love desserts shaped like cured meat but made with chocolate.

Salame de Chocolate is actually an Italian creation that made its way to countries like Greece and Lithuania. With ingredients like cocoa, cookies, nuts, eggs and butter, it’s no surprise that Salame landed in Portugal too.

42. Chuuros

Churros Stand at the Olhao Market
After finding these Churros at Olhão’s Saturday market, we ate them with an ocean view. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Churros aren’t typically associated with Portugal but maybe they should be.

Not only have the Portuguese been eating the fried pastry dough for centuries, but they may have introduced the churro (by way of Asia) to the rest of Europe. Other food historians argue that the churro has been around since the first century and give that credit to Spain.

Today, you can find a churros stand in Portugual if you look hard enough. We’ve found excellent churros at Lisbon’s Cais do Sodre metro station as well as in the Algarve at Olhão’s Saturday market.

Bonus Portuguese Dessert

Prego Sandwich at Ramiro
The Prego Sandwich at Cervejaria Ramiro may be Portugal’s most popular dessert without either sugar or eggs. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Lisboetas don’t end meals at Cervejaria Ramiro with sweet desserts. Instead, we order savory Prego Sandwiches at the iconic Lisbon marisqueira. Yes, steak sandwiches are the preferred dessert at Lisbon’s most popular seafood restaurant.

It may sound weird, but ordering a garlicky Prego Sandwich is the traditional and best way to end a meal at Ramiro. Squeeze some yellow mustard or add a few drops of spicy piri piri sauce to the sandwich and you’ll be eating one of the most unique Portuguese desserts without risking a sugar high.

Portugal Planning Checklist

Check out our guide to eating in Portugal as well as our picks for the best Portuguese foods before your trip.

Hungry For More In Portugal?

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Eating In Portugal
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Portuguese Food Cities
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Portuguese Food Favorites

Learn European Portuguese

Are you thinking about visiting or moving to Portugal?

We strongly suggest that you start learning European Portuguese now. Not only is it a challenging language to learn, but most apps teach Brazilian Portuguese.

We were thrilled to discover Practice Portuguese, an inexpensive system that makes learning European Portuguese fun.

About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We purchased and ate the desserts featured in this article.

Original Publication Date: December 5, 2020

James

Monday 20th of November 2023

It's worth noting that both Salame de Chocolate (Chocolate Salami) and Churros are desserts claimed as invented in Portugal. Portugal disputes with Spain and China for the origin of Churros, and the dispute for Chocolate Salami is between Italy and Portugal!

Joana

Monday 21st of August 2023

As it looks you are living in Portugal there are other desserts you can try in restaurants: serradura, molotof, baba de camelo, doce da avó and pudim de ovos.

Jakob

Friday 3rd of February 2023

That you can eat something in Portugal doesn't quite make it Portuguese. "Kanelsnegle" for instance, while in some ways similar to Portuguese pastry, isn't Portuguese.

As far as I can tell, it is in fact mainly Swedish. The Swedes even have a special day for them once a year.

Variations have become very popular in the other Nordic countries and have, of course, been exported to other countries around the World.

Deborah Jeter

Thursday 10th of February 2022

I am curious about all the recipes planning to try as many as I can smo

Dulce Margarida Rodrigues da Silva

Wednesday 8th of December 2021

Just a hint, you did forget to go trough "pão de ló" that can have a lot of variations worth a try. You can start with Alfeizerão and Ovar. Ofcourse we have a lot more, since almost every city has its own elected sweet, but its Impossible to go trough everything... However, Prego os not a dessert... Its a complement for a meal, so that you won't be hungry. We use that too, but usually not in restaurants. In the end of special meals we may like to stay at the table enjoying the smalltalk with the good company of cheese, wine, special drinks (port, wisky...) or coffee... but always after desert!

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