Pastéis de Belém

If there is no line at the door, it is possible that something out of the blue has happened. The patisserie is more than a mandatory stop for tourists, but the pretty interior rooms, covered in blue and white tiles, tend to be full of locals too. There is reason for hysterics and adoration, but the history of these pastel de Belém is ancient. Its production began in 1834, when the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos put some sweet pastries on sale. They were successful and three years later the production of Pastéis de Belém began as they are known today – the secret recipe remains unchanged.