Exploring the Irresistible Delights of Castro: A Famous Atelier of Pastel de Nata in Lisbon
- Ana Belén
- Nov 19, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 19
Hi everyone! Today, I found a traditional place in the heart of Lisbon specialising in the delicious Pastel de Nata. This Atelier is located just opposite the impressive Santa Justa elevator, in Rua Áurea, 254.
It is impossible not to stop in the front window of Castro Atelier. I was fascinated by the fun and playful decoration made by the Portuguese artist and architect Joana Astolfi, and how a lady was making beautifully, patiently, and passionately some Pastéis de Nata. It was then that I decided to get in and try it.
Before continuing with the review of Atelier Castro, let me explain
What PASTEL DE NATA is and its origin.
Pastel de Nata is a Portuguese egg custard tart inspired by the famous Pastel de Belém, which was created by the religious order at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon using a "secret recipe" that dates back to the 19th century.
At that time, in the convents and monasteries, tons of egg whites were used for starching religious habits, so the leftover egg yolks were used to make pastries.
The Liberal Revolution of the 1820s brought consequences: some religious orders were dissolved and many convents and monasteries were facing impending closure. In this situation, the monks started selling pasteis de nata at a nearby sugar refinery to make some profit but in the 1834s, the monastery finally was closed and the recipe was sold to the sugar refinery, whose owners opened the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém in 1837 and it is still working today from their descendants.
This Fábrica is the only place across the world that produces the Pastéis de Belém following the secret recipe of the monks.
This pastel de Belém inspired the famous also "Pastéis de Nata”
ATELIER CASTRO
Atelier Castro has two locations in Lisbon and one in Porto. I visited the one located in Rua Áurea 254, and it is open every day from 8:30 am - 10:00 pm.
The place is tiny yet charming and very clean with a nice atmosphere and ambient music playing in the background. A large expositor full of Pastel de Nata will get your attention, making your taste buds melt. Castro offers both takeout and sit-in services and only card payments are accepted for hygienic reasons. If you decide to enjoy your Pastel de Nata there, you can sit out on the terrace or inside in the front window while you follow the entire artisanal preparation and cooking process of the Pastel de Nata: from making the dough, molding it into shapes and filling it with the filling which takes 24 hours to mature before being poured into the pastry cases.
The identity of Castro’s Pastel de Nata is that its Pastel de Nata is served warm, slightly burnt on the top with a light, crispy pastry, and a creamy, velvety texture on the inside.
A family legacy
In Atelier Castro the Pastel de Nata is served warm with a light crunchy pastry and a filling not too sweet with citrus notes. They continue preserving the traditional recipe unchanged for generations ensuring the authentic flavour and texture with handmade confectionery and high-quality ingredients. But that is more than a recipe, it is a way to preserve the Portuguese culinary heritage through each bite of its Pastel de Nata.
Principles for savouring a Pastel de Nata
As a curiosity, I would like to mention that to savour the Pastel de Nata you need to do it as tradition dictates:
With cinnamon and/or icing sugar in moderate proportions
It must be eaten in three bites! (Well, if you prefer you can eat it with a spoon)
Accompanied by espresso coffee (in Lisbon called traditionally bica and cimbalino in Porto), a glass of Port Wine, or even a ginjinha
Ginjinha is a Portuguese liqueur made by infusing ginja berries ( a type of sour cherries) into alcohol (aguardiente) and adding sugar with other spices such as cloves and cinnamon.
Apart from those classics, you have on the menu a range of coffees and a Chá Kusmi tea.
The cost for my just-made Pastel de Nata and a very good espresso was 2.60 euros, a decent price considering the quality, position, and atmosphere of the place.
If you like Pastel de Nata it is a good place to visit.
Now, it’s turn to enjoy my Pastel de Nata in this buzzy street. Bye and until next time! Thanks!
Indeed when you taste this pastel de nata you realize the perfect balance between the light, crispy dough and the slightly sweet filling cream. Delicious!
Atelier Castro second visit on 16th of November 2024
To my regret, I was partially disappointed in my second visit.
This time, I decided to bring someone with me due to my previous positive experience but my Pastel de Nata was dry, cold and without the slightly burnt on the top as you can see in the photo. I would have it accepted it, if the attendant had told me: "Would you like the Pastel de Nata warm or cold?" (Many places ask you this).
I'm not sure If I will visit Castro soon or I will try other new places in search of my perfect Pastel de Nata in Lisbon.
I hope you find this review useful if you decide to visit Atelier Castro.
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