The Ultimate Pastel de Nata Crawl Through the Algarve

If there's one thing that unites everyone in Portugal—locals, expats, and tourists alike—it's the collective swoon over a perfect pastel de nata. Those crispy, flaky shells cradling silky custard with just the right amount of char on top? Pure magic. And while Lisbon's Pastéis de Belém gets all the glory, the Algarve has its own delicious secrets to share.

So I set out on a mission: to find the best pastel de nata across different Algarve towns. Armed with an elastic waistband and zero regrets, here's what I discovered.

My journey started in Lagos at Pastelaria Anibal, a local institution that's been perfecting their craft since the 1950s. The pastéis here are smaller than average but pack serious flavour. The custard is incredibly creamy with a subtle cinnamon note, and they serve them warm throughout the day. Pro tip: grab one mid-morning when they're fresh from the oven and pair it with a bica (espresso).

The verdict: Traditional perfection. These taste like your Portuguese grandmother made them.

Tavira's charm extends beyond its Roman bridge and castle ruins—Casa Simão does a pastel de nata that's slightly sweeter than others, with a beautifully caramelized top. Located right in the old town, this café has that authentic neighbourhood feel where locals read newspapers over coffee. The pastry here is particularly buttery and shatters satisfyingly with each bite.

The verdict: The golden top alone is worth the trip.

In the capital itself, Confeitaria Sto. António (near the marina) surprised me with their generous filling-to-pastry ratio. These are substantial—almost too much for a snack, perfect for breakfast. The custard is less sweet, letting the egg flavour shine through, and they dust theirs with both cinnamon and powdered sugar.

The verdict: Hearty and satisfying. Come hungry.

Tourist-heavy Albufeira could easily phone it in, but Pastelaria Riviera (in the old town, not the strip) maintains high standards. Their pastéis have an extra-flaky crust that creates this wonderful textural contrast with the smooth filling. They also offer a slightly larger "jumbo" version if you're feeling ambitious.

The verdict: Don't let the tourist crowds fool you—these are legit.

Loulé's Saturday market is famous, but swing by any day for pastéis at the traditional cafés around the market building. Both Café Calcinha and Pastelaria Loulé deliver solid versions. The market atmosphere makes eating them even better—grab one to fuel your browsing through ceramic tiles and fresh produce.

The verdict: Good pastéis, great people-watching.

After consuming more custard tarts in one week than is medically advisable, here's my takeaway: there's no single "best" pastel de nata in the Algarve. Each town brings its own slight variation—some sweeter, some more caramelized, some with flakier pastry. That's the beauty of the crawl.

My personal top pick? Casa Simão in Tavira, narrowly edging out Pastelaria Anibal in Lagos. But honestly, you can't go wrong anywhere.

• Always eat them warm if possible
• Don't fill up on lunch—save room for multiple stops
• Ask locals "Onde tem os melhores pastéis de nata?" (Where are the best pastéis de nata?)
• The tinfoil wrappers at the bottom mean they're from a good traditional bakery
• A dusting of cinnamon is traditional, but it's optional—try it both ways

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go for a very long walk along the cliffs. For research purposes, obviously. There are still a few towns I haven't covered...

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