Pasteis de Belem

Belem, Portugal

If it ain't in a blue and white package, it ain't the real deal. This shop is a must when coming to Lisbon. Portugal as a whole is famous for its egg pastries which come in many forms and permutations, however, none hold a candle to the pasteis de nata which were the inspiration for egg tarts in Asia which were brought over by the Portuguese. It's like a tiny pie filled with eggy custard burnt on the top like a crème brulee. On top of that, of all the bakeries in Lisbon, none has perfected the pastel de nata such as this shop in Belem which produces the crispiest, creamiest, slighty burnt king of all pasteis. Literally, nothing else on earth tastes quite like it. Yes, the line may be a bit daunting but check the inside for a table and if not, the pick-up line moves quickly. Also pro-tip, do not get just one. You need at least 3 or else you will feel sorry for yourself. If you are unable to make your way to Portugal any time soon, my quick fix here in NYC is City Sandwich in Hell's Kitchen which not only produces some delicious Portuguese-inspired sandwiches but also sells pasteis the nata that tame the saudades in my heart.