Fábrica da Nata – Praça dos Restauradores 62-68
Pastel de Bacalhau
Pastel de Nata
With two Lisbon locations, the original in Restauradores Square and an offshoot on Rua Augusta, Fábrica da Nata bills itself as the “Custard factory,” not bad branding in a city where Custard Tarts are sold on almost every street-corner and in each Bakery.
Featuring on-site production, bakers visible through glass as they knead Dough and mix filling, it is from a fairly simple menu that choices are made, an occasional guest opting for a Sandwich while the majority order multiples of Pastels sweet or savory.
Decorated with blue tile, though tables outside prove most popular, it is mere moments after paying that teeth crack through Crust, layers separating effortlessly to reveal an interior that is still warm and just short of fully-cooked with a hint of Cinnamon amidst subtle sweetness.
Moving past Pastéis de Nata, a one-time Monastery secret that has defined Portuguese cooking since the early 1800s, one would be remiss to not also order a pair of Fábrica’s Cod Fritters that come hot and virtually oilless with finely shredded Fish complimented by a bit of Herbs.
www.fabricadanata.com
