If you’ve become obsessed with Portugal’s pastéis de natas (Portuguese custard tarts) then you have two options:
- Eat as many as you can while here. Try to beat my friends Tom and Mila who hold the current record among my visitors for most tarts consumed per day (2.7, FYI – find the best with my Lisbon pastéis guide).
- Join a pastéis de nata cooking class and learn how to make them yourself. Join a pastry workshop and you’ll take a piece of the magic home with you.
If you’re interested in learning the secrets behind this irresistible Portuguese pastry (and potentially learn to bake other traditional desserts), read on to find the many hands-on pastéis de nata classes found across Lisbon and Porto.
No time to read the whole article? No worries ↩️
⭐ My top picks for Lisbon – ➡️ Book this top-rated class with Compadre where you make both tarts and a traditional savoury snack too, or this top-rated relaxed two-hour class with HomeCooking. Vegan? This is the pick.
⭐ My top pick for Porto – ➡️ Book this two-hour pastel de nata baking class where you’ll learn grandma’s recipe.
⭐ My top pick for Algarve – ➡️ In Lagos? Book this two-hour pastel de nata baking class.
What is a pastel de nata?
It’s a flaky, buttery, creamy gift from the heavens. The origin of the tart is connected to Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery, where it’s said monks invented the sweet. They sold the recipe on to Pastéis de Belém, a bakery located about 100 metres from the church that’s kept the exact recipe under lock-and-key since 1837.
If you visit Lisbon, you have to make a pilgrimage to Belém to taste the OG at the source. You can learn more about the history of the pastel de nata here.
From an eating and baking perspective, the anatomy of a pastel de nata comes down to two parts – and one is not greater than the other. If the flaky, butter pastry that coils at the bottom is soft or unstable, the pastry is bad. Same goes for if the custard isn’t up to scratch – too sweet or wrong consistency.
With these pastel de nata baking workshops in Lisbon, Porto and beyond you’ll learn tips and tricks to make sure you nail both when working in home kitchens with home ovens.
Read next… Local’s guide to Belém, Lisbon: Best things to do with a half-day or more
Can you make pastéis de nata in a home kitchen?
Yes, but it won’t taste as good as in Portugal. Something about the magical light, relaxed holiday vibe, and the pretty tiled buildings to photograph as the backdrop.
But, if you return home with the skills to whip up a dozen pastéis de nata from scratch you’ll be very popular with your family and friends. There’s nothing like eating one that’s still warm.
Most professional bakeries have super hot ovens that bake the tarts in a flash. Home ovens can’t quite compete, but with a hands-on class you’ll pick up tips and tricks for home chefs with regular home ovens.
Related read: The best pastéis de nata in Lisbon
What is the price of a baking class?
Typically, it seems the cost for a Portuguese custard tart baking class is around €50-60 per person. I’ve seen a couple that are cheaper, and a few that are more. Most of the inclusions are the same – a two-hour class with a glass or port wine or ginjinha, a local liqueur.
Top pastel de nata classes in Lisbon
➡️ Book the most popular Portuguese custard tart workshop in Lisbon direct (or with GetYourGuide via the widget below).
Read on to find a full list of pastry class options – I’ve done deep research to find the best workshops in Lisbon.
- In this two-hour pastel de nata cooking class you’ll make everything—including the pastry—from scratch plus a traditional treat, cod fritters.
- Join this tried-and-tested top-rated two-hour pastel de nata baking class with drinks – I sent my friends to this class and they loved it. I got to taste the result and it was 10/10.
- Pastel de nata workshop at a real bakery. Learn the art of baking with chef João Batalha at an authentic bakery in the heart of Lisbon.
- Lisbon Cooking Academy offers both a regular class or a vegan pastel de nata pastry class – and you’ll learn to make the puff pastry from scratch.
- Learn traditional methods and home-kitchen variations with this Portuguese custard tart cooking class
- In this top-rated pastéis de nata cooking workshop you’ll whip up the eggy treats in two hours.
- Visit a small local sweets shop and cafe, Casa dos Ovos Moles, for this hands-on class with port wine or gijinha included.
Porto’s best pastel de nata workshops
Want me to choose for you? ➡️ Book this 90-minute class – the most-booked pastel de nata baking class in Porto.
More pastry class options in Porto:
- Two-hour pastel de nata baking class where you’ll learn grandma’s recipe.
- A top-rated class where you’ll enjoy a port wine or mimosa too! Families with young children can book it as a private class.
- This 2.5-hour Portuguese custard tart class guarantees that you’ll make the pastry from scratch.
- A cheaper 90-minute Portuguese custard tart class with Domus Arte with port wine.
- Deep in the suburbs of Porto you’ll learn to make pastéis with Joana in her home kitchen.
- Join Virginia in her home kitchen and learn to bake pastel de nata.
Read next… Taste of Porto: A food-filled weekend at Canto de Luz
Pastéis baking classes in the Algarve and Madeira
If you’re on the southern Algarve coast, there’s a top-rated two-hour pastel de nata baking class in the town of Lagos.
Or on Madeira Island, try this two-hour pastel pastry class that’s rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor.
Beyond the pastel de nata…. Other traditional sweet cooking workshops in Lisbon and Porto
Yes, Portugal has plenty of other sweets! In fact, there’s a traditional sweet for basically every village in Portugal – usually made with some combination of eggs, sugar, cinnamon, lemon and almonds. We’re talking hundreds of recipes unique to Portugal – the custard tart is just the most famous!
If you want to dive deeper than Lisbon’s pastel de nata you can you try these other classes.
- This Portuguese Dessert Workshop in Porto will teach you three popular desserts. Go beyond pastel de nata and learn to make brisas do lis, queijadas, and pastéis de feijão at a local’s home using her grandmother’s recipes.
- Learn to bake two traditional Portuguese sweets with this hands-on workshop in Lisbon. You’ll get to choose, but will likely make Travesseiros de Sintra!
FAQs about Portugal’s pastéis de nata workshops
Can kids join a pastel de nata class?
Yes! Most classes are family-friendly – naturally kids love getting their hands messy with pastry dough. When booking, see if tickets are offered for children – that should indicate kids are allowed. Some small-group classes are restricted to ages 15 up (but offer private classes to families) so read the fine print.
Are there vegan or gluten-free options?
Vegan pastel de nata is slowly becoming an option — this vegan pastel de nata cooking class is one of the few focused onh plant-based versions. Gluten-free is a no-go at the moment, since puff pastry is such a key element. If you have dietary restrictions, reach out to the instructor in advance to see what’s possible.
What should I bring or wear?
Keep it casual! Think comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a dusting of flour or splash of custard on. Closed shoes are better in a kitchen. Cooking schools usually provide aprons, utensils and all the ingredients.
How long does a class usually take?
Most pastel de nata workshops run for about 1.5–2.5 hours. That’s enough time to learn the technique, bake your batch, and of course, eat them warm from the oven.
What language are the classes taught in?
Almost all classes are taught in English, and since this is an English-language website I’ve featured classes that will be held in English. Some teachers may also speak Portuguese, Spanish or French too.
Do I get to take some pastel de nata home?
Usually, yes! Most classes let you box up the extra tarts you’ve baked. That said, they’re at their absolute best straight from the oven – you’ll eat more than you save.
How far in advance should I book?
If you’re visiting Lisbon, book at least 1-2 weeks ahead – especially in peak season, as spots sell out quickly. In Porto, you might snag a spot last-minute, but it’s always safer to book early if you have a fixed itinerary (especially in the summer months).
That’s my guide to the best pastéis de nata cooking workshops in Lisbon, Porto, Algarve and Madeira. Read my guide covering where to eat the best pastéis de nata in Lisbon, and leave me a comment if you take a class! I’d love to hear about your experiences….
Keep reading about Lisbon….
- 48-hour itinerary for Lisbon
- Where to eat in Lisbon
- Where to Find the Best Views in Lisbon: 11 Top Miradouros
- Local’s Guide to Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Famous Flea Market
- Lisbon’s best vintage shopping
- Best Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon
- The best cooking classes in Lisbon
- Where to find the best Portuguese street food and snacks in Lisbon
- Where to eat in Belém: Local’s guide to the best restaurants, snacks and bars
2 Responses
Hello Daniela
I would love to bring my group to a pastel de nata cooking class in Lisbon or Porto. Which would you recommend please? And how do I book?
Hi Maggie, Great idea! I would always recommend a class in Lisbon – this is the city where the sweet originally comes from. Every town in Portugal has “convent sweets” invented in monasteries and convents, and the pastel de nata is from Lisbon. Lucky us! The best classes depends on how many people you have. If it is a small group, you can probably book using the links in my blog above, bigger groups you might have to reach out directly.