Pastéis de Belém

Pastéis de Belém is the bakery that has made the original Belém custard tart since 1837, from a recipe that came from the monks of the neighbouring Jerónimos Monastery. It sits on Rua de Belém about 230 m (3 minutes' walk) east of the monastery, so it slots in between sights rather than needing its own time block. It is open every day, including Mondays, from 08:00 to 21:00 (22:00 from July to September; 19:00 on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January). There are two ways to buy. The take-away counter at the front is where the queue on the pavement forms. The alternative is to go inside to the large tiled rooms at the back, which have table service; when the street queue is long, a table can be the quicker option, and it lets you eat the tarts warm. Queues are at their longest from late morning to mid-afternoon and at weekends. A tart costs €1.60 and a box of six €9.60 on the 2026 menu. Cinnamon and icing sugar are provided to add yourself. A coffee is €1.20, and the menu also covers other pastries and savoury snacks such as croquetes and pastéis de bacalhau, so this can double as a cheap, quick lunch before heading back to the ship. For a short call, the efficient order is Jerónimos first, tarts second, then either the Padrão dos Descobrimentos across the avenue (about 11 minutes' walk) or MAAT to the east (about 14 minutes). Belém railway station is about 9 minutes away on foot, and tram 15E runs along Rua de Belém. Boxes are easy to carry back on board, though the tarts are at their best eaten on the spot.