We recently whipped up some of Portugal’s most famous desserts in the lovely kitchen of Natalier, a new hot spot in Lisbon that’s quickly gaining attention for its creative spin on the beloved pastel de nata. Some people think it is a disgrace to alter the classic tart, but I love this creative spin! Apple cinnamon pastél de nata? Yes, please.
These little custard cups, with their silky filling and warm, flaky crusts, are everywhere in Portugal, but Natalier is taking them to the next level.
Instead of sticking to tradition, they’ve started offering unique flavor combinations. I didn’t think anything could beat the original, but the apple cinnamon pastel de nata stole my taste buds during our visit. I also loved the white chocolate variety, and even their vegan option was surprisingly rich and satisfying!
As a family who has lived in Lisbon for four years, we’ve eaten more pastéis de nata than I can count.
Sure, Patéis de Belém are super famous and really quite good. I recommend them if you want the traditional!
However, I do recommend trying this fun twist! On your trip to Portugal, you will likely eat many of these little bad boys. They’re the pastry we serve to guests, the treat that appears at school functions and the staple at every café.
But we’d never actually learned how to make them. I’d been wanting to take our five kids to a cooking class for a while, and Natalier seemed like the perfect spot to finally do it.
Chapters
- 1 Why We Loved Natalier
- 2 A Quick Look at the History of the Pastel de Nata
- 3 Our Pastel de Nata Cooking Class at Natalier
- 4 How Was the Pastel de Nata Class with Kids?
- 5 Taking Pastéis de Nata Home
- 6 Where to Stay Nearby This Pastel de Nata Class
- 7 What Else to See in Lisbon With Kids
- 8 Additional Readings
- 9 Share this:
- 10 Like this:
Why We Loved Natalier
From the moment we walked in, the staff at Natalier were warm, welcoming and incredibly patient with the kids. They made the class fun and approachable, with enough structure to keep things moving but enough flexibility to let little personalities shine.
The classes are kept small—maximum 10 people, split across two kitchen islands, which creates a cozy, interactive atmosphere. Once you finish baking your creations, you get to enjoy them upstairs in the café with a drink of your choice. Our kids were thrilled with options like hot chocolate and milkshakes (milkshakes cost a bit extra), while I couldn’t resist sampling the Nutella or Chocolate alongside my warm tart.
A Quick Look at the History of the Pastel de Nata
You’ll find pastéis de nata literally everywhere in Portugal. Every bakery has them, most hotels serve them at breakfast and plenty of shops will try to lure you in with the warm, buttery scent of lemon and cinnamon drifting out onto the street.
The most famous spot to try them is Pastéis de Belém, a historic café across from the Belém Tower. It’s so iconic that lines often snake out the door for takeaway, though we prefer eating inside the tiled café where you can pair your tarts with a full lunch.
The history of the pastel de nata dates back to the 18th century, when monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém began baking them. At the time, convents and monasteries used egg whites to starch clothes, leaving them with a surplus of yolks. The solution? Egg-rich pastries like the pastel de nata. After the monastery closed, the recipe was passed to a nearby bakery, and the rest is history.
Today, the pastel de nata (literally “cream tart”) is Portugal’s most famous sweet. Nearly every town has its own twist on local desserts—Sintra has its queijadas, Aveiro has its ovos moles—but the pastel de nata reigns supreme.
Our Pastel de Nata Cooking Class at Natalier
We arrived right on time, which turned out to be a little late—Lisbon traffic and tricky parking will do that. If you’re planning to drive, leave extra time. Ideally, show up 15 minutes early so you can enjoy the vibe of the café before diving into the class.
Natalier is located in the heart of Lisbon’s historic district, not far from the Elevador de Santa Justa. The two-story café has a chic, modern feel, but it’s surrounded by cobblestone streets, tiled façades and plenty of outdoor cafés. If you’re hungry before your class, grab a quick bite nearby—but save room for dessert.
Into the Kitchen
After introductions with the chefs—who all speak fluent English, though we loved practicing our Portuguese—we headed downstairs to the cooking space. The kitchen is sleek and well-equipped, with two large islands that allow groups to work together in teams.
Aprons and hairnets on, hands washed, we got started.
Making the Dough for Pastéis de Nata
First up: the flaky pastry dough. This process reminded me of croissant-making, layering flour with a specialized margarine that gives the pastry its crispiness (and doubles as a vegan option).
The kids had fun measuring, kneading and testing the dough for the right texture. There was some fighting over who got to do what, as kids will do, but we still had a blast. Once it was just right, the dough was wrapped and refrigerated to rest.
Creating the Custard for Pastéis de Nata
While the dough chilled, we turned our attention to the custard filling—a creamy blend of milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest. As soon as it started cooking, the smells filled the room, and my kids were practically drooling.
One of the coolest tools we used was Natalier’s custom custard dispenser, which makes pouring into pastry cups neat and simple. (Yes, they sell these in take-home kits, which is genius.) These can double for pancake making!
Natalier’s clever custard dispenser, the secret to perfect pastel de nata filling every time!
Shaping & Baking the Pastiés de Nata
Once the dough was rolled out and cut, we pressed it into the signature small tins, added the custard and labeled our trays with little flags so we could identify our pastries after baking.
The final step was baking in a blazing-hot oven—over 400°F—which gives the pastel de nata its iconic browned, blistered top. This was the one part I knew would be nearly impossible to replicate at home without professional equipment. After less than 10 minutes, our pastries emerged golden, bubbling and irresistible.
How Was the Pastel de Nata Class with Kids?
Taking five kids to a cooking class anywhere in the world is an adventure. We’d done it before in Singapore and knew to expect a little flour throwing, a bit of fighting over the rolling pin and a few spills. But that’s part of the fun.
My biggest takeaway: don’t expect perfection, and don’t come hungry. Full bellies + patience = success.
Tips for Doing a Pastel de Nata Class with Kids
- Prep them ahead of time. Explain that it will take a couple of hours, and outline expectations for listening to the chef and respecting the workspace.
- Remind them it’s food. Cleanliness matters! The hairnets aren’t just for laughs. Finger licking and then going back to baking is not best practice in the kitchen. 🙂
- Plan something fun afterward. A class like this is relatively calm, so pairing it with a high-energy activity—like Lisbon’s aquarium, zoo or science museum—helps balance the day.
- Age matters. Our youngest is 8, and that felt like the lower limit. Younger kids will get bored quickly.
At the end of the day, the chef’s patience and humor made all the difference. Even when someone spilled flour or asked the same question three times, they kept things light and fun.
Taking Pastéis de Nata Home
Each participant makes four pastries, which turns out to be the perfect number. After two, you’re full and happy, and you still have a couple left to take home.
We took home boxes of each of the special flavors and split them. They were so yummy! Good thing I’ve got three growing boys who were willing to pass them only after a bite!
We also bought a take-home kit, which included the custard dispenser, tins, apron and recipe booklet. While I haven’t had a free weekend yet to try making them myself, I’m excited to test it out. Even if I can’t replicate the professional oven, I know we’ll have fun trying.
Plan Your Visit to Natalier
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and try your hand at baking Portugal’s most famous treat, here’s what you need to know:
Location
Natalier sits in central Lisbon near the Elevador de Santa Justa, surrounded by cafés and boutiques.
Cost & Booking
- Classes generally cost €45–60 per person (51.69 to 68.92 USD), which includes all ingredients, equipment and four pastéis de nata.
- Book directly on Natalier’s website; classes often sell out in the high season.
- Children are welcome (we recommend ages 7+).
Class Size & Language
- Groups capped at 10 for a cozy, hands-on feel.
- Taught in English, with staff fluent in Portuguese as well.
Food & Drinks
- Enjoy your warm creations in the café afterward, paired with your choice of cocktail, milkshake, hot chocolate, juice or coffee.
Extras
- Take-home kits (tins, custard dispenser, apron, recipe book) available for purchase.
Where to Stay Nearby This Pastel de Nata Class
- Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget, quirky, family-friendly)
This stylish and social hostel is located inside Lisbon’s historic Rossio Railway Station, right in the city center. It features bright common areas, a glass-roof atrium, shared kitchen, bar and a mix of dorms and private rooms. Families love the spacious family rooms, relaxed atmosphere and fun design that makes it easy to meet other travelers. The central location provides quick access to public transport and major attractions, making it ideal for exploring Lisbon with kids.
Night rate is around €30–40 (34.45 to 45.93 USD) for dorms and €150–200 (172.24 to 229.65 USD) for private rooms, depending on the season. - Hotel Santa Justa (mid-range, boutique comfort just steps away)
This is a modern 4-star boutique hotel in Lisbon’s historic Baixa district, just steps from the Santa Justa Lift and Rossio Square. It offers elegant rooms with Nespresso machines, free minibars and some with balconies. Families appreciate the spacious connecting rooms, kid-friendly amenities and the hotel’s quiet yet central location, perfect for walking to shops, restaurants and major attractions. Guests also enjoy the on-site Elevador Restaurant and the warm, attentive service that makes stays with children comfortable and stress-free.
An average night is around €160–300 (183.72 to 344.48 USD) depending on season and room type. - Altis Avenida Hotel (luxury rooftop views over Rossio Square).
This 5-star boutique hotel on Praça dos Restauradores combines 1940s elegance with modern comfort, offering spacious, well-appointed rooms, many with sweeping city views, and a stunning rooftop Rossio Gastrobar overlooking Lisbon. Its central location makes it perfect for exploring on foot, and the hotel’s welcoming staff, family rooms,\ and easy access to nearby attractions like Rossio Square and the Santa Justa Lift make it an excellent choice for families seeking both convenience and luxury.
Night rate is about €160–275 (183.80-315.90 USD), depending on room type and season.
What Else to See in Lisbon With Kids
Make a half-day (or a full day) out of your class:
- Elevador de Santa Justa: Ride the iconic 19th-century lift for panoramic views.
- Carmo Convent: Explore the hauntingly beautiful Gothic ruins.
- Rossio Square: Lisbon’s lively central plaza, great for people-watching.
- Rua Augusta & Arco da Rua Augusta: Stroll down this pedestrian avenue to Praça do Comércio.
- Time Out Market: Sample gourmet bites, Portuguese classics and more desserts.
If You Only Have One Day in Lisbon…
I’ve already shared how to enjoy Lisbon with kids, but if you only have one day, here’s how I’d plan it:
- Morning: Start with a wander around Rossio Square, then ride the Elevador de Santa Justa for city views.
- Late Morning: Explore Carmo Convent’s ruins.
- Lunch: Grab a bite at a nearby café or Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out Market).
- Afternoon: Head to your Pastel de Nata cooking class at Natalier and enjoy your warm creations with a drink.
- Evening: Stroll down Rua Augusta to the riverfront at Praça do Comércio, watch the sunset, and enjoy dinner overlooking the Tagus.
It’s the perfect blend of sightseeing, history, food, and fun. Our cooking class at Natalier was an absolute win for our family. In fact, I had so much fun I took my parents back just two months later.
Just be warned: the hardest part is not eating too many.
Additional Readings
Eating Your Way Through Portugal – Traditional Food You Can’t Miss!
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