Are you the big spoon? Do you go all in? Or are you a listen and savour? However you like to dive in, there is something so satisfying about a crisp and silky Portuguese tart. Traditionally made with a sugar syrup-based custard (such as this one), some recipes also use a simpler, more stable custard, without compromising on the deliciously rich filling.
It's one of the rare times being flaky is considered pure genius and we're going on a creamy custard crawl that embraces all that is that first rich mouthful. We don't want anyone to feel flustered over custard and because this is not a comprehensive list we welcome all of your tart-y intel with open arms and (very) open mouths.
Sydney / NSW
Head to Sydney's own Little Portugal (Petersham) and you'll find the all-stars and Portuguese powerhouse that is Sweet Belem and Gloria's Cafe, which are across the road from each other. In the eastern suburbs, Sweet Belem's Chef Jose Silva heads Double Bay's Bibo Wine Bar, unleashing a contemporary Mediterranean menu paying homage to his Portuguese upbringing and of course, pasteis de nata. In Clovelly, you'll find them handmade by co-owner Diogo and his mother Lucia at their Portuguese cafe Village on Cloey. Down south, it's Gymea Bay's The Portuguese Bakery that is hitting the spot, meanwhile, in the CBD, Kikko Cafe is dishing up the custard hustle for the bustle.
Melbourne / VIC
You'll be sure to stumble across many cafes that see the golden child beaming from the cabinets. That is certainly the case when it comes to the treats that fill the Fitzroy cabinet of Rustica when their light pastry cups are on the menu. Provence Artisan Bakery sells a hot-to-trot range of baked goods and some of their best sellers include sausage rolls, almond croissants, sourdough bread and you guessed it, Portuguese tarts. Belem Bakery has been thriving as a fully-fledged wholesale Portuguese bakery for the past 20 years and O Tuga tastes of Portugal is a Portuguese street food van with a menu spanning bifanas (pork sandwich) and Portuguese grilled chicken to creme caramel and the custard heavy hitters. Casa Iberica has been home to Spanish, Portuguese and South American products for over 40 years now. While they predominately sell smallgoods, their lunchtime deli counters are filled with perfect takeaway fodder - jamon and cheese sandwiches and Portuguese tarts, but you better be quick as they sell out quickly each day.
Brisbane / QLD
Lisboa Caffé started in 2015 as a team of Portuguese natives who wanted to share their culture and their love of Portuguese sweets with the people of Brisbane and they've delivered on all fronts.
Heading up north to Noosa? Then you cannot go past the likes of Tanglewood Bakery and if you're cruising down south to Byron Bay then read our sweet custard lips, The Bread Social is a must-stop, must-eat, must-repeat situation.
A massive shoutout goes to the Portuguese Delights cafe, which is representing the bite-size pastries in Perth, meanwhile, it's Saudade that's satisfying Portuguese tart cravings and creating quite the buzz down in Adelaide. Be back in 5, we've got a custard tart craving to satisfy.
Want to get involved at home? Make your own Pasteis de Nata or take your custard tart crawl into your own hands.
Which custard tart are you?
Around the world in... custard tarts
