The aroma of cinnamon and the crackle of the crispy pastry fill the sidewalk even before we step through the door of Nat’elier, a pastry shop led by the innovative and creative chef João Batalha who, whenever he can, creates new versions of the traditional pastel de nata, almost always with success, because the base, that, is untouchable; we’ve learned how to make it , and so can you!
The traditional pastel de nata is the undisputed king of Portuguese pastries; a classic that demands technique, precision, and high-temperature ovens.
So, the next time you go to Nat’elier, instead of just ordering a bica at the counter, sign up for a Pastel de Nata Masterclass, get your hands dirty, and discover all the secrets of this historic recipe right in the heart of downtown Lisbon.
We’ve already been there and we’ll tell you “almost” everything we learned.
The art of puff pastry and the enigmatic cream
At the Nat’elier pastry shop, located at Rua de Santa Justa 87, this Masterclass focuses on the handmade production of this incredible national dessert.
The chefs at Nat’elier will guide you through a class where they teach you how to prepare the puff pastry base from scratch and achieve the perfect texture for the creamy filling.
Sessions take place every day of the week and accommodate groups of up to 14 people. During the class, you’ll learn to master the physical processes of pastry making, testing the folds necessary to ensure the pastry’s crispiness.
This Nat’elier Masterclass includes:
- A 2-hour class with a professional pastry chef;
- All ingredients, utensils, and equipment;
- Three pastéis de nata made by you;
- Full recipe in PDF sent by email;
- Water and a hot or cold (non-alcoholic) beverage;
- Certificate of Participation.
At the end of the Masterclass, you’ll also have time to taste the pastéis de nata you made.
From tradition to lines for “Dubai Chocolate”
The space honors its centuries-old origins but doesn’t shy away from experimentation. The pastry chef behind this project reveals
In fact, Chef João Batalha’s menu of innovations features options like pistachio, strawberries with sugar, and even crème brûlée, but one of the most recent revolutions came with the adaptation of the much-talked-about “Dubai Chocolate.”
The fusion of the conventional pastel with the texture of knafeh had an immediate impact on the shop’s sales. João Batalha describes the introduction of this product as
Useful information:
Address: Rua de Santa Justa 87 (Baixa)
Hours: every day of the week
Price: starting at €55
Reservations: on the website