If you’re like the person writing these lines and you’re not that fond of the most famous Portuguese Christmas cake, which is undoubtedly the Bolo-Rei, then you’ll really like this novelty from the Bairro Alto Hotel pastry shop.
But if you wouldn’t swap the traditional cake with nuts and candied fruit for anything else, then you really must check out our list of the best Bolo-Rei in Lisbon.
A luxury Christmas brioche
Last week, we received this wonderful Christmas sweet, a novelty from the Bairro Alto Hotel pastry shop made by the talented pastry chef Guilherme Santana.
It’s called Brioche de Natal (Christmas Brioche ) and it looks like the no less famous Tronco de Natal (Christmas Log), but only in appearance, because inside it’s completely different , both in textures and in flavors and aromas.
Only available until January 6, 2026 (King’s Day), the Christmas Brioche is a true classic reinvented, with a dough very similar to that used in the also famous Italian Panettone. But that’s not all!
Chef Guilherme Santana used the traditional Bolo-Rainha as his main concept, subtly approaching the texture and complexity of the Panettone, and this Christmas Brioche also incorporates a set of flavors that distinguish it from both of these bases.
With hazelnut praline and dark chocolate (75%), its moistness is achieved through an orange and tangerine syrup that impregnates the entire dough (you can’t imagine how long it took us to discover these two aromas and flavors), and is finished with a candied orangezest and slivers of smoked almond, which give this cake a surprising note of bread from a wood-fired oven. It’s a real sin!
The Christmas Brioche can be bought whole, for €45; or by the slice, for €3.5, and can be enjoyed in this pastry shop or to order.
Other reinterpreted surprises
In addition to this cake, which we’re sure will do wonders at the center of the Christmas table, pastry chef Guilherme Santana has created three sophisticated and authentic reinterpretations of other traditional Portuguese Christmas sweets:
- Carrot Dreams
- Born from a family recipe by Chef Santana, these dreams are praised for their lightness and originality;
- Pumpkin and Grain Soups
- They have an exceptionally smooth puree filling, guaranteeing a pleasant and balanced experience;
- Crispy Coscorions
- Their crunchy texture is enhanced by a subtle, characteristic touch of medronho brandy.
These protagonists of Portuguese Christmas sweets are available to be tasted until Three Kings’ Day (January 6, 2026) and can be ordered up to 48 hours in advance, either at the bakery or by email:
Address: Rua do Alecrim 129 (Chiado)
Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Orders: on site, by contacting 21 340 82 27 91 094 99 55 or by e-mail
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook,Instagram and now also on WhatsApp!
