Reimagining the Pastel de Nata – Pizza, Milkshakes, Ice Cream, and More!

Written By Becky Gillespie

The classic pastel de nata reinvented? Say it ain’t so! Or maybe you’re going to love it. Portugal’s most famous culinary creation has been reimagined in some wildly creative and delicious ways around the world – and we have to say we’re here for it! Pastel de nata pizza? Yes, it exists! Pastel de nata milkshake? You probably saw that coming or maybe you’ve even tried it already. Come with us on a fun tour of the most inventive twists we’ve found  from Lisbon to London to New England.

1) Pastel de Nata Pizza

What is it?

Imagine two classics colliding in a crisp, chewy pizza crust topped with the rich, creamy custard filling of a pastel de nata. Instead of mozzarella and tomato sauce, this sweet version turns the pizza into dessert, sometimes drizzled with cinnamon syrup or sprinkled with sugar to caramelize under the broiler. It’s both shocking and delightful, the sort of hybrid that surely sparks debate among Portugal purists and Italians still decrying Hawaiian pizza. Instead of an atrocity, you might just see it as an asset that both countries could exploit and start selling on the street! 

Where can you try it?

You can find this alien creature at Panzer’s Delicatessen in London (NW8 6PB), a longtime gourmet grocer known for its playful collaborations. Their “Pizza de Nata” went viral when people realized you could actually have a pastel de nata–flavored pizza slice complete with baked custard topping and golden edges.

Our verdict

Bold, playful, and unapologetically Instagram-ready. The flavor balance between custard sweetness and doughy crispness makes it surprisingly moreish. Traditionalists may stage a protest, but anyone with a sweet tooth will find it an irresistible adventure. It’s the ultimate crossover of Europe’s two greatest comfort foods, and we can’t help but admire the creativity.

Pastel de nata pizza anyone? Would you try it?

2) Pastel de Nata Flavored Ice Cream

What is it?

Now picture your favorite pastel de nata chilled to perfection and served in a cone. Pastel de nata–flavored ice cream takes the familiar custard notes (vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar) and turns them into a creamy, refreshing gelato. The experience captures the sweetness of the pastel but without the crispy flakiness of the tart. It’s Lisbon summer in frozen form, and this is actually the easiest to find variation on the pastel de nata in Portugal.

Where can you try it?

You can scoop up a serving of this inventive flavor at Gelato Davvero, one of Lisbon’s most beloved gelaterias with several city locations. Their pastel de nata flavor rotates in and out of the case but is often found at their Time Out Market stall (Mercado da Ribeira, Av. 24 de Julho).

Our verdict

This ice cream captures the soul of the pastel de nata without feeling gimmicky. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the flavor on a hot Lisbon afternoon, and when paired with a real tart, it becomes absolute perfection. We give it two thumbs up, but of course the classic pastel de nata always wins!

Davvero, TimeOut Market, Lisbon, Photo by Becky Gillespie

3) Pastel de Nata Milkshake 

What is it?

We’ve seen it in ice cream – so why not a milkshake? Simply blend up the baked custard, ice cream, and milk and top it off with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. The milkshake preserves the toasty, caramelized flavor of the pastry while adding the frosty texture of a summer treat. It’s indulgent, over-the-top, and completely irresistible!

Where can you try it?

You can find this star creation at Fábrica da Nata, one of Portugal’s premier pastel de nata chains. Their milkshake is available in Lisbon (Praça dos Restauradores, Rua Augusta, and Centro Comercial Colombo), Oporto (Rua de Santa Catarina and Praça Almeida Garrett), and Sintra (Praça da República) locations. Customers are encouraged to sprinkle cinnamon over the whipped topping before diving in. 

Our verdict

If you’re a fan of pastel de nata ice cream, we’re sure that you will also be a fan of the milkshake. Each sip delivers the creamy essence of a pastel de nata and, once you’ve tried it, plain milkshakes may never seem the same again.

Pastel de nata milkshake topped with whipped cream and cinnamon

4) Pastel de Nata Blondies

What is it?

Blondies are the buttery, chewy cousins of brownies, and the pastel de nata blondie builds on that base by layering caramelized puff pastry at the bottom, spreading a blondie batter on top, and then baking a custard layer that bubbles and browns like the real tart. The result is a gooey square that tastes unmistakably Portuguese.

Where can you try it?

These have become an internet sensation thanks to creative home bakers who’ve posted recipes for anyone to try. Our favorite is a recipe by Crystelle Pereira. The dessert combines the structure of a blondie with the soul of a pastel de nata, and it’s easy to recreate in your own kitchen. The steps are worth the effort, especially when your house becomes filled with the scent of vanilla, cinnamon, and browned butter.

Our verdict

We’re obsessed. The pastel de nata blondie takes all the comforting flavors of the tart and packages them into something that will make you the belle of any ball (or party) that you attend. If Lisbon’s pastry chefs haven’t started selling these yet, they absolutely should.

Pastel de nata blondies – make these at home!

5) The Pastel de Nata Latte

What is it?

The “Nata Latte” trend takes indulgence to a new level and just might be our favorite because we love an iced latte. This isn’t just any latte, however, it’s flavored with pastel de nata syrup and then crowned by an actual custard tart stuck through the straw. It’s a whimsical dessert drink that feels ever ready for its Instagram closeup. We absolutely love this playful twist on Portugal’s coffee-and-pastry ritual.

Where can you try it?

At Tia Maria’s European Café in New Bedford, Massachusetts, this concoction has become a local legend. Customers line up for their iced Nata Latte, each served with a miniature pastel de nata perched on top. The café, run by a Portuguese-American family, has turned the concept into a celebration of heritage, and it’s one of the most photogenic drinks in town.

Our verdict

This one’s pure fun. Is it excessive? Absolutely. However, there’s something irresistible about sipping coffee through a straw with a custard tart on top. The Nata Latte manages to honor its Portuguese roots while also embracing American coffee culture, and that alone makes it worth trying.

The Nata Latte at Tia Maria’s European Café in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA

6) The Pastel de Nata with Different Flavors 

What is it?

Nat’Atelier is one of Lisbon’s newest pastry spots and has redefined the pastel de nata for modern times. Their version includes creative flavor twists such as apple cinnamon, crème brûlée, tiramisu, cookie cheesecake, and white chocolate macadamia. The café even offers a special experience if you order the crème brûlée tart. A staff member will caramelize the sugar with a tiny blowtorch at your table. It’s part patisserie, part performance art!

Where can you try it?

Located on Rua de Santa Justa, just steps from the Santa Justa Lift, Nat’Atelier (R. de Santa Justa 87) has become the talk of downtown Lisbon. The interior is sleek and modern, and the bakery also offers hands-on pastel de nata classes led by professional pastry chefs. Participants learn to make puff pastry and custard from scratch and then take home their creations.

Our verdict

Nat’Atelier is a must-visit for anyone exploring Lisbon’s sweeter side and being able to bake your own tarts in the same space makes it the ultimate pastel de nata experience. 

Nat’elier, Apple Cinnamon, Photo by Becky Gillespie

Final Thoughts

The pastel de nata has come a long way from its humble monastery origins. Around the world, chefs and home bakers continue to reinterpret it. These reinventions prove that Portugal’s most famous dessert is truly a blank canvas ripe for endless imagination. The next time you come across a twist on the pastel de nata, we invite you to say yes. You might just discover your new favorite way to enjoy this little piece of Portugal.

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