Lisbon: Pastel de Nata Pastry Class & Porto Wine Tasting

Summary

Lisbon’s sweet side comes alive in a warm pastry kitchen with flour-dusted laughter and the scent of cinnamon drifting near Jerónimos

You’ll roll pastry by hand in a cozy Lisbon kitchen just minutes from Jerónimos Monastery, guided by locals who share stories (and maybe a secret or two). Taste your own fresh pastel de nata still warm from the oven with coffee or tea — plus a sip of Porto wine or Ginjinha for good measure. It’s messy fun and you’ll leave smelling like cinnamon.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed walking into Homecooking Lisbon was the smell — not just sugar, but something deeper, like butter warming up and a faint hint of cinnamon. Our guide (her name was Marta, I think? I’m awful with names) welcomed us with this easy smile and a little story about how pastel de nata started near the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, just down the road. It’s funny, I’d eaten these tarts before but never thought about where they came from. The kitchen felt homely — mismatched mugs, sunlight on the counter, people already laughing over rolling pins.

I’ll admit, my first attempt at rolling out the puff pastry was… not elegant. Marta showed me how to get that swirl right — she made it look so easy. There was this moment when someone spilled flour everywhere (not me for once), and everyone just burst out laughing. The filling smelled eggy-sweet and almost comforting, like something you’d want on a rainy day in Lisbon. While we waited for our tarts to bake, we tried a few sips of Porto wine and Ginjinha — that cherry liqueur is stronger than it looks. Someone asked about the secret recipe from Pastéis de Belém and Marta just winked; “We have our own secrets here.”

When the pastel de nata finally came out of the oven — golden, blistered tops — it was hard to wait for them to cool. We ate them warm anyway, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Coffee in one hand, tart in the other. Honestly? I still think about that first bite: flaky crust giving way to creamy custard that’s somehow both light and rich at once. Not sure if mine would impress any Portuguese grandmother but it tasted like something special because I made it there, with those people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on Pastel de Nata pastry class

• Join pastry class at Homecooking Lisbon
• Learn to prepare puff pastry
• Make egg custard filling
• Assemble Pastel de Nata tarts
• Bake pastries from scratch
• Savor freshly baked tarts with coffee
• Taste Porto wine included

Top questions

How long does the pastel de nata pastry class last?

The exact duration isn’t listed but expect enough time to prepare pastry from scratch, bake it, and enjoy tastings at Homecooking Lisbon.

Is this class suitable for children or families?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are welcome and specialized infant seats are available.

Are alcoholic beverages included in the class?

Tastings of Portuguese liqueurs such as Ginjinha or Porto wine are included for adults; under 18s get water, juice or tea instead.

Where is Homecooking Lisbon located?

It’s about 10 minutes away from Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Lisbon.

Do I need previous baking experience?

No experience needed; you’ll get step-by-step guidance during the class.

Are drinks provided during the class?

Coffee, tea, bottled water, and tastings of local liqueurs are included for participants.

Can I take home what I bake?

The description doesn’t specify take-home options; most classes focus on enjoying pastries fresh at the end.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to Homecooking Lisbon.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for making pastel de nata from scratch (even puff pastry), hands-on guidance from locals in a welcoming kitchen near Jerónimos Monastery, plus coffee or tea with your freshly baked pastries and tastings of classic Portuguese liqueurs like Porto wine or Ginjinha—water and juices are also available for younger guests.