Munich is home to some great cafés, though the owners aren’t always professionals in the field. Just last year, an unexpected career change brought a new culinary destination to Munich: Carlos, a former engineer, left his career behind to open the Lisboa & Nata bakery. There, he now devotes himself entirely to making traditional Portuguese custard tarts, known as Pastéis de Nata. What makes the shop’s concept special is that, through a large window in the dining area, visitors can look directly into the bakery and watch every step of the process unfold in real time.
Labor-intensive preparation behind the counter
Every day, Carlos and his team bake the Pastéis fresh for you at Lisboa & Nata. The preparation of the tarts requires precise, meticulous work. First, he rolls out the dough by machine, then lays it out by hand into paper-thin layers. Next, the native Portuguese baker cuts the dough with a knife into narrow, spiral-shaped strips. He presses these dough strips into small, round baking tins, where they are then filled.
To make the liquid filling, the team first simmers a homemade syrup, which is flavored with cinnamon sticks, before pouring the pale mixture into the pastry shells using a funnel. The baking sheets are then placed directly into the oven until the puff pastry is crispy and the surface of the cream has caramelized to a characteristic dark color in some spots.
Portuguese coffee culture at Lisboa & Nata
In the front area of the shop, you’ll be served fresh Pastéis de Nata. The walls and tables are adorned with traditional Portuguese blue-and-white tiles. A single tart costs €3.40; boxes of two or six are also available. Perfect for taking home or giving as a gift! The drink menu features Portuguese coffee specialties to go with them, such as the espresso bica or the milk coffee galão.
The bakery in Schwabing is open for you Tuesday through Saturday. The sign on the sidewalk aptly sums up Carlos’s concept: “Lisbon starts here.” So if you ’re in the mood for a little taste of Portugal and authentic Pastéis de Nata , stop by Carlos’s Lisboa & Nata, where you’ll receive a warm welcome.
📍 Location: Lisboa & Nata, Hohenzollernstr. 15
🕐 Hours: Tue–Sat, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
