The sound of coffee cups and saucers clattering together as a result of cleaning up the dishes reminds me a lot of those real old-fashioned pastelaria.
I have visited many pastelarias in my life and I get very sentimental when I hear that specific sound. Upon entering the pastelaria Confeitaria Cistér, exactly this was the familiar sound I heard.
Choice is giant
Confeitaria Cistér is a great place to start the day. It is located in the district of Príncipe Real, 5 minutes walk from Jardim Príncipe Real. There’s plenty of choice to start your day, the bar’s display case is already beckoning you as soon as you step in here.
For €7.50 (about £7) you get a complete breakfast, with coffee, toast, egg, a pastel de nata and fruit juice. But they also have an extensive menu for lunch and dinner, especially considering this is a pastelaria.
In addition, you can always go to Confeitaria Cistér for a simple sandwich.
Confeitaria
Actually, Cistér is more than a pastelaria. In addition to an extensive menu, they also have many sweet and savory pastéis, bread and biscuits, all pretty cheap.
Cistér is a bakery, pastelaria and café in one, so the name Confeitaria fits them very well.
Cistér is een bakker, pastelaria en café in één, waardoor de benaming Confeitaria heel goed bij hun past.
Pasteis De Nata
The pastéis de nata of Cistér are pretty good too. Great structure, not too sweet and reasonably crispy. We found the puff pastry on the thin side and there could have been some more oomph in the cream.
Not spectacular therefor, but a decent pastéis de nata. Middle of the pack material.
If you are in the area, hop by at Cistér. It is a really nice place, although we don’t see any reason to do a detour for them.
Where can you find Confeitaria Cistér
Address: Rua da Escola Politécnica 107, Principe Real
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 06 a.m. – 00:00 hrs| Sunday closed
