Hello, world: Pastelaria Machado, Portugal
Pastelaria Machado, Rua Camões 41, Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
Innovation is most definitely our thing, but we totally appreciate time-honored traditions and there is none more traditional than this Portuguese gem.
In a busy Caldas da Rainha street overlooking a sleepy park, this long-established pastelaria has the largest selection of cakes and pastries we’ve ever encountered. Portuguese cakes are almost all based on a combination of egg, sugar & flour, but from those few ingredients they have created staggering variety. Confronted with some tough decisions (we’re not decisive folk), we were thrilled to find that the friendly owner was more than happy to let us dive in with some spoons and have a taste of several fillings. That was the right approach; we bought the lot.
The interior is an old-fashioned cafe with the signature Portuguese tiling – everywhere – and the point is to choose a cake or three and settle down with a brandy or port or fortified wine to complement your choice. It’s the height of luxury but in a totally unpretentious and down-to-earth way.
Love the simple, retro-to-us packaging
There’s no website (of course) but if you’re ever about 45 minutes north of Lisbon you’ll find them here. In fact, that whole area is well known for food – but more on that later.
I’m fortunate to have my family living in Caldas da Rainha. I have tasted their pastry various times and I must say it’s the best in town. The pastry is indeed made with low quantity of ingredients but the variety is stunning! If you’re ever in the town again be sure to visit ‘Maratona’ a great cafe/lunchroom..it’s located on the square were the curch and court are located. A great location to have (warm) lunch is ‘o Cais da Praia’ at Foz do Arelho ( a beach with 15min drive from Caldas da Rainha).
Best regards Nelo Lima.
P.s. in a couple of weeks I´m moving to Portugal, to Caldas.
Hi Nelo, great to hear from you! The Mette Team know that area well and very fond of it – everywhere from Caldas to Obidos, Foz and Peniche. We visit about once a year and will definitely try out those places on our next trip. Is ‘o Cias da Praia’ the one with the fish logo? It does big salads?
That´s exactly the one, you can sit outside right next to the water. I just remembered a great restaurant as well near Obidos it´s called Poco dos Sabores (Well of Flavours) great little restaurant. I´ll be sure to look up were it´s located exactly.
Sounds good, must try to find it next time. Hope your move goes well, please do keep us updated with any great places you find along the way!
Thank and I will keep you posted on new great locations!