Portuguese custard tarts have been available in Sydney for years now, but they are often soggy, cold, and not very appetising. It’s a far cry from the little bakery in Belem, Portugal, where the sweets were originally invented. I’d tasted these while in Portugal many moons ago, and hadn’t found an equivalent until I went to Sweet Belem in Petersham. They are baked fresh on-site, so the tart is warm, the pastry flakey, and the custard is nicely burnt and lightly sprinkled with cinnamon. With a coffee, it’s fantastic.

My love for pasteís de nata (more commonly known in Sydney as Portuguese custard tarts) knows no bounds. I had indulged in these delights just a few weeks ago, but they were so good that I had no problems coming back at Sweet Belem last weekend. This time, we had the tarts in the café, along with a bica (otherwise known as a short black).

As if dumplings weren’t enough, it was followed by a slight detour to Petersham for sweets – of the Portuguese kind, of course. My visit to Portugal is now light years in the past, but it hasn’t stopped my occasional craving for some great Portuguese custard tarts from Sweet Belem. Just a geeky aside, the authentic way of pronouncing ‘Belem’ is ‘Bleing’ due to the Portuguese aversion to pronouncing any vowels!

These custard tarts are undoubtedly the best in Sydney. They are rich, spicy warm with cinnamon, and its puff pastry crispy and flaky. One bite and you will never buy one from anyone else.

Apart from the obligatory custard tart, I also indulged in a ‘madelena’, the big sister of the ‘madelene’ that the French make so very well. I must say that this incredibly outdone the custard tart on this visit. It was buttery and lemony and yet light as a feather. I regret not buying more than one.