Portugal is known for its rich and diverse pastry, with recipes that cross centuries and borders. But not all national sweets seem to win the same number of admirers. According to TasteAtlas, one of the most popular online gastronomic guides, there are eight Portuguese delicacies that stand out for being the least appreciated among the site’s users. Interestingly, none of them originate from the Algarve.
According to the same portal, the list results from the analysis of 2,773 evaluations registered until September 18, 2025, of which 2,044 were considered legitimate. The rankings are based on public ratings and opinions, with automatic votes or those influenced by culinary nationalism being filtered.
From the symbolic format of Amarante to the Tíbias of Braga
Among the least ranked sweets are Bolos de São Gonçalo, originally from Amarante. Known for their phallic shape, they are part of the festivities in honor of the city’s patron saint, celebrated on January 10th and the first weekend in June. These cakes, recalls TasteAtlas, have a traditional and unmistakable presence on the streets during popular festivals.
Next comes the Tíbias de Braga, made with a crispy dough sprinkled with sugar and filled with pastry cream. The filling can vary, including flavors such as banana, raspberry, hazelnut, caramel or even cappuccino, writes the gastronomic guide.
Cavacas and Pies from Guimarães on the list
Another presence on the list are Cavacas, light and hollow sweets, prepared with flour, oil and eggs, and covered with a layer of icing. According to the same source, this sweet is popular in several regions, including Viseu.
The Tortas de Guimarães, with their half-moon shape and puff pastry, are also among the least voted. Traditionally created by the nuns of the Santa Clara Convent, they are filled with a mixture of almonds, egg yolks, sugar and gila jam.
Christmas classics and convent sweets
Filhós, a mandatory presence on Portuguese Christmas tables, also appear in this ranking. They are made from a yeast dough enriched with orange juice, says the online portal.
Pastéis de Santa Clara, originally from Coimbra, also appear on the list. According to the same source, these thin and crunchy pastries combine an almond and egg yolk filling, having been created in the Santa Clara Convent.
From savory to conventual: Pastel de Chaves and Jesuítas
Among the eight delicacies mentioned, there is also room for a savory snack: Pastel de Chaves. Created in 1862 by Teresa Feliz Barreira, founder of Casa do Antigo Pasteleiro, it is made with puff pastry and filled with ground beef, bread and onion. The original recipe remained exclusive for 75 years, until it was replicated by other bakeries in the 1940s, the website explains.
Closing the list are the Jesuits, with a triangular shape and puff pastry, covered with a layer of egg candy. According to the same source, their origins date back to convents and they are now easily found in pastry shops across the country.
Although the ranking highlights the desserts that are least popular with the public, it continues to place Portuguese pastries among the richest in the world. The same portal had recently included a national recipe in the top 5 of the best coffee desserts.
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