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Came here after seeing all the reviews about how good their natas are. We been to Portugal previously and have been trying to find natas that tastes similar to the ones we had in Portugal . This place didn't disappoint with the natas. It was still warm, the middle being a bit running, and the shells being very crispy. It's the closest nata experience we have in comparison to Portugal. But the only downside is it is quite expensive for 1 nata, $3/each. The expresso that we tried in Portugal was very smooth and good. But the ones that we had here were very bitter. Definitely don't recommend on its own. The service was like a fast food service. You get your food and then have to wait for your drink. Which takes some time as only 1 employee operates the machine. The place itself is really nicely decorated. Definitely reassembles Portugal. We even found some can seafood that we bought from Portugal here. The seating area seems large, but it's a self service. You pretty much have to wait until someone leaves, and wait in line for a spot. That's really one of the bigger downfall.
A respite from the winter inside this Portuguese forward space. The space is beautiful. Seating like any popular cafe is not easy . First come, first serve. That's probably the issue I could see with patrons. I see quite a few of those MacBooks camped here. But the fresh pastel de nata with a sprinkling of cinnamon was delicious. Cappuccino was solid. The focaccia sandwich I had although well toasted not my favourite. Would I go here again? Absolutely. Customer service was friendly and easily answered any questions I had
Having recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Portugal, the flavors of its cuisine, the beauty of its landscapes, and the warmth of its people are still fresh in my mind. Eager to recapture a taste of that experience here in Toronto, I visited Café Belém--a name that immediately stood out, evoking the birthplace of the iconic Pastel de Belém (commonly known elsewhere as pastel de nata). The café's charming interior, complete with traditional tilework, initially raised my hopes. In Portugal, my mornings followed a simple, comforting ritual: a tosta mista, a pastel de nata, and an espresso. I ordered the same trio here, hoping for a nostalgic reprise. Unfortunately, what followed was a deeply disappointing experience that fell far short of expectations. The pastel de nata, which should have been the highlight, was structurally poor--its custard overly sweet and lacking the signature silky-yet-set texture. The pastry shell, instead of being crisp and delicately flaky, was dense and unevenly baked. These are not minor quibbles; they speak to a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes this pastry so beloved. Rather than an homage, this felt like an amateur imitation. The tosta mista also missed the mark. Traditionally a balance of crusty bread, salty ham, and mild cheese, this version featured bread that was too thick and dry, overwhelming the filling and throwing off the delicate ratio. The ham and cheese lacked contrast--neither salty nor creamy enough to create that satisfying interplay of flavors. As for the espresso, it was bitter and lacked body, likely due to over-extraction--possibly the result of a busy single-machine setup. While operational strain is understandable, espresso is central to the Portuguese café experience, and this one felt like an afterthought. Though the staff were friendly, the only Portuguese I heard spoken was Brazilian Portuguese. While this isn't inherently negative, it did underscore the broader issue: a disconnect between the café's branding and its cultural execution. It's disheartening to see more "Portuguese" establishments opening in Toronto without doing justice to the food traditions they reference--especially as Portugal becomes increasingly trendy. Even the least memorable pastel de nata I had in Lisbon was miles ahead of what I tasted here. The only redeeming quality was the thoughtfully designed interior. Overall, Café Belém may appeal to the uninitiated, but for anyone familiar with the genuine article -- Café Belém may know how to decorate like Lisbon, but it forgot how to taste like it. 2.5/5
Despite the hype I didn't quite enjoy my visit here (it was the middle of a snowstorm had nothing to do with it). The setup is nice though it does get slammed. I did a grab and go option but did have my cappuccino there along with a nata and a pastry. Nata is good other hmmm very average. Same goes for the takeaway items they are mediocre IMO. All this won't effect their popularity though as we live in insta worthy or not world so whether it's the wait time or the setup that gets the tiktok likes they will get enough business.
Stopped by this weekend and it was super busy!!! There were lots of employees working behind the counter so service was quick. We ordered a few things to share and took them home because there was no space to dine in. The pastries were all very good. I would love to come back and try more. They're very popular right now so I think it will be a while before it's easy to get a seat. One of the staff members was really nice and knowledgeable. I think he might be the owner. I liked the branding on everything and the overall vibe.
Pretty Portuguese cafe with a seating area. I love the decor here, it reminds me of cafes when I visited Portugal. We got some cappuccinos and pastel de nata on a Sunday morning. It was quite busy inside, but the line moved quickly. It did take about 10 mins for us to get our coffee though, there was only one barista. There's quite a few tables but since it was so busy we got takeout. Prices are very reasonable! The pastel de nata was good (8/10), texture was perfect but I prefer stronger vanilla flavor. It was pretty small. Service was quick and polite. I would def come back, especially when the hype dies down.
Very nice cafe to go hang out and catch up with friends. Great vibes and the latte was very smooth. They are also known for their Portuguese pastries, specifically their tarts. I was there chatting with a friend over coffee but next time I plan on trying their tarts (everyone else was ordering it) Staff were friendly and it was a very cozy cafe. Note they have signs on the table that say no laptop so not a place to do work.
Cafe Belem located along College St near Euclid is European style bakery and cafe specializing in Portuguese goods. It is actually opened by Mercado restaurant and has taken over the old Kalendar space. The bakery is open early (at 8am!) where you can grab coffee and tea of your choice and sweet/savoury baked goods. They have pastel de natas baked fresh as well. The cafe has both take out and plenty of seating if you'd like to have your drink/goodies at the store. They also sell a ton of canned seafood, teas, and wines as well. I stopped by Cafe Belem on a Thursday morning right when they opened at 8am. The many pastries and baked goods on display looked delicious and I had a hard time choosing. Staff mentioned that everything was just baked fresh so I likely can't go wrong with anything I choose. I opted for a ham and cheese croissant and a cappuccino with oat milk. I also got a pastel de nata before I left as I saw them on display where they were freshly made. Space wise, the place is beautifully decorated - transports you to Portugal with the tiles on the walls, the patterned tiles on the floor, as well as the exposed brick walls + several plants scattered throughout the cafe. The cabinet displaying the many beautiful plates was eye catching as well The space gives off a relaxed atmosphere where you can take your time enjoying your food/drink. In terms of my cappuccino, it was made well. The ham and cheese croissant I had was delicious. I think I've found my new favourite place to get pastel de natas because these Portuguese custard tarts were so yummy. I regret just getting one as I could have eaten more. Overall, great new bakery and cafe in the Little Italy neighbourhood. No doubt that it will become a new favourite for the locals and for the city.
I've been here twice and really enjoyed their coffee and treats! Obviously had to get their Portuguese tarts and I thought they were delicious. I've had them in Portugal as well and would say they are pretty comparable in my opinion. I also enjoyed their coffee, and I will say that their prices are pretty fair. Would definitely recommend checking out this cute cafe!
Finally got to check out this cute little bakery and was not disappointed. The decor, the staff, the friendliness, I felt like I was transported back to Portugal. A friend and I attended around 1pm, I knew there would be a high chance a table wouldn't have been available as it gets busy, there is limited seating and there's no time limit on how long you can stay; which I appreciate. Do note this is not a place to do work - although it says no laptops there was one person who was dining solo with their laptop and nothing was said. Not sure if this is something they actually enforce aside from the little sign on the table. Nonetheless, I ordered a cappuccino and Pao De Deus. My friend ordered a cappuccino and cookie. The coffee and pao de deus were fantastic. Her cookie wasn't the greatest. A weird combination of flavours. I was a tad disappointed as their selection of food was limited. A couple beside our table had ordered tosta mistas and it was only then I remembered they had them. Otherwise I wouldn't have seen anything at the front to imply they offered them. The set up is a little awkward. You secure a table, go place your order and then can return to your table but must keep an ear out for them to call your name. Otherwise, a great little place to catch up with a friend. I wish there was more seating as when we arrived there was a table of four taking up two tables. But I did notice that between 1:30pm and 2:30pm it quieted down a bit. Definitely don't pass up the opportunity to check this pl
2 months ago
One of the most viral cafes on Instagram and one that the PM himself has visited. The interior is very charming and the staff are very welcoming and will explain the menu to you very nicely. The coffee was average though. I tried their mocha and thought it would be a little more chocolaty but I was a little disappointed. The natas were good but my favourite was the chocolate mousse. Very creamy and the flavour was really good. We also tried the ham and cheese sandwich and I thought it was very well done! Overall a pretty good cafe to spend some time at. read more
Even though I have never been to Portugal this place certainly has that European vibe. It's a cozy spot that has really good sandwiches and Portuguese tarts We ordered the Carnita sandwich and it took about 20 minutes to heat up. The sour dough bread was perfect with the meat and cheese. We also tried the Portuguese tarts and they were super fresh. Right out of the oven!! We loved it so much :). The custard wasn't too heavy. We also ordered these tiny pastries that taste and look like mini empanadas. They were amazing too :) We went back to order more food because we enjoyed it so much. The wait was longer this time round so they offered us a box of Portuguese tarts for the wait - which was so sweet and kind. We try appreciated that! Total unexpected. The latte was amazing too. Definitely would go back!! read more
This cafe is so cute!! The interior is so pretty and this cafe has so much character. They have a wide variety of pastries and mainly coffee based drinks. I got a custard filled donut and mocha. I wish my donut was warm but it was still really good. Not too sweet. The mocha had pretty latte art on top, was super rich, and again, not too sweet. They have a small section with 11 tables. Be sure to come early to guarantee a table here. I came at 2:57PM and there were only 3 tables left. They were all taken by 3:15PM. Apparently no laptops are allowed 11AM-3PM. After 3PM is okay. read more
1 day ago
Came here after seeing all the reviews about how good their natas are. We been to Portugal previously and have been trying to find natas that tastes similar to the ones we had in Portugal . This place didn't disappoint with the natas. It was still warm, the middle being a bit running, and the shells being very crispy. It's the closest nata experience we have in comparison to Portugal. But the only downside is it is quite expensive for 1 nata, $3/each. The expresso that we tried in Portugal was very smooth and good. But the ones that we had here were very bitter. Definitely don't recommend on its own. The service was like a fast food service. You get your food and then have to wait for your drink. Which takes some time as only 1 employee operates the machine. The place itself is really nicely decorated. Definitely reassembles Portugal. We even found some can seafood that we bought from Portugal here. The seating area seems large, but it's a self service. You pretty much have to wait until someone leaves, and wait in line for a spot. That's really one of the bigger downfall. read more
1 year ago
A respite from the winter inside this Portuguese forward space. The space is beautiful. Seating like any popular cafe is not easy . First come, first serve. That's probably the issue I could see with patrons. I see quite a few of those MacBooks camped here. But the fresh pastel de nata with a sprinkling of cinnamon was delicious. Cappuccino was solid. The focaccia sandwich I had although well toasted not my favourite. Would I go here again? Absolutely. Customer service was friendly and easily answered any questions I had read more
Having recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Portugal, the flavors of its cuisine, the beauty of its landscapes, and the warmth of its people are still fresh in my mind. Eager to recapture a taste of that experience here in Toronto, I visited Café Belém--a name that immediately stood out, evoking the birthplace of the iconic Pastel de Belém (commonly known elsewhere as pastel de nata). The café's charming interior, complete with traditional tilework, initially raised my hopes. In Portugal, my mornings followed a simple, comforting ritual: a tosta mista, a pastel de nata, and an espresso. I ordered the same trio here, hoping for a nostalgic reprise. Unfortunately, what followed was a deeply disappointing experience that fell far short of expectations. The pastel de nata, which should have been the highlight, was structurally poor--its custard overly sweet and lacking the signature silky-yet-set texture. The pastry shell, instead of being crisp and delicately flaky, was dense and unevenly baked. These are not minor quibbles; they speak to a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes this pastry so beloved. Rather than an homage, this felt like an amateur imitation. The tosta mista also missed the mark. Traditionally a balance of crusty bread, salty ham, and mild cheese, this version featured bread that was too thick and dry, overwhelming the filling and throwing off the delicate ratio. The ham and cheese lacked contrast--neither salty nor creamy enough to create that satisfying interplay of flavors. As for the espresso, it was bitter and lacked body, likely due to over-extraction--possibly the result of a busy single-machine setup. While operational strain is understandable, espresso is central to the Portuguese café experience, and this one felt like an afterthought. Though the staff were friendly, the only Portuguese I heard spoken was Brazilian Portuguese. While this isn't inherently negative, it did underscore the broader issue: a disconnect between the café's branding and its cultural execution. It's disheartening to see more "Portuguese" establishments opening in Toronto without doing justice to the food traditions they reference--especially as Portugal becomes increasingly trendy. Even the least memorable pastel de nata I had in Lisbon was miles ahead of what I tasted here. The only redeeming quality was the thoughtfully designed interior. Overall, Café Belém may appeal to the uninitiated, but for anyone familiar with the genuine article -- Café Belém may know how to decorate like Lisbon, but it forgot how to taste like it. 2.5/5 read more
Despite the hype I didn't quite enjoy my visit here (it was the middle of a snowstorm had nothing to do with it). The setup is nice though it does get slammed. I did a grab and go option but did have my cappuccino there along with a nata and a pastry. Nata is good other hmmm very average. Same goes for the takeaway items they are mediocre IMO. All this won't effect their popularity though as we live in insta worthy or not world so whether it's the wait time or the setup that gets the tiktok likes they will get enough business. read more
Stopped by this weekend and it was super busy!!! There were lots of employees working behind the counter so service was quick. We ordered a few things to share and took them home because there was no space to dine in. The pastries were all very good. I would love to come back and try more. They're very popular right now so I think it will be a while before it's easy to get a seat. One of the staff members was really nice and knowledgeable. I think he might be the owner. I liked the branding on everything and the overall vibe. read more
Pretty Portuguese cafe with a seating area. I love the decor here, it reminds me of cafes when I visited Portugal. We got some cappuccinos and pastel de nata on a Sunday morning. It was quite busy inside, but the line moved quickly. It did take about 10 mins for us to get our coffee though, there was only one barista. There's quite a few tables but since it was so busy we got takeout. Prices are very reasonable! The pastel de nata was good (8/10), texture was perfect but I prefer stronger vanilla flavor. It was pretty small. Service was quick and polite. I would def come back, especially when the hype dies down. read more
Very nice cafe to go hang out and catch up with friends. Great vibes and the latte was very smooth. They are also known for their Portuguese pastries, specifically their tarts. I was there chatting with a friend over coffee but next time I plan on trying their tarts (everyone else was ordering it) Staff were friendly and it was a very cozy cafe. Note they have signs on the table that say no laptop so not a place to do work. read more
Cafe Belem located along College St near Euclid is European style bakery and cafe specializing in Portuguese goods. It is actually opened by Mercado restaurant and has taken over the old Kalendar space. The bakery is open early (at 8am!) where you can grab coffee and tea of your choice and sweet/savoury baked goods. They have pastel de natas baked fresh as well. The cafe has both take out and plenty of seating if you'd like to have your drink/goodies at the store. They also sell a ton of canned seafood, teas, and wines as well. I stopped by Cafe Belem on a Thursday morning right when they opened at 8am. The many pastries and baked goods on display looked delicious and I had a hard time choosing. Staff mentioned that everything was just baked fresh so I likely can't go wrong with anything I choose. I opted for a ham and cheese croissant and a cappuccino with oat milk. I also got a pastel de nata before I left as I saw them on display where they were freshly made. Space wise, the place is beautifully decorated - transports you to Portugal with the tiles on the walls, the patterned tiles on the floor, as well as the exposed brick walls + several plants scattered throughout the cafe. The cabinet displaying the many beautiful plates was eye catching as well The space gives off a relaxed atmosphere where you can take your time enjoying your food/drink. In terms of my cappuccino, it was made well. The ham and cheese croissant I had was delicious. I think I've found my new favourite place to get pastel de natas because these Portuguese custard tarts were so yummy. I regret just getting one as I could have eaten more. Overall, great new bakery and cafe in the Little Italy neighbourhood. No doubt that it will become a new favourite for the locals and for the city. read more
I've been here twice and really enjoyed their coffee and treats! Obviously had to get their Portuguese tarts and I thought they were delicious. I've had them in Portugal as well and would say they are pretty comparable in my opinion. I also enjoyed their coffee, and I will say that their prices are pretty fair. Would definitely recommend checking out this cute cafe! read more
Finally got to check out this cute little bakery and was not disappointed. The decor, the staff, the friendliness, I felt like I was transported back to Portugal. A friend and I attended around 1pm, I knew there would be a high chance a table wouldn't have been available as it gets busy, there is limited seating and there's no time limit on how long you can stay; which I appreciate. Do note this is not a place to do work - although it says no laptops there was one person who was dining solo with their laptop and nothing was said. Not sure if this is something they actually enforce aside from the little sign on the table. Nonetheless, I ordered a cappuccino and Pao De Deus. My friend ordered a cappuccino and cookie. The coffee and pao de deus were fantastic. Her cookie wasn't the greatest. A weird combination of flavours. I was a tad disappointed as their selection of food was limited. A couple beside our table had ordered tosta mistas and it was only then I remembered they had them. Otherwise I wouldn't have seen anything at the front to imply they offered them. The set up is a little awkward. You secure a table, go place your order and then can return to your table but must keep an ear out for them to call your name. Otherwise, a great little place to catch up with a friend. I wish there was more seating as when we arrived there was a table of four taking up two tables. But I did notice that between 1:30pm and 2:30pm it quieted down a bit. Definitely don't pass up the opportunity to check this pl read more
5 months ago
Beautiful Portuguese cafe! The food and drinks are yummy. Seating is limited so be mindful that you may have to wait if you want to stay for a while. The service is also really great. Will definitely be back. read more
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1 year ago
Cafe Belem - bakeries - Updated July 2026
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