Pastelaria Adega - Authentic Portuguese Pastries in San Jose

Went here for the first time and it didn’t disappoint. Formally a Michelin star restaurant and the food was spectacular. They had a set menu for spring. From caviar to mushroom with black truffles to swordfish and pork to dessert. So much food. It’s definitely an experience. We matched with wine for all courses. Portions were small as you can imagine but that’s what you get with several courses. Truly fantastic. It came with a huge price tag. Close to $1500 for 4 ppl. So a but pricier than I was expecting but definitely worth doing once. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and what the chef prepared was amazing.

Online advertising got me in. Love a good malasada and could not resist giving it a go. It is a small store front with very limited seating. The maladas were the reason we cam and they were okay. There is nothing like a fresh, warm, melt in your mouth malasada. These are not those. I found them to be okay and relied on the filling for flavor. It was the egg tarts that became the star for me. We ordered 6 flavors and they were all very good. If we were to go back, I would definitely for us on those.

We heard about Pastelaria Adega from friends who raved about their authentic Portuguese pastries, especially the pastéis de nata, so when we were in the San Jose area, we decided to check it out. We just walked in on a whim one afternoon, no reservations or wait needed, and were immediately drawn to the beautiful display case full of fresh-baked goods. It’s a charming spot that brings a slice of Portugal to downtown, and we left with a box of treats to enjoy at home. ATMOSPHERE: This cozy Portuguese bakery has a clean, inviting setup with white tiled walls, a long glass display counter showcasing rows of golden pastries, and an open kitchen where you can see the bakers at work with their oven. It’s compact, fitting maybe 20-30 people if including a few small tables or standing areas, with a casual, bustling vibe during peak hours. The wooden floors and simple decor give it an authentic, unpretentious feel, perfect for a quick grab-and-go or a relaxed coffee break in downtown San Jose. MENU: The focus is on traditional Portuguese baked goods, with stars like pastéis de nata (egg custard tarts) in classic and flavored varieties, croissants (plain, chocolate, almond, ham & cheese), bola de berlim (filled doughnuts), pão de deus (coconut brioche), and savory options like chouriço bread, steak or pork sandwiches, and grilled ham & cheese on sourdough. They also offer gluten-free rice flour muffins and a selection of coffee and tea. Everything is made in limited quantities daily, so flavors and availability can vary. FOOD: Assorted Pastéis de Nata We couldn’t resist grabbing a mix of these iconic egg custard tarts in various flavors: classic plain, blueberry, chocolate, passionfruit, strawberry, and lemon. Each one had a flaky, buttery pastry shell with a creamy, not-too-sweet custard that’s torched to perfection on top for that signature caramelized finish. The flavored ones added a fun twist: the blueberry had a jammy burst, the passionfruit was tangy and tropical, and the strawberry brought a fresh fruitiness without overpowering the base. They were all served fresh and warmish from the display, making them addictive,easily some of the best we’ve had outside Portugal. Highly recommended as a sampler box for sharing. Bola de Berlim These Portuguese doughnuts were pillowy soft, lightly fried, and dusted with sugar, with options for egg cream filling. We got a couple filled ones that were generously stuffed, offering a rich, custardy center that paired perfectly with the fluffy dough. Not overly greasy or heavy, they had just the right amount of sweetness and were a great complement to the tarts. If you’re a doughnut fan, these are a must-try for their authentic texture and flavor. SERVICE: No reservations needed, and we were helped right away on a weekday afternoon. The staff were super friendly and patient, explaining the flavors and recommending the daily specials based on what we liked. Our order came out quickly, well-packaged for takeout. TIPS: Check their hours: they’re only open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and items sell out fast, especially the flavored pastéis de nata. Arrive early for the best selection, and ask about gluten-free options if needed. Parking on Santa Clara Street can be street-only, so plan for that in downtown. The menu at the counter has more details than any outside signage. OVERALL: Was it worth the visit? Absolutely. Pastelaria Adega nails the authentic Portuguese bakery experience with standout pastries that are fresh, flavorful, and transportive. We’ll be back for more tarts and to try the savory side next time.

There aren't that many Portuguese bakeries in San Jose, let alone ones that have Malassadas. So, this is a good treat. Although they do not compare to Leonard's Bakery in Oahu, where you get them fresh and made to order, this definitely is a good Bay Area option. I ordered 2 Malassadas. One coconut flavor and the other Nutella. There are several more flavor options, and I wish I could taste them all, but discipline kicked it. ***A little tip if you would like them warm. Pop in microwave for 5 sec or toaster over for 1-2 minutes. Also, grab yourself a 6 pack of pastels to taste the variety of flavors they carry. You can't find your favorite if you only stick to one flavor. ***Second tip: try to avoid weekends because I have seen the line out the door. I visited before lunchtime, and as you can see from the pictures, there was no line, and no wait time. We were in and out in about 10 minutes.

Famous Portuguese bakery shop at San Jose. It is usually busy and you have to line up. It is famous forcthe Portuguese eggtart. It is similar to Hongkong eggtart but the crust is different. It has viarites of flavor. Beside egg tart it also have other type of pastries. The egg tart is good.

I really liked their traditional Nata. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Also, they were not too sweet, which is the biggest compliment you can get from an Asian. Their ham and cheese croissant was okay. There aren't many tables, but we didn't have trouble getting one as most people had to-go orders. Will definitely come back to try other pastries!

Found this cute pastry shop on Santa Clara St in Downtown San Jose. We were looking for something sweet to eat and thought to check this out. They have a few tables to seat at, nothing outside. Always seems to be very busy but service is friendly but slow. I think why the lines are long. Very good quality pastry selection at decent prices. Everything we ordered was good. Their traditional Portuguese tarts are always a good choice. Their chocolate and almond croissants are huge, bigger than my hand, at $8ea but well worth it. They are flaky and filled with stuff. Their malasadas are soft even a day old, and they are not stingy on filling. Their malasadas hazelnut chocolate, coconut and regular cream are very good $5ea. I even like their unfilled malasadas. I would definitely come back to Pastelaria Adega again if I am in the area. I would like to try their latte coffee and sandwiches as it looks good and they sell a few other items on their shelves as well.

Quality baked goods and sandwiches. Their pasteis de nata has a molten texture custard which tasted good although I do prefer a creamier texture. I wasn’t crazy about their malasada, the Dulce le leche filling wasn’t my favorite flavor-wise so I’d try a plain or cream filled one instead. I also got a tuna melt which was filling and delicious, with lots of melty cheese and tuna salad.