Sweet Tradition – Forcado (Brussels)

Forcado – Pastéis de Nata

Antoine Dansaertstraat 118,

1000 Brussels

In Brussels, good coffee is easy to find. But authentic Portuguese pastry done right? That’s rarer.

Tucked away in the lively Dansaert district, Forcado is a place you visit for one very clear reason: the pastries. While the coffee and setting are perfectly fine, they’re not the main attraction here. The real stars sit proudly behind the glass counter — trays filled with warm, golden pastéis de nata.

And trust me: they’re hard to resist.

The setting

From the outside, the bright blue awning immediately signals a little piece of Portugal in Brussels. A few red terrace tables sit outside, inviting passers-by to pause for a quick sweet break.

Inside, the space feels more like a specialty shop than a café. Shelves filled with Portuguese wines, delicacies and pantry treasures create the atmosphere of a small Lisbon grocery. It’s simple, welcoming, and focused on what matters most: the food.

You don’t necessarily come here to linger for hours. You come for the pastries.

The taste

And this is where Forcado truly shines.

The pastéis de nata are everything you want them to be:

crispy, flaky layers of pastry surrounding a rich, creamy custard centre with the signature caramelized top.

Freshness is clearly a priority — many are still warm when served.

But Forcado goes beyond the classic version. The selection includes creative variations such as:

• lemon pastéis

• chocolate pastéis

• speculoos pastéis

• seasonal creations

• gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives

Everything is handmade with care and passion, continuing a family tradition that dates back to 1982, when Joaquim Braz de Oliveira first developed the pastries that would later become the heart of the Forcado brand.

It’s a craft passed from father to son, and you can taste that dedication in every bite.

The experience

Forcado is not trying to be the trendiest coffee bar in Brussels — and that’s perfectly fine.

Instead, it focuses on doing one thing extremely well: Portuguese pastry.

The rhythm is simple:

order a pastel,

add a coffee if you like,

find a seat outside or enjoy it on the go.

Sometimes the best experiences are the simplest ones.

The verdict:

3 out of 5 coffee beans (☕☕☕)

“Come for the pastéis — stay for the tradition.”

Atmosphere: Simple, authentic, neighbourhood feel

Coffee: Good, but not the main reason to visit

Pastries: The real highlight — fresh, generous and delicious

Service: Friendly and efficient

Value: Excellent for handmade Portuguese pastry

Perfect for:

sweet lovers, quick dessert stops, discovering Portuguese pastry culture

Final bite

At Forcado, the focus is clear: quality pastries, made with passion and tradition.

You may not come here for the coffee or the ambience — but once you taste those warm pastéis de nata, you’ll understand exactly why people keep coming back.

And honestly?

Sometimes one perfect pastry is reason enough.

Let’s taste!