Pastelaria Briosa

Pastelaria Briosa has operated from Largo da Portagem in Coimbra's Baixa since 1955, specializing in the city's conventual sweets — doçaria descended from recipes first made by nuns in local convents beginning in the fifteenth century, using sugar, egg, gila squash and almonds as base ingredients. Its arrufada de Coimbra, a festive sweet bread that Sant'Ana Convent nuns once sold on the streets of the Baixa and at the old train station, has been recognized among Portugal's "7 Wonders of Confectionery," and the shop's own version won the "Best of the Best" medal at the 2014 National Contest of Portuguese Convent Confectionery. The counter also carries Pudim das Clarissas, Pastéis de Santa Clara, Pastel de Nata and the EU-protected Pastel de Tentúgal, plus a fruit galantine created by the shop's own founder. Pastelaria Briosa belongs to ADOCC, the association devoted to preserving Coimbra's traditional sweets, and has received the Confraria da Panela ao Lume award for its work in the category.