Search locations or food
OR
Sign up

5 Worst Rated Portuguese Cakes

Last update: Sun Feb 16 2025
5 Worst Rated Portuguese Cakes
VIEW MORE
01

Cake

PORTUGAL
2.9
Bolo rei
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Bolo Rei (lit. King’s cake) is a staple Portuguese dessert that is traditionally prepared and consumed during the Christmas holidays, from the 25th of December until the 6th of January. This round cake with a hole in the middle is typically covered with crystalized sugar, dried fruits, and nuts.


Although it has origins in France, the cake made its way into Portugal during the 19th century.

MOST ICONIC Bolo rei

View more
1
2
3
4
5
02
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Bolo-Rainha, translating to "Queen Cake" in English, is a traditional cake that is closely related to the more commonly known Bolo Rei, or "King Cake." It is especially popular during the Christmas season and the festivities of the Epiphany (Dia de Reis) on January 6th.


Similar to Bolo Rei in its brioche-like texture, Bolo-Rainha is made with a rich, sweet dough. However, it differs primarily in its fillings and toppings. While Bolo Rei is characterized by its use of candied fruits, Bolo-Rainha typically does away with these candied fruits and instead focuses more on nuts like walnuts, almonds, and sometimes hazelnuts. 
03

Cake

MADEIRA, Portugal
3.5
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Considered to be Madeira's oldest dessert, bolo de mel is a cake made with honey, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, and other spices. This richly spiced cake is thought to have been invented in the 15th century, during the expansion of sugar plantations on the island, and it was originally made with molasses, which meant it could be stored for up to 5 years.


Bolo de mel was traditionally prepared for Christmas, but nowadays it can be found all year round because it is very popular with the locals. In Madeira, it is customary not to cut the cake, but rather to tear off the pieces by hand.

MOST ICONIC Bolo de mel

1
2
3
4
04

Cake

ALGARVE, Portugal
3.5
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

This light Portuguese sponge cake is prepared with fig-leaf squash, which is locally known as chila or gila. The cake combines already prepared squash jam or raw mashed squash with eggs, cocoa, and ground almonds, and the whole dish can be flavored with cinnamon or orange juice.


This moist and flavorful cake is traditionally associated with the region of Algarve and is often decorated with a light dusting of powdered sugar or fios de ovos - traditional confectionary consisting of thin egg threads.

05
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

This Portuguese dessert combines sponge cake and creamy, sweet custard. Unlike similar desserts, the sponge cake in guardanapos is cut into squares, before it is filled with custard and folded in half. The custard is usually flavored with vanilla or lemon zest, while the whole cakes are often coated in caster or powdered sugar.


Because of their unusual shape, these pastries were named guardanapos, which translates as napkins or serviettes.

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

Show Map
Portuguese Cakes