Classic Revival: Five of Europe’s Oldest Pastry Shops

By Everlyn

In the corners and alleys of European cities, a delicate sweetness has lingered for ages—especially since the cupcake craze swept in like a storm, with cities around the globe rushing to follow suit. Though cupcakes may now be a thing of the past, some desserts remain impervious to fleeting trends. In certain fortunate corners of the world, pastry chefs have spent generations perfecting their craft, creating confections that have risen to the pinnacle of the baking world—true edible art.

Based onCNNa CNN list, here are five of Europe’s oldest pastry shops. Visitors exploring Europe this summer should take a moment to indulge:

1. Hofbackerei Edegger-Tax (Graz, Austria)

▲Hofbackerei Edegger-Tax (Photo: Screenshot from Wikipedia)

Established in the 14th century, this pastry shop boasts an ornately decorated façade, arched wooden doors, and a front entrance adorned with the coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Empire—testament to its age and its historical ties to the local nobility. It’s a haven of mouthwatering royal pastries and has been supplying sweets to royalty for centuries.

%呐分拮罹?涓獗??issi Busserl (Sissi’s Kiss). (Photo: Screenshot fromhofbaeckerei)

Try the traditional Sissi Busserl (Sissi’s Kiss) cookies, named after Empress Elisabeth of Austria—definitely worth a taste.

Shop Info:
Hofbackerei Edegger-Tax, Hofgasse 6, Graz;. +43 316 83 02 300

2. La Maison Stohrer (Paris, France)

▲La Maison Stohrer (Photo: Screenshot fromstohrer)

Continuing the royal fascination with desserts, Paris’s oldest pastry shop, La Maison Stohrer, also has ties to Polish royalty.

In 1725, when Louis XV married Polish Princess Marie Leszczynska, he made sure to bring his father’s royal pastry chef, Nicolas Stohrer, to Versailles. Five years later, Stohrer opened this pastry shop on Rue Montorgueil in Paris, serving the royal family ever since. Even Queen Elizabeth II has enjoyed its exquisite pastries.

▲Baba au rhum (Photo: Screenshot fromStohrer)

Stohrer is famed for inventing the “baba au rhum,” a rum-soaked brioche cake named after a character from the literary classic *One Thousand and One Nights*.

Shop Info:
Maison Stohrer, 51 Rue Montorgueil; +33 1 42 33 38 20

3. Pietro Romanengo fu Stefano (Genoa, Italy)

▲Pietro Romanengo fu Stefano (Photo: Screenshot fromPietro Romanengo fu Stefano’s official Facebook page)

This historic confectionery, known for its sweet candies and candied fruits, was founded in 1780 and opened its first two shops on Via Soziglia in 1814. To this day, its interior remains largely unchanged.

Shop Info:
Pietro Romanengo fu Stefano, Via Soziglia, 74/76, Genova; +39 010 2474574

4. Confeitaria Nacional (Lisbon, Portugal)

%拿onfeitaria Nacional (Photo: Screenshot fromConfeitaria Nacional fan page）

With walls in cream hues accented with gold and a mirrored ceiling overlooking the entire space, the opulent Confeitaria Nacional opened in 1829 on Praca da Figueira square. It is still run by the descendants of its founder.

19th century. The traditional Portuguese Christmas cake Bolo-Rei (King’s cake) was brought here from southern France in the 19th century. A favorite seasonal dessert among the French, Bolo-Rei tastes like a bread filled with raisins, candied fruits, and nuts—delicious and wholesome. And in other seasons, the various popular flavors of egg tarts are also highly recommended.

Store info: Confeitaria Nacional, Praca da Figueira 18B, Lisbon; +351 21 324 3000

5. Antigua Pasteleria del Pozo (Spain, Madrid)

▲roscon de reyes (King’s ring), Antigua Pasteleria del Pozo (photo / courtesy ofAntigua Pastelería del Pozo fan page）

This Madrid bakery opened in 1810 as a bread shop, and only became a pastry shop two decades later, claiming to be the oldest in the city.

Staying true to its original baking philosophy, it has always served traditional Spanish pastries, such as bartolillos, one of the locals’ favorite treats. Del Pozo’s roscon de reyes (King’s ring) is also excellent—a traditional treat usually enjoyed during Epiphany, but available here all year round.

Store info:
Antigua Pasteleria del Pozo, 8 Calle Pozo, Madrid; +34 915 22 38 94