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One of my best friends is Portuguese, and a few years ago he told me he had eaten the best chocolate cake in the world in Lisbon. That’s a bold statement, and I was skeptical, so I knew I had to try it for myself the next time I visited Portugal.
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I traveled to Lisbon in December 2017, and at the top of my list—right alongside eating as many Pastéis de Nata as possible—was trying this famous cake. The cake is called Landeau, and the first time I had it was at the Landeau café inside the LX Factory, a vibrant creative space that was once a 19th-century textile factory. Today, it’s filled with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and one of the coolest bookstores in the city. |
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The Landeau café itself is cozy, minimalist, and incredibly charming. You can order coffee, tea, and other beverages, but there’s only one thing to eat on the menu: chocolate cake. You can buy it by the slice or order a whole cake if they have one available.
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And the cake really is extraordinary. I’m not usually someone who calls anything “the best in the world,” but it is easily one of the best chocolate cakes I’ve ever had. Considering how many chocolate cakes I’ve baked and eaten throughout my life, that says a lot. I can think of at least one strong contender, but I can also understand why some people would confidently call the Landeau their favorite chocolate cake ever.
The cake itself is deceptively simple. The bottom layer is dense and rich, almost like a flourless chocolate cake, while the top layer is a silky chocolate mousse dusted with unsweetened cocoa powder. The cocoa immediately reminded me of Valrhona, both in flavor and in its deep, dark color.
It’s the kind of dessert where the chocolate truly shines. It’s sweet enough to feel indulgent without overwhelming your palate, and the textures are incredibly satisfying—soft, smooth, and delicate in a way that keeps you going back for more.  |
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I’ve tried recreating this cake at home several times and have come up with a version that comes fairly close, although it’s still not exactly the same (see picture on the right). I use Valrhona chocolate because, to me, it’s among the best available, but without tasting them side by side, it’s difficult to pinpoint the subtle differences in flavor. At one point, I even considered opening a similar café in Austin because I loved the concept so much. I think their business model is brilliant: one exceptional dessert, done perfectly. Dorie Greenspan also wrote about the cake and shared a recipe inspired by it, but even that version wasn’t quite identical to the original. |
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So, if you ever find yourself in Lisbon and you love chocolate, I highly recommend visiting the LX Factory and stopping by Landeau Café. They also have a few other locations around the city where you can order the cake by the slice. But honestly, if you can, order a whole cake in advance—you’ll probably want a second piece before you leave.  |
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