The new sweet is reportedly generating enormous enthusiasm in the UK, with some already saying that "it's better than many Pastéis de Nata in Portugal."

According to the UK newspaper, Express, the supermarket chain discreetly introduced the new product in its bakeries: a Pastel de Nata with a chocolate filling and a cocoa-infused puff pastry base. The price is around £1.10 (about €1.30) per unit and quickly began to cause a stir on social media.

The first photos of the cake took Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook by storm, with customers sharing their discovery. On TikTok, the official account @marksandspencergemini posted a video that went viral: “Honestly… 10 out of 10. Run, don’t walk, to the M&S bakery,” the caption reads.

@marksandspencergemini New at M&S Bakery 😍🍫 Chocolate Pastel de Nata the glow-up we didn’t know we needed! 🤤 The classic Portuguese custard tart but with a chocolatey twist! 🍫 “All-butter cocoa pastry, smooth chocolate custard… I mean, look at that!” #mandsbakery #chocolate #pasteldenata #marksandspencer #fyp ♬ original sound - lily ★ ˚｡⋆

On X (formerly Twitter), a user praised the product for having “no artificial flavours” and for being “better than many pastéis de nata in Portugal.” Another customer commented on Facebook: “It’s one of the best things M&S has sold in a while. Worth every pound.”

But not everyone was convinced.

Despite its widespread success, some also felt that the chocolate “overpowers the original flavour of the cream,” altering the classic balance of the pastel de nata.

M&S isn't the first to reinterpret the Portuguese classic, but it was one of the ones that made the biggest impact on the British, according to Express. The sweet is now presented in individual packages, ready to go, and is often served hot with espresso, as is tradition.

The adaptation of the pastel de nata for the British market shows how Portuguese flavours continue to gain traction across borders. After the "traditional pastel de nata" conquered the UK, this chocolate version confirms the trend of reinventing local recipes with an international twist.