Locals may already be familiar with the authentic Portuguese tarts made by Casa Nata, but they’ll be thrilled to learn the delectable custard goodies are getting a new, permanent home in Melbourne.

Ruben Bertolo and Nelson Coutinho are the duo behind Casa Nata, which they announced is due to open in Thornbury in late November.

“A taste of Portugal is coming to Thornbury (around!) late November”, they posted on their Facebook page.

“We are busy renovating our beautiful heritage building, which is soon to be your local food and coffee haunt.”

While Portuguese tarts are a café staple in Melbourne, the golden, crunchy pastry, custard that’s black on top from time caramelising in the oven, but still gooey, soft and silky on the inside tarts produced by Casa Nata are on a whole new level.

They say that the keys to their “heavenly” tarts are technique and quality ingredients, which they source from both Australia and traditional products from Portugal to bring their customers authentic tarts.

While neither Bertolo nor Coutinho comes from a baking background (Bertolo runs a painting business and Coutinho has a repair shop) both are of Portuguese descent and lifelong Portuguese tart – or pastéis de nata – lovers.

In 2017 the duo made a trip to Portugal, where traditional Portuguese pastry chefs taught them tart-making techniques. The success of their pop-up at the Queen Victoria Market convinced them to open a permanent store.

And if you can’t wait until December for the café to open, Casa Nata will be popping up in the Queen Victoria Market as a part of its ever-popular Summer Night Market from November 20.

The annual summer market runs on Wednesday nights for 15 weeks from late-November to early March, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

With more than 130 stalls at the after-hours event, which features delicious food and pop-up bars, live music, a full-size beach volleyball court and more, you won’t want to miss out.