Southcoast Snackdown 2026

Vote for best Pasteis de Nata today!

VOTING NOW CLOSED

The South Coast has spoken — and we'll reveal the winner at Water, Whaleboats & Winners: A Festa by the Sea on May 30.

Join us for a free waterfront celebration with the Community Boating Center and the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society. Come find out which bakery took the crown, then make a day of it.

At the event:

  • Official crowning of the 2026 Nata Champions

  • Pastel de nata eating competition — 10 tarts, 15 spots, $10 buy-in

  • Sailing with the Community Boating Center

  • Rowing authentic Azorean whaleboats with AMHS

  • Paddleboarding and kayaking

  • Food trucks and kids' activities

Free and open to the public. Space in the eating competition is limited — sign up at the event.

How to participate

Sign up — $10 buy-in, 15 spots only

Eat — finish 10 pastéis de nata faster than everyone else

Win — take home the title of South Coast's fastest finisher plus a SouthCoast Prize Pack: a New Bedford Food Tours t-shirt, a 2026 AMHS membership, and a Groundwork day pass

Sign Up

Ten natas. One winner. Zero hesitation.

Pastel de Nata Eating Competition

Join us at Festa by the Sea for the ultimate test of speed and Portuguese spirit. The challenge is simple: be the first to finish 10 traditional custard tarts. No gimmicks, just a $10 buy-in and the glory of being the South Coast’s fastest finisher.

The stakes are high and the field is small. We have space for 15 competitors only. If you have the pace, prove it.

Bakeries

Fall River

  • Barcelos Bakery: 695 Bedford St

  • Cinderella's Bakery: 975 North Main St

  • Europa Pastries & Coffee Shop: 65 Columbia St

  • Leddy's: 1481 South Main St

  • Marcucci’s Bakery: 1076 Bedford St

  • Modern Pontes Bakery: 1175 Rodman St

  • Portugalia Marketplace: 489 Bedford St

  • Terminal Bakery: 547 South Main St

  • United Liberty Bakery: 1173 Stafford Rd

  • White Rose Bakery: 1642 Pleasant St

New Bedford

  • Economy Bakery: 1685 Acushnet Ave

  • Goulart Square Bakery: 413 Rivet St

  • Holiday Bakery: 2153 Acushnet Ave

  • New Bedford Baking Co: 98 County St

  • Padaria Nova Bakery: 1598 Acushnet Ave

Dartmouth

  • Scuttlebutt Coffee Company: 10a Bridge Street
    limited natas only April 29 - May 2

Did we miss a bakery? Let us know and we will add it!

FAQ

  • Whose crazy idea is this? Viva Fall River, New Bedford Food Tours, and Explore New Bedford. Each organization works to promote all the wonderful things about Fall River and New Bedford (respectively)- including its amazing food!

  • How do I participate? Try to visit as many participating bakeries as you can during the contest. 

  • Are you sure this is a FRIENDLY food fight? Absolutely! This is a friendly competition whose main goal is to help spread awareness of ALL the great bakeries, cafes, and markets in both cities! No matter who wins, we ALL win!

  • Wait, I don’t see my favorite bakery, what gives? Let us know! If we have missed a bakery, email us.

  • How come I don’t see the bakeries from Providence, PTown, or other places? Since this is the SOUTH COAST Snackdown, the bakery must be located in the South Coast

  • Which towns are part of ‘The South Coast’? For purposes of the Snackdown, the following towns are considered part of the South Coast: Fall River, New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Wareham, and Berkley.

  • Does it cost anything to participate? You are responsible for the cost of the natas, but there is no cost to play or vote.

  • How do I vote? Voting will be online (on this page) from April 15-May 15.

  • How will I know who wins? Come to our grand finale, Water, Whaleboats, and Winners: A Festa by the Sea on May 30. Not only will you find out who wins, but you can also try rowing authentic Azorean whaleboats with Azorean Maritime Heritage Society, or go for a sail with Community Boating. And if you are feeling brave, you can enter a nata eating competition!

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