Is the word pastel the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

The difference lies in typical usage and cultural connotation. In Brazil, "pastel" refers to a specific, iconic deep-fried savory pastry typically eaten at street markets (feiras). In Portugal, while the word can refer to pastries, "pastel" is most commonly used to describe light, "pastel" colors. When referring to the savory snack concept, a Portuguese person is more likely to use words like salgado, empada, or folhado. Additionally, the pronunciation differs: in Brazilian Portuguese, the final "l" is pronounced as a "u" ([pa-ˈsɛw]), whereas in Continental Portuguese, it is a clear "l" ([pɐ-ˈʃtɛl]).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eu adoro comer pastel de feira com caldo de cana. (I love eating street market pastel with sugarcane juice.)
2. O pastel de carne estava muito quente. (The meat pastel was very hot.)
3. Ela prefere usar roupas em tons pastel. (She prefers to wear clothes in pastel tones.)
4. Vamos comprar um pastel de queijo para o lanche? (Shall we buy a cheese pastel for a snack?)
5. A cor pastel da parede deixou o quarto calmo. (The pastel color of the wall made the room calm.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eu adoro comer um salgado com caldo de cana. (I love eating a savory snack with sugarcane juice.)
2. A empada de carne estava muito quente. (The meat pie was very hot.)
3. Ela prefere usar roupas em tons pastel. (She prefers to wear clothes in pastel tones.)
4. Vamos comprar um folhado de queijo para o lanche? (Shall we buy a cheese puff pastry for a snack?)
5. A cor pastel da parede deixou o quarto calmo. (The pastel color of the wall made the room calm.)