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From classic French to Asian-inspired, there’s no shortage of bakeries along the Peninsula. But the latest bakery to open isn’t offering croissants or trendy salt bread – instead, you’ll find Brazilian favorites such as pão de queijo and bolo de rolo.
Padoca Brazilian Bakery opened May 23 in San Bruno, offering classic Brazilian breads and cakes amid charming tropical decor. Padoca is slang for a neighborhood bakery in Brazil, where owners and Belmont residents Pedro and Germana Brandao grew up. While there are cafes and small shops offering Brazilian treats in California, Padoca is the first Brazilian bakery in the state, according to Pedro Brandao.
“We started at home baking some specific breads for the Brazilian community,” Pedro Brandao said. “They fell in love with it. They missed the food so bad. They asked us to bring this to reality instead of just making it for friends and family members. Then we decided to give it a try.”
The Brazilian breads sell out quickly, Pedro Brandao said, noting that he’s had lines form before the shop even opens. Bread options include sweet bread (pão doce) with guava filling or chocolate chips, milk bread (pão de leite), potato bread (pão de batata) and more ($12).
In the pastry case, find savory options such as pão de queijo, a chewy tapioca cheese bread, or coxinha, a deep-fried pastry stuffed with creamy chicken. Sweet choices include dulce de leche sonho, a doughnut with a milky caramel, and bolo de cenoura, a carrot cake with chocolate glaze ($6.50). For a sweet and savory snack, Padoca also offers bread stuffed with cheese, coated with a sweet glaze and topped with shredded coconut ($6.50).
The cold case is stocked with cicada cremosa (creamy coconut pudding), pão de mel (spiced honey cake with dulce de leche covered in chocolate); bolo gelado (cold sponge cake soaked in condensed milk and coconut milk) and more ($4-$15).
For beverages, Padoca offers espresso drinks, including a Nutella macchiato; specialty drinks, such as a Brazilian cappuccino, made with chocolate and cinnamon; smoothies in flavors such as passion fruit and cupuacu; and juices including pineapple-mint and cashew fruit ($3-$9).
The bakery seats about 25, with wood textures and neutral colors accented with gold and plenty of greenery – the backs of the banquette seating double as planters, greenery hangs from the ceiling and a wall is decorated with small potted plants. Parrot figurines are scattered around the bakery and can be found on the top of a lamp and even perched on a ring hanging from the ceiling. Monstera leaf pillows decorate the banquettes and a white wall is painted with the word “Brasilidade,” meaning the identity of being Brazilian.
Pedro Brandao said he hopes “to bring Brazil to the community,” explaining that he “means the food, the environment (and) the vibe of Brazil.”
Padoca Brazilian Bakery, 445 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno; Instagram: @padocabay. Open Wednesday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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