Christmas Special: Heritage Bakeries In Goa For Cakes And Desserts

If you are in Goa for Christmas, don't miss the opportunity to try some of the best bakes and savouries from the heritage bakeries here. OT lists some of the best bakeries to visit in Goa.

Confeitaria 31 de Janeiro

Located in the atmospheric Latin quarter Fontainhas in Panjim, this charming bakery is known for its' freshly baked bread and assorted cakes. They started operating on January 31, 1930 when the Portuguese were still ruling the state. Their breads are still made in the traditional wood-fired ovens. You can enjoy a cup of coffee sitting in the couple of tables outside. They also do excellent beef patties, quiches, sandwiches, and prawn rissois (prawns stuffed in a homemade pastry and then deep-fried) . But the best things here are the range of traditional desserts - dodol (eggless cakes of rice flour, coconut and jaggery), pinaca (balls of rice flour, coconut and jaggery) and doce (squares made with lentils, coconut and cardamom). and bebinca (a layered dessert made with coconut, jaggery, and Indian spices).

Address: Corte De Oiterio, Rua 31 de Janeiro, behind Mary Immaculate Girls School, Fontainhas (quarter), Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001

Mr Baker 1922, Panjim

Located in the well-known church square area of Panjim, this popular bakery stocks some delicious Goan snacks such as croquettes, sausage pies, and homemade bebinca and dodol. As the board says, it was started in 1922 by Pedro Vincent Vaz in Moira, and them moved to Mapusa, and finally to Panjim. You can also get comforting soups like the caldo verde, and carrot, spinach and potato soup. A must-try here are the subtly flavoured prawn rissois and guava perad!

Address: Mr Baker 1922, Dr. Dada Vaidya Road, Opposite Municipal Garden, Panaji, Goa 403001

Cafe Central, Panjim

Located off 18th June Road in Panjim, this one is located opposite the Panjim Municipality. It was established in 1933 and is known for tea-time snacks which include vegetable patties, toast biscuits (rusk) and mushroom samosas. They also do a nice range of local breads and cheese rissois. 

Address: Ishan Building, Dr Pissurlekar Road, Panaji, Goa 403001

Cinco Goa

The newly opened Cinco Goa has prepped up its shelves with delightful Christmas goods. Traditional selection includes Kugelhopf, Stollen breads with marzipan and dry fruits and Christmas cakes and pudding. The Goan owners have put together an expansive menu including gateaus and Yule Logs, holiday cookies and assorted macarons and truffles boxes.

Address: Shop No. 17, Pereira Plaza, Opp. Old Hospicio Hospital, Margao

The Goan Kitchen

In a true blue Goan style, Crecy Baptista and Oliver Fernandes are geared up since their Goan cooking workshop at the Serendipity Arts Festival this year. The Goan Kitchen, their brainchild has everything on the menu from savouries to sweets and good old Christmas hampers containing a range of Goan sweets like Kulkuls, bolinhas and doce. One can even pre-order main course items for a delicious feast!

Address: The Goan Kitchen, Pereira Plaza, Opp Hospicio Hospital, Margao, Goa

Nicolau Bakery, Loutolim

This bakery was opened in 2000 - selling a variety of cakes and snacks. Today they are known for their rich plum cake, and an array of vegetable and beef patties, and cutlets. They have a good range of cookies and biscuits, and local desserts like boll and bolhina. 

Address: Shop No 6, Raia, Goa 403720