Have you ever been to a traditional bakery shop in Goa? I’m talking about the ones in villages or in the little lanes of Mapusa market that are called St. John’s Bakery, St. Joseph’s Bakery and at least a dozen St. Peter’s Bakeries.
The staff moves painfully slowly – even slower than the rattling fan hanging from the tiled roof. Since these heritage bakeries have been serving loyal patrons for decades, everyone is a familiar face. Most of the time, you can’t wait to grab your brown paper packet, head home and bite into your flaky puff with a mug of tea. And if you have to wait until after ‘saibin’ to eat them, you drool all through the prayer session that precedes snack time!
St. Anthony’s Bakery, Thane
Looking at St. Anthony’s Bakery in Thane, Mumbai gave me all the Goa feels. I accidentally found this place while riding through tiny lanes off Ghodbunder Road.
I don’t remember the last time I had those familiar Goan snacks in Mumbai and was overjoyed to find this little gem quite by accident. Being over 75 years old and passing through the hands of the newer generations, it looked nothing like the charming little ones in Goa. It was peppier, brighter and had more buzz! The display was stocked full of sweet goodies like creamy-looking chocolate cakes and cheesecakes, patties, brownies and red-velvet pastries.
What makes St. Anthony’s Bakery stand out is its separate café-like seating in a room next door. Patrons can order off the menu in the main bakery and wait for their snacks to arrive. From the menu, you can choose from a massive range of burgers, pizzas, pastas, and wraps, among other things – all made fresh and hot in the kitchen at the back.
Chinese Food and More
What’s surprising is that this little bakery also serves up Chinese food like noodles and Manchurian, American food like chopsuey, Italian dishes like Stroganoff as well as sizzlers and subs alongside our desi faves of kheema pao and biryani!
I tried out both their variations of chicken patties and a chicken bolognaise pizza. The lemonade was a little too sweet for my liking, but on a hot summers day like that one, I’d drink anything.
Apparently, during the festive month of December, patrons flock here for the plum cakes and one can even place orders for stuffed chicken, roasted chicken and smoked chicken.
Here’s where you can find St. Anthony’s Bakery (you WILL need GPS to find it):
171, St. Anthony’s Bakery Building, Kolbad Road, Khopat, Thane West
Opening Hours – 9 AM to 11 PM
Cost – Approx 500 for 2
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Bye for now!