Breakfast isn’t hugely important in Goa – we don’t usually think twice about what we eat for the first meal of the day, unless it’s a leisurely weekend – in which case, bring out the pattice and bhaji-paos! It’s surprising and refreshing, then, to find a Goan café dedicated to those holiday-worthy English-style breakfasts, served all day. If you haven’t been to The Sugar Flower Panjim yet, it is an excellent spot for breakfast and your morning coffee, a slice of cake or an artisanal croissant in Panjim.
ABOUT THE SUGAR FLOWER, GOA
The Sugar Flower Goa is located at Gera Imperium Grand, Patto. The road leading to it has been dug up (#GoaThings) and it’s a bit of a mess getting there. Inside, 4-5 small tables make up the petite café. The vibe is informal and I absolutely loved the playlist they had on both times I visited – some soothing yet foot-tapping instrumental versions of pop hits…
ALL-DAY BREAKFASTS, BAKED GOODIES AND DESSERTS
It goes without saying that as a café-cum-pastry shop, this cute little spot has a pretty decent selection of cakes and pastries, cupcakes and macarons. Being the sister-café of Truffles in Caranzalem, which is one of the best places to grab desserts or order cakes from for celebrations, you’ll find a similar dessert spread with the same quality of items here too. The breakfast menu, on the other hand, is simple but hits the spot.
Order the Breakfast of Champions and it will be a morning to remember. 2 eggs done your way (I’d highly recommend poached eggs with hollandaise), a juicy grilled tomato, a nest of sautéed mushrooms, crispy hash browns, baked beans, toasted bread, bacon/chicken sausages and your choice of hot beverage. Absolutely perfect!
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If you’d prefer something a little light (actually, a lot lighter), you can opt for the desi Egg Bhurji or baked beans on toast, waffles, pancakes or cereal bowls.
Don’t leave without trying one of their freshly made croissants – they are hard to beat! We’ve all had our fair share of tragic, soggy croissants, so once you get a bite of their flaky, deliciously warm croissants, your breakfast will never be the same again. Top-quality ingredients give these buttery beauties a sublime flavour… even the plain croissants are as good on the inside as they are on the outside. Paired with coffee these are a delight to eat!
I also tried the ham and cheese croissant and while this is a common item on café menus, in most places the croissant tastes like regular bread/bun, which doesn’t make it a standout dish. At Sugar Flower, however, their delicate ham and egg croissant is elegant, crusty, golden, and has the right amount of filling to make it a wonderful mid-day or mid-evening snack. The Sugar Flower Goa also does a Goan Chorizo croissant which is unusual but works well thanks to the harmony between spicy sausages and crispy-sweet-ish pastry.
To finish off, you can pick from one of their sweet treats or even better, choose from their Danish baked goodies – Strawberry Lattice, Chocolate Twists, Cinnamon Rolls and more…
What would make the experience better, in my opinion, would be a better selection of coffees, teas, beverages like hot chocolate that go so well with croissants, and perhaps some fresh juices or milkshakes on the menu.
COVID PRECAUTIONS
The building that The Sugar Flower is housed in, Gera Imperium Grand, has the staff at the entry take everyone’s temperatures (employees who work at the building and visitors alike) and you are required to spray your hands with sanitizer before entering. However once inside the building, there don’t seem to be many protocols in place, and in the café, the precautions could be stricter with the use of gloves and masks by the staff.
Do let me know what your experience is like when you visit. Comment below or drop me a line on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You may also like to read about other cafes that are worth visiting – Rasa Bistro in Palolem, Mojigao in Assagao, and On The Go in Porvorim. Stay safe and see you soon!
