We were walking back to our hotel after a free-and-easy walking tour around the city when we spotted Sugarloaf Bakery and Pastry Shop. Didn’t plan to stop – we just saw it on the way and thought, why not? Glad we did.
A Brazilian Bakery in Dublin – That Explains Everything
Once we stepped inside, we realised it’s actually a Brazilian bakery. That explained why most of the items looked unfamiliar to us. The shapes, the fillings, the names – all quite different from what we’re used to back home in Singapore. The staff behind the counter was really friendly and patient. She took the time to explain what some of the items were, which we appreciated. The bakes looked tempting enough that we grabbed a few to bring back to the hotel room.
What We Tried at Sugarloaf Bakery and Pastry Shop
Chicken Coxinha
This is essentially a popular Brazilian street snack. Shredded chicken meat wrapped in mashed potato, shaped into a teardrop, then battered and deep-fried until golden brown.
Think of it as a Brazilian-style croquette. The whole thing was nicely seasoned. I liked the contrasting textures – soft mashed potato on the inside, crispy fried crust on the outside. Would have been perfect if this was hot and fresh.
Cheese Ball
Similar to the Chicken Coxinha in concept, except the filling is cheese instead of chicken. Simple and satisfying.
Pão de Queijo – Brazilian Cheese Bread
This is a Brazilian cheese bread made with cassava flour. It’s quite similar to those cheese mochi buns you find at local bakeries back home. It has that slight chew with an airy interior. The cheese flavour was sharp and really stood out.
Chewy and cheesy, what’s not to like?
Cream Bun
This was our least favourite. The bread was a little dry, and the custard cream tasted like it was made from custard powder. Very thick and dense. Not really our thing.
More Than Just Pastries
Sugarloaf Bakery also serves coffee, sandwiches, and burgers, so you can easily pop in for a coffee break or grab something more substantial if you’re hungry. Good to know if you’re in the area and need a sit-down.
Is Sugarloaf Bakery and Pastry Shop Worth Visiting?
To be honest, this was our first time trying Brazilian bakes, so we can’t say whether these are truly authentic or how they compare to the real thing in Brazil. What we can say is that they were interesting, and taste-wise, not bad at all – except for the Cream Bun, which wasn’t for us.
If you’re visiting Dublin and curious about something different from the usual bakery fare, Sugarloaf Bakery and Pastry Shop is worth a stop. It’s a fun first introduction to Brazilian pastries, and the Coxinha and Pão de Queijo are definitely worth trying.