By Giselle Garza Lerma

Just beyond the Inner Richmond lies a hidden cafe, offering a special taste of Brazil.

Padoca Cafe, located on Geary Boulevard and Collins Street, has been serving the City’s Brazilian community since 2007.

In May 2024, Alessandra Correia and Bruno Santos took over what was once Sunstream Coffee and rebranded it as Padoca – a Brazilian term for “little bakery.” They said their goal is to preserve the cafe’s roots while welcoming a wider San Francisco crowd to experience authentic Brazilian flavors.

Correia said the transition was easy.

“The (previous owners) really want this place to succeed,” Correia said.

Early on, the cafe had been a gathering spot for the local Brazilian community – especially early-morning workers and cab drivers who often stopped in for coffee and pastries. Under the new ownership, Padoca maintains those connections while expanding its reach to a broader neighborhood audience.

Padoca offers a range of traditional Brazilian baked goods, coffee and pantry staples – from savory pastries to sausages, sweets, refreshing açaí bowls and more. One of its most popular items is pão de queijo, or cheese bread, which is made following a recipe passed down through Correia’s family for generations. Correia’s mother prepares the pão de queijo herself, using the same recipe her great-grandmother used in Brazil.

“It’s the best pão de queijo in the Bay,” Santos said, proudly.

The chewy, cheesy rolls pair perfectly with coffee or wine and often sells out early in the day. It is a taste of home that keeps loyal customers coming back.

“It’s very artisanal,” Correia said. “It takes time and is hard to make.”

Correia also bakes all the cafe’s cakes, including yucca, corn, lemon and carrot cakes. The yucca cake, made with cassava flour, is especially popular in Brazil’s midwestern countryside.

The new owners still use the previous owner’s recipe. It connects the old and new cafe.

Another pastry that stands out is the coxinha – a golden, chicken-filled pastry. It is perfect for breakfast or a snack. It is full of flavor with a perfect creamy, yet crunchy, bite.

Delicious pastries aren’t all Padoca offers. The cafe also carries a variety of Brazilian pantry staples – including coffee, milk, popular juices from Brazil, sausages and chili peppers.

Correia and Santos even make their own Malagueta hot sauce using those same chilies. This hot sauce is really hot! You only need a few drops for a perfect punch. The spicy, flavorful sauce pairs well with any of Padoca’s savory pastries.

Beyond serving food, Correia and Santos see Padoca as a space for cultural connection. Both are food lovers who enjoy exploring new cuisines and hope to offer their customers that same sense of experience.

“What’s better than San Francisco?” Correia said.

They said they love trying foods from different places and getting a full cultural experience. This is exactly what they want to share at Padoca – not just food, but community gathering around a cultural experience.

Correia and Santos have poured their hearts into growing the business and it shows. Their passion, hospitality and mouthwatering menu have earned them loyal customers and a growing following online.

Lately, Padoca’s online content has been performing well on social media, with reels of cheese bread and colorful açaí bowls drawing attention far beyond the neighborhood.

Whether it’s for a quick coxinha, an energizing açaí bowl or a relaxed afternoon coffee, Padoca Cafe offers a comforting taste of Brazil for everyone who steps through the door.

Padoca Cafe is located at 2884 Geary Blvd. and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday. For more information, visit @padocacafesf on Instagram.

Giselle Garza Lerma is a senior at San Francisco State University majoring in photojournalism and minoring in Latino Studies. See more of her work at gisellegarza.com.