Portuguese Sweet Breads

In Portugal, breakfast often consists of sweet rolls or buns with coffee, generally eaten in a café or bakery. “Just enough sweetness to start your day with some energy,”  co-owner Paula Rego says.

The Dish: Bolo de arroz (rice cake) and pao doce (sweet bread)

What’s Inside: Bolo de arroz is made of butter, eggs, sugar and rice flour; this little muffin is baked in a little paper cup ($1.25).

Pão doce is prepared with regular wheat flour and is yeast-raised ($1.25). The same roll with coconut on top becomes pão de deus—bread of god.

How’s It Taste: Bolo de arroz is soft, airy and cake-like. Pão doce lives up to its name of sweet bread but is not overly sweet; some people enjoy it with butter.

Come early in the day, suggests, Rego. The rolls are very popular and sell out very quickly.