Now in its 6th edition, the annual Padocaria-SP contest selects the best bakeries in São Paulo and Guarulhos — and you, the consumer, can help decide! The first round of voting takes place from September 10 to 27, and the announcement of the grand prize winners is scheduled for November 4.
São Paulo has a long history of being home to iconic bakeries; thus, the contest is much more than just a ranking—it serves as a way to recognize and honor professionals in the field.
At the same time, the initiative encourages the general public to discover —and, why not, rediscover—“padocas” throughout the city.
Created by gastronome Eduardo Maya— founder of Comida di Buteco—and journalist Miguel Icassatti, the contest held its first edition in 2021. After five years focusing exclusively on the city of São Paulo, this year Belo Horizonte will host its own edition: Padocaria-BH!
How does Padocaria-SP work?
Contestants receive votes through the contest’s official website. The competition features establishments in São Paulo—divided by city districts—as well as those in Guarulhos, which is participating in the competition for the second time.
The voting model combines public participation with evaluations by industry professionals. In fact, in the last edition, the competition received nearly 100,000 votes—65,000 in the first phase and about 31,500 in the second phase.
Please note that for your vote to be counted, you must confirm it via email.
First phase: From September 10 to 27, the public can freely nominate bakeries in nine categories:
- Best Bakery Lunch (new for 2026)
- Best Pastry Display (new for 2026)
- Best Coffee
- Best Bread Roll
- Best Naturally Leavened Bread
- Best Bakery Pizza
- Best Team of Pastry Chefs
- Best Bakery in São Paulo
- Best Bakery in Guarulhos
In the initial phase, voters can nominate a different bakery for each category. In other words: you can vote for the coffee at one establishment and the rolls at another.
Second phase: After the finalists are announced, the decisive stage includes:
- Best Cashier Team (new category for 2026), presented by Mondelēz International
- Best Bread on the Griddle with Catupiry
- Best Deli Service
- Best bakeries in downtown São Paulo and the North, South, East, and West districts
- Best Bakeries in Guarulhos
This time, the decision rests with the technical jury. The professionals anonymously visit the 28 finalists. The score they assign accounts for 50% of the final result in each category, while the other half is determined by the general public’s vote.
Awards
The ultimate prize goes beyond a trophy or a spot on the podium: it is institutional and reputational recognition. In addition to prestige within the industry, the winner gains greater visibility among the public and in the specialized press.
Overall, the November 4 ceremony is set to announce:
- The top three finishers in the categories decided during the first phase.
- The best bakery in each region of the capital.
- The Best Bakery in São Paulo.
- The Best Bakery in Guarulhos.
- Sustainable Bakery Highlight: an award presented in partnership with Food To Save based on sustainability criteria.
Finally, establishments that have won three consecutive titles in the same category are honored with the “Hors Concours” distinction and are no longer eligible to compete in that category, making room for new participants. However, they continue to compete in the other categories.
