How about a “unique” pastel? In Bertioga, Pastelaria Rio da Praia has reinvented the presentation of one of the state’s most popular snacks. The shop replaces the standard shape with pastries featuring unusual contours, such as a flip-flop, a capybara, or the iconic Batman symbol.
Founded in 2004 by Genário Batista Rocha, Pastelaria Rio da Praia was created with the goal of doing something different to attract new customers and retain those who already knew the shop. By 2022, the shop was already considered a tradition in the Jardim Rio da Praia neighborhood, selling about 300 pastries a day.
What sets Pastelaria Rio da Praia apart
However, the idea of pastries in playful shapes didn’t start as a commercial venture, but rather as a personal one. Genário says that one day, he made a heart-shaped pastry for his daughter when she was still little. She loved it, so her father decided to add this new style of pastry to the menu.
From then on, the owner observed how the public—especially children—responded. Genário noticed that the kids might not be interested in the heart shape, but rather in the Batman symbol. And so the second shape was born, followed by others that served the same purpose: to please the children —and, of course, the adults as well.
The different shapes, however, aren’t part of the general menu; they’re set apart inthe so-called“kids’ line.” Because of their shape, the flavors are limited to cheese, pizza, bauru, chicken, and beef.
However, when Genário is there, you can order pastries in shapes other than the most common ones, such as characters from Galinha Pintadinha, SpongeBob, Patrick, Bart Simpson, and even Frozen.
In addition, you can order other animals besides the charming capybara, such as seahorses, frogs, dogs, and cats, as well as pastries with names written on the dough.
Other Attractions
Voted the best in Bertioga for the fifth consecutive time by the LocalBest Award—a local award based on a public vote—Rio da Praia offers other options on its menu besides pastries, such as snacks and an ice cream shop featuring milkshakes and açaí.
Another unique feature of these pastries is their size: the shop offers 30-cm versions and a 35-cm option, which promises a little bit of every filling. And speaking of fillings, the pastry shop has about 40 different pastry flavors on the menu.
Visit the pastry shop!
Located at 195 Pastor Djalma da Silva Coimbra Street, across from SESC Bertioga, Pastelaria Rio da Praia is open every day from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.
