Amidst the rows and rows of lighting stores, bak kut teh eateries, and questionable-looking hourly hotels along Balestier sits the modest Shaw Plaza. And within that, lies Pan Fresco, a relatively new bakery-café that you probably wouldn’t have heard of if you haven’t recently set foot in the small neighbourhood shopping mall. After all, Shaw Plaza isn’t the sort of place one would specially plan an outing to – but perhaps this might just change your mind.
We chanced upon Pan Fresco while making a random bathroom pit stop at the mall. The cosy-looking café certainly stands out against the rest of the cookie-cutter F&B selection which includes the likes of Burger King, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Ya Kun, Collin’s, and what have you – the usual establishments that exist in most other estates across Singapore.
We were further drawn in by the prices, which start from an affordable $1.80 for a baguette, $3 for a raisin cream danish or kouign amann, and $3.80 for a fruit danish or almond Hokkaido milk loaf. For something more loaded, there’s a filled hazelnut chocolate croissant, cube pastries in flavours like green tea and Biscoff, and a pistachio croissant which seems to be a crowd favourite. These, as well as the savoury ham and cheese croissant with salted egg yolk sauce, will only set you back $5.80 per piece.
Other fresh bakes here include croffles, mushroom cheese focaccia, and lemon tarts – but keep your options open as the exact selection on hand might differ from day to day. There’s also a whole shelf of buns spanning across the length of the wall right opposite the pastry counter. It's a surprisingly wide range, given that Pan Fresco is such an understated little shop.
The beverages are similarly easy on the wallet, with a simple espresso and black from $3.50 each, and white and mocha from $4.50. You won’t find fancy concoctions of strawberry matcha lattes here, but there is hot and iced chocolate (from $4.50) and the option for oat milk ($0.50). Alternatively, there’s also a handful of artisan tea (from $6) flavours to pair with your munchies of the day.
Takeaways are most commonplace here, but we reckon Pan Fresco’s pastries are best eaten on the spot. The seating area is small though, so you might have to arrive right as doors open – or be open to waiting a little – if you’re keen to secure one of the few tables in the premises. If successful, you’ll be rewarded with a peaceful breakfast or teatime session where you can slow down and watch the world go by through the fluted floor-to-ceiling windows.
Stay updated on Pan Fresco’s latest news via its Instagram page.
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