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Delish Brazilian comfort food just landed in North Burnaby

The wide array of different cultures represented on the Burnaby Heights restaurant scene has added one more. A French bistro at Hastings and Gilmore has recently been transformed into Café Oca – a Brazilian bistro that focuses on comfort foods.
cafe oca food
Empadao - Brazilian chicken pie, with cream cheese, hearts of palm, corn, and green onion. Cafe Oca photo

The wide array of different cultures represented on the Burnaby Heights restaurant scene has added one more.

A French bistro at Hastings and Gilmore has recently been transformed into Café Oca – a Brazilian bistro that focuses on comfort foods. This is a fine addition to a roster of eateries that include French, Italian, Greek, Indian, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Singaporean and more.

Most Westerners when they hear the words “Brazilian food” will instantly think of Brazilian steakhouses in which they carve succulent meats right at your table (that really is such a nice thought, by the way).

But there’s so much more to Brazilian cuisine and Café Oca focuses on a few simple comfort items.

“It is our goal to create a special space for our Brazilian customers to experience the nostalgia of home, while also inspiring and connecting our Canadian customers with our culture,” reads a statement on the eatery’s website. “Our vision is to be established and trusted as the best Brazilian coffee bar in town and to be a leader in innovation, service, and quality.”

cafe oca
Empadinha - Mini Brazilian chicken pies with olives, cream cheese, hearts of palm, corn, and green onion at Cafe Oca in Burnaby. Cafe Oca photo

These include:

  • Coxinha - Deep fried potato batter with a chicken, cream cheese, and green onion filling.
  • Empadao - Brazilian chicken pie, with cream cheese, hearts of palm, corn, and green onion.
  • Empadinha - Mini Brazilian chicken pies with olives, cream cheese, hearts of palm, corn, and green onion.
  • Bauru - Pizza dough sandwich with ham, cheese, tomato, and Italian herbs.
  • Misto Quente – Brazilian grilled cheese sandwich
  • Pao de Queijo – Cheese balles with cassava flour

Add to that house-made desserts and pastries, such as various brigadeiros and lime cake.

Café Oca also has a full menu of coffees and teas, and Brazilian fruit juices. You can even get a glass of wine.

You can read more about the menu here.

Disclaimer: I have not been paid by this restaurant to write about them. The owners don’t even know I am writing about them. I just love good food and sharing that love with readers.

Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.