A venture started with the idea of promoting local bread, Poie Re is a place where Goa’s tradition meets culinary innovation
For those who have ever felt hunger pangs while refueling at a petrol pump, Poie Re in Panjim offers a delightful solution. Located at Heera Petrol Pump, this quaint outlet was established by Prasheel and Megh Netravalkar, owners of the renowned Kismoor restaurant. Poie Re’s concept is centered on promoting Goa’s traditional Poie bread, offering a variety of wholesome, protein-packed options, each enhanced with a selection of savory and sweet fillings.
Megh Netravalkar, who envisioned this venture, explains that the idea was inspired during his travels in Europe, where local breads are celebrated by both locals and tourists. With a desire to create a similar experience in Goa, they decided to showcase the versatility of the Poie, a bread that can effortlessly transition from savory to sweet, making it a complete meal.
The café offers a wide array of Poie pockets, with 30 different variations. These range from the classic Goan Cafreal Poie to more innovative options such as the Lebanese Donner Kebab and the Picante Mutton. For those with dietary preferences, there are vegetarian options like the Cream Cheese Garlic Poie and the Greek Mushroom Poie, as well as vegan choices such as the Hummus Pocket and Jack on Fire. The inclusion of sweet pockets, like the Nutella Pocket and Serradura Pocket, demonstrates just how versatile the Poie can be. Customers can also create their own custom Poie, selecting from an array of meats, vegetables, and sauces for a personalized experience.
While the outlet at Heera Petrol Pump serves as their sole physical location, Poie Re also operates a cloud kitchen based in Sangolda. The Poies, which are made by a local bakery in Saligao, are notably larger than those typically offered by your local baker. As the brand expands and its customer base grows, Megh anticipates the need to eventually produce their own Poies in-house.
The café itself exudes a cozy charm, with tables and chairs thoughtfully arranged among lush plants. The walls are adorned with quirky Poie-related sayings, and one corner showcases photographs of the various Poie variants on offer. Among the signature chicken pockets are the Bella Vista Cafreal, Goan Sando, and Lebanese Donner Kebab, while seafood lovers can indulge in the Seafood Overload, Crusted Fish Mayo, and Sinful Balchao. Vegetarians can choose from options such as the Bombay Masala and Mushroom Chilly Blast, while the vegan options include the Hummus Pocket and Jack on Fire.
In addition to the Poie pockets, Poie Re offers salads, sides, milkshakes, juices, and iced teas, making it a well-rounded stop for a satisfying meal. For takeout, Poie Re ensures that each Poie is carefully packaged in premium materials, preserving its freshness during transport.
During our visit, we sampled the Goan Sando and Lebanese Donner Kebab, paired with refreshing iced teas. The Goan Sando, with its hot tenders, jalapeno shrub, salsa, and coleslaw, delivered a robust, flavorful experience, while the Lebanese Donner Kebab, featuring smoked chicken, paprika, garlic toum, and hummus, offered a more subtle, harmonious blend of flavors. Both options were excellent, with the sauces perfectly complementing the ingredients in each pocket. Poie Re not only serves delicious, thoughtfully crafted meals, but also promotes the cultural
heritage of Goa through its signature Poie bread.
Whether you are craving a quick snack or a full meal, Poie Re provides a unique, flavorful experience that is sure to satisfy. For those looking to explore the delightful flavors of Goa, Poie Re is an ideal destination to indulge in a taste of local tradition, combined with innovative culinary creativity.
