German Bakery opens new outlet at Excel World’s Pickle Island
The German Bakery is a little slice of Bavaria in Colombo, where with chequered tablecloths and a cosy atmosphere they offer a range of hearty fare – from delicious cinnamon rolls to filling breakfasts with bacon, mushrooms, juicy sausages and breads – not to mention their linseed bun sandwiches that can have you going for a whole day…
As we walk in we are greeted by founder-owner Prashan Bhutani, who after attending the Overseas School of Colombo rolled up his sleeves to learn the basics of hospitality at the Hilton and at his German wife’s family-run restaurant.
Soft and delicious: A perfect cinnamon bun. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
The German Bakery’s prototype originally took shape at the Good Market, Crescat Boulevard et al for a long time, till Prashan’s father rented him this property in Havelock Town and gave the keys to him as a surprise.
While they used to sell 300-400 loaves a day back then (doing only bread), moving to a fixed address and having a full menu was a sagacious idea of his father’s, admits Prashan. Today, 13 years down, Prashan has a staff of 15 and has opened their first branch at The Pickle Island at Excel World.
Prashan Bhutani
The German Bakery’s doors open at seven, when the regulars start to trickle in. At the beginning they employed no staff and Prashan and his wife Madeleine did everything from baking to scrubbing the bathroom. Even during her pregnancy Madeleine would bake bread and carry heavy stuff. It was this labour of love that drew their loyal clientele, many of whom drop in every day for the comfy carbs.
While Prashan believes in quality local ingredients, down to the coffee that comes from Kotmale, the flour has to be brought down from Germany.
During COVID when most bakeries closed, Prashan’s was open constantly and got ‘millions of orders’- so much that they couldn’t meet the demand. Customers of other establishments ordered with him as there were no other options available, but after tasting the rye bread they became permanent fans.
Their cinnamon bun – soft and plump with just enough cinnamon is the primadonna on the menu and they do seven varieties of German bread – dense and crisp as is traditional- the brown breads invariably made of rye.
Their butter cake, Prashan says, is the only one he knows to hold a candle to the legendary Grand Hotel butter cake of old. They also have an array of savoury buns, cold cuts and salads, jams and a health range.
The bakery together with its play-area which is enough to keep a toddler to a dinosaur-obsessed 12-year-old absorbed, will soon get a makeover, says Prashan. While clients love the homely feel, Prashan with his scrupulous gaze sees some ‘cracks’.
The German Bakery is also part of Vision 2036, where the aim is for businesses to sponsor sportsmen or women so that in the 2036 Olympics Sri Lanka could win ten medals. The German Bakery has been sponsoring for three years a young boxer who won a bronze medal at the Asia Cup making sure he is well nourished.
With his infectious smile, Prashan promises that the Germany Bakery will soon expand to “other Pickle Island places, and hopefully other sports venues as well….”
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