Parmano Bakery & Boutique Café – Try delicious French savory pies and lattes

Text & Photos /Orange Dog Loves Candy

After a busy day at work, I think a simple cup of coffee is the best reward. Of course, an izakaya or a Chinese stir-fry joint would be great too, but I prefer enjoying the rich aroma of coffee and the tranquility of a café—it’s the kind of feeling that really helps me unwind completely. So after a hectic day in Kaohsiung, I asked my junior schoolmate Xiaoyong to take me to this café in the evening.

I remember it was a café recommended by Xiaoshengsheng before he left Taiwan. What left a deep impression on me was how the famous latte art here could create anything imaginable. But last time I tried to visit, the shop had moved, so I couldn’t find it. This time, I finally tracked down the new address.


Outside, there were warm yellow streetlights casting a soft glow on the walls of what I assume is an old building... It’s also located away from the bustling area, so the atmosphere here is the kind of peacefulness you can only enjoy in a café.


Around 8 PM, there weren’t too many customers inside. The first-floor space still felt like a classic café, with bar-style tables and chairs.


There were also seats at the bar counter—hmm, I think the owner is that handsome guy sitting farther back.

Heading up to the second floor, it felt quite different. I really liked the style up here—cozy like home yet with a laid-back, design-conscious vibe. There were two large sofas inside.


They made me want to lie down and roll around. With no outside traffic noise, only relaxing music and the aroma of coffee filled the air.


Starting from the wooden-carved seat in the middle that connects to the ceiling, it gave the impression of the entire space being integrated with the building.


There were also some unique decorative pieces around, like the back wall where an old window frame with some lighting had been turned into a decoration.

This place mainly operates as a café, so they serve coffee and light meals.


The menu is divided into two books—one features specialty coffees and light bites.


Specialty coffee prices range from about NT$140 to NT$160. The more unique ones are probably the artistic specialty lattes with custom latte art—the shop can pretty much draw any pattern you can think of, so Xiaoyong gave them a little challenge. The light meals aren’t expensive either, with most items under NT$120 (except for a few).


The other book features hand-brewed single-origin coffees, along with detailed descriptions.


First to arrive was the [French Smoked Salmon Tart/NT$135]. On top of the French savory pie was a slice of smoked salmon. The pastry crust had its own unique style—somewhat like the flaky, layered texture of a cream soup crust.


Inside, there was a generous filling of assorted vegetables, and the egg custard filling had a rich aroma without being too salty. The smoked salmon wasn’t overly salty either, making it really tasty. There were also a few golden french fries on the side. The portion and price were quite good, I thought.


Then there was the [Golden Pumpkin Sweet Tart/NT$90] for Halloween. It didn’t wow me as much as the savory tart. The shiny golden pumpkin tart didn’t have the pumpkin aroma or richness I was expecting...


Next, I couldn’t resist ordering the [Italian Chicken Panini/Served with Focaccia/NT$120]. For the panini, you can choose between white toast, whole wheat, or focaccia. I personally prefer the texture of focaccia—it becomes crispier and more fragrant after being pressed and baked thick.

The filling was packed full—you might not see much of the Italian chicken since it’s just a thin layer, but unlike convenience store sandwiches that shove all the meat at the front, the filling here is hidden inside and actually very generous. The tender chicken paired with well-seasoned spices—I’d definitely recommend their panini.


After finishing the light meal, the coffee arrived. I ordered the [Coffee Ecstasy/NT$140], which came with a hot coffee, a cool milk foam, and a small splash of single malt whisky. They ignited the alcohol to burn off the spirit before stirring it into the foam...


The slightly cool yet richly bitter coffee carried the mellow aroma of whisky, but it wasn’t overpowering. Even non-drinkers like me ended up loving this lazy, mature scent.

The other cup was Xiaoyong’s [Artistic Specialty Latte/NT$160]. The image drawn on top—if you know Xiaoyong, you’ll recognize what it is, even if it’s drawn a bit small. It actually looked quite like “Boar Yong,” but it’s not just a playful coffee (I originally wanted to order this too... but I was afraid drawing something like Kitty or Hello Kitty would get me teased for being too cute).

Their coffee fundamentals are already excellent—the latte art is just an added fun touch. You can have some fun and make it a personal memory here, since not many cafés do this ^^

But for special designs, you’ll need to provide a reference image—they can’t just create something out of thin air...


Coming to Parmano for coffee, aside from the great atmosphere and delicious food, what made me feel most comfortable was the excellent service. It wasn’t the kind of overly formal good service, but naturally warm and friendly conversation from the start. They introduced everything with smiles throughout, making it feel like hanging out with friends.
(T_T Unless my face just looks too funny.)

Such a great café makes me look forward to visiting again next time I’m in Kaohsiung. The only downside is that parking nearby is really difficult. The nearby parking lots charge NT$50 per hour, which is absolutely outrageous—more expensive than the city center. Taking the MRT here is much more convenient, and it’s not too far from Houyi Station.




[PaMano Premium Baking Artisan Coffee]

Address:No. 9, Chaha’er Second Street, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
Phone:07-323-6198
Business Hours:10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Consumption Reminder:Approximately a 10-minute walk from Exit 1 of Houyi Station on the Red Line of the Kaohsiung MRT
Consumption Reminder:Don’t forget to bring your own design for the artistic specialty latte, okay?
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