The definitive guide to the best bakeries in Dubai

Home Bakery: A homegrown cafe in Dubai's Al Safa

Home Bakery is the brainchild of Emirati baker and entrepreneur Hind Al Mulla, who started a modest baking project from her kitchen table, which quickly grew thanks to an incredibly loyal following and an overflowing order list.

Enter Home Bakery, one of the UAE’s finest cafe concepts, which serves a cracking breakfast (until 2 pm daily), sweet treats, desserts, and snacks to the hoards of people who show up every day to get a piece of the pie (or the famous ‘Chewy Melt’ cookies).

Insider Tip: Branches can also be found in Al Barsha, Abu Dhabi and d3 – more here

Milk Bakery: A homegrown bakery, cafe and specialty coffee in Jumeirah 1

The founder of Milk Bakery and Cafe Dubai embarked on a sweet journey in 2012, initially baking for friends and family. Propelled by positive feedback and a growing list of special orders, the founder decided to elevate her passion by undertaking a special baking course. The result? In 2017, Milk blossomed into a thriving home business, satisfying the sweet cravings of the Emirate with delectable creations for special occasions and events. Fast forward to 2019, and Milk celebrated a significant milestone by opening its very first brick-and-mortar space in Jumeirah 1.

Milk takes pride in its desserts, offering a diverse range of sweet treats crafted from the finest ingredients and made from scratch daily. The menu extends to house-made croissants, bread, and other morning favourites, alongside healthier options like power balls, açai bowls, gluten-free, and vegan pastries. Emirati gelato connoisseurs, Canvas, provide the ice cream, adding a delightful touch to the dessert offerings.

Bonus for HUNTR Members: ☕️ Milk is a HUNTR Coffee Card Partner, waiting to stamp your card and give you free coffee. Not a member? Sign up here – a limited number of memberships are available

Birch Bakery: A specialty homegrown bakery sourcing the finest quality wheat

Formerly a (HUNTR-coveted) fully-fledged cafe concept in The Greens (which closed when Covid-19 hit) the founder of Birch has been operating her small, homegrown business out of a cashless, curb-side pick-up bakery in Al Quoz. Recently (2023) partnering with the folks at Mirzam Chocolate, Birch has had a little makeover…

What was previously just a humble pick-up stop, is now a quaint al fresco bakery – complete with a beautiful, bespoke gate and charming outside seating area.

Other new additions at Birch include specialty coffee and hot chocolate, thanks to their new business partnership with Mirzam.

The folks at Birch source their hard spring wheat from small family farms in Skagit Valley in Washington. The wheat is grown using sustainable farming methods, without bee-killing insecticides or harvest-aid chemicals. And all of the baked goods from the sourdough bread to the cookies, are made with a non-commodity wheat variety: Yecoro Roja. Plant-based eaters will be pleased to learn that the bread is vegan-friendly. Take a look at the full menu here.

Mama’esh: Delicious Palestinian fare in Al Manara

Named after mana’esh (or manakish) – the delicious flatbread that’s a Middle Eastern cuisine staple, Mama’esh Al Manara is just one of several Mama’esh outlets in Dubai. This homegrown Al Safa gem serves, as you might have guessed, one of the city’s best mana’esh, plus fatayer, soups and salads, appetizers, wraps, and desserts.

Open weekdays from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. and weekends until 3 a.m., all of the flour used for Mama’esh’s freshly baked delights is organic and there are organic coffees and teas available too.

Bageri Form: Artisanal bakes, specialty coffee and Scandi vibes and eats

Located within the Dubai Design District (d3), Bageri Form is a stunning Scandinavian Bakery concept. Emirati-owned it features a beautiful minimalist, light, and airy space with natural clay bricks that serve as a wall to separate the main bakery and the open kitchen bar.

The menu is centered around simple and healthy Scandi cuisine and features all-day breakfast, sandwiches and salads, and desserts. The bakery signatures are yeast-free, 24-hour fermented sourdough bread, croissants, and buns. Drinks-wise specialty coffee is available, alongside tea and other alcohol-free refreshments.

Pekoe: A lush tea and bread bar in Alserkal Avenue

Helmed by Chef Keren Ye, Pekoe Tea & Bread Bar is a must-visit for anyone who loves epic bakes, pastries, sandwiches, and the art of specialty tea. After working with the likes of Baker & Spice, Kizmet, and Rise and Dawn, Keren is now at the steering wheel of Pekoe – a beautiful little spot in Alserkal Avenue…

Housed within one of Alserkal Avenue’s gigantic warehouses, Pekoe is expansive, minimal, and instantly calming.

The menu at this teahouse and small-batch Asian bakery features a variety of sweet and savoury items, with a couple of gluten-free and vegan-friendly options. There are breakfast dishes and lunch-friendly options alongside pastries and desserts.

Brix Café: A homegrown, harbour-side must-visit

From the folks behind 3 Fils and SLRP, Brix Café is a charming homegrown, harbour-side sanctuary serving up delicious all-day breakfast plates alongside tempting housemade pastries and desserts. Located a stone's throw from the aforementioned sushi hotspot, here you will find a calming green colour palette, upscale furnishings, and a stunning view of the harbour….

The brainchild of executive chef Carmen Rueda Hernandez (The Fat Duck, El Bulli), the Brix menu is divided between all-day breakfast, fresh from the bakery, desserts, specialty coffee & tea (including nitro on tap), and other drinks.

The Lighthouse: A great all-rounder on The Palm Jumeirah

First opened in the Dubai Design District (d3), The Lighthouse now calls Mall of the Emirates, Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi, and Nakheel Mall on The Palm Jumeirah home. Serving up its beloved mix of creativity and design with delicious food and drinks, The Lighthouse Palm Jumeirah encompasses a bakery, casual cafe/restaurant complete with a pizza oven, and ample inside and outside seating…

There is also a small but wonderfully curated retail corner, which is the ideal spot to pick up a unique gift and the bakery offers a tempting array of creations (including whole bread loves) to take home too.

Bonus for HUNTR Members: HUNTR Members receive an exclusive 20% off their food and drinks bill at all Lighthouse locations 🤫 Not a member? Sign up here – hurry, a limited number of memberships are available.

Flaky Pastry: A croissanterie in City Walk with specialty coffee

Conceptualised by two ex-hospitality execs, Flaky Pastry is Dubai’s first croissanterie. Located in City Walk, the homegrown cafe concept serves a variety of laminated dough specialties alongside third-wave coffee and tea.

Simple and classy, with a welcoming ambiance, the Flaky Pastry space is small but well-designed to make it feel expansive and offers a few different seating arrangements for small groups. It’s a great spot to work or study, or to cosy up with a croissant, coffee, and a book, and there are an array of sweet and savoury pastry creations on offer.

Quraishi Bakery: Delicious reasonably priced Arabic breads to takeaway

A tiny hidden gem in Al Manara, the Quraishi Bakery is a great spot to visit for super cheap, super delicious, freshly baked bread. Owned by a Pakistani expat and sandwiched between the Ripe Organic Farm Shop and High Joint in Al Manara, this takeaway-only concept first opened in 2010.

The menu here features a selection of freshly baked bread, including rotis, naan, and manakeesh. the HUNTR opted for two Cheese Manakeesh (4AED each). They were delicious – salty and comforting.

Juntas: Portuguese-inspired tranquillity in Al Mizhar

Nestled in the Al Mizha neighbourhood, Juntas draws inspiration from the picturesque Portuguese countryside. Offering a serene outdoor area adorned with inviting couches, cosy corners, numerous potted green plants, and chic furnishings, stepping inside this homegrown gem is akin to entering someone's house…

Juntas offers an array of organic, artisan, hand-crafted, homemade sourdough available as loaves to take home or as part of the casual dining menu. The menu extends to include sandwiches, breakfast items, desserts, and, during special times, sourdough pizzas. Complementing the offerings is specialty coffee, powered by the local RoR Coffee Roastery.

Bonus for HUNTR Members ☕️: Juntas is a HUNTR Coffee Card Partner, waiting to stamp your coffee card and give you free coffee. Not a member? Download The HUNTR: City Guide App and sign up here – a limited number of memberships are now available.

Bagel Yard Dubai: Hand-rolled wood-fired bagels in Al Safa

Nestled in the heart of Al Safa, Bagel Yard Dubai is a homegrown gem, delighting its loyal fans with its hand-rolled, wood-fired bagels and specialty coffee.

What sets Bagel Yard apart is its dedication to the art of crafting exceptional bagels. Hand-rolled, simmered in honey water, and wood-fired in-house daily, these bagels bring a unique and high-quality touch to Dubai's culinary scene. Founded by two Arab expats who identified a gap in the market for authentic bagels, Bagel Yard aims to bridge warm, nostalgic flavours with modern creativity.

With six different bagel options available, including popular choices like 'All Dressed' and 'Sesame,' patrons can enjoy them on-site or take them home in bundles of one, half a dozen, or a baker’s dozen.

Rise & Dawn Bakehouse: Tucked away inside The Sum of Us

From the folks at EatX, Rise & Dawn offers a mouthwatering array of baked delights, from artisanal sourdough loaves to decadent vegan brownies from its bakery – tucked away inside The Sum of Us cafe.

Its gooey cookies and Aussie lamingtons to pistachio cherry scrolls, Rise & Dawn offers a variety of sweet and savoury treats online for next day delivery throughout Dubai. You can also find Rise & Dawn's creations at EatX gourmet cafes including Tom & Serg, Common Grounds, Harvest & Co and more.

HUNTR Member Bonus ☕️: Tom & Serg, Common Grounds, Harvest & Co, The Sum of Us and Encounter are HUNTR Coffee Card Partners stocking Rise & Dawn's delicious baked treats – so you can pair your 🥐 with a HUNTR Coffee Card stamp or maybe even a free coffee. Not a member? Download The HUNTR: City Guide app and sign up today – a limited number of memberships are now available.

BKRY: A huge homegrown bakespace with specialty coffee and tea

Tucked away inside Dubai's Alserkal Avenue, Bkry is a homegrown “bakespace” featuring specialty coffee and tea. From the folks behind Hoof Cafe and Archers specialty coffee roastery, this cafe is a must-visit for all bakery fans…

Housed within a huge warehouse, the star of the show here is the big open kitchen, where all of the mouth-watering baking action takes place behind see-through glass doors. There's also a minimal specialty coffee/tea bar, and ample seating options for all groups sizes.

The perfect place to visit for a nice catch up with a friend or a solo work session, the quietest times to visit are weekday mornings between 8-10 a.m (at weekends you might be hard-pushed to find a table, but it is worth the hype).

Alica Dubai: Speciality coffee, gorgeous views & a charming bakery at Port de La Mer

A morning at Port de La Mer just got more interesting with Alica, where the aroma of fresh sourdough meets speciality coffee. This homegrown bakery and coffee shop, named for the Greek word for ancient grains, adds a slice of slow living to the marina.

The space embraces 1970s minimalism without feeling stark. Natural light pours through expansive windows, while the open bakery brings warmth and movement to the clean-lined interior. Marina views stretch across both indoor and outdoor seating areas, with tables suited to solo laptop sessions or small gatherings.

The bakery menu features an assortment of tempting, daily-baked pastries and breads alongside THREE Coffee and house-blended teas. Breakfast is available from 8 a.m. until midday, and lunch is available from 11:30 a.m. and features a curated “dish of the day” from 65 AED+.