Most people come to Doha for the shopping, opulence, and authentic cuisine. What better way to indulge your opulent cravings then than eating a freshly baked cake? Although cake isn’t necessarily an “authentic” Doha dish, the city’s large influx of European tourists means that it’s home to some of the best bakeries in the Middle East. So, that being said, where is the best cake in Doha?
Opera Patisserie and Bakery is the best bakery in Doha (and probably the entire country of Qatar, for that matter). From large, delicious slices of cakes to small cake-like pastries and other small French delicacies, Opera Patisserie and Bakery will satisfy even the pickiest of sweet tooths.
Whether you’re into cakes, brownies, cookies, or you want an entire custom-baked cake, Opera has you covered. That being said, they aren’t the only good bakery in town. So, today, I invite you to take a virtual trip to some of Doha’s best cake bakeries. Let’s take a look!
The Best Places To Eat Cake In Doha
Personally, I don’t have a huge sweet tooth. Generally speaking, I’d rather be eating at one of Doha’s amazing Indian buffets or checking out one of the unique Asian fusion restaurants in town. However, there’s no better nightcap than a good slice of cake and a coffee.
Now, when people think of Qatar and the Middle East, the last thing that usually comes to mind is cake. Traditional spicy dishes like Doha’s biryani or kebabs are usually the go-to dishes that most people think of in regards to Persian cuisine. Cake is definitely more of a Western/European dish.
That being said, cake culture has gradually seeped into Doha’s high-end fine dining culture, and it’s here to stay. These days, it’s not uncommon to find cake served at regular hotel buffets or restaurants. We’re not here to talk about cheap cake today, though. Below, I’m going to show you some of the best places to get a slice of cake (or a whole cake) in Doha!
1) Magnolia Bakery (at the Mondrian Doha Hotel)
One of the first times that I had the pleasure of staying in Doha, I booked a room at the Mondrian Hotel. For the first couple of nights that I stayed there, I would walk past the small Magnolia Bakery and wonder what it was all about. Then, on the third night, I decided to give it a try.
Magnolia Bakery focuses on simple, handmade from scratch recipes. Of course, they have all of the classics like devil’s food cake, red velvet, vanilla, and chocolate. Once you look past the first page, though, they have some really creative recipes such as the Hummingbird (banana, pineapples, and pecans) and even a pistachio cake with buttercream icing.
Everything here is made in-house, including the icing. The vibe is very old-school and everything from the furniture to menu design and the art on the walls has a vintage feel to it that makes you feel like you’re in a small-town London bakery.
2) Opera Patisserie and Bakery
As I mentioned above, the Opera Patisserie and Bakery is one of my favorite cake and pastry spots, and it almost made my list of the top 10 restaurants in Doha! In terms of sheer opulence, Opera is one of the most beautifully aesthetic bakeries in Qatar and it makes for a great place to take a date.
While it is a bit expensive on the expensive side, they have a huge variety of options when it comes to cakes. They offer traditional large moist cakes as well as small tarts. They also have those cool “cake-in-a-jar” options as well. These are perfect if you’re looking for a single serving!
My favorite cake on the menu was the lotus cheesecake in a glass jar. It was so decadent that I had to split it with my date! If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, Opera also has a small sandwich menu so you can have a savory side along with your cake.
3) Le Pain Quotidien
Throughout Qatar’s time as a British colony, there was a significant influx of French visitors. In addition to tourists, though, many of them ended up moving to Qatar permanently, and this was how Le Pain Quotidien came about.
Located in the Festival City district of Doha, Le Pain Quotidien’s most famous dessert is their chocolate praline cake. They give you a large slice that you can easily split with a friend (or take home for leftovers). If chocolate isn’t your cup of tea, then they also have a delicious carrot pineapple cake as well as some other smaller tarts and French pastries!
4) Istanbul Sultan’s Cake
Like I mentioned earlier, it took a while for cake to become popular in the Middle East and India. For the majority of the 20th Century, cake was viewed as food available only to the wealthiest nobility. Here, you’ll be able to taste some of these classic Persian-style cake recipes.
Istanbul Sultan’s Cake is truly one of the most unique bakeries in Doha. Unlike most bakeries in the city, which focus more on European-style pastries, Istanbul Sultan’s Cake focuses on traditional Turkish recipes.
The most popular cake on their menu is the Turkish caramel cake. If you come in the morning, they also serve freshly made baklava and Turkish coffee (a combination that simply can’t be beaten).
I also really enjoyed the vibe here. It doesn’t have the high-end, upscale vibe that most of Doha’s bakeries flaunt. Rather, it’s small, family-friendly, and just feels local. It’s one of those hidden gems that most tourists don’t know about, which is what makes it one of my favorites!
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for opulent French-inspired cakes or you want a taste of authentic Turkish-style cakes and baklava, Doha has a number of options that are bound to suit any fancy. Most of the bakeries also serve small sandwiches, coffee, and other sides as well, so you can sit and stay for a while, enjoying a full meal.
So, the next time you’re in Doha and your sweet tooth starts to bug you, take a trip down to Opera Patisserie or Istanbul Sultan’s Cake and eat your heart out! I guarantee you’ll be impressed.