Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Ever since the inception of their poké bowl restaurant, I’ve been a fan of the founders— Jasmine, Jerlene, and Hazel. With the establishment of Doña Bakehouse, they continue to amaze me with the distinct flavours of their dishes. Its location on Jalan Tan Hiok Nee further enhances its appeal with a vintage vibe and convenient setting.
The establishment is easily identifiable by its retro window, showcasing various pastries fresh from the oven. On weekends and holidays, you’ll find a snaking queue at the storefront, extending from the neighbouring Hiap Joo Bakery, the renowned banana cake establishment. So, it’s basically impossible to overlook.
Upon entering the shop, you’ll see a glass display case filled with freshly-baked pastries. The counter is almost always packed with patrons, all busy choosing their favourite croissant flavours.
You can either choose to have your pastries on-the-go or sit in and relax. Not only is the storefront charming, but the interior is also delicately renovated, retaining important elements of the building where you can find traces of time in its design.
What I tried at Doña Bakehouse
Though the exterior was flaky, it didn’t easily crumble when I cut it, which I think is a mark of success. The interior of the croissant was airy with large bubbles and stuffed generously with pistachio filling.
Unlike most pistachio fillings that are purely sweet, this one had a hint of saltiness and it achieved a harmonious blend. There were also some pistachio bits in the filling, adding depth to the texture of the croissant.
Nimmies Pastry Cafe: All-in-one JB cafe with a huge variety of fresh bakes & hearty mains
Next, I tried another sought-after pastry, the Raspberry Creamcheese Swirl (RM14). It was drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled with flower petals. One thing I loved about the pastries here is the lamination of the dough.
If you look closely, you’ll notice the layers are extremely neat and tidy— such meticulous effort from the chef.
The swirl was generously filled with raspberry sauce. The sourness of the filling balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the white chocolate drizzled outside; each mouthful was also filled with the pastry’s delightful aroma. While the flavours may sound complex, they came together to form an impeccable combination.
I also tried a new addition to the Danish selection, the Tiramisu (RM14.90). This pastry featured espresso caramel, coffee patisserie cream, and white chocolate mascarpone ganache atop the flaky layers. Once again, the neat layers amazed me.
Compared to the other two, the Tiramisu was slightly harder, hence making it tougher to bite. However, the coffee filling was a delightful plus; it maintained its distinct flavour even when paired with the sweet white chocolate mascarpone. The aroma of the coffee lingered in my mouth after each bite.
Final thoughts
Apart from the sweet pastries mentioned above, they also offer several savoury options that caught my attention. Unfortunately, I was too full to try everything. All the pastries I had were a feast for the senses, pleasing in colour, aroma, and taste— though the Tiramisu was a bit hard, its flavour and aroma made up for it. I will definitely revisit when I’m craving croissants, preferably during off-peak hours.
For those planning to visit, driving may not be the best choice as parking can be tricky, especially on weekends and public holidays. If you’re coming from the Woodlands checkpoint, the eatery is just a 9-minute walk from City Square.
Expected damage: RM14 – RM25 per pax
