Uncovering a Hidden Gem: Ba’a Bakehouse

There’s no stopping Riyadh’s ever-expanding café scene.

In the north of the bustling capital city, coffee lovers are heading to stylish spots such as U Walk, The Zone and Riyadh Front to sample the latest artisanal brews. However, only those in the know can find what is perhaps the best coffee shop tucked away on the other side of town.  

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Take one step into Ba’a Bakehouse in Al Rafiah district and you’ll be hit by the rich, comforting smell of roasted Ethiopian coffee beans. Coupled with the café’s minimally elegant style (think country getaway meets Soho House terrace), walking into the space can feel like coming home. There’s a spectacular view of Wadi Hanifa a few steps from the simple yet chic outdoor seating area. Here, you can indulge in some pastoral nostalgia with the kind of perfect flat white you’d only find in a cosmopolitan capital.  

Speaking of indulgences, the Bakehouse’s white chocolate brownie is well worth the calories. The recipe was passed down to the owner, Bdour Bashmail, from her mother and aunts. It tastes impossibly good, but she has no secret ingredients.  

“All that I have is a love for making my brownies and other pastries,” she claims. “When I bake, I remember making sweets for my family when I was 16 years old. I think this is the true secret.”  

Customers smile, chat and take the time to savour their orders. “We treat our customers like family members,” says Bdour about the relaxed atmosphere.

“We ask for their names, stories, preferences…
It’s why there’s a long line of people at our doorstep.” 

There’s always a place for being on-trend, but it’s not here. Settle into a comfy leather sofa, ask for a brownie and cosy up – Ba’a Bakehouse is the definition of staying inside your comfort zone. 

@baabakehouse