Al Reef bakery is one spot that brings back loads of childhood memories for most Dubai-aites. The iconic bakery bakes all things lip-smacking, be it Manakeesh, croissants or traditional sweets. And now, the bakery has closed down. Well, google says ‘temporarily closed’ and that makes us feel a little hopeful. But, until then we’re definitely gonna miss hogging on their treats.
Established in UAE in 1986, Al Reef Lebanese Bakery is your place if you love manakish. The bakery is also known for its Middle Eastern pastries like kuna fa and baklawa and also serves lip-smacking bite-sized desserts.
This no frills bakery nestled along the by-lanes in Karama is home to some of the best baked goodies in town. And the best part- the bakery still retains its old world charm, retaining loyal customers from the 90s.
The bakery is renowned for its Manakeesh, a classic Lebanese bread that is stuffed with a ton of toppings, including cheese and Zaatar, which is a favorite in the neighborhood. The smell of freshly baked Manakeesh makes your tongue water as the crew here pushes the bread into and out of an old oven.
As soon as you enter, the aroma of freshly baked goods entices you and leaves you unsure of where to begin. You can have their freshly baked Manakeesh, which is offered in vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties, as an appetizer. The croissants come in cheese, chocolate, and zaatar flavors and are warm, crumbly, buttery, and melt in your tongue.
Choose their beef samosas, pizzas, or spring rolls if you’re in the mood for something deep-fried. After you’ve consumed all of these, get some of their sweet goodies. You’ll have a lot of options once you get here, from warm, spongy tea cakes to traditional Arabic sweets like kaak, ma’amoul packed with almonds, and kanafeh.
Well, we know it’s all a little overwhelming now that the little bakery has shut shop. But, we’re hoping it will be back very soon (Staying hopeful).
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