Dona Bakehouse has been sitting right next to the famous Hiap Joo Bakery, and honestly, we’ve walked past it countless times without giving it a second thought. This time was different though.
Finding Dona Bakehouse: Location and First Impressions
After our brunch at Chai Ji Fish Soup and cake shopping at Hiap Joo, we found ourselves with time to kill. Dona Bakehouse beckoned from next door, and surprise – Tapu Tarts had relocated and set up shop right beside it too.
Walk in, grab a table, remember your table number, then head to the counter to order. You only settle the bill after your meal.
Coffee at Dona Bakehouse: Hit and Miss
Iced Mocha – The Winner
Their iced mocha struck the right balance. Not overly sweet like some cafes tend to make it. The chocolate and coffee played nicely together without one overpowering the other.
Long Black – Skip This One
The long black was a disappointment. Too acidic for our liking, lacking the smooth finish you’d expect from a decent coffee. If you’re particular about your black coffee, Dona Bakehouse might not hit the mark.
Food Review: When Looks Deceive
Kunafa Chocolate
This pastry looked absolutely stunning on the plate. Big, plump, and promising. Reality bit hard when we cut into it. The croissant wasn’t as airy as expected, and the exterior lacked that light, crispy texture you’d want.
The filling tasted like Nutella. Green crispy filo pastry topped it off, creating what felt like kunafa meets croissant. Unfortunately, the croissant base let the whole thing down.
Tuna Salad Danish: Beautiful but Flawed
Another case of looks deceiving. The Danish appeared to have beautiful flaky layers from the outside. We expected crispy, crunchy textures with each bite. Instead, the layers were packed together densely, almost like they never properly rose during baking.
Cutting through it required genuine effort. The knife struggled against the compact pastry. The tuna salad topping was the saving grace though – rich mayo taste that actually worked well. It’s just a shame about the pastry base.
Atmosphere and Pricing at Dona Bakehouse
We lucked out with seating right under the air conditioning. After battling JB’s scorching heat outside, this felt like paradise. The cafe’s environment is genuinely pleasant for a relaxed meal.
The total damage? RM69.50 after service charge and taxes, which converts to roughly S$22. By local standards, that’s pretty steep for what we got.
Dona Bakehouse: The Verdict
Location-wise, Dona Bakehouse couldn’t be more convenient. Right next to Hiap Joo means you’re already in the heart of JB’s food scene. The air-conditioned environment provides welcome relief from the heat.
However, the food quality doesn’t justify the premium pricing. Both pastries we tried looked significantly better than they tasted. The coffee was inconsistent – one great, one terrible.
Would We Return to Dona Bakehouse?
Honestly? Probably not. The combination of high prices, inconsistent food quality, and better alternatives nearby makes it hard to recommend. The cafe serves its purpose if you need air conditioning and caffeine, but don’t expect culinary magic.
Dona Bakehouse has potential, but until they sort out their pastry execution and pricing strategy, we’ll be giving it a miss on future JB food adventures.