Where We Are Going Today: Dough Mate Bakery

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Updated 07 April 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Dough Mate Bakery

If you have a sweet tooth for delicious baked treats then Dough Mate is the place for you.

One of the hottest brunch spots Riyadh, this is the sort of place that you smell long before you see. The waft of freshly baked sweet and savory pastries is enough to make your mouth water.

Located on a busy main street, Dough Mate is easy to find and its cool ocean blue-and-white exterior exudes a warm welcome.

There are indoor and outdoor seating areas where you can enjoy a crunchy custard NY roll with a tasty coffee. Or perhaps you would prefer a delicious date croissant with that added taste of Saudi culture — it is one of the bestsellers.

The bakery uses the best animal butter containing 82 percent fat (Elle & Vire) to optimize the taste and finish of its creations. It also uses advanced techniques for preparing and maintaining the dough so as to minimize the use of additives and preservatives.

As well as a good range of individual treats, Dough Mate sells ready-to-go boxes of sweet and savory pastries, so there is something for every occasion.

Inside you will find mini croissants with almonds, assorted dessert cups, sweet and savory danche and mini sandwiches.

The brand is also known for its mixed fruit danche, which is a fluffy French dough topped with custard and fresh fruit. It is available in boxes of nine pieces.

The company’s slogan is “We bake memories” and it is hard to argue once you have tried their products as the crunch and flavor of the dough will stay in your memory for a very long time.

Dough Mate is available on delivery apps like Jahez and Hunger Station or visit @Doughmate1.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Le Fournil

Updated 11 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Le Fournil

JEDDAH: La Fournil in Jeddah is a bakery that prioritizes wholesome and healthy ingredients.

The bakery’s name comes from the French word for “oven,” reflecting the traditional craftsmanship at the heart of its concept.

The speciality provided is natural yeast sourdough bread, offering a variety of shapes and sizes designed to suit dietary needs, including gluten sensitivity.

Among its standout offerings is the San Francisco-style sourdough bread, which takes up to three days to prepare. 

I sampled the sourdough coated with a traditional blend of Saudi grains. The bread stood out for its balanced texture and rich flavor and paired particularly well when served at home with labnah, salmon and olives.

After purchase, the bread is sliced upon request using a slicing machine and elegantly packed in a paper bag.

Founder and baker Abdulmohsen Bai brings more than 25 years of baking experience to the venture. He oversees production and develops new recipes, adding personal touches to each type of bread. 

La Fournil operates a single branch in Mohammadiyyah and does not supply other bakeries.

One of the bakery’s most distinctive features is its custom-built pizza oven that you see when you first enter the bakery, designed and constructed by Bai himself.

La Fournil offers more than 10 varieties of sourdough bread, with prices ranging from SR7 to SR37 ($1.87 to $9.87) depending on the type and ingredients.

For more information, visit their Instagram @lefournilksa.