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    Diotima Bakehouse

    4.8 (303 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Diotima Bakehouse Photos

    Business Info

    DIOTIMA BAKEHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Diotima Bakehouse

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    cappuccino and pan au chocolat
    Sofia A.

    I've been meaning to try out Diotima for a while, so when I found myself in the neighborhood this morning I decided to visit. Kian runs this place like the navy. The quality of the food speaks for itself, but what is most impressive is the smooth operation of this hot new cafe. The space itself is small, and the cafe gets busy---- but there is plenty of seating and even during peak hours, there's barely a line. His team is incredibly efficient and quick. From the second I walked in, I was welcomed. The place is spotless-- as soon as there is an empty table, a staff member cleans it. It is clear that the team at Diotima takes a lot of pride in this little bakery cafe. The cappuccino was delicious, and the price point was great for the area. The croissant was excellent--- not too sweet, and that beautiful combination of buttery soft inside and flaky outside that demonstrates how fresh it is. I'm very impressed by Diotima, and wish Kian and the team so much success! I look forward to taking my friends here soon :)

    Fern H.

    Probably the best bakery in Orange County. Can't think of any other businesses doing superior baked goods currently. The quality of their products is very impressive. The croissant layers and texture are master class. I haven't had anything I didn't like so far. This place is amazing. Well deserved 5 star average. I love that the staff is so humble and eager to help.

    Drinks menu 6/20/26
    Jaymes M.

    Diotima Bakehouse, an amazingly delicious bakery, is located off of Los Alisos and Jeronimo in the city of Mission Viejo. I've heard all the buzz about this place and I have had it bookmarked since owner and chef Kian Moltaji first opened. I am happy to say that I finally had a chance to go. I am literally kicking myself for not having gone sooner because of ALL the bakeries I have been to...I can honestly say that this is by far my absolute favorite. They are open Wednesday through Sunday only so keep that in mind. Chef Kian, offers French pastries that will have you wanting more with the very first bite. The bakery not only smells amazing but it's clean inside and decorated with some pretty live plants. I mean, the bakery made me smile just walking in. Don't know. There are several small tables that line two side walls, just perfect for some coffee and chill with a friend. What I ordered. 1) almond & raspberry danish 5/5 - OMG. I love almond desserts and pastries but I am always so hesitant to take the first bite because they're usually crazy sweet. Not this. This was crispy, flaky, moist, tasty and perfectly sweetened. 2) caramelized almond croissant 5/5 - another super good almond pastry. You'd think being that it is caramelized that this would be cavity inducing but it is far from that. Just the right sweetness. 3) guava cheese 5/5 - really good. What I liked was the soft sweetness of the cheese which usually overpowers cheese pasties everywhere else. 4) chocolate croissant - I didn't get to try this. The kids devoured it so quickly I didn't even have a chance. They did enjoy it very much and had to split the two between them since it's a fairly large pastry. They asked for me to buy more of it, so I'm guessing it must've been a 5/5 for them too. 5) pistachio raspberry croissant 5/5 - this is amazing. No wonder they run out of this all the time. 6) caramelized pistachio raspberry 5/5 - similar to the croissant. This is also very delicious. This one also ran out the first time I went. 7) Nutella 5/5 - I honestly cannot remember the name of this pastry other than it has Nutella in it. This was a huge hit with the kids. The kids are already bugging about going as soon as they open again to which I will happily oblige. I need to snag me some of the pistachio pastries next time. I hear those are amazing. So happy to have them so close to home.

    So many good options
    Sajeet S.

    This is a great bakery that services excellent coffee. The staff is super friendly. Always go early because they sell out especially of the chocolate cake

    We tried 4
    Scott B.

    First time here... been wanting to visit. There are a few really high quality "European" style pastry shops in South Orange County... and Diotima is up there with the best. I'd like to give this higher but I only give 5's based on consistency so my reviews are authentic and if I've tried a good variety of their options. The service was solid but could have communicated about the product more as I was selecting... maybe a question about if this was my first time in or if I like sweet or savory and offer a few suggestions... just a thought. It's a small spot but has space to meet with a friend and have a drink (I didn't order one but people dinning in all had a specialty drink) It was clean and seemed well cared for with a simple decor. If you are in the area, support this local spot as we need to help keep places that provide quality food doing well! I'm looking forward to going back and trying some of the savory pastries.

    Mike L.

    There was always a line outside Diotima so I decided to give it a try. I ordered the almond cake, Kouign Aman (filled and unfilled), the salmon mousse croissant, butter croissant, salt bread, and an iced almond latte. As a Parisian-inspired bakery, I expected the croissants to be flaky and tender and did they live up to this expectation. The butter croissant crackled when I bit it, and then it exposed the tender center. I had the same experience with the kouign aman. I was concerned though that the kouign aman would be too sweet, but because of the slight bitterness of the caramelized sugar, it didn't taste too sweet at all. The almond cake was also delicious. Not too sweet and moist. Full of almond flavor. The ice almond latte was delicious, rich, and the espresso was not acidic or bitter. Now for the salt bread. The bread was good, but it didn't have the same texture contrasts I was expecting when compared to other salt breads I have had. Overall, a great little bakery and I will be stopping by again.

    All the pastries we had to try!
    Kathy S.

    Every time we're here we can't help ourselves but order everything!! All pastries and sandwiches taste as good as they look! You can't go wrong with any pastries that you get here! Our favorites: Kouign amann (with vanilla filling) Pain Au Chocolate Almond croissant Cardamom bun Turkey salted bread: loved all the textures and different layers of flavors! These also sell fast!! BBQ Turkey salted bread: wow!! So good! Come early bc these sell out FAST!! The staff here are all so delightful!! Everyone is friendly and eager to help. Their recommendations are great, but then again all items are pretty AMAZING! The line will get long but it moves pretty quickly! If you're lucky you'll see chef Kian himself behind the counter! He's super friendly and a humble man. :) There are few tables available inside for you to enjoy your goodies. People often grab the pastries to go but we like eating there and people watch! I wish we didn't have to drive 20+ minutes to get here but it's worth it! Also be mindful that the bakery is only opened 4 days a week (Tues, Th, Fri, and Saturday)! Chef Kian is working on opening possibly on Sundays! Fingers crossed!!

    BT J.

    Great selection of bake good. Good drinks. Nice cafe, not a lot of seats. I suppose if it's not so hot, a few tables and chairs could be added outside. Helpful staffs since it was our first time and we are unfamiliar.

    Pain Suisse - golden crust and beautiful texture
    Reveka G.

    A budding cafe with a nice variety of baked goods; classics and some twists on the classics, beautifully made. The turkey sandwich is very filling and delicious, especially for those who like pickles. The butter croissant was not bad, actually... I prefer a bit more tang and the structure could use some improvement but I am a self-proclaimed croissant snob and I was not disappointed. I find the prices to be fair, but I'm used to dining in LA. I found some of the lower rating reviews to be quite rough. Folks might not recognize the level of effort and time it takes to laminate croissants and to create edible works of art. Service was welcoming and gracious. I would love to see this place continue to grow and thrive with the support of its generous community. So many people popped in and picked up a box or two of goodies. The music, the smiles, and friendly chatter left me with a great first impression.

    Ana M.

    By far one the best Bakery's in US! The chef behind this art gallery is a very talented young man who loves what he does! And you can definitely taste the love in his works! Can't express how unique is this shop's products! Do yourself a favor and go there at least once a week! He is the best thing happened to Orange County in the last few years!

    Cucumber Smoke salmon croissant and peach danish
    Elizabeth M.

    Pastries were amazing! Went in with friends and we enjoyed the banana crème pie, the guava cream cheese, and I loved the smoked salmon cucumber croissant. We got plenty and split to try new flavors. The owner greeted us when we entered right at opening and that's is very rare to see nowadays. The staff were friendly, kind, and efficient. There is seating inside (2 tables of 4 seats) and a few 2 people tables. They serve coffee too! Price ranges from $6-$10 more or less depending on what you choose. I love that we can go and grab our own utensils and napkins as someone with a bit of social anxiety hehe. Thank you for bringing joy to our day!

    Box to go
    Jason G.

    Family brought home a box of various pastries. I tried a few and nothing I liked unfortunately. Just not well executed. Ham & Cheese Croissant - very bland Berry crumble cake - just way too wet/soggy Salt Chocolate Chip - Lacked flavor My family didnt mind but its not for me. If I go back will definitely try something else.

    Sylvie C.

    Visited after having a big lunch near closing time. Their hours are pretty limited. Something like 1100-1600. Not really good for picking up boxes of goodies meant for morning meetings or team sports event. The parking was tight and limited. The silent pressure to make the transaction quickly so they can go home soon was very salient. The selection was limited perhaps due to it being 20 minutes before closing. I got 4 pastries for $25 or so. Various items with vanilla custard filling, cream filling, and chocolate filling of sort. None of them except for the custard square stood out to me. Everything tasted too sweet, sticky, stale, and/or buttery. Very messy to eat in the car. I guess I am just not a French pastry sweets kind of person. I have similar reactions when going to Chaupain or places like Paris Baguette. Both are French-style bakeries and I always feel like their stuff is too sweet or too oily. At least their products aren't stale. Because of how out of way this location is from home, difficult parking situation, not the friendliest or the most efficient service, the price points being $7 for a sickly sweet and stale tart, I doubt I will be returning. I have no problem driving out to Santa Monica / Century City just to get some good baked items. Distance isn't always the problem. Perhaps I just don't understand the hype behind Diotima but that's ok.

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    Business owner information

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    Kian M.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Diotima Bakehouse

    Are there any gluten free options?

    Yes.

    Hi, I was wondering if the bakery uses French flour?

    Hi! We use artisan American flour :)

    Do you have any gluten-free options? My granddaughter has celiac disease?

    We do not currently have any gluten-free options. My apologies.

    What day is the least busy? I always see a big line!

    They are only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I went there in August on a Tuesday and waited until they opened. There were 8 people ahead of me. But once they opened the line moved quickly. Saturdays seem to be the busy day with longer… 

    View All 11 Questions

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    Pandor Artisan Bakery & Café

    Pandor Artisan Bakery & Café

    4.0
    (216 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    I used to manage the Chipotle right next door, so I stopped by this bakery quite often. The owners…read moreand their son have always been incredibly kind, welcoming, and appreciative of the neighboring businesses. Their son in particular is phenomenal and always made every interaction pleasant. The baked goods are fresh, delicious, and clearly made with care. While there was one interaction in the past that felt a little more business-focused than hospitality-focused regarding a mall discount, it was far from enough to take away from the overall experience this bakery consistently provides. Manager ( not the owners ) was upset I wasn't able to offer a mall discount when they were able too. Came to the point she would verbally say we wouldn't ( myself and crew members) wouldn't be receiving it. Personally not a big deal. Most I'd spend was 5-7$ and discount was less than a dollar. Still a phenomenal bakery At the end of the day, great ownership, great products, and great people. Small businesses like this deserve support, and I'm always happy to recommend them.

    Extremely Disappointing Service -- It's About the Principle…read more We ordered a tuna brioche sandwich and were asked whether we wanted a salad or fries. I clearly said fries. When I received the bill, I noticed I had been charged separately for the sandwich and a side of fries. Since we were sharing the sandwich, I asked for it to be cut in half. After having to ask again, the sandwich finally arrived on a small plate. We then had to ask for a second plate so we could each have our own. The entire experience felt unnecessarily complicated and showed a real lack of attention to basic customer service. After waiting more than half an hour, we asked about the fries we had ordered and already paid for. Instead of simply checking the order, the server asked to see my receipt, which made me feel as though he was questioning whether I was telling the truth. After some time, he returned and admitted that he had made a mistake when charging us. He explained that what I had paid for the fries was actually the full price of the sandwich, and if we still wanted fries, we would have to pay for them again. The fries were only $2, so this was never about the money. What was upsetting was the principle. You made the mistake, not the customer. I had already left approximately a 20% tip, and I simply expected the restaurant to honor the mistake rather than come back and ask me for another $2. When I pointed this out, I was told the manager would not allow it. Honestly, the $2 mistake cost you a customer. I will not return, and I would not recommend this place. It's not about the price of the fries--it's about how you make your customers feel. After spending our money here and leaving a good tip, I expected to feel that our business was appreciated. Instead, I left feeling that it simply wasn't.

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    Cute interior
    Cute interior
    Le Big Mac
    Le Big Mac
    Honey Lavender Latte. Honey with subtle lavender notes.

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    Scratch Bakery Cafe

    Scratch Bakery Cafe

    4.1
    (849 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$
    Catering service
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    I have never not seen this place crowded... they do a good business…read more I recently tried the blueberry lavendar iced tea and I cannot stop thinking about it. It was so good and refreshing! Friendly customer service.

    We moved walking distance and have heard amazing things about this cafe, so we wanted to know what…read morethe hype was about. We get it now!! From the start, you're welcomed with the fresh scent of baked bread, fresh pastries, and coffee. I ordered the Ronnie on rye and my husband ordered the eggs Benedict. We also ordered a half sweet vanilla latte and a caramel macchiato. Everything was delicious! My sandwich was, honestly, heaven. It was such a delicious twist on a breakfast item to have a hot pastrami sandwich with egg, cheese, hash brown, and extra Dijon. Being pregnant, this was perfect. I tried my husband's eggs Benedict and it was delicious, as well. The bun was so soft and fluffy and created a great base for the dish. Finally, the coffees were nicely balanced and my half sweet vanilla latte had just the right amount of flavor. This cafe is bustling for good reason! Almost every table was full and there were plenty of people inside ready for to-go orders. But, it didn't feel overwhelming and remained welcoming. There's plenty of seating outside so dont be deterred! All of the staff were working hard and were very polite. Can't wait to go back!

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    Savour Bakery

    Savour Bakery

    4.5
    (424 reviews)
    2.4 mi
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    First time experience. Great little family owned bakery/café with a family friendly atmosphere…read more Picked up some ham/cheese and spinach quiche's, lemon bar and some freshly made baguettes. Staff was friendly and respectful and location very clean. Everything purchased was freshly made and when prepared at home tasted great. The baguettes especially were amazing... I will definitely go back and highly recommend this business.

    I finally got a chance to visit this place and I am so happy that I did…read more I was going to visit my 99 year old grandmother and wanted to get her some sweets on my way there. When I walked in, a kind lady greeted me and asked me what I would like to get. I told her that I am visiting my grandmother and what she recommends that are not too sweet and easy to chew for an elder. Everything that she recommended was delicious! She even gave couple of pastries on the house for my grandma to try which was so sweet and kind. When I got to my grandma's house, she tried a little bit of everything and enjoyed it! I could see if from the smile on her face. That day was the last day I saw my grandma well before she went to hospital 5 days later and passed away 3 days after that. But I am so happy that this bakery and especially the kind owner, gave me a chance to see my grandma enjoying the pastries and being all happy. I will never forget that day and I owe it to this bakery. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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    Section view of the Guava Cream Cheese Danish.
    Section view of the Guava Cream Cheese Danish.
    Section view of a pear danish.
    Section view of a pear danish.
    Jalapeño Bacon Croissant. Flaky pastry stuffed with cream cheese, bits of smoky bacon, and spicy jalapeños. Highly recommend.

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    Butter + Cream Bakery

    Butter + Cream Bakery

    4.5
    (303 reviews)
    4.4 mi
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    I've been wanting to try Butter & Cream's pizzas for over 6 months, so I was excited to finally…read moremake it over there! I arrived a little early for my 5:00 PM pickup, went inside and grabbed four cookies, then waited outside for about 20 minutes until my pizza was ready. When I got back in the car, I opened the box (because who can resist?) and was a little disappointed that the pizza was already cool. Not a huge deal, but I was definitely hoping for it to be fresh and warm. Once I got home, I also noticed the potato & chive pizza seemed to have ricotta instead of the mozzarella listed on the menu. It still looked good, but it wasn't what I was expecting. We sampled all four cookies, taking just a bite of each, and unfortunately they all seemed pretty dry. I'm wondering if we may have gotten a batch that had been sitting since it was later in the day. Overall, this visit didn't quite live up to the hype I'd built up in my head, but I'm not writing them off. They've been on my list for a long time, and I'm definitely willing to give them another shot. Hopefully next time I'll get a hot pizza and fresher cookies!

    Butter and cream did an amazing job on my birthday cake!!! I came across their posts on TikTok and…read moredecided to order my birthday cake through them! The ordering process was simple through their website - we did have to follow up with them a few days after we submitted our online order, but that wasn't a big deal for us. We understand that small businesses sometimes take longer to get back to customers and we love supporting small and local. We made sure to order 3 weeks in advance to give the bakery ample time and my cake turned out DELICIOUS!!! Everyone loved the banana & peanut butter flavoring!! I would definitely come back here and highly recommend checking them out for any special bakery items!!! Thank you so much to the amazing baker(s) who made my beautiful (and delicious) cake!!!

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    Diotima Bakehouse - bakeries - Updated August 2026

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