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Mission Viejo, CA

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Diotima Bakehouse

4.8 (327 reviews)
Closed • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Diotima Bakehouse Photos

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DIOTIMA BAKEHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Diotima Bakehouse

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Inside the cafe
Giselle G.

This is our first time to try this place after our bloodwork. We got here around 9:30am and we were 2nd in line. They open at 10 am on weekends. There was a long line by the time the doors opened. My hubby and i ordered a couple of pastries. All the pastries looks delicious and freshly baked. So far the nutella pan and the kouiegn amann and both were yummy and not too sweet. For coffee we both had cold hazel latte and it was also good and not too sweet. The staff were very friendly and patient in answering our questions. We would definitely be back.

Savory and sweet pastries from $4.50 - $7. 7/9/2026
Sandra L.

It has been a while since I've been back to Diotima and I'm happy to report that their pastries, especially their croissants, are really good! This time, I got the Turkey BBQ ($7), Ham & Cheese Salt Bread ($6), BBQ Brisket Salt Bread ($7), Pistachio & Raspberry Croissants ($6.50), and Pain Au Chocolate ($4.50). They were all really good, but I don't think I'd get the Salt Breads again. While the filling itself were good, I wasn't a huge fan of the bread itself. It felt doughy and nothing special. Croissants are flaky and they continue to come up with new sweet and savory flavors that keeps it interesting! Service is friendly and overall, a really nice place to grab pastries from!

Carolina R.

Diotima had been on my list for awhile so when I was around the area on a Friday morning, I decided to finally check them out! I got there around 10:45am and they still had a lot of pastries and everything looked so good! I decided to just order one thing for myself and what caught my eye was the Cookienish with was a cookie inside a danish. It was very interesting but yummy! The cookie was soft and the pastry just made sense. I did pay $6 for one pastry which is kinda steep but I also understand that they are freshly made. The service was also great and the employee helping me was patient as I decided what to buy. I want to come back and try other things and their drinks. Recommend checking it out!

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 :)

Entrance
Alejandra F.

Delicious place, we try two pastries and it was a though decision between all of them, but they were amazing, in particular the chocolate egg Clair, the place is not so big, but it always has people in there, the staff is very nice and they are very popular with whole cakes I noticed.

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.

Kailey M.

As soon as you walk into this bakery you are greeted with a heavenly aroma and very friendly staff. I went on a Wednesday mid-morning and there was no line but their most popular pastries were sold out. I got the pain Nutella, almond croissant and pain au chocolate. The pain Nutella was beautifully made and tasted amazing. The almond croissant was so buttery and generously filled with almond paste. The reviews on Yelp and word of mouth were spot on for Diotima! Will definitely be back.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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

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.

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Kian M.

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I loved the pistachio raspberry croissant! The banana milk latte was also really good! Very nice local bakery.

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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… 

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Little France Coffee & Bakery - #13 of Yelp's 2023 Top 100...disappointing. Not as great as Chaupain's pastries.

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4.7(1.7k reviews)
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Outdoor seating
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Suchhhhhh a lovely spot to visit when you're craving freshly made pastries, brunch, or a good cup…read moreof coffee. One thing I love is that everything is freshly made in-house, and they have a nice variety of sweet and savory options. I tried their pumpkin spice latte and mini pumpkin pie, which were perfect for the fall season. For brunch, we got the Little France Club and French toast. We also sampled several of their pastries, including the hazelnut croissant roll, almond croissant, lemon macaron, and raspberry macaron. There's a little bit of everything here, whether you're stopping by for coffee and a pastry or sitting down for a brunch date. It's a great spot to check out if you're in the Mission Viejo area and want to support a local bakery

After reading the reviews on Yelp, I wanted to try a really good croissant, so I drove about 20…read moreminutes to come here. The bakery itself has a small, local neighborhood bakery feel to it. There were about four tables outside, and when I walked in, there were two display cases. One had beautiful, fancy-looking mini mousse desserts arranged so nicely, and the other was filled with different kinds of pastries. I really wanted a classic butter croissant, so I got one of those, an almond croissant, and an Americano to have with them. One thing that surprised me when I checked out was the price. A medium Americano was $6.50, the regular pastries were around $6 each, and the almond pastry was over $7. The prices felt pretty similar to what you might pay for pastries in France. At least they didn't ask for a tip when I paid, so I figured the higher prices probably already included some of that, which made me feel a little better about it. I went outside to sit down, but unfortunately, none of the tables had been cleaned or cleared yet. The empty tables were also sitting directly in the sun, so they were way too hot to sit at. (You all know how hot the weather has been in Orange County lately, right? ) I went back inside and asked if they could open one of the umbrellas, and they immediately came out, opened it for me, and I was able to sit down. I appreciated how quickly they helped. Now, about the croissants... I had pretty high expectations for the butter croissant because I had driven 20 minutes specifically because I wanted a really good one. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite what I had imagined or hoped for, so I was a little disappointed. The almond croissant was also much too sweet for my taste, and the center had a somewhat dense, doughy texture, so I couldn't finish it. There is a croissant I've had before that was **SO incredibly good**, and I've been searching for that perfect croissant ever since. I haven't found it yet. And honestly, the Americano was probably even more disappointing because of the price. At $6.50, I was expecting something special, but to me, it tasted pretty much like the $2 Americano I could get at a neighborhood donut shop. Maybe that's why the price bothered me even more. That said, I would still like to try the mini mousse desserts. They looked beautiful and definitely caught my attention. So maybe I'll come back another time and give those a try. I guess the search for my *perfect croissant* continues!

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What else to say about Chaupain, except it's always exceptional?…read more I'm biased - but their pastries have got to be the best in OC. This is the 3rd Chaupain location I've been to, I happened to be in the area. It's smaller than the one on La Paz in LN to be sure, but ample size enough to provide anyone with full tastes of their amazing goods. I like everything - I've tried nearly all of their pastries and cakes, this time I tried the cinnamon roll- which was insanely good, soft, and tasted of such quality. Actually - never tried their quiche, which is certainly on a bucket list for next time. I highly recommend everything they have - but just to name a new, the guava cream cheese, cinnamon cream cheese, mixed berry bateau, opera cake, vanilla scone, any of their croissants, lemon tiramisu, and the jamon sandwich is incredible - I love that the bread had a chewy texture, which is perfect for this sandwich. Adding any of the American condiments would almost be a sacrilege, but a bit of dijon is good, which they have there in packets- the flavours work so well together. I really struggle to restrain myself when coming here, which necessary for your wallet and your waistline - but whatever you decided it's all good here. The customer service was also stellar - very friendly, helpful, and personable. Thank you !

Chaupain's croissants and pastries never cease to amaze. So so flaky and crispy! My go-to and an…read moreabsolute must try for anyone who loves French bakeries. My family loves the spinach cheese and mixed berry croissant. They have a variety of croissants, tarts, cakes, quiches, sandwiches - and entree items like French onion soup, and the sunrise sandwich which are both very good. The Laguna Hills branch is a very small storefront with some patio seating. The staff are always so polite and friendly!

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Chaupain Bakery - Order counter

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Scratch Bakery Cafe - English Muffins

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Catering service
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My fiancé and I visit Scratch on a very regular basis and absolutely love it. Everything from the…read morebreakfast/lunch menu to all the pastries and sweets we enjoy. I highly recommend stopping in and don't forget to take a few knock knocks to go! I only give four stars because they have removed the coconut knock knock and chocolate coconut croissant from their menu. Both items were elite (the coco knock being a staple of the scratch menu) and the sadness that has been caused by the removal of these items is unacceptable. Please deeply consider bringing back one if not both items. The scratch community will thank you!

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Diotima Bakehouse - bakeries - Updated October 2026

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