An Unforgettable Experience - Incredible Food, Unbeatable Value, and Hospitality That Comes Straight From the Heart! I genuinely cannot say enough wonderful things about Layer Cake Bakery at Café Mosaic! From the absolutely incredible food to the warmth and kindness of the staff and owner, this was so much more than just a meal. It was an experience we will remember for a very long time! We ordered the Kabul Sunrise, a traditional Afghan-style halal breakfast, paired with a few Qaimaq Chais (Afghan Cherry Blossom Milk Tea), and everything was absolutely phenomenal! The breakfast was prepared to perfection, bursting with flavor, and clearly made with love and attention to detail. The sangak bread was incredibly fresh, light, and airy. Every bite was a treat! And then came the cream rolls! The incredibly sweet and gracious owner generously offered us samples of their heavenly cream rolls, infused with rose water, cardamom, and pistachio flavors. I cannot even begin to describe how delicious they were! Delicate, fragrant, perfectly balanced, and absolutely to die for! They were so incredible that we ended up purchasing TWO MORE DOZEN to take home! Yes, they were THAT good! I also ordered the Iced Banana Bread Latte, which was equally outstanding. Rich, creamy, indulgent, and packed with delicious flavor. You can truly taste the care and craftsmanship that goes into everything they serve. And can we talk about the PRICES?! I was genuinely blown away by how incredibly affordable everything was, especially the pastries! The quality of their baked goods is absolutely exceptional, easily rivaling or surpassing what you would find at high-end bakeries charging two or three times as much. Everything is priced so reasonably that I almost felt guilty paying so little for something so delicious! I'm serious when I say they could easily charge more for what they're serving, and it would STILL be worth every penny! It's rare to find this level of quality, freshness, craftsmanship, and flavor at such incredible prices. The value here is honestly unbelievable, and I hope people truly appreciate just how special that is. What made this visit especially meaningful was that we were celebrating my birthday. When the owner learned about the occasion, we were surprised with an absolutely delicious carrot cake to celebrate! It was such a thoughtful and generous gesture that made an already wonderful experience even more memorable. But as incredible as the food, pastries, and drinks were, the hospitality was truly the highlight of our visit. Every member of the staff was genuinely kind, welcoming, and attentive. The owner, in particular, went above and beyond to make us feel appreciated, cared for, and welcomed, almost as though we were guests in her own home rather than customers at a business. And that warmth is something I especially want to recognize. The Afghan people are renowned for their extraordinary hospitality, generosity, and kindness, and our experience here was such a beautiful reflection of that tradition. There is something incredibly special about being welcomed with such genuine warmth, where hospitality isn't simply a service but comes straight from the heart. It's rare to find a place where the quality of the food is matched so perfectly by the character and kindness of the people behind it. Layer Cake Bakery at Café Mosaic has absolutely mastered both. Add their incredibly affordable prices into the equation, and you have something truly extraordinary. Thank you to the wonderful owner and the entire team for making my birthday celebration so special and for treating us with such extraordinary generosity and care. You have earned not only our business but our heartfelt appreciation and loyalty. If you haven't visited this place yet, you are seriously missing out! Come hungry, try the Kabul Sunrise, enjoy the chai, and whatever you do, DO NOT leave without trying those incredible cream rolls! And when you see the prices, you'll understand why I keep saying they're practically giving away these amazing pastries! Exceptional food. Unbelievable prices. Beautiful people. Hospitality beyond compare. We will absolutely be returning, and I cannot recommend this wonderful gem highly enough! read more

See all

I found this hidden gem at Stonecreek Plaza because I was craving something sweet after my meal, and what a great find! Apparently, this bakery has expanded its menu to include globally inspired drinks, desserts, and small bites, including Afghan desserts alongside classic American and French desserts. As soon as I walked in, I felt like I had stepped into a different world--almost like Alice in Wonderland--with the black-and-white checkered theme and whimsical decor. The staff was quick to greet me and ask if I needed any help. But with so many options to choose from, I definitely needed some time! I found myself just perusing and admiring everything in their display cases. From whole cakes, individual cake slices, and tarts to cupcakes, macarons, and Afghan cookies, I honestly couldn't decide because I wanted to try everything. I eventually ended up getting the Pecan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, mostly because I loved its cute little mound shape, a classic Lemon Meringue Tart, and New York Cheesecake. I thoroughly enjoyed the cookie and cheesecake! The cookie wasn't overly sweet, and the pecans and oatmeal gave it such a fun texture. The cheesecake was rich and creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. The Lemon Meringue Tart was a classic--tangy, sweet, and something you really can't go wrong with. This was such a fun dessert find, and there are still so many things I want to try. Next time I'm in the area, I want to try their Afghan Thumbprint Cookies and Pistachio Tart! read more

See all

If it's been a while since you've been here, I'd definitely recommend giving this spot a try. I came here to afternoon tea with my sister and we had such a lovely time. The cafe is clean and bright, making it an inviting space to meet with a loved one. They had a fabulous selection of pastries as well (the mango pastry we tried is worth the trip back alone!) The afternoon tea was plenty of food for two people and we left FULL. The jasmine green tea was bright and refreshing, and a perfect way to start the day!. Service was great as well, and I am going to have to come back to try ALL of their fruit pastries. read more

See all

Went here after dinner for a sweet treat and was not disappointed. I came with one other person and we were overwhelmed by their selections on that weekday afternoon. They had ready to go cakes, cookies, pastries, all sorts of carefully made sweet treats, and drinks. After having a hard time deciding what we wanted I got a dubai chocolate cake and a turmeric latte. The dubai chocolate cake was okay. I loved my turmeric latte. My friend got a mango pastry and tres leche cake. We didn't try the tres leche since we were so full but their mango thing was sooo good and you can tell they put a lot of work into it. My friend got a lemonade to go with the treats and that was also good. The inside of this place is cute but they need to turn on their air. It was hot. They have chairs and tables to sit and enjoy your treat. I love that they have a wide variety of items including savory foods to order. And they even do afternoon tea here. The staff is nice but we had a lot of questions about the drinks and food items but she didn't know a lot of the answers. She was nice though. Parking is easy since they share a lot in a strip mall. I would come back. read more

See all

This place is seriously so cute! We stopped by for dessert and there were so many delicious options to choose from. I got the Mango Meringue and my husband went with the New York Cheesecake. Both were sooo good! I loved that neither dessert was overly sweet, they had just the right amount of sweetness and were light enough that you could finish them without feeling like you were in a sugar coma. The café itself is adorable and has such a cozy French-inspired vibe. It's the perfect spot to catch up with friends, go on a cute date, or just relax with a coffee or tea while enjoying a pastry (or something savory!). The service was amazing too.. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and quick. Overall, such a great experience. 10/10! You'll definitely be seeing more of me soon. Thanks for the yummy treats! read more

See all

This cafe is super nice inside. Fairly quiet and nice vibes. Only one girl working so she has to take both orders and make the drinks. Ordered iced banana bread latte and carrot walnut cake. I loved the cream cheese frosting. The cake was crumbly and moist. Just the way I like it! The latte was sweet, but the taste of banana was prominent which I liked. Would come back to try other things as well as get the same things because I recommend! I definitely recommend trying this place out. read more

Layer Cake - Carrot Walnut Cake Slice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Wow, this place definitely earned a review. This was my first time trying this bakery/cafe. I ordered the red velvet cake, crème brûlée, and strawberry cream parfait, and all three were phenomenal. The cake was moist and fluffy, the crème brûlée was rich and creamy with the perfect caramelized top, and the parfait was fresh, light, and absolutely delicious. My only tiny note is that I would have loved a few more raspberries on the crème brûlée. What made this even better for me personally was learning that this local small business is Afghan-owned. As a fellow Afghan, I love supporting our community. But regardless, the desserts were pretty close to perfection. I look forward to going in and trying their coffee and chai drinks next. I'll definitely be a regular. Highly recommend! read more

Layer Cake - Crème Brûlée, Strawberry & Cream Parfait, Red Velvet Cake Slice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

This place is currently Layer Cake Bakery, although they are going through a rebranding and will be called Cafe Mosaic soon. They have a fresh baked goods case and I ordered a Cinnamon Morning Bun $4.25, a Brookie (brownie/cookie), a Pistachio Latte, and Earl Grey Matcha. The morning bun was big and fresh, although the texture was not like other morning buns I have had. It was just soft and bready and did not have enough cinnamon flavor. The brookie was individually wrapped and very fresh. It was a big piece and tasted homemade. I would get that again. As for the pistachio latte and earl grey matcha, both of these drinks were quite disappointing. There was not a lot of coffee in the latte and the pistachio flavor was very artificial. The earl grey matcha was one of the worst drinks I have had. I could barely taste any earl grey or matcha and there was too much cream and ice in the drink. Service was okay although there was only one worker in the morning on the weekend I went, and the drinks took a long time to come out. I will only come back here for their baked goods. Be sure to avoid their drinks. read more

See all

Honestly, everything we got was good but here's a mini rundown anyway What we got: * Earl Gray Cheesecake- Great flavor, the texture is unlike a typical cheesecake, but it was yummy nonetheless. * Caramel Chocolate Tart- A delicious combo of the two flavors- the base of the tart was better than most others! * Biscoff Tart- I love biscoff so this was especially good!! * Cream Roll- A popular Afghan dessert, like a pastry with cream and some more flavor. * Rice Pudding- We have something similar as more of a South Asian dessert, so it was nice to see in their bakery! * Bolani- Afghan flatbread with potato. It was a delicious snack! The sauce on the side made it even better. * Tiramisu- Classic * Afghan Qaimaq Chai- Soothing, creamy, sweet, PINK * Creme Brulee Latte- Sooooo delicious!! It's pretty sweet, but we loved it was so yummy They're open until 10pm on the weekend- great for a chai night, or to grab some dessert! It's probably one of the later dessert chai spots in Irvine The ambiance was really nice! The way it's decorated inside is so cute and almost elevated. There's a decent amount of seating, and even more seating outside. The service was good! Those working were very nice. read more

Layer Cake - Caramel Choc Tart, Earl Grey Cheesecake, Cream Roll, Bolani, Biscoff Ckie Bter Tart, Tiramisu, Rice Pudding, Qaimaq Chai, Creme Brle Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

This bakery is located inside a strip mall near Laventina's. There's tons of free parking here. We went here on a whim after a movie, about an hour before closing time. Inside is very clean and chic. The service was wonderful, the woman at the register was very helpful and answered our questions. We wanted to get some caffeine, so we ordered Americanos and picked up some desserts to try as well. The Americano was very smooth, probably one of my favorite places to order one. Sometimes, I go to places and it tastes burnt and super acidic but not here. The gluten free and brookie were a little dry for my taste but the Afghan pistachio cake type of goodie was really good. I would definitely go back for coffee or espresso here. read more

See all

Came in on valentine's and thought the sweets were so beautiful, though I didn't actually order any. Was disappointed to see they were out of matcha so opted for a vanilla latte and the creme brulee latte. Both weren't bad, just not anything to write home about. They offer samples under a cake dome on the table across the register which is nice. read more

Layer Cake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Their quality has gone down significantly and drinks do not taste like they used to. I would not recommend. I had the same drink with it a month apart and it tasted horrible. I asked them to remake it and they said they would charge me again. I would not recommend this place for coffee or tea drinks. read more

I love when I find a new cookie flavor to obsess over. This week's flavor is called ab-e dandan, which apparently means "melt in your mouth" in Farsi. It's a delicate, buttery cardamom cookie with crushed pistachios. It's absolutely lovely! It's the perfect cookie if you're looking for something not overly sweet. There are lots of other options at this bakery too, cookies, cupcakes, pies, and a full cafe. I got the apple cider chai and it was delish. Staff were friendly and it was nice and quiet in here too. read more

See all

I hate to review this place three stars but genuinely shocked by the laziness shown writing congratulations on the cake we purchased. It's not centered, it's slanted, and it's literally partially covered by a strawberry because of how uncentered it is. The cake was very good, but this kind of effort really reflects poorly to me. I ordered online, so I didn't have direct interaction with the staff except for picking it up. The price is too expensive for a cake like this in my opinion. read more

Layer Cake - Uncentered. Slanted. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Cute little shop with a black and white theme and beautiful desserts in the display cases. So many options and I wanted to buy everything it all looked so delicious read more

Layer Cake - Cinnamon roll, pistachio tart and a chocolate Carmel tart - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

We stopped in on a Saturday after having dinner at a restaurant in the same plaza. The hours posted outside indicated they closed hours before, but they were still open. The inside is brightly lit and thy have a few places to sit. The person working was very nice and answered all our questions (we had a lot). We ended up getting a Chai and a few pastries. Everything was pretty good! read more

Layer Cake - Passion Fruit curd (top) Afghan cream roll (bottom) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Under new management for the past 3 months now. Super friendly staff and I like coming here because the store is very clean and they make their pastries daily. My favorite ones are the chocolate croissant, almond croissant, and the ultimate is the chocolate almond croissant. So flaky and delicious. Still good even 3 days after. They also have a few new Afghan cookies and cakes so those are quite tasty. Now they do custom in house cake so that's good to know. Will be back here soon! read more

See all

This was the pumpkin qaimaq latte. She grabbed the regular milk at first and then realized I had asked for almond. The espresso machine wasn't used and she came out from the back and stated my drink was done. I took a sip in my car and drank something chunky. Opened the lid and there's the film you get when you warm up milk in a microwave. I wouldn't go back for their drinks. read more

Layer Cake - Pumpkin Qaimaq Chai - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

I had a very disappointing experience with this bakery. When I first called to place an order for my baby's birthday, I specifically asked if they could make gluten-free cupcakes. I was assured that they could, and they immediately took my payment. Later that same night, I received a voicemail saying they actually could not accommodate the gluten-free request. The next morning, I called back and agreed to proceed with regular cupcakes, but I clearly emphasized that I needed the order ready by Wednesday at 8:00 AM. This was very important, as the cupcakes were for my baby's daycare birthday celebration. When I arrived on Wednesday morning with my baby to pick up the order, I was told there was an issue in the kitchen and the cupcakes were not ready. I was asked to wait another 20 minutes. This was extremely frustrating, the order was placed three days in advance, and it was only for 12 cupcakes. Because of their lack of reliability, I had no choice but to leave without the order, drop my baby off at daycare without cupcakes, and rush to work. I ended up buying cupcakes from a supermarket instead, which completely defeated the purpose of ordering from a bakery. To make matters worse, while I was there, the pastries on display looked unappealing and not fresh. Overall, this experience was very disappointing. I will not be returning or recommending this bakery. read more

I recently visited Cafe Mosaic at Layer Cake Bakery and had such a wonderful experience. The decor gives beautiful Parisian cafe vibes, with stunning artwork on the walls that makes the space feel warm, elegant, and inviting. The sweets and drinks were excellent, but what truly stood out to me was the quality of the traditional items. As an Afghan woman living in Irvine, I can proudly say they are serving some of the best qaimaq chai, hallow, and baked goods. Everything tasted authentic and thoughtfully made. It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a treat or pick up delicious items to take home. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Cake was ready when picking up & served for a Birthday. Everyone enjoyed it. So pleased

This bakery really hits the spot with insanely gourmet recipes and ingredients that are still magically light enough to not really make one regret having eaten some cake and/or a cupcake. The chocolate cake slice had this hazelnut cream layer that I didn't even know was there when I had bought it that just tasted so incredible. And the pistachio cupcake really is a masterpiece, with a green pistachio cupcake base filled with some kind of liquid pistachio and then heaped with the best (and light) buttercream ever that is then garnished with tons of crushed pistachios for the most amazing and novel cupcake experience I've ever had. The staff is quite friendly and was helpful in answering whatever questions I had at the time. The ambience is super chill and refined at the same time. Super glad we live nearby! read more

Layer Cake - Chocolate cake (with hazelnut cream) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

This baklava is so good it caused an identity crisis. Flaky layers shattering everywhere, syrup hitting the exact sweet spot, and nuts so fresh they deserve their own round of applause. One bite in and I forgot my responsibilities. Two bites in and I was planning my return like a secret mission. This isn't dessert it's a delicious ambush that ruins all other baklava forever. Proceed with caution. read more

Layer Cake - Pistachios Baklava - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Teas are all great. Loved the qaimaq chai and the karak tea. The breakfast sandwich was also good. Variety of pastries. Would really recommend. read more

Layer Cake - Qaimaq chai and Karak tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

I don't trust a place that I see a HUGE cockroach crawling while I'm waiting for my order period. I have never ever seen a cockroach just casually hanging out in any bakery or cafe I been to so this must be extremely dirty for this to occur. Also before I saw the cockroach that tainted my opinion, Their baked goods looked old and not fresh. Overall a hard PASS. read more

Layer Cake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

I ordered a custom cake for my event and it was beautifully decorated. When I picked up the cake, I couldn't leave without buying these adorable heart macaroons. Everyone was kind and the store was elegant and inviting. Surprising a birthday friend and galentines day was successful and their treats were a highlight at the table. I definitely recommend Layer Cake Bakery for all events. read more

See all

Delicious strawberry Matcha! Creamy and delightful. Service was friendly and quick. Atmosphere is eyecatching and calm. read more

Layer Cake - Strawberry Matcha - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Order desserts via Postmates and it was not good at all. The cake was dry and the coffee was horrible.

Was in the area, looking for cupcakes and took a shot here. Let me just say, one of the best cupcakes I've had since sprinkles! To die for, the quality is amazing. Super cute place, and it's family owned!!! Everyone should come here at least once to try their amazing desserts wow! read more

I ordered from Layer Cake Bakery through Too Good To Go, and I received cookies that appeared to have already been eaten. It felt very unhygienic, so I requested an exchange or a refund. The staff member took photos and sent them to the owner, but in the process, she handled the cookies with her hands. After the call, she told me it was "just a broken cookie" and that there was nothing they could do. I was shocked--who would eat something like this? When I questioned why they were touching the cookies with their hands, she just told me to either eat it or throw it away and do whatever I want. I seriously question their sense of ethics and the understanding of basic hygiene standards. They claimed it was just a broken cookie, but there were no broken pieces anywhere. I do not recommend this business, as they sell products that raise serious hygiene concerns, and even after a complaint, they responded without any apology and handled the situation in a rude and dismissive manner. read more

Layer Cake - They claimed it was just a broken cookie, but there were no broken pieces anywhere. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

I ordered an iced masala chai and a macron. The masala chai was good but could use more of spices. The macaron was fresh and delicious. Service was excellent. Inside was really cute and inviting. read more

I purchased some vanilla and chocolate cupcakes for a meeting at work. The cupcakes were hard, not moist at all, bland and tasted stale. Although the buttercream frosting on the cupcakes tasted good, the cupcakes themselves were very dry and lacked flavor. After a few initial bites, no one wanted the cupcakes and we finally threw the cupcakes away. The cupcakes deserve 0/5 stars (but I gave 1 star for the buttercream frosting on the cupcakes). The sales clerk at the front counter was professional and friendly and she deserves 5 STARS for service - so thank you to her. read more

I am so incredibly impressed with this place! One of the best matcha's I've ever had along with a delicious baklava (perfect consistency)! The service was terrific, and the setting was so classy to work in for a few hours. An absolute must stop now every time I'm in the area! read more

Went to this bakery last night for the first time in years. Oddly, this bakery is open till 10:00 pm while many of the nearby restaurants close as early as 8:00. They were still making some cupcakes as late as 9:00 when we were there. We ordered an assortment of 6 cupcakes. The cashier was friendly and slightly helpful in our selection process. The cupcakes looked delicious. Presentation was solid. The problem is that when we got home and tried them, they were all hard as a rock. The frosting had good flavor, the pistachio frosting was particularly tasty, but the cupcakes were too hard and dry to eat. They literally had the consistency of old dried corn bread. We even ordered one of the cupcakes that were being frosted as we were there. It too was dry and hard. They just have baked it earlier and frosted it that evening. Sadly, we won't be going back. Still looking for a good cupcake place in Irvine. read more

The quality at this bakery has gone down significantly since the Afghan family took over. The Asian sisters who owned it previously did a remarkable job with all of the French pastries and cakes. The customer service was also twice as good and generous! The new owners did not even honor my gift cards!!! If you are using the same business name and selling the same products, how can you in good conscience reject a customers gift cards!? I had to throw my $40 worth of gift cards in the trash. So disappointing. read more

I put in a really complicated order less than 24 hours before pickup time and the staff was really accommodating. I came in to pick them up and the order was missing (that's okay it happens)! Elizabeth remained calm, got creative, figured out a game plan and remade my whole entire order while taking other orders and running the entire store BY HERSELF... IN LIKE 15 MINUTES. If you haven't given this woman a FAT raise, what are you even doing?? read more

Layer Cake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

I love cake. Who doesn't?? My wedding cake was made by simply sweet, which is their sister bakery in Costa Mesa, so I knew I had to try this spot since I was obsessed with my cake. Their shop is super cute and they serve brunch and drinks as well as desserts. I tried a slice of their strawberry cake as well as a very fudgy brownie. Both were honestly so delicious. I savored every bite! While a little bit expensive, I thought it was worth the treat. I am always looking for a good cakes because they are hard to find. Will definitely be back!! read more

See all

If you want something simple, delicious, and reasonably priced; go here! The cake did not look like the picture on the website and was underwhelming. I ended up decorating it myself which actually worked out really well and my friend loved it. The service was friendly and the order and pickup both went smoothly. I ordered over the phone but the bakery itself is beautiful inside and there were lots of items in the cases that were tempting. The cake itself was really good and everyone was pleased! read more

See all

If you like the Dubai chocolate bar, you'll like the pistachio kanefa cake here. Is basically the Dubai chocolate bar in a cake form. Not too sweet and pretty tasty. Didn't try anything else aside from this since this was what I came here specifically to get. Wasn't disappointed. Might try their other cake next time read more

Stopped by Layer Bakery and got a cake slice and a whole cake. Both were delicious! The chocolate cake was rich but not too heavy.. just perfect. The girl at the counter today was super sweet and accommodating, and I really liked how comfy the place felt. Will be coming back! read more

Layer Cake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California