Magnolia bakery

Though a classic American bakery, Magnolia has established quite a following in Lebanon since it first opened in the ABC Dbayeh shopping mall in 2012. The ABC Ashrafieh branch followed soon after to the delight of Beirutis. Cherished for its selection of old-fashioned, freshly baked desserts and vintage décor, Magnolia is a world-renowned bakery with currently multiple locations around the US and Middle East. With a selection of over 150 prepared-from scratch handmade baked goods, including pies, cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies and fresh-from-the-oven muffins, you may want to plan for multiple visits. Repeat offenders are certainly excused. As soon as you enter the place at ABC Ashrafieh, your inner child will kick-in. The baby blue walls, the playful aprons on display, the fresh flowers on tables and the colorful cupcakes calling out to you from behind the open-kitchen glass will make your mouth water at hello.  You are left with the cruel task of having to make a decision: their world-famous banana cream pie, their divine lemon bar or any one of those delicious cupcakes for a guaranteed sugar-high? Be warned, these sweet treats are not for the faint-hearted; the frosting alone is sure to send you into a carbohydrate coma. But don’t write off Magnolia just yet! Their special savory menu, customized for Lebanon, is equally good and just what the doctor ordered to neutralize the sugar (we are very scientific here at SoBeirut). Now choose –again- from a selection of quiches, soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches and an all-day breakfast and call it a day. The friendly waiters are eager to serve you, will certainly sympathize with your “child at a candy store” predicament-having seen it often no doubt- and will happily walk you through the steps of candy heaven.