PEAKLIFE

All of us are no strangers to the heart-warming of experience of entering a bakery, with our minds being transported to a whole new level by the very smell of freshly baked goods. For those who are yet to give this joyride to their senses, here’s a list of some of the best places to do so at.

THEOBROMA

Delhi-NCR is well versed with the concept of sinfully rich and chocolaty brownies, but only people who have relatives or friends over in Mumbai or visit the city often know what the words ‘sinful’, ‘rich’ and ‘chocolaty’ mean, for they have experienced the legendary bakery Theobroma’s brownies. To give you a better perspective, ‘Theobroma’ is Greek for ‘food of the Gods’ and the bakery does not disappoint at all! And if you’ve had even a bite of their Caramel Short Bread and the Overload Brownie, you know where our excitement stems from.

From its humble origins in Mumbai to becoming the most anticipated bakery to open in Delhi NCR, Theobroma delivers on its promise of quality products at genuine prices. Having already established 13 branches in Mumbai alone, NCR gets two new branches in Noida and Cyber Hub, Gurugram. Head over to this hotspot of sinful decadence to please your taste buds.

L’OPERA

L’Opéra, from its inception, has been all about quality and excellence. It was borne out of the longing of Laurent Samandari in 2008 for authentic French breads and pastries, and after much research and persuasion from friends, they opened the gates of their first outlet in Khan Market, in 2011.

Inspired by the typical French “Salon de Thé”, a concept that emerged at the beginning of the 20^th century, L’Opéra is setting a new trend in the Indian market for high-end culinary products, based on innovative ideas regarding quality, atmosphere and presentation.

L’Opéra’s recently inaugurated outlet in Epicuria Mall exemplifies this French experience with an elegant Parisian terrace, ample seating space and impeccable attention to detail. Today L’Opéra boasts nine outlets throughout Delhi and Gurgaon, with over 130 employees. It has gained a supreme reputation in the competitive world of bakeries and with love and support from its discerning and loyal customers, the name is only set to go higher.

DEFENCE BAKERY

Keeping the family tradition of baking alive and well, Defence Bakery is all about keeping things simple and following the traditional techniques of baking which have been passed down in the family from the previous two generations. For them customer satisfaction is the inspiration and challenge, keeping in mind a loyal clientele of over 50 years.

Famous for their wide range of cheesecakes, with the Philadelphia Cheesecake winning the most accolades, their menu is as vibrant as their approach to the entire profession. With something on offer for the health conscious as well as for those looking for pure indulgence, Defence Bakery is sure to leave a long lasting impression on your mind.

WENGER’S

Few establishments have survived from the days when Connaught Place was completed in 1933. Wenger’s, one of the new capital’s oldest confectionery shops, is one of them. Designed in 1926 by British architect Sir Robert Tor Russell, it was the first bakery to introduce to French bread, Swiss chocolates and margarine pastries to the Imperial capital, at a time when these European delights were a rare sight.

So in terms of heritage and tradition, Wenger’s has all corners covered. But has it survived the test of time? Well, a visit to the outlet is all one needs to undertake to answer this question. With the store jam-packed with customers within minutes of opening, 7 days a week, this place is known for running out of its morning batches of food within a blink of an eye.

From its mouth-watering Shami Kebabs (which have been rated as ‘The best Shami Kebabs in North India’ by Highway on my Plate) to its heart-warming freshly baked breads, Wenger’s is a true-blue Delhi institution.

 THE BIG CHILL CAKERY

Opening the gates to its Khan Market outlet in 2015, The Big Chill Cakery is relatively new on the scene. But make no mistake, as it is a worthy competitor when it comes to serving up authentic, in-house baked goods which have developed a fan following unlike no other. With its major appeal towards the new-age crowd, this bakery is known for being crowded on weekends, even at midnight! Not only does this speak volumes about its food and quality, it also means that you can now pamper yourself when those sweet cravings hit you at unlikely hours of the day.

Head over to this bakery located at the haven of eateries, Khan Market, and have a worthwhile experience with family and friends.