Bakey's babka in Hallandale Beach lives up to the hype
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The lineup. Photo: Naomi Feinstein/Axios
When a cafe dedicated to babka opened in South Florida, I knew I had to try it.
Why it matters: For the uninitiated, babka, a popular Jewish dessert, is a crossover between a coffee cake and bread.
- The sweet, braided bread is a fixture at my family dinners, especially during the holidays.
State of play: Boston's Bakey recently opened in Hallandale Beach in the former Bagel Cove space, offering sandwiches, pastries, breads, salads and an assortment of babka.
- The kosher bakery and cafe was founded by chef and baker Uri Scheft, founder of Lehamim Bakery in Tel Aviv and a former cofounder of New York City favorite Breads Bakery.
Dig in: I stopped by one afternoon for a late-afternoon snack. The options were endless, but I decided on a savory cheese bureka, a flaky, triangle puff pastry filled with a salty cheese and topped with sesame seeds.
- I was a big fan. It had the perfect amount of cheese and a nice crunch. I loved the taste of the sesame seeds with each bite.
Star of the show: I was really there for the babka. There was pistachio, Boston cream, and raspberry, but I went traditional with chocolate and cinnamon
- I've had some very dry babka before, and these were the opposite: very soft and gooey with a nice crunch.
- What stood out was that high-quality chocolate. Some chocolate babkas are filled with cheaper-tasting chocolate.
- The cinnamon babka was less rich and decadent but still delicious. I'd get it again.
What's next: I'll be going back to try the sandwiches.
- I also hope to grab some babkas for the Jewish High Holidays.
- Bakey is planning locations in Fort Lauderdale and Aventura.
🚗 If you go: 668 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach.
- Sunday-Thursday (7:30am-6pm), Friday (7:30-4pm).