At Dough & Co, the mission is simple: bring the neighbourhood bakery back to the suburbs. Founded by Evan Sotiropoulos, the first branch opened in Parktown North in 2022, answering a craving for the kind of local bakery where fresh pastries and good coffee are part of the daily routine.

The formula clearly works. With several stores across Johannesburg – including LXX Sandton and Kyalami – as well as branches further afield in Pretoria and Plettenberg Bay, Dough & Co has built a loyal following.

The Parktown North branch remains our favourite for its hole-in-the-wall charm. Sotiropoulos is often on-site and knows the regulars, who perch at one of the tiny pavement-side tables to wait for their orders, chat with other locals, and take in the streetside atmosphere. 

At Dough & Co you'll find French-style pastries like buttery croissants, flaky Danishes, crusty sourdough and ciabatta breads, and New York-style bagels, which have quickly become a favourite across the branches. Then there are the crookies – a sweet hybrid of cookie and croissant – which have been Dough & Co's most viral offering.

Every location is wrapped in a clean, contemporary design and the goods are baked fresh on-site, making Dough & Co the perfect grab-and-go stop for coffee and something warm from the oven.