Pan Pan Bakery & Cafe — Restaurant in Dalworthington Gardens

I don’t usually leave reviews, but I had such a great experience at Pan Pan Bakery and Cafe in Dalworthington Gardens that I felt like I had to share.

If you’re into sweets like I am, this place is going to blow you away. I’ve got a big sweet tooth, so I’m always looking for new spots to try – and Pan Pan instantly became a favorite. They do this amazing fusion of Mexican and Japanese baking, and the results are seriously next level. Everything I tried tasted like it was made with a ton of care and attention to detail.

Let’s talk about the pastries. The cinnamon roll was soft, gooey, and packed with flavor – not dry or overly sweet like some places. Just perfect. But the real star (for me, at least) was the s’mores pastry. It had this toasted marshmallow and melted chocolate center with the perfect graham-style crust. It felt indulgent in the best possible way – like something you’d crave after trying it once.

They also have a huge selection of both traditional pan dulce and more modern pastries with a Japanese twist. You can tell everything is fresh – nothing sits around long. On top of that, their drinks are just as good. I had a café de olla, which had that warm cinnamon spice and went perfectly with the pastries. They also do matcha and other specialty drinks if that’s your thing.

The space is cozy and inviting, and the staff really makes you feel welcome. They answered questions, made great suggestions, and seemed genuinely happy to be there. That kind of service always makes a place feel even more special.

If you’re anywhere near the Arlington or Dalworthington Gardens area, you need to stop by Pan Pan. It’s one of those rare places where creativity, quality, and comfort all come together. Whether you’re just grabbing a treat or planning to hang out for a while, it’s 100% worth the visit. I’ll definitely be back soon – probably for another cinnamon roll and s’mores...

Upon entering the bakery, it was a really cozy and sweet environment that I liked. I went up to the counter to order my drink and ordered the banana cream matcha with oat milk. The girl at the register told me that I should add extra matcha to make the taste stronger, so I told her I trust her judgement and to add it. With the oat milk upcharge, my drink should’ve been around $9 and I was expecting around $10. “Extra matcha” isn’t an add-on they list on their screen and in retrospect, I probably should’ve asked how much it was which is my fault. However, my total came out to $12.94 for their smaller size. That put a slight bad taste in my mouth, but I figured it’s a small business so I didn’t mind the up charge to help support them. HOWEVER, the cafe is small and there is very limited seating, so I had to stand which would have been fine if it was a 5 minute wait. Instead, I ordered around 1:15 and my order didn’t come out until around 1:30 for a single matcha. A few customers who ordered way after me who also seemed friendly with the owner had their bakery items warmed up, coffee drinks made, and were out the door way before it looked like my matcha had even been made. They also called out the wrong name for my order, the girl had to go back and ask the girl at the register who’s drink it was, and then she finally came over and handed it to me. My overall experience was not great, especially considering the price I had to pay for the drink. The drink itself, however, was good. It’s a basic matcha with a hint of banana and they add vanilla wafer crumbs on top which ties the whole look together. However, I don’t feel as though it’s the worth the price and don’t think I will be coming back due to the bad service alone. I’m always willing to pay a premium IF that means I’m treated like a paying customer whose time and money...

I cannot even begin to describe the love I have for Pan Pan Bakery! First of all, it's a beautiful cafe. Every small detail of this shop shows the love and care that has been put into its conception. The passion for the aspects of both Japanese and Mexican food and their cultural roots is obvious from the moment you enter. All the elements that make up both are respected and celebrated here.

Then there is the food itself. Pan Pan does not thrive on aesthetics alone. Every single menu item has been carefully and expertly baked to perfection. The softness of Japanese breads meets the flavors and textures of Mexican favorites. The conchas in particular are the softest and best tasting that I have ever had. The Salted Shio-Pan, a beautiful croissant-like pastry, is a divine experience of flavor and texture.

I could go on about the breads, but we need to talk about the coffee. The selection for coffee is wide but not overwhelmingly so. Each latte I have tried so far has been a unique and amazingly curated flavor experience. Today I had their seasonal Iced Pumkin Spice Horchata Latte, and it was beautifully balanced and not overly sweet. The espresso has a wonderful and fresh flavor, I highly recommend any of their coffee items.

Finally, this bakery is woman owned, and by a young woman at that! I am so impressed with the professional polish that has been applied to this establishment. I have seen many seasoned business owners with only a fraction of this level of vision and class.

Dear owner you have so much more to show us in the future, I am sure. Keep doing what you are doing! I look forward to your continued growth and...