{"id":8658,"date":"2026-06-01T11:15:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T11:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thisisdimashq.com\/?p=8658"},"modified":"2026-06-01T11:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T11:15:07","slug":"this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thisisdimashq.com\/en\/8658\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"This 100-Year-Old Bakery in Damascus Is Now Also a Cozy Reading Spot"},"content":{"rendered":"    <button class=\"sideconvo-button button-compact\">         <svg         xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"         width=\"64\"         height=\"64\"         viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\"         fill=\"none\">         <g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_5407_120)\">             <mask                 id=\"mask0_5407_120\"                 style=\"mask-type:luminance\"                 maskUnits=\"userSpaceOnUse\"                 x=\"0\"                 y=\"0\"                 width=\"64\"                 height=\"64\">                 <path d=\"M64 0H0V64H64V0Z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>             <\/mask>             <g mask=\"url(#mask0_5407_120)\">                 <path                     d=\"M38.4702 26.64L38.5252 26.775C40.3652 31.435 44.0902 35.165 48.7502 37L48.8852 37.055L48.7502 37.11C44.0902 38.95 40.3602 42.675 38.5252 47.335L38.4702 47.47L38.4152 47.335C36.5752 42.675 32.8502 38.945 28.1902 37.11L28.0552 37.055L28.1902 37C32.8502 35.16 36.5802 31.435 38.4152 26.775L38.4702 26.64ZM38.4702 14.815C38.0702 14.815 37.6702 15.035 37.5002 15.475L33.7702 24.935C32.4352 28.325 29.7502 31.01 26.3602 32.345L16.9002 36.075C16.0202 36.425 16.0202 37.67 16.9002 38.02L26.3602 41.75C29.7502 43.085 32.4352 45.77 33.7702 49.16L37.5002 58.62C37.6752 59.06 38.0752 59.28 38.4702 59.28C38.8652 59.28 39.2702 59.06 39.4402 58.62L43.1702 49.16C44.5052 45.77 47.1902 43.085 50.5802 41.75L60.0402 38.02C60.9202 37.67 60.9202 36.425 60.0402 36.075L50.5802 32.345C47.1902 31.01 44.5052 28.325 43.1702 24.935L39.4402 15.475C39.2652 15.035 38.8652 14.815 38.4702 14.815ZM14.4702 29.125L11.9802 24.57C11.9452 24.505 11.8902 24.45 11.8202 24.41L7.26516 21.92C6.62516 21.57 6.62516 20.655 7.26516 20.305L11.8202 17.815C11.8852 17.78 11.9402 17.725 11.9752 17.66L14.4652 13.105C14.8152 12.465 15.7302 12.465 16.0802 13.105L18.5702 17.66C18.6052 17.725 18.6602 17.78 18.7302 17.82L23.2852 20.31C23.9252 20.66 23.9252 21.575 23.2852 21.925L18.7302 24.415C18.6652 24.45 18.6102 24.505 18.5752 24.57L16.0852 29.125C15.7352 29.765 14.8202 29.765 14.4702 29.125Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>                 <path                     d=\"M38.4702 26.64L38.5252 26.775C40.3652 31.435 44.0902 35.165 48.7502 37L48.8852 37.055L48.7502 37.11C44.0902 38.95 40.3602 42.675 38.5252 47.335L38.4702 47.47L38.4152 47.335C36.5752 42.675 32.8502 38.945 28.1902 37.11L28.0552 37.055L28.1902 37C32.8502 35.16 36.5802 31.435 38.4152 26.775L38.4702 26.64Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>                 <path                     d=\"M32 10.7351C33.6569 10.7351 35 9.39196 35 7.73511C35 6.07825 33.6569 4.73511 32 4.73511C30.3431 4.73511 29 6.07825 29 7.73511C29 9.39196 30.3431 10.7351 32 10.7351Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>             <\/g>         <\/g>         <defs>             <clipPath id=\"clip0_5407_120\">                 <rect width=\"64\" height=\"64\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>             <\/clipPath>         <\/defs>     <\/svg>        <span class=\"sideconvo_button\"  data-sideconvo-message=\"Syrian Celebrities: Syrian Artists Who Changed Our Lives\" data-sideconvo-mode=\"CHAT\" data-sideconvo-customCTATitle=\"Check out some of the best Syrian actors we grew up watching!\" data-sideconvo-customCTAPlacement=\"TITLE_TAG\">             Check out some of the best Syrian actors we grew up watching!        <\/span>         <div class=\"hoverEffect\">             <div><\/div>         <\/div>     <\/button>     <style>      <\/style>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some places are more than just caf\u00e9s or bakeries; they have a story behind them. That\u2019s exactly what <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/almanhaldamascus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Al Manhal Bakery and Books<\/a><\/strong> in Old Damascus feels like. It\u2019s a bakery that\u2019s over 100 years old, but today it\u2019s been brought back to life in a completely new way. Located on Straight Street near Al Buzuriyah, Al Manhal is now a bakery, caf\u00e9, and library all in one space. You can stop by for fresh bread baked in a traditional wood-fired oven, grab a coffee, read a book, or just enjoy the calm atmosphere.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DYc-NPQOFt3\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h2 id=\"h-how-did-it-start\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Did It Start?<\/strong><\/h2>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DVlcUW4DbjZ\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The idea came from baker Brent Stewart and Syrian journalist Asser Khattab. Brent wanted to create a project in Syria that combines good baking with real job opportunities, while Aser wanted to create a simple cultural space where people could gather, read, and have conversations in a relaxed setting.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, they turned Al Manhal into a place that mixes food, books, and community in a really warm and welcoming way.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h2 id=\"h-a-historic-oven-back-to-life\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Historic Oven Back to Life<\/strong><\/h2>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWZ9K8KkrVY\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the coolest things about Al Manhal is its old wood-fired oven, which hadn\u2019t been used since the 1970s. The team restored it and started baking in it again, giving the place a real, authentic feel.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h2 id=\"h-what-s-on-the-menu\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s on the Menu?<\/strong><\/h2>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DYfULyQxZYP\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Al Manhal, you\u2019ll find sourdough bread made with natural fermentation, along with manakeesh, pastries, sweets, cakes, cookies, and specialty coffee.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People who visited the spot have been talking about the fresh food, cozy atmosphere, and the love and care put into every detail.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DYSajREjGd0\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h2 id=\"h-books-reading-and-events\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Books, Reading, and Events<\/strong><\/h2>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DIZvYmJNgN_\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Books are a huge part of the idea here. The space offers both new and secondhand books, and visitors can either buy them or borrow them through a simple, free borrowing system.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Al Manhal also plans to host reading clubs, book signings, discussions, and cultural events, making it more than just a bakery or caf\u00e9.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h2 id=\"h-more-than-just-a-bakery\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More Than Just a Bakery<\/strong><\/h2>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What makes Al Manhal special is the community side of the project, too. The space creates job opportunities in a welcoming environment, and the team includes former detainees and people with disabilities.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h2 id=\"h-why-visit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Visit?<\/strong><\/h2>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DXZLAvpDGJt\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because it\u2019s one of those places that feels different the second you walk in. It\u2019s peaceful, full of history, and has a really warm atmosphere. Whether you go for the bread, coffee, books, or just the experience itself, Al Manhal is definitely worth visiting in Old Damascus.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Location:<\/strong> Damascus, Al-Mustaqeem Street<br><strong>Working Days:<\/strong> From Saturday to Thursday.<br><strong>Hours:<\/strong> From 12 PM to 6 PM.<\/p>    <div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <p class=\"has-pale-ocean-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisisdimashq.com\/en\/tag\/old_damascus\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.thisisdimashq.com\/en\/tag\/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b4%d8%a7%d9%85_%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%82%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%85%d8%a9\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Old Damascus<\/a> section on our website for more!<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some places are more than just caf\u00e9s or bakeries; they have a story behind them. That\u2019s exactly what Al Manhal Bakery and Books in Old Damascus feels like. It\u2019s a bakery that\u2019s over 100 years old, but today it\u2019s been brought back to life in a completely new way. Located on Straight Street near Al [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ai_generated_summary":"","_preview_accessed":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[222,65,207,177,47],"media-embed-type":[],"class_list":["post-8658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-bakeries","tag-coffee_shop","tag-drinks","tag-hidden-gems","tag-old_damascus"],"authorship":[7],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>This 100-Year-Old Bakery in Damascus Is Now Also a Cozy Reading Spot &#187; This is Dimashq<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Al Manhal Bakery and Library in Old Damascus is over 100 years old, but today it\u2019s been brought back to life in a completely new way.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisisdimashq.com\/en\/8658\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"This 100-Year-Old Bakery in Damascus Is Now Also a Cozy Reading Spot\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Al Manhal Bakery and Library in Old Damascus is over 100 years old, but today it\u2019s been brought back to life in a completely new way.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.thisisdimashq.com\/en\/8658\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"This is Dimashq\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dimashqcityguide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-01T11:15:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.thisisdimashq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"958\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"536\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"joanna\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"joanna\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/en\\\/8658\\\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/en\\\/8658\\\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"joanna\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/ar\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/634216b6a05df4cea08b8291fcb65a6d\"},\"headline\":\"This 100-Year-Old Bakery in Damascus Is Now Also a Cozy Reading Spot\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-01T11:15:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/en\\\/8658\\\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":451,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/ar\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/en\\\/8658\\\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/20.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Bakeries\",\"Coffee Shops\",\"Drinks\",\"Hidden gems\",\"Old Damascus\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Guides\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/en\\\/8658\\\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thisisdimashq.com\\\/en\\\/8658\\\/this-100-year-old-bakery-in-damascus-is-now-also-a-cozy-reading-spot\\\/\",\"name\":\"This 100-Year-Old Bakery in Damascus Is Now Also a Cozy Reading Spot &#187; 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