Hit Bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr Opens a New Virginia Shop Equipped to Supply More Stores

Mah-Ze-Dahr, the celebrated New York bakery with a rapidly growing presence in the D.C. area, opened its first Virginia location over the weekend. A new 3,000-square-foot facility near the Crystal City Metro station in Arlington is the company’s biggest store yet, adding to a Navy Yard shop that arrived in D.C. last September and a small outpost located inside the recently opened Swingers crazy golf course in Dupont Circle.

In addition to its best-selling Madagascar vanilla cream brioche doughnuts, dark chocolate brownies, and cheesecake, Mah-Ze-Dahr’s glossy new spot offers savory bites and brand new sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. There’s a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich served in a croissant packed with pickled onions, arugula, and preserved lemon. A caprese sandwich with tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto comes on a baguette.

Rey Lopez for Knead Hospitality + Design

The dark blue and marble-toned cafe at 1550 Crystal Drive is outfitted with a commissary kitchen to service other Mah-Ze-Dahr locations that will open in partnership with D.C.’s Knead Hospitality + Design group. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily to start, with plans to expand to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

Rey Lopez for Knead

Founder Umber Ahmad, a former investment banker who was a 2019 semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Baker award, counted Oprah and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio as early fans. The Mah-Ze-Dahr the opened at 1201 Half Street SE last year represented the company’s first move outside of Manhattan. Ahmad also created the pies and other desserts for Gatsby, Knead’s fancy new diner attached to the Navy Yard bakery.

Mah-Ze-Dahr’s arrival in Northern Virginia is a boon for National Landing, the rebranded business district around Crystal City where tech giant Amazon is building its HQ2. Amazon’s construction project is reportedly on-schedule to complete its first phase by 2023, and it will lease office space before then. All-day cafe the Freshman officially kicked off the new era for restaurants in the neighborhood this spring.

Rey Lopez for Knead

Rey Lopez for Knead

Rey Lopez for Knead

• Hit Bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr Plans to Open a Huge Arlington Cafe Near Amazon’s HQ2 [EDC]
• Powerhouse NYC Bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr Plans D.C. Expansion With a New Partner [EDC]
• NYC’s Cult Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery Heads to Navy Yard [EDC]
• A Peek at Mah-Ze-Dahr, The New Bakery From Cult Favorite Chef Umber Ahmad [ENY]
• Mah-Ze-Dahr Brings Its Top-Ranked Vanilla Brioche Doughnuts to D.C. [EDC]
• A New All-Day Cafe in Arlington Signals the Beginning of the Amazon Era for Restaurants [EDC]