New bakery, cafe bringing Asian-style treats and flavors to Lexington
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sweet Cottage Asian Bakery Cafe expected to open in May at 3801 Dylan Pl Suite 150.
- Menu emphasizes lighter, fluffy Asian-style breads, pastries, sandwiches and drinks.
- Hours 10 a.m.–8 p.m. most days; owners aim to blend cultures and expand.
A new bakery focused on Asian-style treats and savory lunch items is coming to Lexington.
Sweet Cottage Asian Bakery Cafe is coming to 3801 Dylan Place Suite 150, just off Man o’ War in the former Puccini’s location. Puccini’s closed in October 2025.
Sweet Cottage Asian Bakery Cafe is expected to open in May.
Owners Rattiya Tovanasutr and Cheng Hong Shi say they have a passion for Asian-style baking, acquired from living in Bangkok, Thailand.
What is Asian-style baking? It’s lighter, fluffier and less sweet than traditional bakery items, Tovanasutr said.
“The texture and flavor are unique,” she said. “Our bread is really soft and fluffy.”
They also use a lot of fruit and natural flavors, including Asian-inspired ones such as taro, matcha, pandan and yuzu.
The menu will offer items including souffle pancakes, Korean-style bean soup, honey toast, cakes, pastries, bread, croissants, coffee and tea as well as Asian-style sandwiches, she said.
Tovanasutr was born and raised in Thailand but moved to Kentucky about 15 years ago. This is her first venture into food service, but Cheng is familiar with the business: He also owns the Ginza Japanese restaurant in Frankfort.
Some of the items Tovanasutr plans to offer were inspired by a research trip home to Bangkok last summer, where she discovered many new items, such as a bear-shaped soft chocolate cookie that is made in-house.
Many of the drinks they will offer were inspired by Cheng’s trips to China as well.
“We were inspired by how Asian bakeries focus on soft textures, lighter flavors, and beautifully crafted desserts. Our goal is to blend those traditional Asian influences with a modern café experience ,” she said.
“For us, it’s not just about food — it’s about sharing culture, creativity, and a feeling of warmth with the community. We hope Sweet Cottage will be a place where people can gather, try something new, and create happy memories.”
They plan to be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days, with carry-out available.
She said they chose Lexington because they love the community and think people here are willing to try new things.
“Hopefully people in Lexington will enjoy it. We hope people like our idea, and we can expand and bring the concept to more locations,” she said.
Asian-style drinks such as boba and milk tea have been bubbling up in Lexington for some time, often beginning as trends on social media.
There is at least one other Asian bakery in Lexington — Purple Yum Bakery Cafe at 1555 E. New Circle Rd. in the Woodhill Shopping Center, with Tsaocha at 1080 S. Broadway, Bumble Bites at 3725 Palomar Centre Dr. and in Richmond also offering Asian drinks and desserts.
Sweet Cottage Asian Bakery Cafe
Where: 3801 Dylan Place Suite 150 in Lexington
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days; closed either Sunday or Monday
