Our Story
It all started with an idea: “Make the best donut in town”
A unique journey – from ice hockey rinks to ovens
Retired ice hockey player, Tom grew up in Switzerland (yes, that little country where the chocolate is good). He found himself in Thailand during Covid times working in consulting.
While on a trip in Phuket, he bumped into a local donut shop. It was a prophecy. It made Tom go on a quest to “make the best donut in town“.
Like all great modern quests, it started with a Google search: “Best donut recipe”. The first ever batch of donuts were more like hockey pucks than soft and fluffy … With zero baking experience but a PHD in perfectionism and after a year of trials and errors, he ultimately found the right formula for his dough bringing to life a soft, yet firm and delicious donuts.
In 2022, The Barn was born, because calling it The Dough-jo was just a bit too much. Built on a foundation of taste and taste, and also taste, everything is handcrafted in-house with passion, science, and a suspicious amount of white powder (you got it: flour).
R&D is where Tom really gets going. A ton of experiments later, cookies and cinnamon rolls were added to his baking résumé (and on the menu).
Highlighting our origins
Why The Barn?
Tom may have hung up his skates, he’s still a team player. Patrick and Jan — fellow hockey players he met on Bangkok ice rinks joined him on his quest. Together, they opened their café and bakery right in front of the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena (TIIHA).
Talk about home-ice advantage: Patrick and Jan are still suiting up for the Thai National Ice Hockey Team — from taking slap shots to perfecting espresso shots, the transition seemed natural.
It’s a sweet setup, literally and figuratively. But why The Barn?
Turns out ice hockey arenas in Canada are affectionately called “barns” — a nod to their old-school resemblance to, well, actual hay-filled buildings. So with their location, the name practically choose itself.
But wait, there’s more to the story. Since they are all about handcrafted, artisanal goodness, The Barn felt just right — a cozy, rustic vibe wrapped in a cool, ice hockey-themed decoration. A place to enjoy treats and ice hockey!
Craft Donuts, Cookies, Rolls & Coffee
COME SAY HELLO!
The Barn is a hidden ice hockey themed cafe with homemade bakery in Bangkok
We are located at the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena (TIIHA)