Dining Out

10 Great Canadian Bakeries To Try Right Now

Posted by Michelle da Silva on June 23, 2017

Before the sun rises and most of us are awake, bakers across the country are busy making loaves of bread, whisking eggs for cakes and cookies and dropping muffin and scone batter onto pans. Whether you’re into French pastries, country-style bread or sugary desserts, Canada’s offerings are exceptional. Here, we’ve picked standout bakeries that will satisfy your sweet tooth, and then some.

Courtesy of The Old Apothecary Bakery & Cafe

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The Old Apothecary Bakery & Cafe (Halifax, NS)

<p>Locals and tourists alike love this small bakery in downtown Halifax. <a href="https://www.theoldapothecary.com/" target="_blank"><strong>The Old Apothecary Bakery and Cafe</strong></a> offers breads, pastries, desserts and more all made from scratch. Stop by in the morning for a flaky chocolate-almond croissant and cup of coffee, or later on in the day when lemon tarts, fruit-filled danishes and eclairs are served. And be sure to take a loaf of their sourdough, focaccia or baguette home for dinner.</p>
Courtesy of Blackbird Bakery

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Blackbird Bakery (Whitehorse, YK)

<p>If you find yourself in Whitehorse, <a href="https://blackbirdbakerywhitehorse.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Blackbird Bakery</strong></a> is where you should go. The small shop offers seasonal menus based on ingredients they’re able to source at various times of year. In the summer, pick up a peach blueberry pie with an almond crumble topping. There’s also Black Forest cake made with dark chocolate and cherry pie filling. On Saturdays, Blackbird is known for their gooey sticky buns, an irresistible treat.</p>
Courtesy of Little Bird Patisserie & Cafe

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Little Bird Patisserie & Cafe (Saskatoon, SK)

<p>The dining room at Saskatoon’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LittleBirdPatisserie/" target="_blank"><strong>Little Bird Patisserie & Cafe</strong></a> is the perfect spot to stop in for afternoon tea or, on Sundays, high tea. They serve over a dozen varieties of Bellocq teas and offer a wide selection of pastries, tarts, cookies and breads. Visit them for lunch, too, and don’t forget to pick up a cruffin (that’s a croissant-muffin!) on your way out.</p>
Courtesy of Bobbette & Belle

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Bobbette & Belle (Toronto, ON)

<p>Toronto’s <a href="http://bobbetteandbelle.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Bobbette & Belle</strong></a> might easily be one of the prettiest bakeries in the country. Upon entering one of the bakery’s two locations, you’ll be greeted by pastel macarons, towering wedding cakes and sugar-dusted pastries. Started by Sarah Bell and Allyson Bobbitt with an aim to create custom haute couture cakes for clients, their business quickly expanded to create other French-inspired treats. Stop in for macarons available in a many different flavours including passionfruit and mint chocolate, or a decadent salted caramel cupcake, which might just be too pretty to eat.</p>
Courtesy of Beaucoup Bakery & Café

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Beaucoup Bakery & Café (Vancouver, BC)

<p>Former owner Jackie Kai Ellis opened <a href="http://www.beaucoupbakery.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Beaucoup Bakery & Café</strong></a> after training and working in Paris, so it’s no wonder the pint-sized spot exudes je ne sais quoi. Now with new owners, the bakery still remains true to its French-inspired roots. Every morning, the pastry team whips up a variety of croissants and other French pastries such as kouign amann (Breton cake), cinnamon scrolls, and fruit tarts. We love the classic chausson aux pommes for its flaky, melt-in-your mouth pastry and sweet apples. Be sure to order a peanut butter sandwich cookie for later, one of the bakery’s signature items.</p>
Courtesy of Duchess Bake Shop

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Duchess Bake Shop (Edmonton, AB)

<p>Taste a little slice of Paris, France in Edmonton at <a href="https://duchessbakeshop.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Duchess Bake Shop</strong></a>. Since 2009, the award-winning bakery has offered classic French pastries such as macarons and croissants alongside North American favourites like brownies and butter tarts. Try the Tart St. Tropez, a chocolate tart filled with chocolate ganache, pineapple ginger jam, whipped coconut ganache and coconut sponge. For something savoury, stop in for lunch, when ham and cheese croissants and quiches are served.</p>
Courtesy of Bread & Sons Bakery

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Bread & Sons Bakery (Ottawa, ON)

<p>Like their name implies, Ottawa’s <a href="http://breadandsons.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Bread & Sons Bakery</strong></a> specializes in all things bread. The small bakery makes fresh loaves every weekday morning. Find sourdough, multigrain and baguettes among other carby goodies. At lunch, grab a slice of pizza and a chocolate chip cookie, which contains little pieces of candied orange zest for extra flavour. Cinnamon rolls, tarts and croissants are also favourites on the menu, and while they might not be gluten-free, at least a few are vegan.</p>
Courtesy of Hof Kelsten

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Hof Kelsten (Montreal, QC)

<p>The owner of Montreal’s <a href="http://hofkelsten.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Hof Kelsten</strong></a>, Jeffrey Finkelstein, started his career working in restaurants in Europe before starting a bakery wholesaling to Montreal’s finest restaurants. Once Hof Kelsten opened its Mile-End shop, the secret was out, and many have declared him Montreal’s best breadmaker. A variety of breads including baguette, ciabatta, sourdough and raisin bread are always on offer, and on Fridays, fans line up for the fresh challah. Lunchtime calls for brisket or gravlax sandwiches with a side of borscht or matzo soup. You’ll leave full and happy you went.</p>
Courtesy of Forno Cultura

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Forno Cultura (Toronto, ON)

<p>Toronto's <a href="http://fornocultura.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Forno Cultura</strong></a> specializes in Italian baking using natural ingredients and organic flours. Owner Andrea Mastrandrea is a third-generation baker who bases all products on old family recipes. In addition to bread, offerings include biscotti, cookies, fruit-filled crostata and sponge cakes. Drop in for lunch, when there are sandwiches made on house-baked bread, pizza buns and more. Plus, a shelf of oils, vinegars and dry pastas imported from Italy means you can recreate some of the flavours at home.</p>
Courtesy of La Belle Baguette

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La Belle Baguette (Winnipeg, MB)

<p>Since 2015, <a href="https://www.labellebaguette.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>La Belle Baguette</strong></a> has been supplying Winnipeg’s French Quarter with fresh bread and pastries. Their bread selection changes daily, from cheese sourdough to tomato and basil, and their pastries span a large variety including chocolate eclairs, fruit tarts and lemon poppy seed loaves. If you prefer something more savoury, bite into a doughy pretzel.</p> <p><em>Michelle da Silva is a Toronto-based writer who loves telling stories related to food.</em></p>
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