From delicious French breads to buttery croissants, soft decadent cookies, and tart fruit pies, there is something for everyone when it comes to baked goods.
Bakeries are perhaps the true backbone of the Toronto dessert scene because of their sheer diversity and quantity. For those who prefer savoury treats, there are plenty of options here for you too.
Toronto is packed full of specialty dessert shops, from cookie shops and cupcake boutiques to Japanese cheesecake cafés — as good as the likes of Craig’s Cookies, Prairie Girl, and Uncle Tetsu are, specialty stores like this are left off this bakery list.
However, this list includes places that are bakeries in the traditional sense; places where you walk in and are immediately surrounded by tonnes of delicious baked treats arranged tantalisingly in front of you: tarts, pies, breads, cookies, croissants — you name it!
Here is a list of the top 15 bakeries, mostly in the downtown area and a couple just outside Toronto proper — yes, this is a condensed list. They are worth the trek, especially before it starts to snow.
Le Gourmand Café, Spadina Avenue and Queen Street West
Honestly, they must put something extra in their chocolate chip cookies, because wow.
Bakerbots Baking, Bloorcourt Village
Go on the weekend. You’ll find a much greater selection, including fancy tarts! It has the same owners as Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery, so you know you’re in for delicious baked goods and tasty ice cream if you’re in the mood.
Blackbird Baking Co., Kensington Market
Bread, bread, and more delicious bread, with a side of flaky croissants and seasonal tarts. Try their chocolate cork.
Butter Baker, Bay Steet and Dundas Street West
Cookies, cakes, and pastries galore! If you are an ice cream fan, they also have delicious soft serve.
Mabel’s Bakery, Multiple locations, Queen Street West
Mabel’s is on here because whenever I am going on a dessert crawl of almost any sort, Mabel’s is always featured, from pies to cupcakes to cookies.
Nadège Patisserie, Multiple locations, Queen Street West
Who doesn’t love a good French pastry? Sometimes you just need a delicious macaron.
The Tempered Room, Parkdale
Very cute, and has croissants. They are so buttery and delicious. Any croissant with almonds or chocolate is to die for.
Forno Cultura, King Street West
Italian party galore! Sweet and savoury pastries in an aesthetically pleasing and bustling bakery.
Sanremo Bakery, Etobicoke
An Italian bakery that does it all — for those in the west end of town, you have to try it. Doughnuts, traditional italian desserts, cakes: if you can name it, they’ve got it.
Bake Shoppe, Ossington Avenue and College Street
Hip and sleek with Drake cookies — literally, cookies with celebrities like Drake and Snoop Dogg. Also, ruffle marshmallow squares? Yes, please!
Rosselle Desserts, Corktown and Queen West
Canelés, canelés, canelés is all I have to say. But their other goods are also amazing.
Mashion Bakery, Spadina Avenue and Baldwin Street
One-dollar pork buns and rolls? We’ll take 10.
Bobette and Belle, multiple locations
A bakery for any special occasion. They have absolutely everything, and you can even stop by the store for a snack.
Lamanna’s Bakery, Scarborough
For those willing to make a trek or those at UTSC, check out this bakery. It will not disappoint; from pizza to cannolis, it has it all.
Almond Butterfly Harbord Street and Spadina Avenue
Gluten-free everything! It is delicious, even for those without a gluten intolerance.