Small-town & neighbourhood bakeries make a road trip feel right. It could be the smell of bread straight from the oven or the chatty staff who know everyone by name, maybe even those trays of things you can’t pronounce. We asked our readers about the local Canadian bakeries worth the drive, and here are ten they suggested. Which one have you visited before or want to visit?
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Butter Baked Goods, Vancouver (BC)
Several readers mentioned Butter Baked Goods. It’s a pink-and-white shop in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale area that is famous for its hand-cut marshmallows, which come in a pumpkin spice version in the fall & eggnog near Christmas. You’ll also find slices of cake that taste like they came from your grandma’s kitchen.
Duchess Bake Shop, Edmonton (AB)
A couple of people swore that Duchess Bake Shop is the reason they stop in Edmonton. It has that feeling of being in a Parisian café, with flaky croissants & lemon tarts, as well as pistachio éclairs so nice they look printed. They also have baking classes next door for those feeling brave enough to try it themselves. However, the pros make it look easier than it is.
The Night Oven Bakery, Saskatoon (SK)
One reader told us that you can smell The Night Oven before you see it. The bakery mills its own grain & bakes with a wood-fired oven. They sell loaves that usually vanish by noon. Everything’s made from local prairie wheat, and there’s a steady lineup most mornings, so bring your cash & a sense of patience. It’s part of the charm.
The Crusty Bun Bakery & Café, Winnipeg (MB)
When we asked Winnipeggers about their favourite, the Crusty Bun came up fast. It’s a family-run German bakery that’s both a café & perfect place to get some carbs, thanks to the selection of pretzel buns and Berliner donuts. Locals claim the sandwiches alone are worth the detour, especially the schnitzel on rye.
Blackbird Baking Co., Toronto (ON)
Toronto’s bread people are loyal, and the Blackbird Baking Co. is a place many of them suggested. It started with one tiny shop in Kensington Market. Now, it has a few city spots, all equally busy because of the chewy sourdough and strong coffee. The shelves are stacked by 9 a.m., so you should come early or be prepared to leave empty-handed.
Au Kouign-Amann, Montréal (QC)
Almost everyone we talked to said the same thing, which was “Don’t skip the kouign-amann at Au Kouign-Amann.” It’s a caramelized Breton pastry that’s as buttery as it is crisp. It’s also so sweet that it sticks to your fingers. This Plateau shop has been serving them for decades, and you can usually spot it by the line stretching down Mont-Royal Avenue.
Boulangerie Guillaume, Montréal (QC)
For many people, Boulangerie Guillaume feels like the only place to get bread in Mile-End. It’s just that good. Most locals go in for just a sourdough baguette, and then they leave with five extra pastries they didn’t plan on. Best of all, the pastry smell hits you halfway down the block. Go once & you’ll understand why people love this place so much.
Chess Piece Pâtisserie & Café, Fredericton (NB)
One Fredericton local said Chess Piece is their favourite place to go when it’s rainy. That’s because the café is bright & cozy, while also filled with macarons & mousse cakes. It serves the kind of coffee that forces you to save an extra hour of conversation. Yes, it’s a small shop, but it feels like downtown Paris, minus the jet lag.
Two If By Sea Café, Dartmouth (NS)
Our readers in Halifax strongly recommended that anybody nearby should make the quick drive to Dartmouth. Two If By Sea’s croissants are practically the stuff of folklore. They’re huge and oh-so-buttery. Usually, there’s a “flavour of the week” too, which changes just enough to keep locals coming back.
Rocket Bakery & Fresh Food, St. John’s (NL)
Rocket Bakery & Fresh Food is part bakery & part hangout, and completely a Newfoundland institution. The original Water Street spot has many locals grabbing coffee and sandwiches, along with freshly baked cookies the size of their hands. Their fish cakes & scones are perfect road-trip fuel, especially for those wandering around the colourful downtown streets afterward.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us on MSN.