Brianna HarrisonA Review of the 5 Best Bakeries and Pastry Shops in Toronto
Freshly baked goods from a local bakery and pastries shop always feel like a warm hug. This review is for all of you who love breads, cakes, cookies, and other soft and chewy goodies.
We came up with a list of the best bakery and pastries shops in Toronto. We included each of their bestsellers, relevant information, and a few pros and cons.
The Best Bakeries and Pastry Shops in Toronto
We used the following factors to evaluate each of the places in this list:
How much do bread and pastries cost in Toronto?
We created a sample table of breads and pastries and their average prices to give you an idea of how much a piece should actually cost.
Take note that like most food prices, these amounts are all subject to change depending on their ingredients and labor costs.
1. Phipps Bakery
| BAKED GOODS | ★★★★★ |
| Taste | ★★★★★ |
| Quality | ★★★★★ |
| Range of options | ★★★★★ |
| PRICES(A higher score means better value) | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ |
| SPACE | ★★★★★ |
Artisanal food and treats have been offered by Phipps Bakery since 1986. This local business with a laid back, vintage-inspired, black and white spatial design has grown to be a well-loved bakery and cafe in Toronto given their great customer service.
There are just a lot of good things to say about this bakery. They use the finest ingredients such as local farm fresh sour cream and milk, cage-free eggs, local farm apples, and prefer to use only Callebaut Belgian chocolate and cocoa.
Cakes are among their best products, with their Mom’s Chocolate Layer Cake being a crowd favourite. They are also known for custom wedding cakes that can come in any layer and a variety of flavours.
We also like how this bakery has been serving vegetarian breads and sweets since 2017. This says a lot about their exploration of and dedication to what they do, plus they have also kept their space clean and safe through the years.
Deliveries are also available at minimum costs and orders can be placed online. We do note that there are certain products that cannot be delivered and are only available for pick ups.
Honestly, there isn’t anything alarming about this bakery and cafe. We do note that pre-order and custom cakes can be quite expensive and that some customers even find them overpriced, which they usually acknowledge and address.
Phipps Bakery remains as one of the best places for delicious breads and pastries in Toronto. We especially recommend their award-winning butter tarts.
Pros
- 37 years in the business
- Very specific in terms of their ingredients
- Has options for vegetarians
- Orders can be placed online
- Minimal delivery costs
- Award winning butter tarts
Cons
- Only selected products can be delivered
- Pre-order and custom cakes can be expensive
Customer Reviews
The staff are always lovely
“Phipps has been a family favourite for 30+ years and we have tried almost all of their baked goods–consistently delicious, just the right amount of sweetness, and made with high-quality ingredients. A great little spot and the staff are always lovely.”
— Laura Albright, via Google
Most delicious food and cookies
“One the coziest coffee houses in Toronto. With the best decoration and most delicious food and cookies. The staff are kind and lovely.!” — Kosar Avini, via Google
2. Dufflet Pastries Downtown
| BAKED GOODS | ★★★★☆ |
| Taste | ★★★★★ |
| Quality | ★★★★☆ |
| Range of options | ★★★★★ |
| PRICES(A higher score means better value) | ★★★★★ |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ |
| SPACE | ★★★★★ |
Established in 1975, Dufflet Pastries is a supplier of dynamic desserts to restaurants, cafés, caterers, grocers and gourmet food shops across Canada. Their store on Queen Street West opened in 1982 and is now one of the most popular Toronto bakeries.
This bakery also houses Queen Specific, a space for local visual artists to display their works. This aspect adds to the vibrant atmosphere and aesthetic of Dufflet Pastries.
A complete range of items including, but not limited to, cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, loaves, and bars are available for both online preorder and in store.
Probably the best thing about this bakery is that they have been listening to the needs and wants of their customers ever since. In 2006, they launched Dufflet Small Indulgence, a line of gourmet chocolates and confections, as a response to demand.
Their freshly baked goods and pre packaged gourmet offerings all come in great taste and quality. We like how they also have gourmet candies and greeting cards, making them perfect for everyday and special occasions.
We do note that this place isn’t perfect. They have reports of rude staff and of one or two overlooked and delivered expired pastries, which can both be dealbreakers for any food business.
Still, we believe that Dufflet Pastries has generally maintained their good reputation over the years. They have also recently came up with certified gluten-free and vegan dessert collections for those with special diets.
Pros
- Most items are available both online and in-store
- Bakery has a vibrant art space inside
- Vegan and gluten-free options are available
- Has their special line of gourmet chocolates and confections
- Gourmet candies and greeting cards are also available
Cons
- Has reports of rude staff encounters
- Has reports of delivered, expired pastries
Customer Reviews
Honoured the order without problem
“Great service as always. Forgot my tile log pickup yesterday and they honoured the order today without problem. Another reason we always get cakes for important events for the last 25 years!” — Roland Knight, via Google
Always scrumptious
“Their vegan chocolate cake is amazing! Been getting my birthday cake from them for the past 5yrs and it’s always scrumptious” — Amani Latif, via Google
3. Thobors Davisville Village
| BAKED GOODS | ★★★★☆ |
| Taste | ★★★★★ |
| Quality | ★★★★★ |
| Range of options | ★★★★☆ |
| PRICES(A higher score means better value) | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ |
| SPACE | ★★★★★ |
There are two Thobors bakeries in Toronto, but the Davisville Village branch proves to be a Toronto favourite. This is because this is the first and main branch where customers have seen how everything is made from scratch.
Thobors Boulangerie Patisserie Café started in 2008, with it being known as a Parisian-themed bakery and cafe that serves some of Toronto’s best baguettes and Viennoiseries. We find that the quality of their goods remained consistent.
Apart from their hand made french breads, they also have a great selection of chocolate that are also made from scratch. Their products are all beautifully displayed in their well-lit space that is reminiscent of Paris cafés.
They also have savoury pastries and homemade jams, which we find to be great additions to their sweet collection. We do find that given their place’s theme, almost all breads here are French-inspired and their selection may still need to widen its range.
We also warn that sometimes, this place runs out of paper bags and boxes for take outs. We understand that this may be due to the influx of orders, but they still need to work on this as many customers also often complain about it.
Thobors in Davisville is a great bakery to visit for those who love French offerings such as croissants and handmade chocolate. Their prices are a bit on the high average, but they have quality baked goods.
Pros
- Bakery brand has two branches in Toronto
- Great place for baguettes and viennoiseries
- Savoury pastries and homemade jams are available
- Parisian-themed bakery interiors
Cons
- Selection is still a little limited
- Prices are on the high average
- Takeout bags and boxes are sometimes unavailable
Customer Reviews
Each creation is a piece of art
“One of my favorites. Not only very delicious, each creation is a piece of art”
— Simin Seifz, via Google
Best baguettes and croissants I have ever tried!
“A bakery with variety of fresh and delicious pastries and super friendly staff! Best baguettes and croissants I have ever tried! My favourite bakery in the city.”
— Mahsa Salmani, via Google
4. Serano Bakery
| BAKED GOODS | ★★★★☆ |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ |
| Quality | ★★★★★ |
| Range of options | ★★★★☆ |
| PRICES(A higher score means better value) | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ |
| SPACE | ★★★★★ |
Adding to the list of Toronto’s oldest and well-loved bakeries is the family-owned Serano Bakery. They began in 1994 and are known for their quality baked goods that can be purchased grocery-style.
Some of the bestsellers in Serano Bakery are the baklava, long buns, and their foil wrapped chocolates. The good thing about buying bread and pastries from this bakery is that they also have other market items, making them a one-stop shop for many.
The range of their selection is great, as they even have their own Greek market given their family’s origins. We do note that some of their products still need a little work in terms of taste.
We also find that only a small portion of their selection is available for delivery. On top of that, all delivery orders are shipped via Canada Post, which can lead to costly charges.
On the bright side, most of their offerings are within the affordable rate. This makes them a great option for those who like buying bread in bulk.
We also note that they are open daily, which makes them a step ahead of most of their competitors in terms of availability. Their staff members are also very friendly and helpful.
Serano Bakery is a great choice for families and bread lovers. This is also a good place for those who want to try or regularly have Greek baked goods.
Pros
- Grocery-style space
- Has a small Greek market
- Market goods are available on top of baked products
- Affordable bread and pastries
- Open everyday
Cons
- Some products still need work taste-wise
- Delivery fees can be expensive
Customer Reviews
A good variety of options
“By far the best bakery I went to in Toronto. A good variety of options. All fresh and delicious. The staff are also nice and helpful. This Greek bakery reminds me of back home. ❤️” — Hadi J, via Google
Very friendly service
“Huge bakery with a great selection and very friendly service. The white chocolate cake is my favourite cake since childhood. So light and not too sweet. The baklava cheesecake is recommended as well.” — Alnoor Kara, via Google
5. Harbord Bakery
| BAKED GOODS | ★★★★☆ |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ |
| Quality | ★★★★★ |
| Range of options | ★★★★★ |
| PRICES(A higher score means better value) | ★★★★★ |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ |
| SPACE | ★★★★☆ |
Harbord Bakery is another family-owned bakery with a history that traces back to 1955. Since then, the owners have lived on the second floor of the same building where their simple and straightforward bakery stands up to this day.
Jewish baked goods are primarily served here, with pastries and desserts, including custom and gluten-free cakes available. They also offer cake delivery services within Toronto and the GTA.
We like how people can place their orders online and how most of their products come with actual photos on their website. Their baked goods are also very affordable, with ready made cakes available at an average cost of CAD30.00.
We do find that some favourites can run out fast, so some pastries may not always be in stock. Some of their baked goods also need some work in terms of taste as well.
Their gluten-free cake flavors are limited to two as of writing, so we hope they can still explore other flavours. One customer also complained about a particularly rude woman staff member who didn’t accommodate him properly.
Still, Harbord Bakery has a well-sanitised space and good customer service in general and they use quality ingredients for all their products. We recommend them for their tenure and variety of baked goods.
Pros
- A go-to for Jewish baked goods
- Cake delivery services are available
- Has gluten-free cake options
- Affordable bread and pastries
Cons
- Some pastries are not always in stock
- Some products are still limited in terms of available flavors
- Has some complaints about one rude staff member
Customer Reviews
Great bread
“The owner is awesome and a generous lady. It’s classy place in the neighborhood also yummy food, a bakery and great bread. I’ve order food for Christmas and Thanksgiving and I’m completely satisfied. The almond cake is my fav ☺️”
— Itzel González, via Google
An icon in the community
“An icon in the community. These wonderful folks have been around for decades. Baking and selling bagels, cream cheese, egg salade, cakes, and a whole bunch more good food. You won’t be disappointed.” — York Golz, via Google
FAQs about Bakeries and Pastry Shops in Toronto
And that’s a wrap! We hope this review convinced you to grab a bite or two from any of the best bakeries and pastry shops in Toronto.
We also have a review of the best cake delivery shops in Toronto. You may read about them here.
