Montréal’s best bakeries and pastry shops

Plateau-Mont-Royal’s pleasing pâtisseries

The Plateau-Mont-Royal is the neighbourhood with the highest concentration of boulangeries and pâtisseries in Montréal. Considered one of the hippest areas in the city, this predominantly francophone hood counts a lot of French ex-pats as residents. This may be why so many boulangeries have opted to set up shop here, often competing for the title of best croissant in town within a few blocks of each other. Among those are Boulangerie Mr. Pinchot, Bakery Les Co'Pains d’abord (three locations), Fous Desserts and Croissant Croissant, which are all within walking distance so you can go on a croissant crawl and judge for yourself. For some of the best cupcakes in Montréal, head to the adorable Les Glaceurs. A stone throw away from the Mont-Royal metro station is Pâtisserie Zébulon, an elegant place that makes fabulous desserts that just happen to be 100% plant-based.

Another contender in the croissant debate is Au Kouign-Amann on Mont-Royal Avenue East. The almond croissant there is great but people flock to this tiny spot specifically for a slice of its famous kouign amann, an addictive layered butter and sugar cake from Brittany. Le Toledo’s display of beautiful pastries, including seasonal fruity ones, is irresistible. It also makes great breads and its exquisite flan has garnered a delicious reputation among pastry lovers. If you head west on Avenue Mont-Royal, you arrive at Mont Éclair, a pastry shop specializing in its eponymous creation: éclairs. Even further west, near the Mont-Royal park is Les Madeleines d’Emilie, a spot churning out sweet and savoury madeleines, a small cake with a distinctive shell shape.

Mamie Clafoutis on Saint-Denis Street is another great spot for croissants, breads and baked pastries like the near perfect cannelés or the nutty pistachio and almond pavé with cherries. Saint Louis Café is a cute and colourful café in the heart of the Plateau where you will find some of the best croissants and flaky pastries in town.

Vegan and allergy-friendly Sophie Sucrée makes everything from cakes and cupcakes to croissants and chocolates. They accommodate several allergies including soy, nut and gluten.

If it’s macarons you’re looking for, no need to look further than POINT G, the definite winner when it comes to this delicate confection that doesn’t seem to go out of style. Classic flavours like chocolate and lemon share the beautiful store with seasonal sensations such as violet and honey and a Valentine’s Day cherry confit made with local cherries. They also make cannelés and madeleines.

Ol’ Sweet Pastry is the first Hungarian Kürtőskalács – or chimney cake – shop in Montréal. The specialty consists of wrapping sugar-laden dough around a funnel that cooks while rotating around a fire. It can then be eaten as is or stuffed with the likes of nutella.

Located on a stretch of Laurier Avenue East that is becoming more and more trendy, Pâtisserie Rhubarbe is a local favourite. The desserts here are elegant, dainty and although based on French classics, always created with a slight twist that makes them extra special. The tarte au citron is especially delicious, so are the éclairs that are adapted to each season. 

Famous Lille-based pastry shop Aux Merveilleux de Fred has opened its first Québec shop in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood. With 45 stores across the planet, this French institution specializes in the Merveilleux, an airy cake from the north of France made of layers of meringue and whipped cream.

Pastille Chocolat, an artisanal chocolate shop located in the east part of the Plateau, is a great stop to fill up on cookies or chocolate bonbons with classic flavours as well as more creative ones.

Boulangerie De Froment et de Sève won the People's Choice for best croissant in Montréal in 2023. They have been making great breads, desserts, pastries, and baked goods using the best quality ingredients since 1995.

La dolce vita in Little Italy, Petite Patrie, Villeray and Rosemont

The Little Italy neighbourhood of Montréal has its share of traditional Italian pastry shops like Pasticceria Alati-Caserta, where the ricotta-filled cannoli have become famous across the island. They are filled just as you order them to prevent them from going soggy and are just perfect to eat in the little park across the street with a strong Italian espresso from one of the many cafés around. Other pastry shops are also present in this neighbourhood, some with an Italian influence like La Cornetteria and its flaky cornetti (Italian-style croissants) or cronuts and some with a more rustic and traditional feel, like the adorable Mlles Gâteaux, located in the heart of Villeray, just a few blocks north of Little Italy and serving excellent desserts like a decadent carrot cake with pineapple and carrot confit.

Donut fans will be happy to know that there are 2 great spots around this part of town:  La Petite-Patrie’s Trou de Beigne is a fun and colourful space with several doughnut flavours on display at all times, including classics as well as seasonal ones and some vegan options. Beigne Habitude in Little Italy makes their donut in the backstore and always has a fresh batch. Flavours vary and you can place an order for gluten-free mochi in advance. Mille-feuilles, choux à la crème, babas au rhum and other French classics vie for attention at Pâtisserie Madeleine on Beaubien Street East.

The area also has a lion’s share of critically-acclaimed bakeries, including Le pain dans les voiles and its award-winning baguette and delicious croissants and pizzas. Two doors down is Boulangerie Le Marquis, a bakery and pastry shop that’s 100% gluten-free. Joe la croûte, another excellent spot located within the Jean-Talon Market, will surely win you over with the Mythique, a crispy roll full of black olives, sheep’s milk’s cheese, garlic flower and sea salt. If you prefer sweet to savoury, the Troubadour (apricots, hazelnuts, sea salt) is also an excellent choice. Louise is a French-born bakery that has taken up residence on Saint-Laurent Boulevard across the street from famous Italian grocery store Milano. Its promise is fresh and warm bread straight from the oven any time of day. A little further south on the Main is the excellent Boulangerie de Froment et de Sève, who also have a shop on Beaubien Street in Rosemont. Give the maple butter croissant a try or enjoy one of the many sandwiches prepared on homemade bread. One of Les Co'Pains d’abord’s three stores is located on Masson Street in Rosemont. This artisanal bakery has been known to make one of Montréal’s best croissants. Not far from there is another one of the Mamie Clafoutis shops and a great stop for flaky wonders. Automne Boulangerie is a bakery with a Scandinavian flare that makes amazing bread, pizza and pastries (try the ham and cheese croissant). It’s the stunning creation of chef Seth Gabrielse and award-winning bread maker Julien Roy, and you can enjoy their pastries or grab lunch at any of their two spots, both located in Rosemont. Blés de Pays and its baker Maxime Deslandes make very artisanal breads using filtered water, high-quality ingredients, and whole wheat ancient grain flour from local farms like Grains du Val and Moulin des Cèdres. Rosemont is also home to Le Trou, a bagel place that has quickly become popular thanks to its winning recipe.

Fanfare Jarry, a bakery/restaurant located on Jarry Street, makes French-style breads, pastries and great desserts in a bright and luminous space. They also serve some of the best brunches in town. Boulangerie Jarry, on the corner of Jarry and Saint-Denis streets also serves light lunch options and diners are invited to sit at the handful of tables in the corner space. 

On Plaza Saint-Hubert you’ll find Pâtisserie Rosário, a Portuguese shop that many would argue makes the best pasteis de nata (Portuguese egg tart) in Montréal. Grab a classic or choose among the 10 available varieties. Alex Platel Pâtisserie is another spot to seek some very delicious buttery creations.

If you’re looking for vegan delights and think you must content yourself with mediocre offerings, head straight to Café Dei Campi! The Italian café offers a charming atmosphere in which to consume the delectable cookies, brioches, muffins, pizza and breads created by the pastry chef and co-owner. Everything here is delicious, but the vegan cannoli have got the city talking!

Family-run La Miche Dorée uses organic flours to make their breads in a shop that was open by the family’s patriarch after a bread-making career spanning 4 decades. 

Buttery delights in Outremont, Mile Ex and Park Ex

Outremont is well known for its many leafy parks, its mansions and its many restaurants along Van Horne and Bernard Streets. It’s also known for the excellent breads and baked goods found at Mamie Clafoutis, famous for its nut and blue cheese baguette or its Mamie Choc, a decadent chocolate cake. Just a few doors down, take a bite of Le Paltoquet: Pâtisserie’s buttery croissant, which is in the top best croissants in the city. If you're looking for something more traditional, Jewish Boulangerie Cheskies has been celebrating the neighbourhood’s cultural heritage with its excellent chocolate babka and rugelach. Also on the traditional side, Afroditi Bakery 1971 is a family-run bakery and pastry shop that’s been serving Greek (and French-style) specialties since 1971. Alex Platel Pâtisserie on Van Horne Avenue is owned by a passionate pastry chef who is dedicated to his art of making the best buttery creations. Jaimée Sweets is an Outremont “artisanal dessert factory” aiming to be as sustainable as possible all while creating great sweet treats such as cookies, caramels, over-the-top cupcakes and more. You can get vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free creations here.

On chic Laurier Avenue you’ll find a couple of great pastry shops. Pâtisserie Mélilot is a “sweet buvette” and creator of elegant desserts where you can grab a treat or sit down and have a cocktail and a sweet bite. Maison Halwa was founded by Michele Halwaji, the first-place winner of the girl scout cookie championship on the Food Network. She makes creative, small batch desserts with flavours inspired by the Levant.

Hof Sucrée is Mile End bakery Hof Kelsten’s sister establishment. The sweet spot located near the Mil Campus offers all the treats that made its famous brother popular, including the buttery croissants and gooey chocolate babka.

Babka and baguettes in the Mile End

The Mile End is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Montréal. It’s no wonder then that some of the city’s sweetest addresses are found in this hip area. Boulangerie Hof Kelsten and its owner, baker extraordinaire Jeffrey Finkelstein have had some of the best restaurants in town on their client list. One bite of the rye and caraway seed bread will have you converted and a slice of the chocolate babka will have you hooked.

Of course two of the most famous bakeries in Montréal are Fairmount Bagel Bakery and St-Viateur Bagel located a couple of blocks apart in the heart of the Mile End. Fairmount has been doling out fresh warm bagels to adoring fans in 15 different flavours, 24/7, since 1919 while St-Viateur has been at it since 1957. There’s nothing quite like the very Montréal experience of biting into a warm-from-the-wood-burning-oven bagel straight out of the paper bag it’s sold in.

A few blocks north on Bernard Street is Bernie Beigne, an unassuming shop making fresh, old-school classic donuts as well as more seasonal flavours by hand.

Brioche à tête, a small establishment on Fairmount Avenue, serves flaky pastries and delicious desserts. The chocolate brioche is a must and the croissants have been voted among the best in the city. Not far from here is Carlota Boulangerie, a cute shop specializing in Mexican pastries, such as the delectable conchas, sweet buns with a sugar shell topping. Pâtisserie Clémentine, owned and run by one passionate woman, makes cakes and pastries featuring local and seasonal ingredients such as Québec berries and sweet clover.

Boulangerie Guillaume, just a few blocks up the street, has become a staple for its excellent breads and flaky pastries. The array of breads can be dizzying but the cheddar and fig baguette or L’Écolier – a chocolate bread – are always a great choice. At Farine & Vanille, on Parc Avenue, you will find pastries such as pumpkin brioche, fantastic breads, and croissants. Also located on Parc Avenue is Pâtisserie Lawrence V. Known for its cakes custom-made for special occasions such as weddings, this is also a great spot to grab a flaky mille-feuilles or a buttery tart. When it comes to cakes, Mile End has one address that tops the cake: Cocoa Locale and its exquisite and dainty artisanal creations with a touch of vintage.

Boulangerie Le Petit Breton aims to offer a wide range of top-quality artisanal breads following authentic recipes from France’s Brittany region. Their specialty Galette Soba is made from buckwheat flour and naturally gluten-free.

For a vegan option in this neighbourhood, Noka Pâtisserie specializes in refined creations that are ethical and responsible. Order your desserts and pick up at their Mile End workshop.

Dessert and Old-World charm

You can easily walk from one end of Old Montréal to another while eating your way through its many fantastic pastry shops and bakeries. On the far west side, Olive et Gourmando has been serving some of the city’s best baked goods for years. You can’t really miss it; it’s the spot with the line up outside. The chocolate and banana brioche is a must, as are the cheese croissants, brownies and cookies. If you’re gluten-intolerant, you’re in luck! Cookie Stéfanie, up the street, is the place for you to indulge without worrying. Stunning home decor and fresh bread go hand in hand at Maison Pépin, where a whole side of the beautiful store has been taken over by L’Amour du Pain’s bready delights.

Find talented pastry chef Olivier Potier at Chez Potier on Wellington Street. All of his sweet creations, from the flaky pastries to the decadently rich desserts are absolutely exquisite, but his Paris-Brest is particularly remarkable.

La Cave à Manger has gained a viral following after it created its “Roll” or Supreme Croissant, a handsome circular croissant filled with flavoured pastry cream that’s taken Instagram by storm. They make other very good breads and pastries as well. Also in Old Montréal, Pâtisserie Bervig makes an array of pastries, cakes and desserts. Alice & Theo, the cream puff specialists, also have a location in this part of town.

A couple of blocks down is the adorable cupcake store Les Glaceurs and even further east is Bar à beurre where you will find an array of mini cakes, macarons and homemade breads. Not far, Pâtisserie Harmonie and Pâtisserie Coco in Chinatown are Hong Kong style pastry shops offering items such as egg tarts, bao buns, cookies, moon cakes and other specialties.

Downtown and Westmount confections

Downtown is not necessarily the first Montréal neighbourhood that comes to mind if you’re trying to locate your next sweet fix but a couple of spots are unique to this area and make it worth the trek. If you’re a cupcake fan, then you’re well served in the downtown core. One of Les Glaceurs’ four locations is in the heart of downtown where they serve some of the best cupcakes in Montréal. 

For great bread, head for Son et Seigle, an artisanal bakery on Parc Avenue specializing in sourdough breads, focaccias, pastries and more.

Hazukido is a famous Taiwanese chain specializing in the meticulous art of making croissants with a variety of intriguing fillings such as truffle crab, salted egg yolk, lemon meringue clouds and more. Zoe Desserts serves mille crêpes cakes in a rainbow of flavours as well as Hong Kong sweet delicacies.

Pâtisserie Mahrousé is the spot to stock up on flaky baklava and oriental delights in the heart of downtown Montréal.

La Meunerie Urbaine, in Monkland Village, grinds its flour on site in its own mill, which produces some of the city’s most excellent breads. Chez Fred, an artisanal bakery and pastry shop making some of the best croissants in town, remains a favourite among a legion of fans and followers. Alex Platel Pâtisserie has another location in Westmount. Café Bazin is also located in Westmount and makes the most delicate French-style pastries. Try the chocolate tart or the Paris-Brest.

Sweet spots of the southwest (Little Burgundy/Saint-Henri/Verdun/Griffintown / Pointe-Saint-Charles)

The west part of Montréal has been seeing a renaissance of sorts for the past few years with Verdun’s Wellington Street being named the “coolest street in the world” by Time Out Magazine in 2022. This includes the revival of retro desserts like donuts at Saint-Henri’s Léché Desserts, a designer shop with decadent flavours like peanut butter & jam, chocolate mousse or strawberry shortcake when Québec strawberries are in season. Also in Saint-Henri, Rustique Pie Kitchen delves in the art of old-school desserts elegantly presented. From rustic pies to mile-high cakes to scrumptious bars and cookies, everything here is great. Local pastry shop Bernice specializes in layer cakes, cookies and all sorts of baked goods. 

Across the canal in Verdun, Boulangerie Rustique Sweet Lee’s is the place to go to order custom cakes for alloccasions. It’s also a coffee shop where you can sample some of their cookies and cupcakes. For the best cream puffs, Alice & Theo is your best bet. They also make cookies, cinnamon buns and other artisanal baked specialties.  

Mollo Boulangerie has 3 locations in this part of town, two of which offer excellent baked goods and breads. Try the pure butter cheese croissant.

Little Burgundy’s Miette is an artisanal and organic bakery located in Little Burgundy specializing in San Francisco-style sourdough breads and using local organic flours. Around the corner on this very gourmand stretch of Notre-Dame Street is another Mamie Clafoutis location.

You'll find La Bête à pain in the heart of Griffintown. The exceptional breads and pastries are baked on site in the state-of-the-art facility and lunch and bunch are also served here. L’Amour du pain also offers an array of breads in Griffintown.

Dreamy has become a sweet destination for those in the know. Located inside the Canadian Roasting Society, Dreamy makes hot southern-style biscuits and other buttery baked goods.

In Ville Émard, Par Amour Pâtisserie makes Korean-inspired desserts and specializes in Swiss rolls in many flavours such as pear and jasmine,  Hokkaido cheesecake and more.

And if you are around the Sud-Ouest part of Montréal and are craving bagels, you have two choices. Head to Pointe-Saint-Charles’ BBagels for some doughy goodness, bagels that are twice as big and specialty shmears. Griffintown’s Le Trou has conquered the hearts of the surrounding residents with its artisanal confections.

Un Instant en Provence is a classic French pastry shop whose sweet and savoury confections will transport you to the South of France.

A rainbow of flavours in the Village and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Arte e Farina has mastered the art of Italian pastries. Their panettone is an absolute must around the holidays but anything you get from here will surely hit the spot, including the delicious pizzas. Farine & Cacao offers some of the most elegant desserts in Montréal, from a pastry chef who has honed his skills at the best kitchens such as Maison Boulud.

Pâtisserie TM is a pastry shop that blends Japanese flavours and tradition with French knowhow. The beautifully executed pastries include items such as a hojicha Mont-Blanc, a matcha and yuzu tart and a Uji Kintoki ice cream (matcha ice cream, candied red bean and condensed milk).

Further east around the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, you’ll find a bread and pastry baking institution, La Fabrique ArHoMa and its sister store – ArHoMa Boulangerie Fromagerie located even further east. The breads have been proclaimed the best in the city by some food lovers and the pastries, including tarts, mousses and cakes, are just as good. 

Aube Boulangerie is a lovely spot by the team behind Hélico and Hélicoptère making some of the best croissants, cookies, and brioche in the city, all made fresh daily on the premises, along with great lunch fare. Don’t miss out on the breakfast sandwich made in a croissant bun. 

North is where it’s at

Travel north into Ahuntsic where you will find La Bête à pain, one of the best sweet spots in Montréal. All the breads here are exceptionally good, so are the pizzas with their daily toppings. The cannelés – crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside – are truly exceptional. Run by two young pastry makers, Fabrique Caramel is an adorable establishment that makes elegant cakes, chocolates, petits fours and sweet tables. You can also customize your cake by choosing from the different base, icing, toppings and decoration options.

Further east are two delightful shops worth visiting. Sweet Isabelle makes artisanal shortbread cookies and cupcakes, which you can learn how to decorate masterfully on site. On the next block you’ll find yet another one of Mamie Clafoutis’ shops for all your bread and pastry needs.

South African born pastry maker Cindy Wollenschlaeger has created lavish desserts all over the world before bringing her Darling Delights cakes to Montréal. She makes custom desserts using the very best ingredients, as well as a Cake Friday creation every week that you can order via DM on Instagram.

If you’re craving something more exotic, head to Pâtisserie Mahrousé, an absolute destination for Middle Eastern delights. From flaky baklava to pistachio studded booza (stretchy Arabic ice cream) and all the best orange-blossom flavoured pastries, order a thick Arabic coffee and enjoy. Kol w Chkor is another excellent choice for oriental pastries in this part of town.

Bomboloni are the fluffiest donuts stuffed with heavenly things such as whipped cream, nutella, sweet jams and more. Bomboloni Boss serves up a collection of these treats and even makes sandwiches with donuts in lieu of bread!

Dolci Piu specializes in beautiful custom cakes, cookies and more for all kinds of occasions but you can also just drop by for a sweet treat at any time.