Toronto has a bustling food scene with charming French bakeries doling out flaky croissants and mouthwatering macarons across the city. But did you know there’s also a hidden world of lesser-known bake shops offering delicious and delightful creations that will transport you to Paris with just one bite?
They may not have a brick-and-mortar storefront, but from the very first taste of a pain au chocolat to the delicate sweetness of a madeleine, these micro-bakeries are making a big impression on Toronto foodies with their artisanal flair and Parisian charm.
So without further ado, here are a few of the best micro-bakeries in Toronto that you need to try.
Tito Toronto
Price: 💸
How To Order: Pop-ups can be found on their Instagram
Why You Need To Try It: This little artisanal bakery offers several French treats, including beautifully layered croissants, creamy canelés, and delectable custard tarts.
Co-owners Cindy and Novell also believe panettone (a traditional Italian sweet bread) should be enjoyed all year round, not just during the holidays. So you can order a loaf in the middle of the summer. The best part? The flavour combos they come up with are unique — think ube coconut, candied grapefruit, and white chocolate.
They also have many other yummy offerings, including brown butter financiers, whole wheat croissants made with freshly-milled flour from Brodflour, and savoury garlic scape pesto danishes. Find their market locations and times on their Instagram page.
Website: Tito Toronto
The Knot Guilty French Bakery
Price: 💸💸
How To Order: Order from their website and pick up in Etobicoke
Why You Need To Try It: You can order flaky croissants and delicious danishes loaded with fruit from this authentic French bakery in Toronto.
Ex-lawyer Stéphanie Armenian left her career to start a natural leaven bakery and named it Knot Guilty, rather fittingly. She hails from the south of France and makes gut-healthy goods including vanilla knot croissants, chocolatine (also known as chocolate croissants), and an array of fresh fruit danishes. Stéphanie is on a mission to provide delicious goods using ingredients that are free of chemicals or pesticides.
Website: The Knot Guilty French Bakery
Gallz Provisions
Price: 💸💸💸💸
How To Order: Order online or look out for cake slab pop-ups
Why You Need To Try It: This bakery creates stunning cakes and cupcakes adorned with fresh flowers and fruit. No two designs are the same, and they're all created based on how Julia Gallay, the baker and founder behind Gallz Provisions, feels that day. So unique!
Gallay started baking for friends and family until her passion project became a full-time job. Gallay (a.k.a. Gallz) left her job in the medical tech field and fell into the cake world where she quickly carved out a corner for herself and her whimsical creations.
Website: Gallz Provisions
Soft Dough Co.
Price: 💸
How To Order: Order online and pick up Thursday to Sunday
Why You Need To Try It: Basque burnt cheesecake and madeleines married with flavours like black sesame, yuzu and matcha are big, delicious hits at this little home bakery.
Soft Dough Co.’s owner Alice Tam started making French desserts with Asian flavours in 2020. She worked pop-ups and markets all over the city and sometimes collaborated with other small businesses. In 2021, she left her corporate job in tech to do a year of pastry school at Ferrandi in Paris. Upon her return to Toronto, she opened her home bakery, offering up some classic favourites along with new additions she learned while abroad in pastry school.
Website: Soft Dough Co.
Steven Tran Chocolates
Price: 💸💸
How To Order: Order online and pick up at Roselle Desserts on King Street
Why You Need To Try It: If you're looking for mouthwatering chocolate bonbons that double as works of art, this is your go-to spot.
Steven Tran's eponymous chocolate shop does weekly pop-ups out of Roselle Desserts. The former Four Seasons pastry chef has worked in some major kitchens in Paris, Vancouver, and New York City before coming out with his delectable chocolates. He’s also the winner of the Spring Baking Championship on Food Network and currently creates sweet treats at the Shangri-La Hotel, but you can find these chocolate gems on King Street at Roselle.
Website: Steven Tran Chocolates
Pretty Little Layers
Price: 💸💸💸
How To Order: Order online
Why You Need To Try It: These stunning glassy French entremets can come with layers of mousse, crémeux, and sponge cake and there are so many flavours on offer.
Pretty Little Layers founder Rochelle DeSouza is a business graduate turned pastry chef. She started experimenting with different desserts in college and would hand them off to friends and family to try. It wasn’t long before she realized she wanted to do this professionally. Eventually, she was able to train at Le Cordon Bleu and now she spends her days making these delicious treats.
A lot of love and energy goes into the making of each entremet, which takes about two days to make. But DeSouza has a wide variety of flavours and textures on her website so you can have your pick.
Website: Pretty Little Layers
Giant plain croissant in Toronto.
Little Pebbles giant croissant.
Foxies bakeshop with cookie photos on the wall.
Sprinkle-themed bench.
Pink display of cookies and cookie bricks.
Vendor items and merchandise for sale.
