Guide to the best bakeries in Ottawa

Pies, croissants, breads and cookies, our guide to the best bakeries in Ottawa has all the best spots in town

Ottawa is home to an incredible number of bakeries. Whether it’s croissants, bread, cakes or pies, there’s a local bakery that has you covered. Our team at The Lookout has created a comprehensive guide to the best bakeries in Ottawa. If you see any we’re missing, please let us know.

Art Is In Bakery

Description: “A good cup of coffee. A real butter croissant. Perfectly poached eggs. Soup. We start with real ingredients and sometimes swerve in wildly decadent directions. Our elevated comfort food is dedicated to one thing: making you happy. Every day.”

Location: 250 City Centre Ave. Unit 112, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7

Hours of Operation: Most days 8am-3pm, but varies on weekends

What customers love: Lines snake outside for their popular breakfast. Don’t miss out on their pastries, especially their croissant-donut combo the Kronut

Bread and Sons

Description: “Bread and Sons was established in 2005, by Yoav D’Vaja and it is one of the first all-vegetarian ‘made from scratch’ food establishments in Ottawa. Yoav (which is better pronounced as James — Yoav is a little hard to pronounce even after years of practice) started as a physicist but realized that a formula is better when you can eat the result.”

Location: 195 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1W7

Hours: 9am-2pm Monday-Friday

What customers love: Stop by for their unmissable breakfast sandwich and chocolate chip cookies.

True Loaf Bread Company

Description: “All of our breads are freshly baked daily in our shop at 573 Gladstone Avenue in downtown Ottawa, between Bronson and Lyon. We are passionate about health and food and we love bread, so our mission is simple: we are dedicated to baking the finest quality breads. We put great care into every loaf we create and we love to share this passion with our customers.”

Location: 573 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa, ON K1R 5P2

Hours: 8am-1pm, Tuesday-Saturday

What customers love: Anything made with brioche.

Three Tarts

Description: “We do think about our product. Every process, each detail is important. We zest and juice our lemons. We make and roll the pastry by hand. During our work day we strive to pay attention, take the time to care.”

Location: 464 Bank St Unit 3, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Z3

Hours: 12-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday

What customers love: While they offer a range of products, they are known for their delicious cakes and tarts.

Ichiban Bakery

“Ichiban Bakery is an Ottawa based, family-owned establishment, providing breads, cakes and pastries for the last 15 years.”

Location: 825 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3V9

Hours: 7:30am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday

What customers love: Their speciality is Japanese pastry. Reviewers heap special praise on the cream cheese bun.

Chippers Bakery

“Our specialty cookies are made from scratch, baked to perfection to achieve a chewy middle, and crispy outside. We bake them fresh every day. We know you’ll find a flavour you love! Our cookies are half a pound each!”

Location: 1055 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3C4

Hours: 11am-6pm Friday-Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday

What customers love: Some of the best cookies in the city, with big portion sizes. Butterscotch toffee and red velvet cookies n’ cream are two you must try

Sconewitch

“Forget everything you’ve ever known about scones! We make a variety of sweet and savoury scones complemented by local ingredients.”

Location: 150 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4 and other locations

Hours: 8am-4pm Wednesday-Sunda

What customers love: All the scones are good, but reviewers love the orange cranberry scone

Les Moulins La Fayette

“The Les Moulins La Fayette brand was created in 1994 by Mr. Johnny Jeulin, baker, pastry chef and chocolate maker of the fifth generation. Reflecting the wealth of craftsmanship, our products are renowned for their superior quality. This is, moreover, the key ingredient to our success.“

Location: 1000 Wellington St. W #103, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2X9

Hours: 8am-3pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday

What customers love: If you like pumpernickel then you’ll love their bread. French pastries are also of high quality

Le Boulanger Français – The French Baker

“You won’t find other bakeries like this easily in North America. With most of the staff from France, and founded by a french expatriate, it is very much typical of a “boulangerie de quartier”. “

Location: 119 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M5

Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Sunday

What customers love: Any of their traditional French baked goods, especially the bread

Kettlemen’s Bagel Co

“Kettleman’s hand-rolled Montréal style bagels, unique spreads, fresh salads, and sandwiches make the perfect breakfast-to-go, boardroom power lunch or late night indulgence.“

Location: 912 Bank St, 1365 Woodroffe Avenue, 6-197 Trainyards Drive,

Hours: 24 hours

What customers love: Any of the bagels, but especially the Montreal-style bagels and the Kettlemen’s Special sandwich with smoked salmon

Little Joe Berry’s

“Pretty much Little Jo’s is a shop built on community and friendship. We are so lucky to have so much good support and love from our neighbourhood and patrons. It’s priority for us to create a safe, inclusive space for the folks who visit our shop and help us grow. Everything we do is vegan friendly. We have a strict no food or body shaming policy and everyone is welcomed to feel good about what they eat when they are here!!”

Location: 1305 Wellington St. W, Ottawa

Hours: 12pm-5pm Wednesday-Friday, 11am-5pm Saturday-Sunday

What customers love: A cozy business full of vegan treats like iced sugar cookies, pop tarts and mini pizzas.

ThimbleCakes

“ThimbleCakes strives to cater to those who get left out. We’re completely nut, sesame, egg, honey and gelatine free. We offer gluten free options, vegan options, soy free options and sunflower free options etc. without compromising on the soft, creamy richness of a great cake. Curds, batters, pastries and even ice creams are made in house using ingredients which are organic and Canadian whenever possible.”

Location: 369 Bank Street

Hours: 12pm-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday

What customers love: Reviewers say the cake decorations are “off the charts” and their cupcakes are especially worth trying

Second Avenue Sweets

“The Glebes’ from-scratch, small-batch, family owned & operated bakery/cupcakerie. Satisfying your sweet tooth since August 2007.”

Location: 3151b Second Ave

Hours: 12pm-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday

What customers love: The chocolate cake and red velvet cake are not to be missed.

Voilà Gluten Free Bakery

“All of our products are certified gluten free, non GMO and sourced locally as much as possible. We offer baked goods not only for celiacs but people who have allergies to wheat, barley, rye, dairy, eggs, peanuts, nuts and tree nuts. We strive to bake with high quality products while using natural sweeteners and low sodium and sugar. None of our baked goods contain preservatives or additives.“

Location: 4055, Carling Avenue, Unit 2, Kanata, ON K2K 2A4

Hours: 9:30am-4pm Tuesday-Friday, 9:30am-3pm Saturday

What customers love: Your one-stop-shop for all things gluten-free, especially a varied assortment of bread. Make sure to try their pot pies and coconut cream pie

Lusa Bakery

“We offer fresh, handcrafted breads and pastries that are baked daily to perfection and to the quality you deserve! Most of our team is Portuguese and we are passionate about providing our customers with the authentic, wholesome flavours of Portugal. Everything is baked with quality ingredients following Portuguese traditions.”

Location: 1111a Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y6

Hours: 8:30am-7:30pm Tuesday-Friday, 9:30am-7:30pm Saturday-Sunday

What customers love: Their croquettes are described as irresistible and you obviously have to try the questessional Portuguese tart pastel de nata

Batter Up Bakery

Whether you’re looking for a birthday cake, corporate giveaways, or your fairy tale wedding cake, we’ve got all the bases covered.”

Location: 396 Athlone Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5M5

Hours: 12pm-5pm Monday-Friday, 9:30am-12:30pm Sunday

What customers love: Their cakes are magical and you can pick and choose your favourite flavour, filling and frosting combinations.

La Maison du Kouign-Amann

“We specialize in True Artisanal French pastries, offering a wide variety of the most exquisite French recipes to please the finest palate.”

Location: 101 A Schneider Rd, Kanata, ON K2K 1Y3

Hours: 7am-7pm Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm Saturday-Sunday

What customers love: Your one-stop-shop for custom-made cakes and the finest French pastries.

Bread By Us

“Our vision when we opened Bread by Us was to share food & drink that we can feel proud of. Our products are made with heaps of care, by people who are dedicated to continually honing their craft.”

Location: 1065 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y2

Hours: 9am-5pm Wednesday-Friday, 9am-4pm Saturday-Sunday

What customers love: Online reviewers rave about the quality of their pastries and their sourdough loaf

Mamie Clafoutis Ottawa

“Do you remember the deserts you cooked with your grandmother on weekends or during the holidays? That delicious smell coming out of her kitchen when you came home from the school? The brioche coming out of the oven that comforted you after an intense study day? Or again those Sunday mornings in your pajamas enjoying those warm crispy croissants? Mamie Clafoutis, brings back those tasty memories, with excellent recipes and the utmost simplicity.”

Location: 400 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2A 3X9

Hours: 8am-6pm Monday-Sunday

What customers love: Chocolate lovers should try the Oh mon Dieu (Oh My God) chocolate ganache croissant

Quelque Chose Pâtisserie

“Quelque Chose Pâtisserie specializes in French macarons made with premium ingredients to give our customers an exclusive high-end product.”

Location: 274 Montréal Rd, Vanier, ON K1L 6C4

Hours: 9am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-3pm Sunday

What customers love: You’d be hard pressed to find better macaroons in Ottawa. Readers also rave about their almond croissants. If you have time, check out their extravagant tea service.

Did we miss a bakery? Have any suggestions? Send us an email at hello [at] ottawalookout.com