Calling all sweets fans! This post is one you’re going to want to save, nay, bookmark as your web browser’s home page. If you love chocolate, whipped cream, pastries, chewy, crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth delicacies, it’s safe to say this blog post will fulfill all your wildest dreams! Keep reading to find out all about the best bakeries in Kitchener for your next visit to the city.
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Check Out the Best Bakeries in Kitchener
Kitchener is known for its Mennonite origins and Mennonites are known for their fantastic baking. However, it’s 2022 and Kitchener has become incredibly diverse, as have its shops and bakeries. Here’s a little teaser to make your tastebuds swoon!
City Cafe Bakery
You know the saying, “the early bird catches the worm”? In Kitchener the early riser catches the warm, freshly baked sourdough bread, croissants, Montréal-style bagels, and more! The morning folk reading this can ditch their pre-work Tim Hortons pitstop and visit either of the City Cafe Bakery locations instead. You’ll never buy grocery store bread again. I know I would scoop up these piping-hot items if I was out of the house at 7 am! For those, like me, who venture out later in the day, the bakery also makes wood-fired pizza, tuna melts, tarts, squares, donuts, and a cup of joe for the patio or the road.
City Cafe Bakery Information
Addresses: 175 West Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2G 1R9 and 50 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, ON N2G 3S7
Hours of Operation: Daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Crema Pastry
For quite possibly the biggest cakes in KW, visit Cream Pastry on Greenbrook Drive. This Romanian store and bakery makes amazing cakes that are guaranteed to exceed your expectations. The family-run Kitchener bakery run by owner Cristina Pavel has a loyal clientele, especially on Saturday mornings when Romanian specialties are available.
Arrive early because a steady stream of customers can very quickly clear out the freshly baked Langos (shaped like a Beavertail, but much lighter in flavour and grease) and Burek (a cheese- or meat-filled pastry that’s excellent for a meal or a snack). The cheese and dill Langos were a popular choice on the day I visited, as were the cheese Burek. There are several other European pastries available, and all are delightful. You can also stock up on European dried and canned groceries, meat, and snacks from the store or order catering and lunch items like wraps and sandwiches.
Crema Pastry Information
Address: 421 Greenbrook Drive – Unit #17, Kitchener, ON N2M 4K1
Hours of Operation: Tuesdays from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Wednesdays from from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Thursdays & Fridays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Closed Sundays & Mondays
Gluten Free by Suzie
In 2003, Suzie was diagnosed with celiac disease. All of the gluten-free options were crumbly, dry, and unappetizing so she took matters into her own hands. After 2 years of trial and error, Suzie figured out how to make the perfect bread – so much so that you’d never know it’s celiac-friendly. This family business employees 3 full-time bakers and several part-time employees to keep up with the demand. The facility is certified gluten-free with a comprehensive menu of breads, squares, cookies, cakes, muffins, scones, tarts, bagels, pies, and more! Gluten Free by Suzie is tucked into the shops on the Boardwalk on Ira Needles and University Avenue West.
Gluten Free by Suzie Information
Address: 5 The Boardwalk – Unit #235, Kitchener, ON N2N 0B1
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Closed Sundays & Mondays
Golden Hearth Bakery
Across from the Kitchener Market in Downtown Kitchener is a small corner shop with a big following. Golden Hearth Bakery, established in 2007 and still going strong today, specializes in sourdough breads and croissants made with high quality organic ingredients. One TripAdvisor review from 2014 so loved this doughy gem that upon finding them made the bold claim that “the world is complete”. If finding what little parking is left in downtown is not a battle you’d like to participate in, head to Pfennings Organics, Legacy Greens, C’est Cheese Please, or any of the local cafés that Golden Hearth supplies. At Christmas time, look for their Italian panettone too. Yes indeed, the world is complete.
Golden Hearth Bakery Information
Address: 343 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2H 2V5
Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Closed Sunday through Tuesday
Lisboa Bakery
This Portuguese bakery has been fueling Waterloo Region residents’ dreams of Europe since 2009. Known for the “Best Portuguese Chicken in Town”, you can dine-in, takeout, and have their delicious food catered for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Lisboa Bakery offers an assortment of fresh European breads, pastries, cakes, and more, though trusted sources tell me that the Malasadas (similar to churros) and Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese tarts) are the main attraction.
Lisboa Bakery Information
Address: 1187 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener, ON N2E 4H9
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Closed Mondays
La Patisserie
What began as a home-kitchen bakery in Guelph in 1995, has grown into a thriving business for nearly 3 decades. Richard and his wife Claire make such tantalizing treats that it only took 1 year to move the business to a bigger location in Kitchener. Since then, they’ve expanded once more to meet their customers’ insatiable hunger.
I’d suggest bringing a friend along to taste their single-serve desserts. Afterall, what’s better than eating one dessert? Eating two! Plus, I don’t know how you’re going to choose between their mousse, cheesecake, truffle, tarts, handmade chocolate, cookies, caramel, bread, loaf cakes, and rotating weekly specials. They also make breakfast pastries, cakes (buttercream, mousse and truffle, and cheesecake, oh my!), and muffins. On second thought, bring 4 friends.
La Patisserie Information
Address: 300 Gage Avenue – Unit #11, Kitchener, ON N2M 3C8
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Closed Sundays
Nougat Bakery & Delicatessen
Nougat Bakery and Delicatessen is sublime. I think about this bakery and smile. It will take every ounce of willpower you have not to try everything at once. This artisan European bakery and cake shop has been enchanting people’s palates since 1992. With stores in both Kitchener and Waterloo, you never have to worry about missing out on your favourite sweet treat – just hop on over to the second store. Their breads, made with several different kinds of grain, are baked fresh daily.
Nougat Bakery & Delicatessen Information
Address: 248 Stirling Avenue South, Kitchener, ON N2M 3H6
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Closed Sundays
The Cake Box
The Cake Box is a female-owned, award-winning cupcake café located near downtown Kitchener at the Commuter Hub on Victoria Street. The owner, Yvonne Zensner, started out as a cookie designer. Today her business is the only recommended bakery for prime wedding venues such as Langdon Hall, the Cambridge Mill, Whistle Bear Golf Course, Roseville Estate, and the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Don’t worry if you’re not getting married or you’re already blissfully hitched. The Cake Box offers in-store and curbside pickup, as well as delivery. Have something special you’d like made? Custom orders are accepted by phone or email. Whether you’re looking for a wedding cake, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, macarons, or another sweet delicacy, The Cake Box will impress.
The Cake Box Information
Address: 70 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, ON N2H 5C2
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Closed Sundays & Mondays
The Sconery
In Kitchener’s adorable Belmont Village, The Sconery’s colourful shop has keto and gluten-free baked treats. As a former non-eater of scones, they converted me with their pumpkin scone. I find the texture is key and this Kitchener bakery does their name justice with the perfect chewy morsels that keep you coming back for more. In total, at the time of writing, they offer 11 flavours of scones and 18 flavours of macarons, PLUS there are weekly feature and seasonal flavours added to the menu.
There are also frozen “take and bake” options available to bring home or you can place orders over the phone or by email. A recent addition is their Creative Cakes in flavours like Cookies & Cream, Rainbow, and Black Forest to name a few. Owner and baker Ron Sutherland tops off the menu with cinnamon buns, which have been a popular seller from the start.
The Sconery Information
Address: 675 Belmont Avenue West, Kitchener, ON N2M 1N8
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Winnie’s Gluten Free
This gluten-free, and nut-free Kitchener bakery has a massive menu with vegan and dairy-free options as well. They are a Certified Gluten-Free Dedicated Bakery, endorsed by the Canadian Celiac Association, a designation that the owner takes seriously since 2 of her children have celiac disease.
Winnie’s Gluten Free Bakery was a business born from necessity, and boy am I glad we have them in KW. Their marshmallow cupcakes and éclairs are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. In addition to fresh-baked items available to order or found in store, there are many frozen items such as pies, frozen meals, cookie dough, muffins, pizza pockets, empanadas, and more. They also provide event food for pick-up. If you’re stopping in at The Sconery, Winnie’s Gluten Free is a hop, skip, and a jump across the street in Belmont Village.
Winnie’s Gluten Free Information
Address: 718 Belmont Avenue West, Kitchener, ON N2M 1P2
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Closed Sundays
More Great Waterloo Region Bakeries to Discover
Kitchener is a part of the Tri-Cities, which can only mean one thing: triple the treats to try!!! There are some more delicious options for you to try below in Waterloo and Cambridge.
Waterloo Bakeries
- COBS Bread Bakery – This franchise knows what it’s doing. With over 150 locations across Canada and sprinkled across the northern United States, their freshly baked hot cross buns, loaves of fluffy bread, buns, and danishes are familiar to many. Find them at Ira Needles and University Avenue on the Boardwalk.
- Sablétine Fine Pastries – If you want to give someone a gourmet surprise, Sablétine is the Waterloo bakery to visit. A specialty cake or single-serve dessert from here is guaranteed to light up someone’s day. During the pandemic they’ve reduced their menu to only sweet items, though hopefully the savoury will make a return in the future.
- The Bauer Bakery & Café – You will adore The Bauer Bakery & Café’s to-go items like croissants, gluten-free banana bread, and biscotti. Bonus – you can be rewarded for eating them too with their Bite Club rewards program! The Waterloo bakery is tucked between some newer high rises, with a patio to enjoy your nibbles in the warm summer sun.
- The Crumby Cookie Dough Co. – Calling all cookie dough lovers! Look no further, The Crumby Cookie Dough Co. has everything you ever needed. With hilarious flavour names like Rhubarbara Streisand, What’s up Choc?, and Grandmaster Flash you’re going to want to try one of each. Their marketing is off the hook, and so is their creativity in the kitchen.
- The Fritter Co. – Just north of Waterloo lays St. Jacobs, and because these neighbours are so close I’m going to squeeze this one in here. In 1987, two sisters began sourcing apples just outside the village to make the most delicious fritters you’ve ever tasted. If your tastebuds are salivating already, good. Head to the St. Jacobs Market early on Thursdays or Saturdays and thank me later. To really indulge, order the apple fritters with ice cream and local maple syrup.
Cambridge Bakeries
- Nidha’s Treat – If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind cake, this is the bakery to visit. From unicorns to a very creative (and surprisingly tasty looking!) TP cake, to Fortnite and more, it looks like Nidha’s creativity knows no bounds. They also make cake pops, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, mousse cakes, and more.
- Tiny Cakes – Have you ever heard of a “Puffit!”? I haven’t, but I’m certainly intrigued. Tiny Cakes started as a cupcake shop, grew into a full-scale bakery, and then scaled back to their specialty of cupcakes and single-serve baked treats due to covid. There are still plenty of options to choose from, like tarts, sweet bars, and mini lemon meringue!
- Sugar Daddies – Believe it or not, Sugar Daddies was started when its founders, David and Greg, lost a combined 130lbs after trying a ketogenic diet. It inspired them to share their recipes for all to enjoy – and now you can find a Sugar Daddies shop in retail stores from Windsor to Timmins to St. John’s. You can also stop in to the Hamilton or (original) Cambridge store for meals, pantry items, baked goods, or swag.
- Red Eye Cafe & Donuts – Red Eye Cafe and Donuts is the place to be for fancy donuts in Cambridge. Their Instagram feed will have you running into the store where, after working up a sweat on your run over, you’ll want to try a few decadent ring-shaped delights. Bring a friend along and double the taste-testing options.
- Café du Monde Crêperie – When you can’t make it to Paris (France), head to Café du Monde Crêperie. The owner, Nadia, loves travel and all things delicious so she’s recreated them in Cambridge for you to enjoy. The Cannoli Crêpe is my favourite, and there are savoury options for you to choose from too. Keep your eye out for their food truck too!
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