Since 2018, Bartholomew Bakery has delivered delicious breads in Vaughan, Ontario. The owners trained in Italy and the UK, which sounds posh because it is. They came home, opened shop, and started baking things for Canadians. Their sourdough? Legit. Naturally leavened, no preservatives, and made with healthy ingredients. Pastry-wise, they’re not playing around. Flaky croissants. Rich pain au chocolat. Cinnamon and espresso numbers. And keep an eye out for the bakery's twice-baked almond or pistachio pastry. It’s flaky. It’s nutty. It’s mouth-watering.

The public consensus about Bartholomew Bakery is glowing. Gushing, even. From Google to Reddit, the reviews are consistent. Bartholomew Bakery is the golden standard of Toronto's pastry world. And the croissants? Incredible. Even the croissant haters are converted. There's also love for the whole pastry line-up. Think cruffins, cookies-and-cream pastries, and almond things with generous filling ratios. This bakery basically sells serotonin in baked form. And if you’re not already queueing outside for one of those croissants, someone behind you definitely is.

Circles & Squares Bakery isn’t just a cute name. It’s actually two Toronto bakeries turning dough into magic while the rest of us are still asleep . They bake all day, by hand, using natural ingredients. The East York spot on Bartley and the Davisville café on Yonge churn out small-batch baked goods. Their in-house team is behind the scenes every night baking sourdough, Japanese milk bread, and pain-au-lait buns. Yes, the pastries are gorgeous. Yes, the butter tarts have won actual praise on TripAdvisor and Reddit.

Circles & Squares is award-winning and deeply snackable. The butter tarts? Beloved. Iconic. Officially certified by Ontario competitions. The cruffins and scones are also consistent scene-stealers. Now, to be fair, not everything is universally adored. The Snickers butter tart, for instance, has split opinions: some call it divine, others think they're overly sweet. Still, the overall vibe? Glowing. Warm. Fresh-baked. Customers love the cheery atmosphere, the friendly staff, and the feeling that even a Monday afternoon pastry could make life briefly magical.

Rashmi’s Bakery has been making Brampton and Mississauga sweeter since 2007. Interestingly, this bakery doesn't use ingredients that usually stress people out. No eggs. No nuts. No animal fats. Basically, it’s the place where your allergy-prone cousin, vegan best friend, gluten-free co-worker, and six-year-old nephew can all eat the same cupcake without anyone needing an EpiPen. Everything is made from scratch. The team behind Rashmi’s bakes with real love and care. Best of all? Their shop is proudly family-run.

If customer consensus is anything to go by, Rashmi’s Bakery is a beloved bakery in Toronto. People are relieved that pastries without eggs or nuts can still taste delicious. The feedback is glowing across the board. From wedding centrepieces to birthday cakes, Rashmi’s has become the go-to for showstopping custom confections. Parents are thrilled. Gluten-sensitive customers are grateful. Occasionally, a couple of people have noted that a chocolate cake might land in “meh” territory. But honestly? That’s it. The rest of the reviews are full of praise.

Some bakeries open at a reasonable hour. Lazar Bakery opens at 6am, which means they are not here to mess around. They also close at 11pm on weekends, which means they are here for your late-night cravings. Since 2001, Lazar Bakery has been feeding Mississauga’s carb-loving population. They bake on-site every morning, so the bread is fresh, the cookies are warm, and someone back there starts their day before the birds. It’s a family-run bakery with Italian and Portuguese roots, and you can taste it in everything they make.

Lazar Bakery has built itself a cult following. The general consensus? Fresh, tasty, and just foreign enough to make you feel cosmopolitan. The croissants are flaky (usually), the pastel de nata are buttery, and the bread feels like it might fix your life a little. Their baked goods swing Portuguese-Italian, which basically means you get the best of both worlds. The deli offerings round things out, and the overall vibe is relaxed. A few reviews mention the occasional stale croissant. And some people have found the filled pastries a bit much.

Dimpflmeier Bakery is founded in 1957 by actual German Master Baker Alfons Dimpflmeier. This Etobicoke bakery is a slice of Europe tucked into Kipling and Dundas. Alfons trained at a legit baking institution in Munich, brought century-old recipes to Canada, and then proceeded to bake like he was auditioning for The Great German Bake Off. The result? Over 40 types of bread, baked daily using stone ovens and spring water from their very own Ontario source in Terra Cotta. That’s right. These loaves are made with water fancy enough to have its own backstory.

Customers love the breads at Dimpflmeier Bakery. You’ve got your rugged German ryes, your soft North American sandwich loaves, and every variety of multigrain. The use of spring water and traditional stone ovens gets mentioned a lot, which is a unique selling point. A few reviews have noted that post-pandemic, the bread isn’t quite as legendary as it once was. Selection can be a bit limited on quiet days, and not every croissant is peak moistness. Even so, the consensus remains positive. People love the rye breads and stay for the café's cozy atmosphere.

La Manna Bakery is waiting for you. Located in Scarborough and running since 1978, this family-run bakery-pizzeria hybrid is basically the Italian grandmother of Toronto’s food scene. The bakery was founded by Rosa Lamanna and now her sons are at the helm, continuing the legacy. La Manna sells traditional pastries, artisanal breads, gelato, arancini, and cannoli. But let’s be honest, most people show up because they heard about The Big Slice. Capital letters. Pre-order required. It’s a pizza slice so massive you could use it as a blanket. You want a Nutella pizza with sprinkles? They’ve got that too. Our favourite? Their nacho pizza is considered a meal and a party.

Lamanna’s Bakery is unapologetically Italian-Canadian, and it’s worth the hype. The “big slice” pizza is the headline act. It's dramatic, indulgent, and large enough to feel intimidating. Customers love it. They pose with it. They film slow-motion cheese stretches. And yes, it’s tasty. Beyond that, Lamanna’s leans fully into the comfort food fantasy. Gelato, cannoli, salted caramel cheesecake, stuffed arancini, and desserts. Beware: there are reports of long lines and chaotic parking. Nonetheless, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, this bakery is for you.

Anima Romana is a little pocket of Rome dropped gently into Toronto’s east end. This bakery is the creation of two baking dream teams: Sheila and Dulce (trained in Rome, obviously), and Subhra and David (holding it down in Toronto). Together they’ve made a bakery where everything is handmade and chemical-free. The vibe? Cozy, sunny, and welcoming. Besides breads and pizzas, they also do seasonal events, rotate their menu regularly, and make every visit feel like a soft Roman holiday. No passport needed.

Anima Romana is an excellent Toronto bakery. The star of the show? A sourdough starter that has captured customers' hearts. The vibe? Classic Italian bakery meets neighbourhood charm. It smells like family warmth. Their focaccias and sourdough pizzas get the most fanfare. Add in the gelato, coffee, and pastries, which are all fan favourites. Unfortunately, seating is limited. If you were planning a long romantic loaf session with your pastry, maybe pivot to takeout. And if you’re vegan, the options are... well, limited.

At Hitotoki Bakery, the pastries are delicate, the bread is fluffy, and everything looks it belongs in a Studio Ghibli picnic scene. This boutique bakery combines the precision of Japanese baking with the flair of French pâtisserie. The vibe inside is all warm wood and minimalist charm. The menu is full of show-stealers. Their signature Mont Blanc Tart is a flaky croissant shell piled with chestnut cream and the kind of elegance you can’t fake. There’s also soft, cloud-like shokupan (Japanese milk bread), a beloved favourite of ours.

Hitotoki Bakery is spoken with reverence. The consensus? Delightful. Dangerously good if you’re into matcha, taro, or Japanese-inspired baked goods. Their pastries are the main event. Think pillowy-soft bagels with matcha-red bean filling, flan tarts, and matcha lava tarts. On the drink front, the lattes (especially taro and matcha) get a lot of love, though some customers have pointed out they are either too icy or not strong enough. Still, this grab-and-go bakery offers some of the best Japanese pastries in Toronto.

The Grainery Bakery & Deli has been winning us over since 1982. Family-run by Randy and Cindy Bruder, this place delivers fresh breads with small-town charm. Let’s talk about the goods. Breads? Daily-baked and aggressively appealing. Crusty baguettes that snap in half. Rye that means business. Sourdough that gets mentioned a lot in Google reviews. There are also croissants. Bagels. Brownies. Danish pastries. Carrot cake that probably has a fan club. All made with proper ingredients and traditional methods, like they still believe in flavour and effort. (They do.)

Grainery Bakery & Deli has earned itself a loyal fanbase. The bread is fresh. The meats are thick. The energy is very “your grandma’s kitchen if your grandma also made a killer club sandwich.” People also adore the daily-baked loaves and the fact that you can actually smell them before you even see the counter. Sandwiches are made to order, stacked generously, and somehow still cheaper than most places. However, lunchtime gets quite busy. And long-time fans pine for missing menu items (RIP mini pizzas, you were loved).

La Casa Dolce is a full-blown Italian bakery-café hybrid. Located in Mississauga on Queensway Street East, La Casa Dolce is run by three brothers who clearly got together and said, “Let’s open a place that does everything... but make it sweet.” Since 2008, they’ve been feeding the GTA. Mornings start strong with croissants, danishes, muffins, and donuts. Lunch? Covered. They do sandwiches, soups, and pizzas made fresh daily. And then there are the cakes. Black Forest, Cheesecake, Caramel Maple Pecan, and other seasonal creations. They do custom orders, wedding towers, and edible images.

La Casa Dolce is perfect for your sweet tooth. The general consensus? Customers are into it. The pastries? Fresh. The cookies? Plentiful. The donuts? Not shy about their toppings. The custom cakes? Consistently described as delicious and extremely photogenic. Popular flavours like chocolate-espresso and Biscoff get regular praise. Price-wise, yes, it’s on the expensive side. However, most agree that the portions, flavour, and general deliciousness justify it. Also: the sandwiches. Under-discussed. European-style, full of flavour, and incredibly sophisticated looking.

Founded in Little Portugal, Nova Era Bakery now spreads across the GTA. They keep it simple. No preservatives. No additives. Just proper, small-batch bread made the way it should be. We’re talking rustic sourdough, hearty multigrain, crusty white loaves, and sweet-savory hybrids. The shop's most popular product is the pastel de nata. These golden, creamy, flaky tarts have a fanbase. They’re joined by other heavy hitters: bola de berlim (aka Portuguese doughnut royalty) and mille-feuille with serious layers.

Nova Era is a Toronto legend. The tarts are the headliners: crisp edges, creamy middles, and lightly caramelized tops. Customers rave about how they rival the best bakeries in Lisbon. Beyond the tarts, Nova Era’s sandwich game is strong. Made to order, deli-style, and usually stuffed with ingredients. Croissants and coffee get solid love too. Service can be slow, especially when the place is packed (which it usually is). But for the most part, the food is good enough that people will forgive the busy periods.

Located at 80 Ellesmere Road in Scarborough, Venus Bakery & Cake offers pretty desserts, warm service, and arguably the best pistachio cakes ever. This family-run bakery has built a reputation for top-tier Persian-style cakes and sweets. They offer both regular and eggless options. In fact, the eggless versions are so good they’ve got people questioning if eggs were ever necessary to begin with. The pistachio cake is the star of the show. Customers rave about the sweet flavour and the “made-with-love” energy in every layer. Also: the designs? Flawless.

Venus Bakery & Cake is a fancy bakery. The general vibe from customers? Gorgeous cakes and Persian sweets that make them feel like VIPs. The custom cakes are elegantly decorated, flavour-packed, and popular for parties or weddings. In particular, pistachio, red velvet, and chocolate are the crowd favourites. Any downsides? Tiny ones. The shop is in a strip mall, so space is a bit tight. This bakery is more “cozy grab-and-go” than “linger with a latte.”