Hof Kelsten is a beloved Plateau bakery-deli hybrid that offers some of Montreal’s finest bread and pastries. Chef-owner Jeffrey Finkelstein, whose impressive culinary journey includes stints at world-renowned restaurants like Per Se, The French Laundry, and Noma, shifted gears from haute cuisine to artisanal baking when he launched this spot in 2013. Croissants, pain au chocolate, and babka are all stars here.

The bakery’s weekend brunches are legendary, featuring standout dishes like shakshuka with merguez and a French toast made with challah and topped with veal pancetta. Every bite reflects Finkelstein’s dedication to high-quality ingredients, many of which are locally sourced, and his passion for elevating simple comfort food into something extraordinary.

Hochelaga’s Aube Boulangerie didn’t take long to captivate Montrealers with its artisanal look, feel, and offerings. Opened in 2023, it's already a neighborhood favorite, drawing crowds to its unassuming location. Helmed by a talent including chef David Ollu, whose expertise shines in from nearby establishments, it's a haven for pastry lovers, and its ambiance is as inviting as the fare with elegant decor and a glass-enclosed kitchen offering glimpses of baking in action. From dawn till dusk, Aube beckons with freshly baked bread, decadent pastries, and aromatic coffee.

Pâtisserie Rhubarbe is the brainchild of acclaimed pastry chef Stéphanie Labelle. Known for its exquisite desserts and charming ambiance, Rhubarbe has become a staple in Montreal's culinary scene since its inception in 2010. Stéphanie, who honed her skills under the tutelage of Pierre Hermé in Paris, brings a blend of meticulous French technique and creative innovation to her work. The bakery is renowned for its delicate pastries like millefeuille, vibrant lemon tarts, and buttery croissants. With a cozy seating area and a menu that includes brunch and afternoon tea, Rhubarbe is undoubtedly one for the books.

A venture by Jeffrey Finkelstein of Hof Kelsten and his longtime collaborator pastry chef Suyin Wong, Hof Sucrée reflects their collective creativity while giving space to Suyin to flex. Originally from Singapore and raised in Vancouver, Wong transitioned from a finance career to pastry, training in Paris before joining Finkelstein, followed by opening a concept first launched at Time Out Market in 2019 this bakery's named after. This Hof Sucrée combines industrial architecture with soft touches, pink ceramics and large windows. The menu's currently focused on viennoiseries, loaves, and baguettes.

Hidden on a quiet corner of Saint-Henri, Bernice is a heartfelt homage to family, tradition, and the simple joys of baking. Opened in August 2020 by Jami Liverman and his architect partner Carlos Miranda, this spot channels the warmth of Jami’s late grandmother, Bernice, into a slick place where baking and hospitality inspires every detail.

Bernice specializes in nostalgic treats that evoke childhood memories. Cookies, tiered cakes, and pastries fill the counter, ranging from the decadently rich s’mores cake with graham crumble and chocolate caramel fudge to a cappuccino cake layered with Tia Maria cream. Even the classics, like their carrot cake with lemon mascarpone frosting, are crafted with exceptional care.

The bakery’s inviting atmosphere, shaped by Carlos’ design, feels like stepping into a familiar kitchen where love and sweetness are baked into every bite. Alongside third-wave coffee and freshly baked breads from Guillaume, Bernice has quickly become a beloved spot for locals, families, and visitors alike.

From French classics to creations influenced by Scandinavian and Californian traditions, Automne Boulangerie has firmly planted its roots in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, earning a reputation as one of Montreal’s most beloved bakeries. Launched in 2016 by Julien Roy and Seth Gabrielse, the bakery’s ethos centres on craftsmanship, seasonality, and a deep connection to local farmers and producers. With the addition of longtime baker Quentin Lamensch as co-owner in 2022, the team continues to refine their vision of artisanal baking.

Since their second outpost on Bélanger, they’ve expanded production capabilities while doubling as a cozy café. Patrons can enjoy signature treats like the cardamom knot or jambon-fromage pastry in the welcoming dining space, where families and friends gather over coffee and freshly baked goods.

Le Toledo is a meticulously crafted love letter to the art of breadmaking and community connection. Born from the vision of François Barrière, a former banker turned boulangerie mastermind, and Riccardo Arnoult, a seasoned baker from Toulouse, this Plateau landmark is built on a foundation of passion, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of quality.

Inside the airy, light-filled space on Mont-Royal, visitors are greeted by a vintage Toledo scale—a serendipitous discovery that inspired the bakery’s name. The design, a blend of industrial charm and warm minimalism, invites you to linger at communal tables beneath a constellation of salvaged lamps.

The menu champions Quebec’s organic flours and slow fermentations, offering everything from buttery almond croissants to Scandinavian-style smørrebrøds. These are found at every one of their locations, good for grabbing a crusty sourdough loaf as much as they are for awesome sandwiches and breakfast chaussons.

Arte & Farina is a vibrant slice of Italy tucked into the heart of Montreal’s Village. This bakery and café, helmed by Venetian-born pastry chef Sandro Carpenè, serves as a love letter to Italian culinary tradition. From morning bomboloni to Roman-style pizza al taglio, the menu speaks to devotion aimed at high-quality ingredients like Domori chocolate and Petrilli tomatoes.

The airy, sunlit space—designed with Quebec maplewood accents and crowned by a 45-year-old olive tree—balances rustic warmth with a modern flair. Guests can linger over ricotta gnocchi or porchetta sandwiches, or browse a selection of imported Italian goods. Come summer, the terrace doubles the seating and introduces spritzes served with lemon sorbet, a refreshing nod to the aperitivo culture. What’s more, Arte & Farina’s handcrafted panettones have earned citywide fame, cementing it as both a culinary and cultural beacon.

What began as a pandemic-era side hustle out of Léché Desserts has become a pillar of the community, blending old-world craft with California-inspired innovation: Miette puts sourdough at the centre of its own quiet revolution in Little Burgundy.

Helmed by self-taught baker and former LA marketer Thea Bryson, this minimalist bakery focuses on naturally leavened loaves made with organic, local flours and painstakingly slow fermentation. The result? Crusts that crackle and interiors that melt—quality that’s head and shoulders above many others.

The space, designed by Thea’s sister Celia, feels more like a modern gallery than a bakery, with its high ceilings, streaming natural light, and open kitchen showcasing the artistry of bread-making. Focaccias, marbled rye, and olive-walnut sourdough are just a few of the stars in Miette’s rotation, drawing a devoted following willing to cross the city for a loaf.

Mahrousé isn’t trying to reinvent anything—it’s perfecting a legacy. Originally opened in 1970 by a Syrian pastry chef with roots in Aleppo, this spot on de L’Acadie has long been a go-to for Montrealers looking for baklava that doesn’t cut corners. When cousins Khaled and Anas Rankoussi took over in 2017, they expanded into a two-level space with seating, parking, and a terrace, without losing the precision or pride that built the business. Rows of hand-folded pastries, syrup-drenched semolina cakes, and jewel-toned loukoum fill the cases. Ice cream and savoury bites round out the offering, but sweets are the main event. The space itself—designed by Idca Design—pulls as much inspiration from the Levant as the pastries do. On busy afternoons, you’ll hear four languages in the room, often spoken by newcomers who now work behind the counter. Mahrousé isn’t just a bakery—it’s continuity, adaptation, and hospitality wrapped in phyllo.

There are bakeries that specialize in a bit of everything, and then there’s Au Kouign-Amann, which has been laser-focused on one thing since the early ’90s: making the best version of its namesake pastry in town. A Breton invention built from butter, sugar, and time, kouign-amann walks the line between croissant and caramelized fever dream—and the one here is as close to textbook as you’ll get outside Douarnenez. French pastry chef Daniel Fourne opened the place; Normandy-born baker Nicolas Henri keeps it going, turning out golden rounds that sell out fast. The croissants, chaussons, and other viennoiseries aren’t just backup dancers—they’re worth the detour. But the reason people queue down Mont-Royal East in all seasons is that unmistakable smell of butter and sugar meeting heat. There’s a reason this tiny space with barely any seating has stayed packed for over three decades: it’s not trying to chase trends—it’s just that good.

Duc de Lorraine isn’t trying to be charming—it just is. Open since 1952 on a busy Côte-des-Neiges corner, it’s said to be the city’s longest-running French patisserie, and it plays the part well: buttery viennoiseries in the morning, glossy fruit-topped cakes in the afternoon, and full bistro plates if you decide to stay for dinner. While the baguettes are serviceable, it’s the pâtisserie counter that holds the power move: thick mille-feuilles, elegant éclairs, and the signature fraisier, layered with pink cream and strawberries. From spring through fall, the terrasse offers a direct view of St. Joseph’s Oratory; in colder months, diners post up in the sunroom for croque-monsieurs and seafood plates. It’s open 365 days a year, from early morning to late night, with white-aproned servers delivering everything from brunch to cocktails. Whether you’re a regular or just dropping in post-pilgrimage, there’s always a table, a pastry, and a little theatre.

What started as a tiny storefront on Fairmount has grown into one of the busiest—and most community-minded—bakeries in Montreal. Boulangerie Guillaume made its name by taking the bones of traditional French baking and adapting them to the city’s rhythms: crusty bâtards, Mediterranean-style ciabattas, airy fougasses, and the now-famous apple buns based on the baker’s mother’s recipe. Founders Guillaume Vaillant and Valériane Lamirande-Gauvin launched the operation in 2010, living above the shop and building out a model that prioritizes worker ownership and creativity. As demand grew, they expanded down the Main, turning multiple adjacent spaces into a seamless production and retail hub. There’s even a public green space out front—part park, part terrace—open to anyone, 24/7. On any given day, the bread wall alone offers 80-plus options, and the viennoiserie team keeps things experimental without losing sight of flavour. It’s a place that runs on skill, generosity, and the kind of structure that lets good ideas rise.

Le Pain dans les Voiles isn’t your typical family-run bakery—it’s the kind of multigenerational operation where sailing, sourdough, and sports medicine somehow all connect. Founded in Mont-Saint-Hilaire in 2009 by agronomists-turned-bakers François and Guilaine, the business has since charted a course from small-town success to big-city staple. The Villeray location opened in 2013 and was later taken over by their son, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif—yes, that Laurent, the Super Bowl-winning NFL player with a medical degree. Under his watch, the bakery has expanded its repertoire to include pulled pork sandwiches, housemade caramels, and charcuterie made from pigs fed on surplus bread. But the foundation is still bread: slow-fermented loaves made with Quebec-grown flour, including the award-winning Pain du peuple, sold by weight. Whether you’re in it for the brownies, the rye tourte, or just a good espresso and a seat in the sun, this is a spot where tradition, experimentation, and a touch of sports-world hustle all rise together.

De Froment et de Sève is the kind of neighbourhood bakery that doesn’t just stick around—it multiplies. Since 1995, this Rosemont fixture has built a loyal following with its daily rotation of crusty breads, oversized viennoiseries, and now, a whole biscuit offshoot. Originally founded by Quebecer René Sicard, the bakery changed hands in 2014 when Jean-Yves Callies and his daughter Constance took over, bringing a French perspective (and five kids, plus a dog) into the mix. Their daughter’s stint in France studying pâtisserie classics helped inspire a new wave of lavender madeleines, rosewater sablés, and chai-spiced cookies—all made in-house with Quebec ingredients. Awards for best croissant and best baguette in the city back up the reputation, but regulars already know to show up early for the good stuff. Between the two Beaubien locations, the house donates unsold goods to local food banks, proving that consistency, craft, and community aren’t just ideals—they’re daily practice.

Afroditi has been serving Parc-Extension since 1971, and it shows—in the best way. This family-run spot balances old-world technique with day-to-day adaptability, offering a mix of French pâtisserie standards and Greek desserts that speak to the area’s deep Hellenic roots. The bakery was renamed after the goddess of beauty when Anestis Karagiannidis took over in the ’90s; his son Vasilios now runs it with him, continuing a generational rhythm. On the sweet side, think syrup-soaked baklava, honey-drenched melomakarona, and iced cakes topped with jewel-like fruit. On the savoury side, spanakopita comes two ways: flaky filo squares and rustic hand pies. The bread is no afterthought either, and if you want to go full Mediterranean, they’ve got the olive oils, honeys, and jams to round it all out. A few seats by the front window offer space to linger, but most regulars are in and out—armed with boxes, loaves, and whatever cake they’re celebrating next.

La Meunerie Urbaine takes the idea of “from scratch” a step further. Opened in 2017 by Martin Falardeau (formerly of Le Pain dans les Voiles) and Dina Dagher, this NDG bakery mills its own flour on-site—an intentional move to preserve the full flavour and nutritional value of fresh grain. The result? Loaves with depth, character, and a shelf-life that doesn’t rely on shortcuts. Their baguette earned top honours in Quebec, but it’s far from the only draw. From lentil-rich sourdoughs to kamut batards and focaccia slabs, the bread selection is varied and cut to order. Fridays through Sundays, pastry chef Kevin Poitevin takes over the counter with éclairs, tartlets, and seasonal one-offs. The space, designed in part by Martin himself, offers a glimpse into the baking process and just enough room to sit with a coffee from Café Union. This is a working bakery first—but it’s one that feeds both sides of the counter with care.

Since 1968, this Little Italy institution has kept the focus on what it does best: old-school Italian pastry, no frills, no shortcuts. Still run by the Caldarone family, it sits across from the Madonna della Difesa church and hasn’t changed much since Vittorio and Maria moved their original shop here in the ’70s. The cannoli—made using Vittorio’s original recipe—are the draw, filled fresh to order with ricotta cream that hits the right balance of sweet and tang. You’ll also find code d’aragosta, biscotti by the kilo, sfogliatelle with a citrus kick, and granita in the summer. The decor is a time capsule, and that’s part of the charm: the terrazzo floors, mirrored walls, and tiered cakes in the window have seen generations come and go. There’s no indoor seating, but the park across the street does the trick.

La Bête à Pain is a whole ecosystem built around flour, fire, and finesse. Chef Marc-André Royal’s Griffintown location blends boulangerie, café, and restaurant into one tightly designed space, where the open kitchen invites you to watch the work behind the shelves. The bread is organic, the viennoiseries are serious contenders (croissants, brioches, cannelés), and the savoury side holds its own with breakfast tartines, lunch grain bowls, and seasonal soups. The aesthetic walks a line between minimalist and warm, with Paprika’s design balancing natural light and industrial edge. Though there are only a handful of seats, the kitchen turns out hundreds of meals a day, and the takeout fridge keeps neighbours stocked with ready-to-go charcuterie, cheese, and house-made dishes. On select nights, the space flips into an intimate pop-up with guest chefs. It’s a rare spot where the ambition is clear—but never gets in the way of good bread.

Boulangerie Jarry mills the flour, honours the grain, and makes a case for knowing where your food comes from. Opened by Dominique Gauvrit, a seasoned French baker and former Première Moisson owner, this Villeray spot is one of the few bakeries in town that operates as an actual micro-mill. A glass-walled room showcases the mill itself, grinding grains sourced from a Baie-Saint-Paul farm into nutrient-rich flours. On the shelves, you’ll find a mix of classics and more unconventional loaves like the “Premiers Arrivants,” made with yellow pea flour, pumpkin, and polenta. Sandwiches, soups, and quiches round out the lunch menu, with ingredients consistently sourced from local producers. Built inside a repurposed bank, the space—designed by Corinne Laflaquière—preserves original vault doors and invites people to linger with long tables, house kombucha on tap, and coffee from Barista. For Gauvrit, bread isn’t just food—it’s a way to feed a community.

Carlota Boulangerie Mexicaine isn’t just introducing conchas and pan de muerto to Montreal—it’s rewriting what a neighbourhood bakery can be. Founded by Mariana Martin, a Mexico City–born baker who trained under Elena Reygadas at Rosetta and studied culinary sustainability in France, Carlota brings the spirit of Mexican baking into a compact, sunlit storefront at the edge of Mile End. The offerings go well beyond novelty: her vanilla and chocolate conchas are light and deeply fragrant, the guava-cheese roulés are textbook perfect, and seasonal breads like pan de yema and rosca de reyes are made with reverence and precision. Workshops and collaborations with local artists anchor Carlota as a cultural space as much as a bakery. Martin’s journey—spanning three countries, pandemic pivots, and community support—infuses every recipe with purpose. You don’t just stop here for a pastry. You come to taste a story, shaped by resilience, shared by the dozen.

Fanfare Brunch Boulangerie doesn’t fit neatly into one box, and that’s exactly the point. Launched in 2019 by chef Julien Laporte and baker Lilian Gourbin, this Jarry East spot combines a bakery, café, and brunch restaurant into one sharp, minimal space that does a lot with a little. The bread—made with organic, locally milled flour—is excellent. The viennoiseries are polished without being precious. And the short, evolving brunch menu pulls from French technique, Nordic simplicity, and the flavours of whatever cuisine Julien happens to be exploring that week. Gravlax with housemade rye, eggs Benedict on a toasted muffin, or a croque-madame built on their own loaves—it’s all thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully plated. Coffee comes courtesy of La Tasse à Café, and the team’s commitment to making everything in-house runs deep. Even if you’re just grabbing a pastry to go, you’ll feel the attention to craft. Fanfare doesn’t overplay its hand; it just plays it well.

Cheskie’s doesn’t do baguettes, laminated pastry, or glossy fruit tarts—and it doesn’t need to. What this Mile End kosher bakery does is rugelach that collapse into a perfect swirl of cinnamon and chocolate, danishes that glisten like stained glass, and babka so dense and rich it might count as its own food group. Open since 2002 on Bernard Avenue, the shop has become a rare bridge between Outremont’s Hasidic and secular communities, with regulars that range from bubbies and skateboarders to out-of-town celebs on babka pilgrimages. Owned by Cheskie Lebowitz and his wife Malky, with daughter Esty on deck, the bakery runs on speed, warmth, and consistency. There’s no seating, no frills, just a glass case of sweet gravity pulling you forward. The black-and-white cookie may have been a metaphor in Seinfeld, but here, it’s a reality—one bite, and for a second, everyone’s on the same page.

After a decade-long detour through Laval and Marché 440, Olivier Potier’s return to Montreal has taken root in Old Montreal with a boutique that blends French pâtisserie, gourmet épicerie, and a serious dedication to craftsmanship. Chez Potier doesn’t traffic in trends—it builds on classics and executes them with relentless precision. You’ll find millefeuilles in seasonal iterations (raspberry, lemon, passionfruit), croissants made with P.E.I. butter, and confections layered with everything from Zacapa rum to housemade caramel. Alongside the pastry counter, the shop stocks curated deli items, cheeses, farm-fresh vegetables, and just enough French pantry goods to make you contemplate a picnic. With chef Cédric Deslandes overseeing the savoury offerings and Potier’s signature sweets still causing cravings across the city, this is a place where technique, taste, and a bit of Parisian flair meet Montreal’s daily appetite.

Boulangerie Louise may be part of a larger European venture, but the team behind its Montreal outpost has built something that feels grounded in the neighbourhood. Opened in 2018 on Saint-Laurent just south of Little Italy, the bakery runs on a steady rotation of fresh bread, baked continuously throughout the day—hot, crusty, and meant to be eaten right away. Its namesake comes from a story close to home: Louise is the daughter of founder Laurent Menissez, whose shy demeanour bloomed through her early involvement with the bakery. That spirit of openness carries through here, where the team—led in North America by Michaël Duhamel—prioritizes warmth and accessibility. Recipes are anchored in French technique but adapted for local taste, with a signature liquid leaven that gives their loaves a distinct tang and longer shelf life. With Julius coffee, a few sandwiches, and pastry on offer too, the space is bright, modern, and busy without feeling rushed—just like the block it calls home.

Arte & Farina is a vibrant slice of Italy tucked into the heart of Montreal’s Village. This bakery and café, helmed by Venetian-born pastry chef Sandro Carpenè, serves as a love letter to Italian culinary tradition. From morning bomboloni to Roman-style pizza al taglio, the menu speaks to devotion aimed at high-quality ingredients like Domori chocolate and Petrilli tomatoes.

The airy, sunlit space—designed with Quebec maplewood accents and crowned by a 45-year-old olive tree—balances rustic warmth with a modern flair. Guests can linger over ricotta gnocchi or porchetta sandwiches, or browse a selection of imported Italian goods. Come summer, the terrace doubles the seating and introduces spritzes served with lemon sorbet, a refreshing nod to the aperitivo culture. What’s more, Arte & Farina’s handcrafted panettones have earned citywide fame, cementing it as both a culinary and cultural beacon.

La Cornetteria has been holding it down in Little Italy since 2006, with just eight seats, a glass case of golden pastries, and a husband-and-wife team committed to keeping Italian traditions alive. Stefano Cicali, originally from Florence, runs the kitchen; Cinzia Persechino manages the front with the kind of warmth that makes even a quick coffee run feel personal. Their namesake pastry, the cornetto, is a soft, custard-filled cousin to the French croissant—lighter, chewier, and increasingly rare, even in Italy. Alongside it: flaky Nutella-stuffed cronuts, biscotti, zeppole during the spring, and some of the city’s best cannoli. Everything is made in-house, and nothing’s overhyped. Just old-school technique, pride in their roots, and Stefano’s custom coffee blend to wash it all down. It’s the kind of place you pass by a hundred times until someone tips you off—and then you don’t stop going.

You can smell it before you see it. At Ol’ Sweet Pastry on Rachel Street, the scent of caramelized sugar and soft, yeasty dough floats down the block—Montreal’s first brick-and-mortar kürtőskalács shop has finally landed. David Sebestyen, who grew up eating chimney cakes at street festivals in Transylvania, spent years tweaking his family recipe before hitting the festival circuit in 2018. Now, the real thing is baking fresh daily in the Plateau: coils of lemon-scented dough wrapped around a wooden spit, rolled in sugar, and roasted until crisp outside and cloud-soft within. Sebestyen’s take on the classic is both reverent and inventive—walnuts and coconut in winter, Nutella and ice cream cones in summer. It’s a hyper-specific pastry with a deeply personal story, born from cross-generational collaboration and years of grit. Once a pandemic side hustle, Ol’ Sweet is now a fully-fledged bakery introducing Montreal to one of Central Europe’s most underrated street desserts.

A mainstay in Montreal’s pastry scene for over four decades, Pâtisserie do Rosário has quietly become the city’s top artisanal producer of pastéis de nata. What began on the Plateau now thrives on Plaza St-Hubert, where the Machado family—Antonio, Agostinho, and Danny—run a tight, sugar-dusted ship. While the shop offers a variety of handmade Portuguese baked goods, it’s the iconic egg tarts that define it. Nearly 20,000 leave the ovens weekly, landing in cafés, grocers, and caterers across Montreal. Still, it’s worth coming straight to the source to explore the rotating lineup of nata flavours, baked fresh daily in full view.

Pâtisserie Zébulon doesn’t just make vegan desserts—it makes a case for why they should be taken seriously. Open since June 2021 at the busy corner of Saint-Denis and Mont-Royal, the compact shop is the creation of Zébulon Vézina and his sister Alice. With a background that includes the ITHQ, Helena Loureiro’s kitchens, and a stint with Christophe Michalak in France, Zébulon brings fine-dining discipline to plant-based pastry. Expect short but sharp offerings like a gluten-free exotic cheesecake layered with coconut mousse and passionfruit confit, or the wownie: a brownie-sablé hybrid topped with hazelnut praline and whipped ganache. Everything is made fresh each day with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. It’s not about quantity here—it’s about finesse. And whether you’re vegan or not, the level of detail and flavour speaks for itself.

The Rachel Street location of Les Co’Pains d’Abord is one of the three bakeries in an artisan collective, and a full-on viennoiserie workshop led by master tourier Éric Goeury. Since 2009, he’s been fuelling this corner of Villeray with top-tier croissants, wild blueberry chocolatines, and brioches whose scent hits you from half a block away. The team, built on the original founders’ friendship (hence the name), takes a hands-on approach to everything—no additives, no shortcuts, just honest, from-scratch baking. The space is tight, with about a dozen seats, but the counter is stacked with seasonal pastries, flans, panettone, savoury quiches, and salads. This isn’t your average bakery. It’s where viennoiserie turns experimental, with riffs on classics using pistachio, Indian spices, or maple. A neighbourhood staple that doesn’t stand still—except when it comes to quality.

Maison Halwa blends a coffee shop’s comfort with a pastry chef’s precision. Founded by Michele Halwaji—whose Lebanese family name translates to “sweet-makers”—this Mile End spot evolved from a home-based business into a creative dessert studio and café. Halwaji made her name with wins on Girl Scout Cookie Championship and an appearance on Baker’s Dozen, but her work speaks loudest on the plate: cardamom-laced matcha cake, za’atar focaccia sandwiches, and event cakes that hit both the flavour and design briefs. The shop leans into small-batch craft and Middle Eastern influence, with an ever-rotating pastry case and a specialty coffee setup that locals swear by. From birthday cakes to cozy weekday lunches, Maison Halwa is a space built on moments worth celebrating—and making sure they taste as good as they look.

Café Bazin may be compact, but it’s packing decades of experience and a quietly ambitious mission. Opened in 2017 by pastry chef Bertrand Bazin and restaurateur Antonio Park, this Westmount bistro-café is less about reinventing the wheel than making sure it rolls beautifully. Bazin, a French pastry veteran who’s trained some of the best in the city, finally carved out a space that lets guests peek behind the curtain—half the café is an open kitchen where you can watch the team whip, fold, and plate with care.

Mornings run on viennoiseries, eggs, and coffee. Lunch leans classic French: vol-au-vent, boeuf bourguignon, Parisian gnocchi with bacon and pine nuts. Desserts—crème brûlée, tartelettes, financiers—are as elegant as they are unpretentious. It’s all designed to feel personal and warm, like walking into someone’s home kitchen. And that’s the point. Bazin isn’t chasing flash—he’s chasing feeling. A good tart, a better quiche, and a room full of people who leave just a little happier.

Since opening in 2021, this Pointe-Saint-Charles bakery has become a neighbourhood mainstay, known for doing things the slow, deliberate way: everything is made by hand, on-site, every day. That includes an evolving spread of breads, viennoiseries, lunch options, and pâtisseries, all shaped by a small team of dedicated artisans.

The philosophy here is simple: food should bring comfort, connection, and a bit of joy—whether that’s a still-warm croissant on a quiet Sunday, a loaf of bread for the dinner table, or a midday sandwich grabbed between errands. Mollo doesn’t chase trends or overcomplicate things. Instead, it sticks to what matters: quality ingredients, thoughtful technique, and food that feels good to eat. It’s the kind of bakery that makes you want to slow down—not just because of the name, but because of what comes out of the oven.

Just off the Jarry metro, Le P’tit Atelier lives up to its name: a compact, unpretentious bakery and pastry shop that’s become a reliable go-to for Villeray locals—and a worthy detour for anyone else. The selection ranges from viennoiseries and rustic breads to pâtisserie-style desserts, with a steady rotation of seasonal specials. Among the standouts: a tiramisu with actual depth, a tangy passion fruit tart that walks the line between sharp and sweet, and a vanilla rum baba that nails the texture if not the punch. The almond chocolatine is often praised as one of the city’s best, though freshness can vary. On the savoury side, sandwiches and quiches round out the menu. It’s not flashy, but that’s kind of the point—Le P’tit Atelier focuses on technique, flavour, and fair pricing. Whether you’re fuelling up before a bus ride or lingering with a coffee, this spot delivers on comfort and craft.

After three decades of baking for others, Alberto Argueta opened La Miche Dorée as a family venture—and it’s stayed that way ever since. Tucked into the Petite-Patrie, the bakery is now run with help from his wife Louise and their children, who’ve all shaped its evolution in different ways. Melissa handles the savoury menu—think house-made salads, sandwiches, and quiches—while her siblings pitch in behind the counter. The mission here is clear: make good bread by hand, using ecological practices, with care for the people who eat it. The result is a warm, community-rooted spot that’s grown from 500 to 2,500 square feet without losing its soul. Customers are on a first-name basis, and some who came in as kids now work there part-time. As Alberto nears retirement, Melissa is stepping up to run the business, but finding someone willing to match his old-school technique is another story. For now, the hands shaping the loaves are still his.

Mélilot fits into Laurier Ouest like it’s always been there. The patisserie is the work of three seasoned Montréal industry pros—Aurélien Kerzerho (Maison Boulud), Vincent Gagnon-Boisvert (Leméac), and Clémence Corbière (Candide)—whose combined experience shows in every detail, from the sharp service to the sculptural, herbaceous desserts behind the glass. Kerzerho, originally from Brittany, brings a distinctly floral and precise approach to his work, often highlighting local plants like sweet clover (aka mélilot), whose almond-vanilla aroma inspired the shop’s name. Some pastries rotate with the seasons; others, like the signature mélilot tart, anchor the menu. Individual portions and larger-format cakes are both available, as are savoury options like quiche and sandwiches. The espresso’s good, the terrace gets solid afternoon sun, and everything here feels intentionally, confidently made. This isn’t a spot that chases trends—it quietly sets a standard, and Outremont seems lucky to have it.