Delicious Baked Goods in Vancouver: From Croissants to Japanese Cheesecakes

Beaucoup Bakery; Photo Credit: Rich Won

For those who can’t get enough of pastries, artisan breads, and inventive sweet treats, Vancouver has so many incredible bakeries, from globally acclaimed chains to local neighbourhood favourites.

Below is a guide to the various types of bakeries in Vancouver for curating your own self-guided tour.

Where to Get Heavenly Pains au Chocolat and Artisanal Loaves

Photo credit: Thierry

The list of places that offer amazing pastries, cakes, and breads in Vancouver is extensive—and constantly growing. Here are highlights to get you started.

Thierry has two locations with one more in the works. After serving at the helm of the pastry program at two top restaurants in the city, Chef Thierry Busset went on to open his own dessert shops. His talent is showcased in chocolates such as a white chocolate pistachio gin-flavoured ganache; macarons; pastries such as apricot danishes; and cakes like a refreshing passion fruit mousse cake.

Now two locations strong, Beaucoup Bakery is truly a destination for expert French pastries. Opened by Jackie Kai Ellis, Beaucoup is now co-owned by Betty and Jacky Hung who offer tempting selections such as kouignoù amann, onion bacon strolls, as well as a variety of cakes like a pistachio raspberry cake.

Purebread started at a Christmas Market in Whistler but brought their baked goods to multiple locations in Vancouver after developing a loyal following. Their loaves, such as the sourdough and Seriously Seedy, are excellent, as are dessert selections, such as their raspberry rhubarb coconut cake.

Photo credit: Pure Bread

Blue Hat Bakery and Café, housed in the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts on Granville Island, has sandwiches, light meals, in addition to breads (e.g., baguettes), pastries, and decadent desserts like a Gianduja-hazelnut caramel cake. The bakery serves as a great way to support the school while fuelling up on the way to Granville Island.

Thomas Haas is globally renowned for his chocolate making as well as delectable cakes and pastries. He has a location in Kits, as well as in North Vancouver, giving you two excuses to enjoy treats such as crispy hazelnut chocolate, double baked almond croissants, and desserts like a champagne truffle cake.

Two other long-running bakeries are Ganache Patisserie in Yaletown and Sweet Obsession in Kitsilano. Ganache is a small space where pastry chef Peter Fong does big things. He particularly excels at showstopping cakes, ranging from caramel chocolat to matcha exotique with matcha parfait mousse, passionfruit-mango-lychee gelée, black sesame sponge, and lychees. Sweet Obsession has one of the most extensive cake selections in the city (by the slice or the whole cake), with favourites such as their Neapolitan cake and triple chocolate mousse.

Charming bakeries abound in Vancouver, some with multiple locations and others that are single-site neighbourhood shops. Faubourg started in Kerrisdale and has expanded to three other locations, bringing their viennoiseries (e.g., chausson aux pommes), cakes, breads, macarons, and many other delights to other areas of the city. Small Victory, three locations strong, features sweet and savoury pastries (e.g., veggie turnovers), artisan loaves (e.g., porridge bread), and whole or by-the-slice cakes (e.g., coconut cake).

Photo credit: Small Victory

Angus T in Yaletown and West Vancouver specializes in croissants, including unique flavours such as black sesame and Earl Grey. Bel Café, part of the Hawksworth Group, is found in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, and is a great spot for having a light meal or a latte with a pastry, such as a strawberry and jasmine cream puff. Meanwhile, the French-chain PAUL can be found on Robson Street; Ladurée and their impeccable macarons is also located on Vancouver’s famed main shopping street.

Cadeaux Bakery, just outside of Gastown, creates stunning multi-layered cakes (made-to-order) in addition to other baked treats such as cinnamon croissant swirls, scones, cookies, and different types of croissants (e.g., ham and cheddar). Over in Fairview, Mon Pitou charms as a blend of a bakery, café, bistro, and grocery store. Visit for brunch, and while you’re there pick up a croissant or two for later in the day. Another local favourite Ça Croustille, launched at farmers markets and recently opened a brick-and-mortar location where fans can purchase their danishes, croissants, and many other French desserts and pastries.

Meanwhile, L’Atelier Patisserie is a wee spot in East Van that has lovely croissants (e.g., hazelnut, raspberry chocolate on Fridays), in addition to various cakes and tarts such as a pistachio rocher. Other beloved East Van spots include Bâtard Bakery, particulary for their rustic loaves; Livia, part café, bakery, and pasta/wine bar on Commercial Drive; The Bench, known for their naturally leavened bread and French pastries; and Flourist, which sells breads and pastries that showcase their premium freshly-milled flour.

With a shop in Burnaby and White Rock, Chef Christophe makes for a fun getaway from central Vancouver. Chef Christophe Bonzon has gained fame for his croissant cubes with changing daily fillings, but other items, such as double baked hazelnut chocolate croissants, are equally as memorable. Mon Paris Patisserie, also in Burnaby, run by Chef Elena Krasnova, sells beautifully made French pastries (e.g., a blueberry puff), macarons, chocolates, and cakes.

Where to Find Vegan and Gluten Free Baked Goods

Photo credit: To Live For Bakery

Vancouver has many options where you can have your cake, and eat it too (since it’s plant-based and/or gluten-free). Erin Ireland, one of the city’s best-known plant-based influencers and bakers, recently opened To Live For Bakery and Café, where you can find vegan baked goods, including multigrain loaves, croissants, cookies, and banana bread.

Lemonade Gluten Free Bakery is operated by chef Tracy Kadonoff who started baking gluten free after developing an allergy. Kadonoff makes cakes such as a coconut lemon mousse cake, in addition to cupcakes, tarts, cookies, and breads. Vegan options are also available. Edible Flours specializes in vegan baking, with sugar-free and gluten free selections as well. There, you’ll find baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, cookies, cupcakes, and squares.

Where to Find Traditional European-Baked Goods

Sweet Thea; Photo Credit: Tara Lee

Vancouver also has a host of bakeries that offer other European-styles of baking. Fratelli Bakery on Commercial Drive and New Westminster offers authentic Italian baking, with display cases filled with cookies, cannoli, cream-filled bigné (puffs), and cannoncini (horns).

Breka Bakery and Café with numerous locations across the city specializes in German baking but has expanded their offerings over time. Popular are their strudels, tortes (e.g., hazelnut), rolls (e.g., poppyseed), in addition to their cakes, such as a traditional black forest cake.

Notte’s Bon Ton is a Vancouver institution, originally opened by an Italian baker in 1926. They’re particularly known for their diplomat cake, which consists of layers of puff pastry, rum-infused cake, and Italian meringue buttercream. They have closed their old shop and are in the process of opening a new location on Alma Street.

After selling at local markets and events, Sweet Thea now has a shop on Main Street as well as a bakery in Langley. They’re particular known for their Christmas goodies, such as cookies, fruitcake, stollen, and pudding. Other offerings include Danish rye bread, hand fruit pies, and chocolate hazelnut bear claws.

And for Greek baked goods, head over to Serano Greek Pastry in Kits for baklava, kataifi, tiropita, and much more.

Where to Get Asian Treats

New Town Bakery; Photo Credit: Tara Lee

In addition to European-style bakeries, Vancouver is also home to numerous Asian bakeries where you can stock up on both sweet and savoury selections.

Chinese bakeries are well known for their sweet buns, fresh cream cakes, and flaky tarts. New Town Bakery and Restaurant in Chinatown has been in operation since 1980 and is a must. They are particularly loved for their apple tarts, steamed char siu bao, and cocktail buns. Other stand-out Chinese bakeries include Michele Cake Shop, Maxim’s Bakery, and Anna’s Cake House.

Asian baked goods are known for not being too sweet and delicate in texture, as well as creative in reinventing classic desserts. Japanese bakeries evidence that appealing lightness in their cheesecakes, found at Uncle Tetsu downtown and in Burnaby.

Hazukido, a Taiwanese bakery chain that serves Japanese croissants, opened to great excitement in Vancouver last year. These are not your usual croissants, with really interesting flavours such as truffle crab, taro pudding, and salted egg yolk. Meanwhile, Patisserie Le Pont in West Vancouver combines French and Japanese influences when crafting their baked goods, such as a Japanese tea assortment of crispy puffs (e.g., matcha flavoured) and a fresh fruit shortcake.

Those looking for Filipino baking can visit Goldilocks for all sorts of Filipino specialties, such as egg custard pies, ube sponge cakes, and leche flans. Khaykery Bakery in Robson Public Market, meanwhile, sells chiffon cakes (e.g., buko pandan) and assorted silvanas (meringue wafers that sandwich buttercream and are coated with crumbs, nuts, and dried fruit).

Finally, Unni Pastries, a Korean-pastry shop, just recently opened on Robson Street after much anticipation. Treat highlights are red bean donuts, matcha tiramisu cake, and brioche with sausage and cheese.