This article was last updated in November 2019. A version of this article was first written for Tourisme Montréal.

In the last few years, Montreal has seen a boom in artisanal boulangeries (bread bakeries) and pâtisseries (pastry shops). From specialized cupcake stores, designer donuts and dainty French pastries to more traditional buttery baked goods, croissants and crusty baguettes, the city has it all. Here’s a breakdown of all sweet things Montreal has to offer organized by neighbourhood, so that you may always find your way to the closest flaky, gooey or crispy delectable snack…

PLATEAU MONT-ROYAL

This is easily the neighbourhood with the highest concentration of boulangeries and pâtisseries in Montreal. Considered one of the hippest areas in the city, this predominantly francophone hood counts a lot of French ex-pats as residents. This may be why so many boulangeries have opted to set up shop here, often competing for the title of best croissant in town within a few blocks of each other. Among those are Boulangerie Mr. Pinchot, Boulangerie Les cop’ains d’abord (three locations), Fou desserts and Croissant Croissant,  which are all within walking distance so you can go on a croissant crawl and judge for yourself. Another contender in the croissant debate is Pâtisserie Au Kouign Amann on avenue Mont-Royal est. The almond croissant there is my favourite but people flock to this tiny spot specifically for a slice of their famous kouign amann, a layered butter and sugar cake from Brittany with addictive qualities. Le Toledo’s display of beautiful pastries including seasonal fruity ones is irresistible. They also make great breads and their exquisite flan has garnered a delicious reputation among pastry lovers.  Mamie Clafoutis on Saint-Denis is also another great spot for croissants, breads and baked pastries like their near perfect cannelés or the nutty pistachio and almond pavé with cherries.

The plateau also has its share of cupcake stores. D’Liche specializes in the confection of the tiny iced cakes in original and classic flavours.

If it’s macarons you’re looking for, no need to look further than Boutique Point G, the definite winner when it comes to this delicate confection that has been all the rage for the past few years. Classic flavours like chocolate and lemon share the beautiful store with seasonal sensations such as this Spring’s violet and honey and last Valentine’s Day cherry confit made with local cherries.

CRémy Pâtisserie is a well-known and well-loved sweet spot specializing in donuts, brownies and révelos (cake pops). Look for the new CRémy food truck out  on the streets this summer, which will be delivering their sweet confections and over-sized donuts all over town.

Located near a stretch of Laurier Avenue east that is becoming more and more trendy, Pâtisserie Rhubarbe is one of my favourites. The desserts here are elegant, dainty and although based on French classics, always created with a slight twist that makes them extra special. The tarte au citron is especially delicious, so are the éclairs that are adapted to each season. Just around the corner is Le fromentier, one of the first artisanal boulangeries in Montreal where you can not only buy great bread but also cheeses and charcuteries for an easy picnic in nearby Parc Laurier.

ROSEMONT/PETITE PATRIE/LITTLE ITALY/VILLERAY

The Little Italy neighbourhood of Montreal has its share of traditional Italian pastry shops like Alati Caserta where the ricotta-filled cannoli have become famous across the island. They are filled just as you order them to prevent them from going soggy and are just perfect to eat at the little park across the street with a strong Italian espresso from one of the many caffès around. These days, a new crop of pastry shops has slowly been asserting its presence in this neighbourhood, some with an Italian influence like La Cornetteria and its flaky cornetti (Italian-style croissants) or cronetti (their version of the 2013 cronut craze) and some with a more rustic and traditional feel, like the adorable Mlles Gâteaux, located in the heart of Villeray, just a few blocks north of Little Italy and serving excellent desserts like a decadent carrot cake with pineapple and carrot confit. Further south, Pâtisserie Bicyclette is a neighbourhood spot serving old fashioned desserts such as rustic pies, cakes and cookies. If you’re a doughnut fan, Trou de Beigne, one of the best artisanal doughnut providers in Montreal has taken up residence in a fun and colourful space in Petite Patrie with 9 doughnut flavours on display at all times, including some of their classics as well as seasonal ones. David Ferguson, chef and owner of Gus restaurant, has partnered with Ciaran Tierney to open Lou, where you will find the irresistible rosemary-infused Gus bread as well as their fantastic chocolate cake with Bailey’s cream cheese icing. Mille-feuilles, choux à la crème, babas au rhum and other French classics vie for attention at Pâtisserie Madeleine on Beaubien Street East, in the heart of Petite Patrie.

The area also has a lion share of critically acclaimed bakeries; including Le pain dans les voiles and their award-winning baguette and absolutely delicious croissants and pizzas. Joe la croûte, another excellent spot located within the Jean-Talon market will surely win you over with the Mythique, a crispy roll containing black olives, sheep’s milk’s cheese, garlic flower and sea salt. If you prefer sweet to savoury, the Troubadour (apricots, hazelnuts, sea salt) is also an excellent choice. A little further east, De froment et de sève offers many breads that you can buy to go or enjoy at the on-site bistro. Give the maple butter croissant a try or enjoy one of the many sandwiches prepared on their homemade bread. Automne Boulangerie is a Rosemont bakery with a Scandinavian flare that makes amazing bread, pizza and pastries (try the ham and cheese croissant). It’s the stunning creation of chef Seth Gabrielse and award-winning bread maker Julien Roy. One of Boulangerie Les cop’ains d’abord’s three stores is located on rue Masson in Rosemont. This artisanal bakery has been known to make one of Montreal’s best croissants. Boulangerie Fanfare, a bakery/restaurant located on Jarry Street makes French-style breads, pastries and great desserts in a bright and luminous space. Boulangerie Jarry recently opened with much fanfare on the corner of Jarry and St-Denis. They mill their own flour in-house and make exquisite breads ad pastries with it. Boulangerie Jarry also serves light lunch options and diners are invited to sit at the handful of tables in their light-filled space.

If you’re looking for vegan delights and think you must content yourself with mediocre offerings, head straight to Café Dei Campi! The Italian café offers a charming atmosphere in which to consume the delectable cookies, brioches, muffins, pizza and breads created by the pastry chef and co-owner. Everything here is delicious but their vegan cannoli have got the city talking!

OUTREMONT/PARK EX/MILE END

Outremont is well known for its many leafy parks, its mansions, and its many restaurants along Van Horne and Bernard streets. It’s also known for the excellent breads and baked goods found at Mamie Clafoutis, famous for its nut and blue cheese baguette or its Mamie Choc, a decadent mile-high rich and moist cake, my idea of the absolutely perfect chocolate cake. Just a few doors down, take a bite of Le Paltoquet’s buttery croissant, which, although smaller than some of their competitors, have been declared the best in the city by connaisseurs. If you are looking for something more traditional, Jewish Boulangerie Cheskies has been celebrating the neighbourhood’s cultural heritage with its excellent chocolate babka and rugelash. Also on the traditional side, Pâtisserie Afroditi is a family-run bakery and pastry shop that’s been serving Greek (and French-style) specialties since 1971.

The Mile-End is Montreal’s trendiest neighbourhood. It’s no wonder then that some of the city’s sweetest addresses are found in this hip and trendy area. Boulangerie Hof Kelsten and its owner, baker extraordinaire Jeffrey Finkelstein, have some of the best restaurants in town on their client list. One bite of the rye and caraway seed bread will have you converted and a slice of the chocolate babka will have you hooked.

Brioche à tête, a small establishment on Fairmount Avenue serves flaky pastries and delicious desserts. Their chocolate brioche is definitely a must and their croissants have been declared among the best in the city.

Boulangerie Guillaume just a few blocks up the street has become a staple for its excellent breads and flaky pastries. The array of breads can be dizzying but the cheddar and fig baguette or L’Écolier – a chocolate bread – are always a great choice. At Farine & Vanille, on Parc Avenue, you will find pastries such as pumpkin brioche, fantastic breads, croissants and the delectable Mexican conchas, a sweet bun with a sugar shell topping.

When it comes to cakes, the Mile-End has one address that tops the cake, pun intended. Cocoa Locale and its exquisite and dainty artisanal creations with a touch of vintage are the place to head to when looking for a memorable sweet bite.

OLD MONTREAL/CHINATOWN

You can easily walk from one end of Old Montreal to another while eating your way through its many fantastic pastry shops. On the far west side, Olive & Gourmando has been serving some of the city’s best baked goods for the past 10 years. You can’t really miss it, it’s the spot with the line up outside. The chocolate and banana brioche is a must as are the cheese croissants, brownies and cookies. If you’re gluten-intolerant, you’re in luck! Cookie Stéphanie up the street is the place for you to indulge without worrying. Stunning home decor and fresh bread go hand in hand at Maison Pépin where a whole side of the beautiful store has been taken over by L’Amour du pain.

Further down towards the Old Port you’ll find Maison Christian Faure, the best French-style pâtisserie in town. Pastry chef and Meilleur ouvrier de France [MOF] Christian Faure creates elegant classics and seasonal desserts at his pastry shop, café and pastry school all rolled into one. The praline Paris-Brest is the best one you’ll ever taste this side of the Atlantic and the chocolate soufflé is exceptionally decadent (for in-store consumption only) (read my full review here).

Head north to the adorable cupcake store Les Glaceurs and even further east to Bar à beurre where you will find an array of mini cakes, macarons and homemade breads. If you are on the lookout for something more exotic, Pâtisserie Harmonie in Chinatown offers several pre-packaged options like sugar-coated donuts or their version of pig-in-a-blanket.

DOWNTOWN/WESTMOUNT

Downtown is not necessarily the first Montreal neighbourhood that comes to mind if you’re trying to locate your next sweet fix but a couple of spots are unique to this area and make it worth the trek. If you’re a cupcake fan, then you’re well served in the downtown core. One of Les Glaceurs’ four locations is in the heart of downtown where they serve some of the best cupcakes in Montreal. Another cupcake store is Dolce & Gâteaux, serving gourmet and elegant cupcakes. Whether you’re in the mood for something healthy like a kale frappé or something decadent like a hot chocolate topped with a brownie, Tella’s Santé ou Sucré has your back.

If you have food allergies and are always on the lookout for a dairy, peanut, gluten, egg, lactose or any-allergen-free dessert, you’re in luck with Pâtisserie Petit Lapin in Westmount. For having tasted their allergen-free cupcakes, I can assure you that they rival any “real” ones in taste and texture.

Café Bazin is the latest addition to the Westmount restaurant and pastry shop scene. Chef Bertrand Bazin has partnered up with chef Antonio Park to open a pastry shop slash French bistro serving classics such as bœuf bourguignon and vol-au-vent as well as excellent desserts. Try the coffee and chocolate tart and the chocolate cake. La Meunerie Urbaine, in Monkland Village, grinds its flour on site in its own mill, which produces some of the city’s most excellent breads.

LITTLE BURGUNDY/SAINT-HENRI/VERDUN

The west part of Montréal has been seeing a renaissance of sorts for the past couple of years. This includes the revival of retro desserts like donuts at Léché Desserts, a designer shop with decadent flavours like peanut butter & jam, chocolate mousse or strawberry shortcake when Québec strawberries are in season.

Rustique Pie Kitchen is another shop delving in the art of old-school desserts, in this case “a country pie stand in the city”. From blueberry to cherry to banana cream, the flavours change with the season. It is recommended to taste several of the mini-pies and to buy some for the road, you’re going to want one later.

Verdun’s Audacieuse Vanille’s desserts are vegan, gluten-free and soy-free, and made with organic and fairtrade ingredients when possible. The tiny store has but a handful of seats, which you can reserve for lunch or a sweet afternoon tea.

If you find yourself in Verdun, Boulangerie Rustique Sweet Lee’s makes homey desserts like brownies and muffins but their specialty is the stuffed croissants, like the raspberry or lemon blueberry. They share a space with Café Saint-Henri so you can enjoy your pastry with a great cup of coffee.

Patrice Pâtissier located in Little Burgundy just below downtown is easily one of the best pâtisseries in Montreal. Pastry chef and owner Patrice Demers has a huge following and his fans – a category to which I belong – swear by his financiers (brown butter cakes), his kouign amann (layered butter and sugar cake originally from Brittany) and his various verrines (layered desserts in jars). If you decide to sit and order dessert, go for Le Vert, a decadent (and now famous) dessert involving green apples, pistachios, olive oil, cilantro and a yogurt and white chocolate cream.

The second location for La Bête à pain is in the heart of Griffintown. They serve their exceptional breads, pastries, lunches and brunches at this location as well.

THE VILLAGE/EAST END

Arte e Farina has mastered the art of Italian pastries. The pannetone is an absolute must around the holidays but anything you get from here will surely hit the spot, including the delicious pizze.

Further east around the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, you’ll find a bread and pastry baking institution, La Fabrique ArHoMa and its sister store – ArHoMa Boulangerie Fromagerielocated even further east. The breads have been proclaimed the best in the city and the pastries, including tarts, mousses and cakes, are just as good. Further east in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Les Gourmandises de Marie-Antoinette offers French-style pastries, chocolates and macarons.

Hélico is a lovely spot opened by three Bouillon Bilk alumni. Croissants, cookies, brioche and kouign amann are all made fresh daily on the premises, along with great lunch fare. The decor is airy and cheerful and makes lingering around this orange-coloured café very easy.

Sachère Dessert specializes in gourmet and refined desserts and pastries made with hight quality ingredients and lots of attention to detail.

At the Bouffe Dave Plant Food lunch counter, you’ll always find an array of homemade desserts from lemon bars to muffins to cakes made with high quality ingredients.

AHUNTSIC

Travel north into Ahuntsic where you will find La Bête à pain, one of the best sweet spots in Montreal. All the breads here are exceptionally good, so are the pizzas with their daily toppings. The cannelés – crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside – are truly exceptional (read my full review of their brunch here). Run by two young pastry makers, Fabrique Caramel is an adorable establishment that makes elegant cakes, chocolates, petits fours and sweet tables. You can also customize your cake by choosing from their different base, icing, toppings and decoration options.

SEVERAL LOCATIONS

I sometimes simply head to my local Première Moisson for a sandwich, a baguette or a cake. Yes they have several locations around the province and have become somewhat of a small chain but they have also managed to keep an artisanal approach to baking. Their croissants are buttery, their baguettes crispy and their Royal chocolate cake delicious. I also like purchasing their frozen puff pastry for all my baking needs.

Check out my Google map of Montreal’s best pastry shops and bakeries with the location of all of these places. It’s a handy tool to have when you’re craving a sweet fix.