Toronto is a city filled with sweet surprises.
Whether served as a treat at the end of a meal, or destination-worthy in their own right, there’s a long list of desserts that should be considered “essential eating material” on any Torontonian’s to-do list.
Here are 21 must-try desserts in Toronto:
Eclairs from Nugataeu
French eclairs pay homage to Toronto at this Queen West pastry shop. The 2016 collection featured The Red Rocket adorned with Toronto’s iconic streetcar, while the incoming 2017 collection spotlights The 6ix eclair featuring maple-walnut cream crowned with a white chocolate Toronto skyline.
Address: 717 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-748-7001
Instagram: @Nugateau
Buttertarts from Andrea’s Gerrard St. Bakery
The sweet caramelized pie oozing with a gooey sugar filling is native to Ontario and is an absolute essential on any Torontonian’s bucket list of desserts.
Address: 635 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Phone: 416-465-4567
Instagram: @andreasbakery
Foie & French toast from The Black Hoof
This non-traditional meat-lovers’ dessert boasts luscious foie gras laid over sweet eggy bread. It’s a melange of sweet and savoury flavours that’ll surprise and delight your taste buds.
Address: 928 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-551-8854
Instagram: @theblackhoof
Chocolate shots from SOMA
This Toronto chocolate maker is responsible for some of the world’s finest single origin chocolates and what better way to enjoy it than in liquid form. Locations on King West and in The Distillery District offer single shots of molten chocolate.
Address: 443 King Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-599-7662
Address: Distillery District, 32 Tank House Lane, Toronto
Phone: 416-815-7662
Instagram: @somechocolatemaker
Deconstructed desserts from Richmond Station
Artful interpretations on classic flavour combinations are the star on the dessert menu from pastry chef, Gabriel Greco. These pretty plates change seasonally, but are currently channeling childhood faves like creamsicles, butter tarts and s’mores.
Address: 1 Richmond Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-748-1444
Instagram: @richmondstation
Scratch-made Pop Tarts from Bake Shoppe
Buttery pastry pockets filled with Kitten & the Bear jams are the perfect dessert breakfast food for sweet teeth in Toronto.
Address: 859 College Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-916-2253
Instagram: @bakeshoppeto
Black sesame roll cake from Bake Code
This stunning dessert from this Euro-Asian cafe features a black sesame chiffon cake rolled around ganache with black sesame white chocolate brittle.
Address: 4910 Yonge Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-346-3888
Address: Hillcrest Mall, 9350 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Phone: 905-237-8208
Instagram: @bakecode
Soft serve from Sweet Jesus
Sky high swirls of soft serve rolled through crushed cookies, decorated with cotton candy and sprinkles, or drizzled with caramel and other crazy toppings are among the epic creations available from this popular chain of ice cream parlours.
Address: 106 John Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-348-1166
Address: 780 Queen Street East, Toronto
Phone: 647-334-0780
Address: 130 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto
Phone: 647-351-4130
Instagram: @sweetjesus
The Earl from Roselle
Delicate desserts are what Roselle does best. The signature earl grey cake features tea-scented chocolate mousse layered with bergamot cremeux on vanilla sponge and a crispy feuilletine.
Address: 362 King Street East, Toronto
Phone: 416-368-8188
Instagram: @roselle_to
Matcha crepe cake from Millie Patisserie
French pastries inflected by Asian flavours are the main attraction at this King and Spadina area cafe. This is a top spot to indulge in a slice of millie cake crafted with thin layers of creamy green tea crepes.
Address: 12 Oxley Street, Unit 101, Toronto
Phone: 416-596-0063
Instagram: @milliepatisserie
Maple bacon bourbon doughnuts from Glory Hole
Is there anything more Canadian than a doughnut? How about a maple glazed, bacon-decorated doughnut? Yep this very invention might just be the most Toronto thing you can eat in Hogtown.
Address: 1596 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-352-4848
Instagram: @gloryholedoughnuts
Cannoli from Buca
Crispy shells piped with whipped ricotta and mascarpone come decorated with candied orange peels and chopped pistachios at chef Rob Gentile’s Italian restaurants in Toronto.
Address: 604 King Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-865-1600
Address: 53 Scollard Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-962-2822
Instagram: @bucatoronto
Flan from The Tempered Room
The Parkdale patisserie changes up its offering seasonally, though this delectable giant Nata-like flan cake is standard on the dessert menu.
Address: 1374 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-546-4374
Instagram: @thetemperedroom
Churro ice cream sandwiches from El Caballito
Cap off a taco feast at this King West tequila bar with Mexican doughnuts sandwiching a scoop of ice cream.
Address: 220 King Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-628-9838
Instagram: @elcaballito.ca
Chocolate chip cookies from Le Gourmand
So simple and yet so incredibly crave-worthy. The cookies from this Spadina Avenue cafe are giant, chocolate chip-studded wonders that are baked throughout the day and served warm straight out of the oven.
Address: 152 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-866-2127
Instagram: @legourmand
Ube milkshakes from Platito
Thick, creamy, violet-hued milkshakes are a house favourite at this Filipino soul food spot in Baldwin Village. Ube, a purple yam popular in Filipino food is responsible for the distinct colour and flavour of this drinkable dessert.
Address: 35 Baldwin Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-347-0135
Instagram: @platitotoronto
Sticky toffee pudding from The Queen & Beaver
This fine British public house is an excellent source for classic comfort foods and dessert is no exception. Find this saucy sweet finish advertised on a menu devoted to puddings.
Address: 35 Elm Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-347-2712
Nutella Tiramisu from Piano Piano
Address: 88 Harbord Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-929-7788
Instagram: @pianopianotherestaurant
Knafeh at Beiruti Grand Cafe
Glass pastry cases show off French and Middle Eastern desserts including this pastry comprised of shredded phyllo soaked in rose syrup and layered over sweet cheese.
Address: 155 Consumers Road, Unit 101, Toronto
Phone: 416-491-2227
Instagram: @beirutigrandcafe
Candy Bar Pie from The Rolling Pin
Satisfy nostalgic cravings at this Yonge and Lawrence area bake shop with pretzel crust pies filled with salted caramel and creamy peanut butter then topped with chocolate ganache.
Address: 3429 Yonge Street, North York
Phone: 416-691-4554
Instagram: @therollingpin
Roasted Marshmallow Toast from Petit Potato
The Taiwanese eatery serves up addictive slices of thick cut toast layered with eggy custard and toasted marshmallows.
Address: 10 Ravel Road, North York
Phone: 416-756-3311
Instagram: @petitpotatotoronto