Bagels and bread, oh my: Ten bakeries in Hamilton to try
Pastry fanatics agree, butter is better.
While you may be baking your own bread with all this time on your hands, sometimes it is best to leave it to the professionals. We have rounded up a list of 10 local bakeries to delight your senses.
Here are 10 Hamilton-area bakeries where you can order curbside pick up or takeout.
1. Ola Bakery & Pastry, 230 James St. N. All kinds of delights abound from this downtown Portuguese bakery. No one can beat their fresh Portuguese Tart but there is so much more. 905-296-6064
2. La Bakery, 935 Fennell Ave. E. You simply cannot get enough of the Sicilian Cannoli or Italian tortes from this tiny bakery tucked away on the East Mountain. They want you to know that custom cakes need one to two weeks notice. And, there's lots of fun to be had with the create your own cannoli kit. It's $35 with enough in the kit to make 12 cannoli. Order online or call in your order, 905-383-3667. labakeri.com
3. Cobs Bread, locations in Ancaster, Waterdown and two in Burlington. Cobs offers scones, croissants, artisan hotdog buns and more. You just must try their high fibre loaf - ask for it sliced thick and up your toast game. Open daily.
4. Cafe Baffico, 1375 King Street E. This little gem near Gage Park is offering curbside pickup with occasional preorder options for bakery specialties. It was formerly a restaurant but recently switched to a cafe/bakery in keeping with pandemic times. Croissants, doughnuts, bread, oh my. 289-246-9965
5. Old Bagel House, 101 Osler Dr. #120, Dundas (University Plaza). So, you're looking for a bagel? You know you are in the right place when the oven is a wood fire. A dozen sesame or poppyseed bagels will run you $9.99 or .90 cents each. A bagel with cream cheese is $2.75. They will even make it into a sandwich for you. 905-627-5299
6. Sweet Beets, 295 Ottawa St. N. Not really a bakery but vegan patrons know you can get a mean cannoli here. Crispy shells filled with a sweet creamy, vegan ricotta and chocolate chips for $4.50. The menu features also features vegan cookies and biscotti for $2.75 or $25/dozen. 365-889-2338
7. Weils Bakery, 981 King St. W. That neighbourhood bakery charm never gets old, there's even an old wooden screen door to let the whimsy and aroma lure you in. Breads, cakes, cookies, tarts, meat pies and everything a bakery should be. You can view items online and call to place your order, 905-527-6751. Weil's is closed Sunday and Monday but open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. any other day.
8. The Punch Bowl Market & Bakery, 136 Ridge Rd., Stoney Creek. If you haven't journeyed along the escarpment and spotted this little shop on top of the hill you're missing a local dynamo. It's typically only open April to December from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Baked goods are hand made in small batches from old Baruzza family recipes. Call to reserve baked goods 905-662-1665.
9. Caniche, 346 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. A little French bakery found in downtown Ancaster specializing in baguettes, croissants, custom cakes and a variety of beautiful pastries. You can call or email your order in. The dinning room is closed and the bakery hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. 289-239-7475 admin@canichebakery.com
10. Crumbuns Bakeshop, 788 Concession St. Ever had a brookie? Part brownie, part cookie. Or, a crumbun? Part coffee cake, part muffin. These are the delicacies that keep you going back for more at this little shop on the Mountain just east of the Juravinski hospital. Visit the website for the menu and preorder for curbside pickup Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 289-674-6000
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com