Each year, we ask Avenue readers to vote for their favourite restaurants in Calgary in our Best Restaurants readers’ choice ballot. These are some of their favourite places in the city.
Winner
Glamorgan Bakery
Best known for its iconic cheese buns, this family-owned bakery has been making Calgary a little more delicious for almost 50 years. And while the buttery, cheddar cheese buns are not to be missed, that’s just the start of what Glamorgan Bakery has to offer. Customers return time after time to get their hands on nearly two dozen types of freshly baked bread, cinnamon buns, cookies, doughnuts, cakes and other desserts.
19, 3919 Richmond Rd. S.W. 403-242-2800, glamorganbakery.com, @glamorganbakery
Runners-up
Ola Luna Cake & Bakeshop
In just over two years, this Cambrian Heights bakery has made a name for itself as a must-visit destination for mouth-watering pastries and baked goods. Expect a counter filled with croissant buns, pain au chocolat, cinnamon monkey bread and more. Ola Luna also makes eye-catching desserts like individual cheesecakes, mini tarts and cakes.
1047 40 Ave. N.W., olaluna.com, @olaluna.yyc
Mari Bakeshop
Mari Bakeshop is known for its innovative flavours and expertly made baked goods. Whether you’re popping by one of the bakery’s two locations for a box of dainty choux pastries, a slice of roll cake or flaky creations like the monkey bread or beurre Normande, you won’t be disappointed. Mari also makes a mean loaf of bread, with options like seeded sourdough loaves and pain rustique at its Bridgeland shop.
103 St. Matthew Square N.E., 403-214-0629; Brookfield Place, 207, 225 6 Ave. S.W., 403-264-8992, maribakeshop.ca, @maribakeshop
Begonia Bakehouse
Visit this small yet mighty Beltline bakery the next time you’re craving freshly baked bread and pastries. While classics like sourdough baguettes and milk bread are regularly available, Begonia offers special loaves on select days of the week worth seeking out (think apricot sunflower seed sourdough on Fridays and cherry pistachio sourdough on Sundays). Pastry options include pecan almond twice-baked croissants, sweet and savoury danishes, financiers and macarons. The bakery also serves coffee, which you can enjoy with your pastry of choice in its seating area.
1502 14 St. S.W., 587-355-7768, begoniabakehouse.com, @begoniabakehouseyyc
Yann Haute Patisserie
Looking for expertly made pastries? Seek out the bright yellow house in Mission. Led by chef Yann Blanchard, Yann Haute Patisserie is known for treats like its colourful macarons, decadent cakes and flaky pastries. The bakery also offers a selection of products you can enjoy at home, like bake-from-frozen croissants, spreads, gelato and more.
329 23 Ave. S.W., 403-244-8091, yannboutique.com, @yannhautepatisserie
Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
What started with owner Aviv Fried delivering loaves of bread by bike has blossomed into one of Calgary’s most popular bakeries. Located along the Bow River in East Village, Sidewalk Citizen is particularly beloved for its sourdough bread, which is available in loaves or in dishes like the breakfast sandwich. The display cabinet is also teeming with tempting pastries that can range from raspberry chocolate cruffins to bourbon chocolate cherry danishes, which you can enjoy inside or on the riverside patio when the weather is nice.
618 Confluence Way S.E., 403-457-2245, sidewalkcitizenbakery.com, @sidewalkcitizen