Crust Bakery. Website.
It’s the perfect time to indulge in Victoria’s bakery scene. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat to brighten a winter day or a fresh loaf to pair with a cozy meal at home, Victoria is full of bakeries offering everything from artisanal breads to decadent pastries. From classic European-inspired patisseries to creative, locally sourced delights, here’s a guide to the best bakeries in town to satisfy every craving, as voted by readers in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards.
Crust Bakery is a popular local favourite and has been voted #1 since the launch of the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards in 2019. The Crust philosophy is that food should be stylish, yet unpretentious and simple, but above all, it must taste delicious. From the bakery’s renowned Kronut—a cross between a croissant and a donut—to its tasty croissants, tarts, and custards, Victoria eats the crust each and every time—and therefore, has voted it top spot!
Our Pick: Danish
Address: 730 Fort St. and a Kiosk at Uptown Mall
Since 1955, Dutch Bakery & Diner has been one of the go-to destinations for delicious baked goods in the city. Three generations of the Schaddelee family have now operated the business, always with the values instilled by the previous generations.
Our Pick: Vanilla slice
Address: 718 Fort St.
This bakery offers an ever-changing and delightful selection of sweet and savoury treats that have delighted locals since 1992. They have amazing cakes—a must for any occasion. Pâtisserie Daniel specializes in a wide range of treats, including buttery croissants, muffins, tarts, and cakes. Each item is made from scratch using premium ingredients, ensuring exceptional flavour and texture.
Their cakes are particularly popular; whether you’re looking for a classic black forest cake, a fruit-topped cake, or something customized for a special occasion, the bakery is known for creating elegant wedding and birthday cakes tailored to their clients’ preferences.
Our Pick: Almond croissants
Address: 1729 Cook St.
Outside of the top three, which are all great bakeries, Tasting Victoria also highly recommends the following:
This popular bakery changes its menu every month to create unique and different pastries for guests to try according to season. The attention to detail on their pastries is excellent, and the quality and combination of ingredients are top notch. From their flaky croissants and buttery danishes to indulgent cookies and creative tarts, every item is designed to delight, and they do. Expect unique flavour combinations that highlight local ingredients. Some of our favourites have been the classic pain au chocolat, tarts, the puffs, and mousse domes.
GoodSide Pastry House isn’t just about sweets; it also offers a selection of savoury treats. Custom cake orders can be placed at the bakery, and the cakes are to die for.
Our Pick: Dome of the month
Address: 1805 Fort St.
Working Culture Bread is a sourdough-focused bakery, making organic loaves daily from scratch. Co-owned by Adam Christie and Jess Rivers, Working Culture opened in 2020 and has aimed from the start to be a community hub in the Rock Bay neighbourhood. The bakery uses Canadian grains, local and seasonal ingredients, and works with Island producers wherever possible. In addition to their bread selection, they serve coffee and sandwiches, making it a convenient spot for breakfast or lunch.
Our Pick: Olives and lemon zest
Address: 2506 Douglas St.
Since opening in 1992, owners Hong Nguyen and Cam Huynh have dedicated themselves to providing the community with a delightful array of baked goods. The bakery is renowned for its diverse selection of donuts, including specialty flavours like cookies and cream, Nutella-filled, and maple bacon. Beyond donuts, the shop offers an assortment of cookies, tarts, squares, muffins, scones, croissants, sausage rolls, meat pies, breads, and buns, catering to a wide range of tastes.
Our Pick: Maple bacon donut
Address: 21-1153 Esquimalt Rd.
If you’d like to see the winners for the 17 other categories in the Tasting Victoria Best Restaurant Awards, check out the list here.
