Apr 11, 2025

Mabel's Bakery Toronto

Fresh-baked treats

""Mabel's Bakery" in Toronto is the kind of place you visit when you sleep in on a breezy Sunday morning... Their croissants rival those I've had in France."

Mabel's is the kind of place you visit when you sleep in on a breezy Sunday morning, then go for a long run, and a long shower later and realize there's nothing you'd like more than a flaky croissant and a piping hot coffee. It's the kind of place you visit after an infuriatingly frustrating day, where nothing goes your way and the only thing that will lift your mood is a tangy lemon square, or maybe an orange blondie with cream cheese frosting. Or perhaps you delight in small, quirky details, like swirling milk into your coffee with a pasta noodle? 

Mabel's is the best. There's a handful of locations around town, with one of them around the corner from my apartment on Queen West and a short walk away from various other places you might  be aiming for/coming from, like Trinity Bellwoods Park, the Drake and Gladstone Hotels, or Parkdale (an oddball neighbourhood in the west end). There is usually a pun-ny quote on the sandwich board on the sidewalk out front, along with the dogs anxiously waiting for their owners and patrons enjoying their treats.

In terms of what you should try, I've already given you some hints - I'm partial to their squares, which are dense and generous. Mabel's croissants and pain chocolats rival those I've had in France, and their crusty bread makes a lovely house gift. 

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

About this spot

1156 Queen Street West

Tangy Lemon Bar:

C$

3.25

6477484700

Find your way with 145 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Toronto guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Toronto

Khau Gully

Best Northern Indian Food in Toronto

"Khau Gully" is my favorite Northern Indian restaurant in Toronto. Street food is its thing but it's best to sit in for its beautifully painted dining room

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cameron

Bryant

Apr 15, 2025

RE Place / Poured Coffee

Low-waste for the win

From biodegradable bamboo products to personal care items that are better for both you and the planet, you can find plenty here for a more sustainable life.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Good Intentions

Shop to support women

It’s rare that I leave this store without having bought something, be it a beautiful ring for myself, or a unique piece of artwork to give as a gift.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Gia Restaurant

Plant-forward perfection

With environmental sustainability in mind, Gia is a “plant-forward” restaurant, with the goal of sourcing produce locally, and organic when possible.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Scout

Gift giving made easy

Besides selling goods from small, often local, independent makers and mindfully selected brands, they also help to support local charities and initiatives.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Philistine

Curated clothing & goods

Founded over 15 years ago as a purveyor of vintage goods at local markets and pop-ups, Philistine now has two shops of its own, both on Queen Street.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Apr 13, 2025

Aloette

Toronto’s best restaurant's cooler sister

"Aloette" in Toronto is an upscale bistro with a wider range of food. Their burger is definitely a staple, and their iceberg wedge salad is a sleeper hit!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

Gift Shop

A not-so-secret secret speakeasy

"Gift Shop" is a secret, magical, speakeasy-type cocktail bar at the back of a barber shop in Toronto. It's actually quite well known though, so get read

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

Swatow

My go-to for hole-in-the-wall Chinese food

"Swatow" Toronto's been my go-to for that kind of Chinese food for years -- you know, the comforting, inexpensive stuff that's still plentiful & delicious.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

La Salumeria

The perfect midtown deli

"La Salumeria" is always where I go when I need something delicious on-the-go during the day. It's a delicatessen that also makes the best sandwiches!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

The One in the Only

Coffee coffee coffee

"The One in the Only" in Toronto is an eclectic coffee shop that just exudes positivity. Most of the decoration is a random mix of old photos & art prints.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Jeffrey

Wood

Apr 11, 2025

Il Covo

Α gem of a hideout in Little Italy

"Il Covo" in Toronto is an Italian restaurant that's special for every special occasion. I encourage you to order and share as many cichetti as possible!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anita

Kim

Apr 11, 2025

Heading to Toronto?

145 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

145 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Coffee & tea

Our team loves Toronto

Get to know our other Spotters from Toronto

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7300
Filters