Amelie CameronWhen I’m having a bad day and need something sweet to pick me up, cinnamon buns are my best friend. Just one bite of the pillowy soft bun laden with addictive cinnamon sugar and vanilla cream cheese glaze is enough to put a smile on my face!
I love to bake my own cinnamon buns. But when I’m feeling lazy (which happens often), I just go out and eat somewhere. Thankfully, I live in Toronto, so there are many bakeries and shops that satisfy my cravings.
So far, here’s my list of favourite places to go when I’m craving cinnamon buns.
Sweet Trolley Bakery
– From: sweettrolleybakery
Address: 3056 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 5:30 pm
- Saturday—8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Sunday—8:30 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14167621487
I only heard about Sweet Trolley Bakery when I was reading the Toronto Star and saw it featured in an article about cinnamon buns. Intrigued, I went out to try it the very next day, and since then, it’s now one of my go-to bakeries for all types of desserts.
The cinnamon bun here is exactly how I want mine to be: it has a lovely tender and fluffy texture and a generous drizzling of sugary icing. I love that the cinnamon flavour pops right out; it basically assaults my tastebuds, but in a good way.
| Pro Tip: This place only accepts cash. |
Bunner’s Bake Shop
– From: bunner
Address: 244 Augusta Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +16473502975
Bunner’s Bake Shop is one of my recommendations for people who love vegan desserts. And what a great variety of treats they have here! Of all the options, the cinnamon bun is one I keep coming back to.
Their take on the cinnamon bun features more than just cinnamon sugar layers; it also has an ooey, gooey brown sugar with an intense, earthy, sweet flavour. The frosting helps undercut all that sweetness with its slight tartness, and I love that.
Just be careful, though, because this bun is super sticky! I’m always a mess after eating one, but I don’t mind.
| Pro Tips: You can purchase a pack of ready-to-bake cinnamon buns if you want something to snack on at home. This bakery accepts custom orders for weddings. |
Cinnaholic
– From: cinnaholicdanforth
Address: 319 Danforth Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday—3 pm to 10 pm
- Wednesday to Friday—11 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16477488680
Another great spot you can go to if you want plant-based cinnamon buns is Cinnaholic. As the name suggests, this shop is obsessed with cinnamon buns, so there are a lot of interesting flavour combinations here!
My current obsession is the Shake, Rattle, and Roll. It’s essentially peanut butter heaven: it’s slathered with rich peanut butter frosting, then topped with even richer chocolate peanut butter cups!
There are also chunks of banana and pretzels mixed in, adding a mushy and crunchy texture and a hint of saltiness to every bite.
| Pro Tip: You can build your own cinnamon bun here! |
Sweet Bliss Baking Company
– From: sweetblissbaking
Address: 1304 A Queen St E
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday—9 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14169167895
This Leslieville spot truly sticks to its name; every time I treat myself to any of their desserts, I experience sweet bliss. I love their cupcakes the most, but their cinnamon buns are just as great—even though they’re pretty divisive!
I say that because my friends and I don’t agree with each other. Some of my friends dislike that the cinnamon buns here tend to restrain the amount of cinnamon and sugar mixed in.
But personally, I don’t mind it. The way I see it, its subdued sweetness just allows me to consume more than one roll without feeling sick because of all the sugar!
| Pro Tip: There are pantry items available here—from maple syrup and honey to homemade jams and pickles. Stock up when you can. |
Bakerbots Baking
– From: bakerbots_baking
Address: 1242 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—10 am to 8:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14169013500
I have a friend who’s as obsessed about cinnamon buns as I am, and she keeps crowing about how good the buns (better known as “Cinnibun”) are at Bakerbots Baking. I was wary she was overselling it, but she’s actually right!
Their Cinnibun has a slightly crispy exterior, which is surprising at first, but eventually, I ended up really liking it. The frosting is generous and hugs every corner, so every bite lets me enjoy a burst of intense sweetness.
The earthy notes of the cinnamon help cut down the sweetness, so I don’t end up getting sick just after a few bites.
| Pro Tip: If you want to make a bulk order of their Cinnibuns, you need to call the bakery ahead of time. |
Coco’s
– From: cocs.to
Address: 668 College St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—8 am to 3 pm
- Thursday to Sunday—8 am to 5 pm
Confession: I mostly come to Coco’s for its coffee. I didn’t even know they served cinnamon buns until recently, and now that I’ve tried them, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long!
Their cinnamon buns are plush, almost like a luxurious pillow, and they’re also fluffy and moist. The bakers here don’t skimp on the frosting; the cinnamon buns are basically drowning in the sugary white glaze, and I wouldn’t have them in any other way.
| Pro Tips: Keep in mind that the cinnamon buns here are only available on weekends.Book a custom order for your birthday or even your wedding here. |
Fika Cafe
– From: fikakensington
Address: 28 Kensington Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—10:30 am to 5 pm
- Friday—10 am to 5 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
In Sweden, the word “Fika” means to go out for coffee, and that’s exactly what Fika Cafe is for. Only for me, it also means a cinnamon bun break because, wow, their cinnamon buns here are top-notch!
They’re not the ones I’m used to. Instead, they’re a cross between a Swedish-style bun (made with cardamom) and a traditional, well, cinnamon roll, and they’re magnificent!
The strong aroma hits me first, and when I take a bite, I enjoy the earthy-sweet flavour combo of the pastry. There’s also a hint of a floral flavour, thanks to the cardamom, and I really like that one as well.
| Pro Tip: Give a fellow cinnamon bun lover a gift card from this cafe. |
Caked Coffee
– From: cakedcoffeetoronto
Address: 1651 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 8 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16476412033
Caked Coffee is another place I love to stop by for coffee, but recently, I’ve gotten more obsessed with their desserts. The cinnamon roll is absolutely massive here, and it’s slathered with a generous helping of cinnamon sugar glaze and cream cheese frosting.
If you want your cinnamon bun to be even more indulgent, you should order the one with cookie butter. The cookie butter makes every bite richer and even more intensely sweet; sometimes, it does get too much for me, but it’s okay because I can save the leftovers for later.
| Pro Tip: If you want peace and solitude during your stop, you might want to take a seat on their back patio. It’s quiet there. |
Almond Butterfly Bakeshop and Cafe
– From: almondbutterflycafe
Address: 100 Harbord St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14167927994
I’ve always loved the Almond Butterfly restaurant chain; their bistro is one of my go-to places for brunch, while the bakeshop and cafe are among my favourites for baked goods.
Of all the pastries I’ve tried, I have to say that the cinnamon buns take the top spot.
Their cinnamon buns are gluten-free and dairy-free, making them perfect for foodies with celiac disease and/or who are vegan. Even if you’re neither, you can still enjoy the buns; they’re soft and moist and swathed in a delectable frosting. They’re not too sweet as well, which I appreciate.
| Pro Tips: You can host a private event at the Almond Butterfly Bistro.If you want to ensure that you can get a cinnamon bun here before everything sells out, I recommend pre-ordering. |
Sticky Bakery
– From: stickybakery.to
Address: 621 St Clair Ave W
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday—9 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +16472609495
If you like your cinnamon buns sticky instead of dry, then I have the best place for you: Sticky Bakery!
The bun itself is fluffy and bouncy, and its flavour combination is buttery and sweet. If you want extra texture, you can even have pecans in your buns! I really like the addition of the nuts; the crunchiness is addictive.
Of course, it’s not a sticky bun without the glaze. Their glaze here has a cream cheese base, so it’s slightly tangy. That flavour pairs really well with the bun’s intense sweetness.
| Pro Tips: The cinnamon buns are only available from Friday to Sunday every week. This bakery sells pre-made cinnamon buns that you can easily bake at home! |
Tori’s Bakeshop
– From: torisbakeshop
Address: 2188 Queen St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—8 am to 5 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16473506500
Tori’s Bakeshop is a lovely little restaurant in the East End that’s beloved by the locals. I’m quite fond of the cupcakes and the biscotti here, but recently, I’ve gotten obsessed with their cinnamon buns.
I’m obsessed with how soft the buns are; they’re so easy to pull apart! Inside is a gooey layer of cinnamon sugar, and the cream cheese frosting is sweet and tangy.
Sometimes, when the buns are served fresh from the oven, the frosting gets all melty, sneaking into every crevice. So, every bite is a burst of sweetness!
| Pro Tip: If you order from the website, you can enjoy free shipping once your total exceeds C$80. |
COBS Bread
– From: cobsbread
Address: 1975 Queen St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +16473529300
I’ve heard COBS Bread being described as a bakery serving healthy baked goods, but this place also has sinfully amazing pastries. In particular, their cinnamon buns are super indulgent.
The dough is silky soft, so peeling it apart is satisfying. The center is a thick layer of buttery, cinnamon sugar glaze, and then the topping is a thick, smooth cream cheese icing. The whole treat is super sticky, but that’s exactly how I want my buns to be.
| Pro Tip: Join the bakery’s COBS Club, their very own membership program that lets you earn points and rewards! |
Vanilla Bite Bakery
– From: thevanillabite
Address: 389 Front St W, Apex at Cityplace
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—8:30 am to 6 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16138505698
Vanilla Bite Bakery is an artisanal pastry shop that’s best known for its gorgeous cakes. And as much as I agree that their cakes deserve all the hype, I think their other desserts deserve some love too, especially the cinnamon buns.
The cinnamon buns are baked until they look perfectly golden. They’re so soft that peeling off the dough in layers is enjoyable for me.
And then there’s the sprinkling of cinnamon sugar and the cream cheese frosting. The bakers definitely go all out with all this! Not that I’m complaining—if anything, my sweet tooth is thrilled!
| Pro Tips: If you want to book them for catering, fill out this form. This bakery sells a few pantry items on-site and on their website. Some items you can get include maple syrup, tea bags, and chocolate bars. |
Absolute Bakery and Cafe
– From: absolutebakeryandcafe
Address: 589 Parliament St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14169292700
What I love about Absolute Bakery and Cafe is that they put a French twist on the cinnamon bun. Instead of the traditional bun, we get a croissant with layers of cinnamon sugar glaze!
This treat still has the same flavours I love from the classic version of a cinnamon roll: it’s rich and sweet, with a hint of earthiness from the cinnamon. The only difference is that this is definitely a lot flakier.
It’s also a lot more buttery, which I like because it makes the snack even more indulgent.
| Pro Tip: If you want to order online and have your pastry delivered within the same day, you need to make the purchase before 11:20 EST. |
Bad Attitude Bread
– From: badattitudebread
Address: 816 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—8:30 am to 6 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14378805619
Bad Attitude Bread is probably the one vegan shop that I didn’t even know was vegan until someone pointed it out to me. Their pastries here are just so good; I think even vegan dessert haters can’t deny that!
The cinnamon bun is what won me over. It’s massive and pillowy, almost like biting into a cloud, and the sugary glaze drowns every cranny of the bun. The cinnamon sugar to dough ratio is pretty even, so I can taste the earthy, sweet flavours with every bite.
If you can, try the raspberry cardamom bun, a seasonal take on the classic cinnamon bun. This one is more tart and fruity, and it looks so cute in its bright pink glaze.
| Pro Tip: This bakery offers catering services. If you’re interested, fill out this form. |
Bakery Cafe Cuervo y Marquis
– From: bakerycafeto
Address: 132 Ossington Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—8 am to 7 pm
- Friday and Saturday—8 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14165372345
I discovered Cuervo y Marquis during an aimless walk along Ossington Avenue, and its soft pink exterior, which evoked a whimsical feel, was enough to lure me in. Once I tried their cinnamon bun, though, I knew I’d be coming back for more.
The cinnamon bun, which is a square instead of the typical circular shape, is the crowd favourite here, and it’s not a surprise. This treat is soft and moist, and the cinnamon flavour is distinct but not overpowering.
Interestingly enough, the sugary glaze is pretty light here. But it’s more than enough to satisfy my sweet cravings, so I’m not complaining.
| Pro Tips: There are no seats inside the bakery, so you’ll have to take your pastries to go. This bakery is open to catering your event. Simply call them to let them know and iron out all the details. |
