Top spots to find authentic French macarons in Toronto
Nothing beats biting into the perfect macaron. The delicate, palm-sized Parisian treat has a delicate crunch on the outside, and by the time you get to the ganache, you’ve been transported to a café on the Champs-Élysées. Sea salt and caramel, blackcurrant, or roasted pistachio – the varieties are endless. And in Toronto, here’s where they do it best.
La Bamboche
1712 Avenue Rd, North York, ON M5M 3Y6This Avenue Road treasure chest has many gems that lie within: one being their much sought-after Lavender macaron. But that’s not all. Word on the street is that their head pastry chef has had traditional Japanese culinary training, which explains the out-of-this-world Yuzu and Ume-Sake maracons that are unlike anything else you’ll find in the city.
Delysées
780 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1N6Who doesn’t love half a dozen marcons for the price of $13? At Delysees, you can find everything from croissants to sandwiches to mini cakes. But if you haven’t tried the maracons, it seems that owner Fred doesn’t mind giving new patrons a free taste, (he’s been known to offer up a salted caramel with your box of pastries).
Patisserie 27
401 Jane St, Toronto, ON M6S 3Z6Unassuming and tucked away on the west end at Jane and Annette Street, you won’t find a queue or a large crowd ogling over the maracons here—and that’s the true charm of Patisserie 27. It’s the neighbourhood spot where owner Walter and his wife Azumi make every maracon with love.
Mon K Patisserie
1040 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON M4C 3G5One step into this macaron hotspot and you’ll see why it has so cleverly transformed East York into a must-see for French pastries and Asian-style desserts. Baked goods and baguettes line the counters and devotees travel from the north end of the city to Mon K just to get their hands on the bakery’s gourmet macarons.
Petit Nuage
707 Dundas St w, Toronto, ON M5T 2W6Amid the hustle and bustle of Chinatown lies the dainty and delicate maracon specialty shop that is Petit Nuage. Fan favourites include the vanilla rose flavour (a petal-pink macaron speckled with rose-coloured sugar crystals), the jasmine-apricot and ginger-orange. And, as if the macarons weren’t enough, they’re also known for their cream puffs and smores.
NADÈGE
855 Oxford St, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1L6Toronto’s Nadege now has four outposts – The PATH, Holt Renfrew at Yorkdale, Rosedale, and Queen West, with the latter being a personal favourite. Step into the Queen West location, where you’ll find Toronto’s hippest scoping out the maracon display. Tip: buy a few petite pastries with a coffee to-go and head over to Trinity Bellwoods pour un pique-nique magique.
Butter Avenue
477 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A9Call it infatuation or call it obsession because cookie connoisseurs in the city are hooked on this uptown establishment – and they’re not afraid to admit it. The patisserie displays their macarons like jewellery behind glass (no wonder their marcarons have been called “pristine”). Flavours to note? Matcha, pumpkin spice and Earl Grey.
AG Macarons
647 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M6G 1Z4Anet Gesualdi started out as a wholesale supplier of French macarons to local bakeries in Toronto. In 2014, Anet and her husband opened up their first shop on the Queensway in Etobicoke, and Torontonians rejoiced when a more central location at Dupont and Christie popped up. AG Macarons is also known for their custom-made macaron trees, which feature 130 macarons in a variety of flavours.
Bobbette & Belle
1121 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1K9One of the cutest bakeries in Toronto, Bobette and Belle make delicious macarons with daily and seasonal flavour options. Grab a box of these brightly-coloured desserts to go, or grab a seat and enjoy with a cuppa.
The Sweet Escape Pâtisserie
24 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4Located in the trendy Distillery District, this Parisian-style bakery offers up authentic macarons alongside other traditional French desserts. The macarons come in a variety of flavours.
Patisserie La Cigogne
1626 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G 3B7French pastry master Thierry Schmitt creates traditional French desserts, pastries, breads, wedding cakes and of course, macarons. The mouthwatering assortment of baked goodies in the display case will leave you hard pressed to pick just one.
