Vancouver’s sweetest cinnamon buns
Ooey, gooey, sticky, sweet. Craving something good to eat? Vancouver bakeries serve up some seriously tasty handmade cinnamon rolls and we’ve got the goods on the best buns in the city. Whether you prefer yours slathered with cream cheese icing or studded with nuts and raisins, these nostalgic baked goods are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Get ’em while they’re hot!
Grounds For Coffee Inc
2565 Alma St, Vancouver, BC V6R 3R8Many argue that the gooey cinnamon rolls at this Alma Street coffee shop are the best in the city. Baked fresh on site throughout the day, the large, doughy buns are always warm and moist with a sticky sweet centre. The decadent delights can be enjoyed au naturel or slathered with a generous helping of cream cheese icing. Grounds for Coffee also works with local caterers to transform their signature cinnamon rolls into cakes of various shapes and sizes; these towering displays make a great brunch centrepiece or a tasty alternative to a traditional wedding cake.
Purebread
159 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4Be warned, a sugar coma is almost guaranteed after visiting the Gastown outpost of this legendary Whistler bakeshop. Display cases are bursting with heaping piles of sweet and savoury goodies. The selection changes daily and includes scones, croissants, bars, loaves and cakes. Here, the humble cinnamon bun has been adapted in a few different ways: an apple cinnamon variation features fresh apple slices coated in sugar while the cinnamon cream buns have a fluffy texture and a creamy vanilla bean filling. Pecan sticky buns live up to their name so make sure to grab a few napkins before digging in.
Solly's Bagelry
368 West 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1M4This Jewish-style deli has become a local institution thanks to its hand-rolled boiled bagels, available in more than a dozen varieties. And while Solly’s might be known for its bagels, the sweet baked goods are just as noteworthy. The handmade cinnamon buns are rich and sweet, with a prominent cinnamon flavour and a syrupy glaze throughout. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, ask for a side of cream cheese icing to spread on top. Alternatively, try a chocolate babka bun for a chocolatey twist on the classic treat.
Cadeaux Bakery Inc
172 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G1If you wanna do cheat day right, pay a visit to this renowned Railtown bakeshop. The light-filled patisserie is appointed with pretty patterned wallpaper and sparkling chandeliers, making this spot a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. The French-inspired menu features gourmet confections, designer cakes and a tempting selection of artisanal pastries. Award-winning pastry chef Eleanor Chow loves to experiment with the classics and is known for her hand-rolled cinnamon buns, pecan raisin sticky buns, and her sweet-yet-savoury Canadian maple bacon sticky buns (and yes there’s a real strip of bacon inside).
Terra Breads
1605 Manitoba St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 0B8With four bakery locations across the city, you’re never too far away from your next sugar fix from Terra Breads. The crowd-pleasing Vancouver chain offers rustic bread loaves, baked goods, flavourful granolas and light café fare. The pecan raisin sticky buns feature a buttery brioche base studded with toasted pecans and raisins and a not-too-sweet caramel sauce swirled throughout. The light pastry pulls apart easily, but be warned: it can get messy!
Tartine Bread & Pies
770 Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3E2Tucked away on Beech Ave, this charming neighbourhood bakery specializes in pies, breads, muffins, tarts and sweet treats made from natural, high quality ingredients. Owner Jo-Ann Turford started baking out of her own kitchen and has now been serving up sweet family recipes at her beloved bakeshop for more than 10 years. Her classic cinnamon buns are nostalgic in nature: dense doughy buns are swirled with raisins and cinnamon and topped with cream cheese icing. After you indulge, take a stroll on the nearby Seawall and try to burn off a few calories while enjoying the views along English Bay.
Crème de la Crumb Bakeshop & Catering
466 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1V4The Granville Street location of this local chain is a popular take-out spot for downtown dwellers and office workers. But while the sandwiches and lunch fare might be of the grab-and-go variety, the fresh baked pastries are definitely gourmet. If you want to start your morning off on a sweet note, get here early to snag warm cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven; the heavenly vanilla bean cream cheese glaze perfectly complements the moist bun base.
Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe
2150 Fir St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3B5French-trained pastry chef Jackie Kai Ellis has earned a cult following among Vancouver foodies for her scrumptious viennoiserie, which wouldn’t be out of place in a fine Parisian patisserie. And while it’s not technically a cinnamon bun, we can’t get enough of her cinnamon scrolls. The snail-like scrolls resemble a croissant/cinnamon bun hybrid: crispy, flakey and dusted with a mix of cinnamon and icing sugar. The bakery’s Instagram-famous interior is beautiful but offers limited seating; we suggest grabbing a scroll and a cappuccino to go and enjoying your delicacies in the park across the street.
Breka Downtown Bakery Cafe
812 Bute St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1Y4You can satisfy your carb cravings at all hours of the day and night at this Vancouver bakery chain with locations on Fraser, Bute and Davie. Copenhagen buns (the bakery’s signature take on the cinnamon roll) are a Danish-like pastry filled with creamy custard and chopped hazelnuts. The affordable European-style baked goods, around-the-clock hours and free Wi-Fi make this a popular spot for students looking to fuel up during a late night study session.
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