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Written By
Posted Jul 07, 2021
The best butter tarts in Toronto are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, from purists to those with progressive tastes. Whether you like your butter tarts runny or firm, made with corn syrup or redolent of maple, uncluttered or chock-full of add-ins, Toronto has the tart for you.
A quintessentially Canadian dessert, butter tarts are a national favourite. Though their exact origin is unknown, these sugary treats are thought to have originated in Quebec in the 1600s. In 1900, the first recipe for butter tarts was published and the tarts' popularity took off.
So what makes a perfect butter tart? The pastry foundation should be light, crisp, golden and buttery. The ideal filling is smooth and sweet, with a hint of ooze. From there, it's up to you whether you want to keep things classic or dive into novel takes.
Whichever appeals, you'll want to keep this list handy and start your research today. With plenty of time to find your favourite, you won't have any trouble finding the best butter tarts in Toronto.
Parkdale
1462 Queen St W
Larry's Folly
A neighbourhood fave, these butter tarts are inspired by owner Stephen Schweighardt's family tradition of having the delectable treat on the table at Christmas.
Larry's Folly
Parkdale
1462 Queen St W
A neighbourhood fave, these butter tarts are inspired by owner Stephen Schweighardt's family tradition of having the delectable treat on the table at Christmas.
Bloorcourt Village
806 Bloor St W
Ba Noi
A butter tart from this popular micro-bakery comes sprinkled with Maldon salt, giving the perfect salty and sweet combination.
Ba Noi
Bloorcourt Village
806 Bloor St W
A butter tart from this popular micro-bakery comes sprinkled with Maldon salt, giving the perfect salty and sweet combination.
The Beaches
1911 Queen St E
The Sweet Oven Toronto
Bakery
Said by some to have the best butter tarts in Canada, The Sweet Oven has garnered plenty of fans with a variety of modern and classic takes on this national treat.
The Sweet Oven Toronto
The Beaches
1911 Queen St E
Said by some to have the best butter tarts in Canada, The Sweet Oven has garnered plenty of fans with a variety of modern and classic takes on this national treat.
Bakery
Etobicoke
927 The Queensway
The Pie Commission
Canadian
Everyone knows that The Pie Commission makes stellar savoury pies. Then, it should come as no surprise that the shop's classic Canadian and pecan butter tarts are also first class.
The Pie Commission
Etobicoke
927 The Queensway
Everyone knows that The Pie Commission makes stellar savoury pies. Then, it should come as no surprise that the shop's classic Canadian and pecan butter tarts are also first class.
Canadian
The Maids' Cottage
Bakery
A destination spot for famous butter tarts, Newmarket's The Maid's Cottage has a variety of classic and inventive flavours on offer.
The Maids' Cottage
A destination spot for famous butter tarts, Newmarket's The Maid's Cottage has a variety of classic and inventive flavours on offer.
Bakery
Mount Pleasant
711 Mt Pleasant Rd
Flaky Tart
Bakery
At The Flaky Tart on Mount Pleasant Rd., classic butter tarts are nut-free and embellished with raisins.
Flaky Tart
Mount Pleasant
711 Mt Pleasant Rd
At The Flaky Tart on Mount Pleasant Rd., classic butter tarts are nut-free and embellished with raisins.
Bakery
Etobicoke
1252 The Queensway
Tartistry
Among their array of gluten-free tarts, from fruit-filled to savoury, Tartistry offers "legendary" plain butter tarts, raisin butter tarts, pecan and walnut versions.
Tartistry
Etobicoke
1252 The Queensway
Among their array of gluten-free tarts, from fruit-filled to savoury, Tartistry offers "legendary" plain butter tarts, raisin butter tarts, pecan and walnut versions.
Leslieville
1304 A Queen St E
Sweet Bliss Baking Company
Leslieville's Sweet Bliss Bakery is a must-stop spot with a host of delectable sweets on offer, including golden butter tarts and butter tart squares.
Sweet Bliss Baking Company
Leslieville
1304 A Queen St E
Leslieville's Sweet Bliss Bakery is a must-stop spot with a host of delectable sweets on offer, including golden butter tarts and butter tart squares.
North York
1945 Avenue Rd
Short and Sweet Bakeshop - North York
There are no wrong steps at Short & Sweet. Every item delivers on looks, satisfaction, and flavour, from buttercream-topped cupcakes and cheesecake bars to twice-baked cookies. Made seasonally, the shop's classic butter tarts are no exception to the rule.
Short and Sweet Bakeshop - North York
North York
1945 Avenue Rd
There are no wrong steps at Short & Sweet. Every item delivers on looks, satisfaction, and flavour, from buttercream-topped cupcakes and cheesecake bars to twice-baked cookies. Made seasonally, the shop's classic butter tarts are no exception to the rule.
Yonge and Eglinton
420 Eglinton Ave W
Phipps Bakery Cafe
Bakery
Phipps' caramel butter tarts are extra molten and perfect for satisfying sugar cravings, midday to midnight.
Phipps Bakery Cafe
Yonge and Eglinton
420 Eglinton Ave W
Phipps' caramel butter tarts are extra molten and perfect for satisfying sugar cravings, midday to midnight.
Bakery
Brockton Village
1561 Dundas St W
OMG Baked Goodness
Aptly named, the Manitoulin maple tarts at OMG are loaded with maple syrup and come in three different sizes. Whether you opt for snack-sized or a whole pie, each bite is guaranteed to elicit moans of pleasure and lifelong cravings.
OMG Baked Goodness
Brockton Village
1561 Dundas St W
Aptly named, the Manitoulin maple tarts at OMG are loaded with maple syrup and come in three different sizes. Whether you opt for snack-sized or a whole pie, each bite is guaranteed to elicit moans of pleasure and lifelong cravings.
St. Clair West
621 St Clair Ave W
Leah's Bakery
Bakery
You'll find ooey-gooey classic along with luxurious chocolate pecan butter tarts at Leah's on St. Clair Avenue West.
Leah's Bakery
St. Clair West
621 St Clair Ave W
You'll find ooey-gooey classic along with luxurious chocolate pecan butter tarts at Leah's on St. Clair Avenue West.
Bakery
North York
3507 Bathurst St
Goûter
Trust a team that makes some of the city's best viennoiseries, ice cream, cookies, cakes and more to make a delicate, flaky, textbook butter tart no sweet-toothed Canadian can resist.
Goûter
North York
3507 Bathurst St
Trust a team that makes some of the city's best viennoiseries, ice cream, cookies, cakes and more to make a delicate, flaky, textbook butter tart no sweet-toothed Canadian can resist.
East Chinatown
635 Gerrard St E
Gerrard St. Bakery
Bakery
Call in your order early to avoid missing out on Gerrard St.'s glorious butter tarts and one-of-a-kind butter tart cake.
Gerrard St. Bakery
East Chinatown
635 Gerrard St E
Call in your order early to avoid missing out on Gerrard St.'s glorious butter tarts and one-of-a-kind butter tart cake.
Bakery
Eric’s Handcrafted Butter Tarts
Trust a bakery that specializes in butter tarts to make some of the best in the biz. Available in more than 24 flavours, Eric's butter tarts are a must-try.
Eric’s Handcrafted Butter Tarts
Trust a bakery that specializes in butter tarts to make some of the best in the biz. Available in more than 24 flavours, Eric's butter tarts are a must-try.
Danforth Village
173 Danforth Ave
Dough Bakeshop
Bakery
If you're in the no-raisin camp, Dough Bakeshop has the butter tart for you. Made with the flakiest pie dough and a classic filling, these twee tarts are as delicious as they come.
Dough Bakeshop
Danforth Village
173 Danforth Ave
If you're in the no-raisin camp, Dough Bakeshop has the butter tart for you. Made with the flakiest pie dough and a classic filling, these twee tarts are as delicious as they come.
Bakery
East York
115 Vanderhoof Ave
Charmaine Sweets
Bakery
You'll find classic, flaky butter tarts as well as bourbon pecan tarts at this family-run bakery in Leaside.
Charmaine Sweets
East York
115 Vanderhoof Ave
You'll find classic, flaky butter tarts as well as bourbon pecan tarts at this family-run bakery in Leaside.
Bakery
Carla's Cookie Box
If you're craving something novel, Carla's Cookie Box has butter tarts in a range of flavours -- from cherry cheesecake to lemon haze -- sure to impress. Then again, traditionalists will also find plain, raisin and pecan options on the menu at this award-winning bakery.
Carla's Cookie Box
If you're craving something novel, Carla's Cookie Box has butter tarts in a range of flavours -- from cherry cheesecake to lemon haze -- sure to impress. Then again, traditionalists will also find plain, raisin and pecan options on the menu at this award-winning bakery.
Rosedale
550 Bayview Ave
Cafe Belong
Organic
Like all the food at Cafe Belong, the gorgeously rustic butter tarts are the ultimate temptation.
Cafe Belong
Rosedale
550 Bayview Ave
Like all the food at Cafe Belong, the gorgeously rustic butter tarts are the ultimate temptation.
Organic
