From cupcakes to croissants, scones to squares, and everything in between - Discover all the yummy treats from bakeries and cafés across the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways region – this self-driving tour is guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth!
This heritage bakery dates back to 1885, and at least one member of the Grahame family has been baking here since 1939. Each morning, Rick Grahame arrives early to fry the bakery’s famous doughnuts—they’re usually ready by 5:30 a.m. He also fires up the bakery’s original 18-foot-by-18-foot wood-burning oven to bake wholesome, old-fashioned breads like pumpernickel-light rye throughout the morning, as well as buns and scones. Year-round, find treats like butter tarts. Seasonally, try fruitcake, mincemeat tarts or hot-cross buns.
115 Clothier Street East, Kemptville, Ontario
Two blocks from Rotary Park, in the centre of Old Town Kemptville.
613-258-2317
Hours: Year-round, Tuesday to Saturday
Not surprisingly, classic apple pies packed with the farm’s own fruit are the best sellers in this charming country store. However, the busy bakeshop actually makes some 20 types of pies, including—depending on the season—peach, raspberry-rhubarb crumble and blueberry. Old-fashioned treats like apple brown betty squares, butter tarts, oatmeal cookies and buttercream fudge are all made on site, too. Scented with the aromas of cinnamon and pastry, the shop smells like Grandma’s kitchen!
2930 Concession 2 Road, Brockville, Ontario
A country bakery and store in a scenic location surrounded by orchards.
613-342-6320
Hours: Year-round, daily
Display cases filled with fanciful cupcakes, golden butter tarts, oat fudge bars, cinnamon rolls and double-baked croissants are likely the first things you’ll see when you walk into this sunny coffee shop run by mother-daughter team Carla and Nicole Hudson. There’s a different featured scone every week. In summer, you can order a customized ice cream sandwich with your choice of Kawartha Dairy ice cream between two fresh cookies. Enjoy your treats indoors or on the pet-friendly patio.
513 King Street West, Prescott, Ontario
Steps from Kelly’s Beach and Centennial Park on the St. Lawrence River.
613-213-8007
Hours: Year-round, daily from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving; closed Monday in off season
Jeff Day was already selling frozen, nut-free cookie dough before he bought the Hotel Kenney—a heritage property on Whitefish Lake—in 2022. So, he decided to add a nut-free bakeshop to the property’s amenities. In the open kitchen, bakers turn out cinnamon rolls, butter tarts, savoury hand pies and other treats that are easy to eat on the move. The cinnamon rolls even come in little boat-shaped boxes! You can also buy cookie dough to take home and bake yourself.
58 Kenneys Road, Elgin, Ontario
At the base of the Jones Falls Locks on the Rideau Canal, surrounded by many hiking trails.
343-653-5500
Hours: May to October, daily
In this lively shop, Yun Ting Tsai bakes up a dizzying variety of danishes, florentines, buttercream-iced cupcakes, croissants, tarts, pies, muffins and cookies. Try the matcha white chocolate cookie or the chocolate chip-cream cheese-coconut squares! You can also pick up loaves of sourdough bread in tempting flavours like rosemary-black olive, cheddar jalapeno or sun-dried tomato pesto, or get made-to-order sandwiches. Don’t miss the sausage rolls, quiches, tourtières and other savoury items.
162 King Street East, Gananoque, Ontario
In the heart of downtown, a short walk from Gananoque Town Hall Park and the riverside fountain.
613-382-1412
Hours: Year-round, Tuesday to Saturday
Carrot cake, peanut butter cheesecake and fresh breads are the top sellers in this village bakery. Familiar bread flavours include raisin-cinnamon, as well as herb and cheese made with local cheddar. But, depending on the day, you might find loaves of peasant bread loaded with flax, cornmeal, rye and poppyseeds. Or look for pagnotta, a dense and chewy Italian-style bread. The signature Sunflower flax bread with non-GMO flax is a classic. Cinnamon buns, mini pizzas and maple-walnut sticky buns are a hit, too.
1536 County Road 42, Portland, Ontario
A country stop that shares a location with the Forfar Dairy Cheese Store.
613-777-3444
Hours: Year-round, daily
Founded in 1908, Tait’s has been serving Brockville for more than a century; owner Jay Leroux took over in 2015. Today, this family-run shop whips up a great selection of breads, as well as homestyle squares, cookies, pies, cupcakes, muffins, tea biscuits, fritters, turnovers and more. Don’t miss the French pastries, including eclairs and metropolitans. Many baked goods feature local apples, maple syrup and honey. The shop also serves fresh soups, sandwiches, chili and other lunch items.
31 King Street West, Brockville, Ontario
In the heart of historic downtown Brockville, near various attractions.
taitsfreshstart.wixsite.com/taits
613-865-8800
Hours: Year-round, Monday to Saturday
Butter tarts are one of this bake shop’s claims to fame. As well as classic butter tarts, owners Daphne Sword and Rick Taylor create fun variations, such as pecan, Skor, chocolate chip, raisin, peanut butter, Turtles and even maple-caramelized bacon! You’ll also find cinnamon buns, cookies, brownies, lemon tarts, mini cheesecakes and other sweet treats in this cozy shop. Take-home meals such as shepherd’s pie, chili and lasagna are available, too; order in advance for the best selection.
41B Main Street, Westport, Ontario
Wander to the Westport Harbour or nearby shopping.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091916949727
613-273-2800
Hours: June to December, daily; January to May Friday to Sunday
This British-themed bakeshop is famed for its innovative scones, in flavours like dried cranberry, Black Forest and devilled egg. Other highlights include baguettes, sourdough bread, bacon butter tarts, and seasonal soups and sandwiches. The Crusty Bakers use local fruit, vegetables, meat and eggs, and bakes all of their breads in house daily. Ontario cheeses and savoury frozen pies and quiches (including gluten-free choices) are also available, along with locally made sodas and honey.
16 Prescott Street, Kemptville, Ontario
Across the street from a quaint creek-side park.
thecrustybakerbread.wordpress.com
613-215-0347
Hours: Year-round, Wednesday to Saturday
So, who is the Pastry King’s Princess? That would be Ingrid Van Dusen, whose father was Brockville’s Pastry King. She carries on the family’s Dutch baking traditions with customer favourites such as cupcakes iced with European buttercream, which is less sweet than North American buttercream. Brownies, rum balls, cookies, lemon squares and many other baked goodies are available, too, along with imported Dutch cheeses. Watch for the road signs to find this secret bakery on a quiet rural road.
2404 South Howard Road, Lyn, Ontario
Take a scenic country drive just outside Brockville.
613-345-2484
Hours: Year-round, Tuesday to Saturday
When Patti and Trevor Johnson were planning to open a bakery, they found one for sale in Merrickville on a street lined with violets. That gave them the name of their new venture, which opened in 2021. Artisanal breads—including ancient-grain cheddar, caramelized onion, cranberry-muesli and roasted garlic loaves—are among the best-selling items. The bakery also whips up pies, cakes, cookies, squares, butter tarts, doughnuts and specialty cakes, many with local honey or maple syrup.
318 Main Street West, Merrickville, Ontario
Steps from Merrickville Blockhouse National Historic Site and the shopping district.
613-454-1380
Hours: Year-round, Wednesday to Sunday
When was the last time you had a fresh doughnut hot from the fryer? If it’s been too long, drop into Willard’s for the small-town bakery’s beloved specialty. Doughnuts are only made on certain days of the week, so check Willard’s Facebook page for the current schedule. Oatmeal cookies and fried cakes are other local favourites, and the deli serves subs, wraps, chili, stews, soups, macaroni and cheese, and more. Everything at this family-owned shop is homestyle, with no added preservatives.
21 Main Street East, Athens, Ontario
Surrounded by historic murals in a quaint village.
613-924-9594
Hours: Year-round, Monday to Saturday