Montreal, with its rich French heritage, is a true paradise for croissant lovers. For those seeking the best croissants in the city, the quest can seem daunting, but every bite is worth the effort.
What makes a truly good croissant? A good croissant is distinguished by its light, flaky texture, golden, crispy exterior, and tender, buttery interior. It should emit a gentle aroma of butter and fresh pastry, seducing your senses even before the first bite. The quality of the ingredients, especially the butter used, plays a crucial role. Add to this impeccable baking and an enticing presentation, and you have the perfect croissant.
The city's artisans adhere to traditional techniques, often passed down through generations, ensuring consistent perfection. Several Montreal bakeries offer traditional butter croissants while surprising customers with innovative creations.
In this article, we will guide you through the bakeries in Montreal where these criteria are met and exceeded, guaranteeing a delicious experience with every croissant enjoyed.
Boulangerie de Froment et de Sève
Multiple locations
Renowned for its exceptional pastries, Boulangerie de Froment et de Sève in Montreal uses high-quality butter and selected local flours to create croissants that have won the hearts of Montrealers. Since its opening in 1995 by René Sicard, this bakery has been awarded the best croissant in Montreal in 2023, a testament to its excellence. The secret? Exquisite butter and local flours that guarantee unmatched quality and taste. Find this artisanal quality at their shops in Rosemont, Little Italy, and Plateau Mont-Royal.
5002 Chemin de la Cote-des-Neiges, Montréal, H3V 1G6
For over six decades, Duc de Lorraine in Côte-des-Neiges has delighted its customers with an exquisite range of pastries, from classic recipes like the butter croissant to original creations like the macaron croissant, crookie, raspberry cube, and dolce de leche croissant. Founded in 1952, this café-patisserie brilliantly celebrates the traditions of great French pastry chefs by using only the finest ingredients. Renowned for its ambiance reminiscent of Parisian cafés, this institution is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the refinement of French pastries, served with passion and precision.
5338 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, H4A 1V5
In Côte-des-Neiges, Boulangerie Chez Fred is renowned for its exceptional croissants and pastries. The butter croissant, butter chocolatine, and almond croissant are made fresh daily in front of customers, ensuring unmatched freshness. The owner, passionate about craftsmanship and transparency, makes everything on-site, right before the customers' eyes, guaranteeing freshness and quality. At Chez Fred, each croissant is an ode to traditional expertise, offering an authentic and warm experience.
Photo credit: foodiefork
386 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, H2Y 1H3
La Cave à Manger, located in the Marché Bonsecours, is a place where the bakery meets the art of wine. This unique concept offers a variety of pastries, from classics like the almond croissant to more original creations like the Shakshuka croissant. Everything is prepared on-site, using organic ingredients, long fermentation for flavorful products, and filtered water to ensure quality. With a selection of natural wines and craft beers, La Cave à Manger offers a complete gourmet experience, to be enjoyed on-site or to-go.
4715 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montréal, H1V 1Z3
Located in the vibrant Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district, Aube Boulangerie is known for its refined croissants. Among its specialties, the Canadian butter croissant and the chocolatine, unique with its homemade hazelnut praline chocolate, captivate sweet lovers. The establishment draws its essence from traditional techniques to offer pastries that combine innovation and tradition.
6500 Avenue Christophe-Colomb, Montréal, H2S 2G8
Opened in 2016 by Julien and Seth, and joined in 2022 by Quentin Lamensch, Automne Boulangerie in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is a testament to passion and craftsmanship. This neighborhood bakery stands out for its croissants and chocolatines made from unbleached white flour and quality butter. Their artisanal approach, in partnership with local producers, guarantees fresh and seasonal products. They even offer their croissants and chocolatines frozen to take home.
2105 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, H2G 1M5
In the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district, Pâtisserie Madeleine has been celebrating the art of pastry since its opening in August 2019. The place enchants visitors with traditional croissants and innovative creations like cheese and miso croissant or gianduja, rich in hazelnuts. Handcrafted daily, the pastries are made with top-quality ingredients, primarily local, ensuring freshness and authentic flavors. This passionate approach guarantees a unique experience, where each bite tells a story of creativity and care.
1629 Rue Ste-Catherine O, Montréal, H3H 1L8
Originally from Taiwan and with several international branches, Hazukido excels downtown with its croissants that fuse Japanese craftsmanship with refined French baking techniques. Offering flavors like Taro Pudding and Salted Egg Yolk, each croissant, a true work of art is freshly prepared daily. With over 100 flavors, ranging from sweet to savory, the bakery caters to all palates and offers seasonal novelties for renewed discoveries. Using premium ingredients and a unique folding technique, Hazukido guarantees an exceptional taste experience, with a perfectly golden and crispy texture.
Multiple locations
Le Marquis Sans-Gluten, with locations in Villeray, Old Montreal, and Boisbriand, is a Quebec-based company specializing in 100% gluten-free products since 2012. Known for its plain croissants and chocolatines, the bakery also offers croissant sandwiches, a new specialty. Made with certified organic flours and quality ingredients, their products include cakes, quiches, buckwheat, and quinoa bread, wraps, and brownies, as well as a dairy-free range. Le Marquis aims to satisfy celiac customers and those looking to improve their diet.
Photo Credits: rebekahmackay
Chez Potier - Épicerie gourmande
630 Rue Wellington, Montréal, H3C 0X9
In Old Montreal, Chez Potier-Épicerie gourmande delights gourmets with croissants made with Corman butter and fresh chocolatines, created by chef Olivier Potier. A former sous-chef at Le Renoir, Potier opened this grocery offering a wide range of sweet treats, local and imported products, as well as ready-to-eat meals. Becoming a staple for pastry and viennoiserie lovers, the grocery also offers ice creams, sorbets, teas, coffees, chocolates, and seasonal products, making it a reference for artisanal delights.
4524 Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, H2T 1R4
Located in Mile-End, Hof Kelsten is a bakery renowned for its butter croissants and Valrhona chocolate breads. Under the direction of chef-owner Jeffrey Finkelstein, this bakery offers a variety of pastries and baked goods, including rugelach and babka, specialties that delight gourmets. With options for in-store pickup, takeout, or delivery, Hof Kelsten stands out as one of Montreal's best bakeries.
Boulangerie les Co'pains d'abord
Multiple locations
Les Co'pains d'abord, located in Rosemont and Plateau Mont-Royal, are neighborhood artisan bakeries known for their butter croissants and Valrhona chocolate bread. Founded by Jacques Preschoux in 1999, these bakeries sell nearly 1,000 croissants a day, carefully prepared using traditional methods. Their seasonal and creative offerings include pastries such as pistachio-chocolate croissants and maple brioche.
Multiple locations
Present in Montreal and its surroundings, Le Pain dans les voiles is a bakery renowned for its croissants, chocolatines, and choco-raspberries. Since 2009, this company, founded in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, offers artisanal bread, pastries, and seasonal baked goods, as well as micro-roasted coffee. With several distinctions to its credit, both in Quebec and France, Le Pain dans les voiles is dedicated to supporting young artisans and using local products.
