Montreal Based bread Company servicing Montreal's top restaurants since 2010, and in 2013 open to the public on BLVD Saint Laurent, north of mount-royal.
Hof Kelsten is described as a standout bakery with buttery, flaky croissants and a broad range of viennoiserie and savory pastries, with the chocolate babka and zaatar torsade frequently highlighted and rugelach noted when available as exceptional. Matzoh ball soup and the egg salad sandwich are repeatedly praised, and the bread and pastries are often regarded as reliable or excellent across visits, with some reviewers noting the cafe quality like full bodied coffee. The space can feel limited for eating in, with seating mostly stools or standing room, though the atmosphere and service are generally friendly; a few comments mention language barriers or uneven attentiveness. While a few reviewers compare value and price to other bakeries, the consensus remains that Hof Kelsten earns a place on many Montreal lists and is worth multiple visits for those seeking variety and technical pastry perfection.
C'est la boulangerie la plus proche de chez moi, mais je préfère marcher davantage pour aller chez Guillaume ou au Toledo, voire au Première moisson. La sélection, les prix, les quantités/formats définitivement meilleurs ailleurs. Après, c'est quand même bon au Hof Kelsen, c'est juste qu'ils ne parviennent pas à se démarquer sur quoi que ce soit, sinon que c'est une caricature du Mile End: trop cher pour ce que c'est.
Best croissant in Montreal!! Buttery, crispy on the outside & so soft on the inside. Can't have enough of it! You have to go early in the morning… they sold out so quickly! It took me few visits to be able to get the croissant. Enjoy! 🥐
Les pâtisseries sont toujours incroyables, avec des nouvelles saveurs qui se renouvellent & piquent toujours ma curiosité. Aussi, le café n'a rien à envier aux autres cafés du coin. Mention très honorable au sandwich déjeuner qui offre un rapport qualité-prix extrêmement satisfaisant.
Espresso very acid, reminded me of the terrible taste of Parisian espresso in the years 2010(they fixed it now). Excellent croissant, very buttery. Original take on chausson au pomme. Pastries form is a bit messy & inconsistent.
I had the Tahini & Chocolate pastry; it was dense, moist, substantial; & with all good pastries, had some kind of special magic (it was the very best pastry I've had in a long time). Had to go back & get another! My partner has the ricotta raspberry & it was also a knock out. The staff is friendly, the space is relaxed, & there's a bathroom for customers to use.
Over the past five years, I gave this place so many chances, & the only thing that I found redeemable is the Babka. The bread is OK, but there is better bread around. OK the challah is fine. The only time I tried the pannetonne, it was overproofed. Staff is too cool to actually want to even look at you. Please do not put sugary streusel on your spinach pastry or tomato tart. It is gross in every culinary culture I can think of.
De passage à Montréal, je recommande cet endroit, très belle boulangerie, déco vintage.
la cuisine est excellente & faite maison.
le service est très agréable & à l'écoute des clients, Tiphaine a été très serviable.
May 26, 2025
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Excellent croissants! Buttery & flakey. Tasted amazing. Also had a baguette which was just ok. Did not enjoy it as much...the crust & chew was lacking. Lots of better baguettes in the neighbourhood. Will come back to try other items.
I believe I got the ricotta & zaatar pastry which was DIVINE. I've gotten bread here too & it's always been great. The coffee, however, isn't the greatest but definitely come here for the food!
