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French Baker Croissants Courtesy of fieldtripp

They’re tasty, flaky and french… kinda like my boyfriend. Add a latte or a cappuccino et Voilà! Instant sophistication. Here’s where to go in Ottawa to get a little taste of Paris.

French Baker
119 Murray St. (In the Market)
801 Bank St. (In the Glebe)

Ok, kinda obvious to those in deep with the Ottawa pastry scene, but they really are the best that I’ve had in town that are made in town. Bridgehead gets their crescent rolls here, maybe because they have the proper Paris pedigree:

Jérôme Mantel’s education at the Sorbonne and the Institut d’études politiques in Paris helped him during ten years manage large investment projects throughout France for several companies. It was his graduation from the Ecole des métiers de la bouche de la rue Ferrandi, run by the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Paris, and his diploma as a baker from the French government that helped him establish his own company in Canada.

Grace in the Kitchen
1165 Bank Street

This kitchen wear store in Old Ottawa South also sells a variety of chi-chi groceries, including a small selection of baked goods. As might be expected from a place that sells $40 bottles of olive oil, they ship the dough for their butter croissants and chocolatines all the way from France and then bake them in town! Although they are technically not made in Ottawa, their flaky, buttery goodness definitely gives the French Baker a run for their money.

Wild Oat
817 Bank Street

In heaven they serve the Wild Oat’s goat cheese and rosemary croissants to virginal firemen who saved babies, old people and puppies. Flaky on the outside, the pastry is stuffed with soft goats cheese and topped with rosemary stems. Their plain croissants are also quite good, although most Glebites head over the French Baker if they are in the mood for something simple. I keep meaning to try the honey almond, but never seem to get around to it.

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Bread and Sons Bakery
195 Bank Street

Bread and Sons focuses on organic and natural ingredients, however you can’t get them on the weekend since the place is closed Saturday and Sunday. A referral from a friend who buys them at the Herb and Spice:

Katie!!! You must blog the croissants they have at herb and spice… SO GOOD!  They have, regular, cheese, whole wheat, and like 4 other kinds.   And they’re sort of heartier and drier than normal croissants, so you don’t feel like you’re just eating a stick of butter.  Blog it, yo!

Boko Bakery
280 Elgin Street
When you walk past Boko, your eyes will be drawn to the cute little bread bears that adorn the window in their seasonal garb (Santa hats for xmas, flowers for Valentine’s, ect.). Inside the store the eye is drawn to a colourful display of spectacular looking pies decorated with pastry stars and heart. You’ll find the more modest looking croissants hiding in the corner. If you can resist the tempting smells and colours of the more ostentatious pastries, you’ll be treated to a croissant that is soft and buttery on the inside, flaky on the outside.

Think that Bank Street ain’t the only place in town to get a decent croissant? Let me know your top pics.