Emma WhiteFun fact: I love trying desserts from every country I visit. So when I went on a trip to Turkey with my family, I tried baklava from a local pastry shop, and I fell in love at first bite.
If you don’t know what a baklava is, it’s a layered pastry that uses phyllo dough, popular in Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East. Phyllo dough is characterized by its delicate, thin sheets that crisp up when baked.
The baklava I tasted was flaky, light, and sweet without being too overpowering – the perfect afternoon snack. Of course, I made the team try them when I got back, and they were a hit (no surprise there).
So since then, we’ve been on the lookout for bakeries in Ottawa that offer the best baklava. This list is a result of that! So whether you’re craving a childhood favorite or are hearing about baklava for the first time and dying to know what it tastes like, keep reading!
Baklawa King
Media Credit: baklawakingottawa
Address: 1556 Merivale Rd Unit 102
Contact: +1 613-422-7000
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday (9:30 AM – 9 PM)
- Thursday; Saturday (9:30 – 10 PM)
- Friday (9:30 AM – 11 PM)
- Sunday (9:30 AM – 8 PM)
Baklawa King offers fresh Middle Eastern pastries that taste homemade. I love their baklava because of the delicate balance of flavors they’ve achieved, showcasing years of experience in making this dessert.
Aside from yummy baklava, they also have mammoul, different kinds of cakes, eclairs, knafeh with cheese, etc.
While they deliver anywhere in Canada, we think one of their highlights is how spacious and cozy their cafe is. It’s a nice place to bring family and friends and enjoy these delicacies together.
Pro Tip:
If your friend has a birthday coming up, consider gifting them an electronic gift card at Baklawa King here.
Nutty Greek Bake Shop
Media Credit: nuttygreek
Address: 490 Rochester St.
Contact: +1 613-680-0806
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday-Friday (11 AM – 7 PM)
- Saturday (11 AM – 5 PM)
- Closed on Mondays and Sundays
This cafe and bakery is loved by the community because of its wide range of authentic Greek dishes and yummy desserts.
They’re a family-owned business that’s been around since early 2012. Most of their recipes were passed down in their family for generations, but they’re also not afraid to put a modern twist to Greek cuisine.
Case in point, while they offer the traditional baklava, what’s interesting is that they also offer fusions of it. They have a baklava brownie and baklava cheesecake on their menu. These are the kind of desserts that make you wonder how they work so well, but they just do.
Aside from their creativity with desserts, they also have good customer service, and the prices are reasonable.
Pro Tip:
Their dessert menu changes day to day. If you want to make sure they have the dessert you’re craving, you can give them a call to confirm!
Mr Kaak
Media Credit: mrkaak.ottawa
Address: 1020 Pleasant Park Rd
Contact: +1 613-248-0917
Operating Hours:
- Sunday-Monday (9 AM – 5 PM)
- Tuesday-Saturday (9 AM – 7 PM)
A lot of locals swear by Mr Kaak’s baklava because they’re flaky, use real cream in the center, and the honey filling is just right. They’re a known go-to spot for authentic Arabic food in the city, and it’s easy to see why.
While the space can be cramped at times, people come for the warm atmosphere and reasonably-priced delicious food and desserts. The baklava alone is worth making the trip here, but they also have other showstoppers such as the almond cookies and knafeh.
Aside from desserts, they also have savory treats worth trying out, such as their meat pies and cheese sesame bread.
Pro Tip:
It’s best to come earlier in the day. It’s hard to find parking sometimes.
Alkadour Sweets
Media Credit: alkadoursweets
Address: 2121 Carling Ave Unit #66
Contact: +1 613-712-1008
Operating Hours: Daily (10 AM – 7 PM)
Alkadour Sweets offers fresh baklava in different varieties: pistachio, walnut, and cashew. You can buy baklava by the tray (there are three sizes), mixing and matching the different kinds.
Recently, they even launched some new flavors such as strawberry jam and orange marmalade baklava – great for those who want something fruity. They also have baklava with chocolate!
The great thing about their baklava is that they’re packed with flavor without being too sweet. They manage to perfect the beautiful balance of flavors, and the texture is great.
They also offer a lot of other exciting Syrian treats such as Mamool cookies, gluten-free almond cookies, and Halawat El Jibn (sweet cheese rolls).
Pro Tip:
Check out their Instagram page for new flavor releases! They’re very active there.
Sweet Castle
Media Credit: sweetcastle.ottawa
Address: 2446 Bank St Unit- 133
Contact: +1 613-680-1888
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Thursday; Sunday (9 AM – 10 PM)
- Friday-Saturday (9 AM – 11 PM)
Sweet Castle offers fresh and sweet baklava that is rich, buttery, and perfectly layered. The almond and cashew varieties often run out fast. They also offer a range of Middle Eastern treats, and they’ll happily explain each dessert to you (and sometimes even give a free sample).
Some of the notable items on their menu are the Kunafa Khishna Cheese, Kunafa Usmaliya Ashta, and Warbat Shaabiyat. They have party trays available that you can bring on special occasions.
They have amazing customer service, and they make sure to help customers feel welcome. Their store has an inviting atmosphere because of the staff and their attention to detail.
Their place is always so clean and organized, and it’s just a great place to bring your family and friends for a sweet treat.
Pro Tip:
Aside from their baklava and Middle Eastern creations, they also offer assorted French pastries. Their croissants are very good!
Accacia Fine Pastries & Desserts
Media Credit: accaciafpd
Address: 1020 St. Laurent Blvd
Contact: +1 613-742-5888
Operating Hours: Daily (9 AM – 10 PM)
Accacia Bakery is known for its amazing cakes and pastries, but their baklava is a showstopper. Perfectly crisp and bursting with flavor, they keep the locals coming back for more. They have different variants of baklava, and they’re always baked fresh.
Aside from traditional baklava, they also have special edition baklava that you should watch out for! Sometimes they have strawberry and pretzel-flavored ones.
The prices of their baklava are also very reasonable. The staff will also readily guide you on their bestsellers; they’re very intentional and warm.
Pro Tip:
They also sell customized cakes here for parties and special occasions!
Pâtisserie Le Caramel
Media Credit: ottfoodie
Address: 200 Vanguard Dr, Orléans
Contact: +1 613-841-8484
Operating Hours:
- Monday (12 PM – 7:30 PM)
- Tuesday-Friday (9 AM – 7:30)
- Saturday-Sunday (9 AM – 6:30 PM)
Pâtisserie le Caramel is a go-to stop for a lot of locals for Lebanese treats. It’s a family-owned business in the heart of Orleans that really puts a premium on great customer service and meticulous preparation of its baked goods.
They have an extensive menu, but their baklava is a crowd favorite. The phyllo dough is crisp, and all the flavors are perfectly in check – not too sweet.
They have ten different variants of baklava – cashew, almonds, diamond cashew, pistachio, walnuts, and swar, to name some of them. They also have platters available if you want to try each flavor.
Aside from the baklava, they’re also known for their cheese and kashta. Their desserts don’t just taste good, but are also beautifully presented. This shows their dedication to their craft.
Pro Tip:
Need desserts for an event or function? You can set a call with them to discuss your specific catering needs. Schedule an appointment here.
Milo’s Pastry
Media Credit: milospastry
Address: 505 Industrial Ave
Contact: +1 613-567-1235
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday (9 AM – 6 PM)
- Sunday (9 AM – 5 PM)
- Closed on Mondays
While they are mostly known for their delicately designed custom cakes and pastries, Milo’s Pastry is also a treasure trove for Arabic sweets. They have delicious vegan-friendly baklava that’ll haunt your late-night cravings. They’re buttery, crisp, and not too sweet – perfect with a cup of coffee.
Milo’s Pastry is a business of pastry chef Milad “Milo” Assaad. He has three decades of experience and is popular for fusing Arabic, French, and modern flavors in his work.
They’re also very creative and not afraid to offer new treats such as the Dubai chocolate dates! They’re premium dates filled with pistachio cream and covered in high-quality dark chocolate.
Pro Tip:
If you want to get a quote from them on a bulk order, you can reach them through this form.
Tawheed Bakery
Media Credit: tawheedbakery
Address: 530 Montréal Rd
Contact: +1 613-879-0994
Operating Hours: Daily (9 AM – 7 PM)
The moment you enter their store, you’ll be met by the delicious fragrance of freshly-baked pastries and cookies and the kind staff. They have drool-worthy baklava that’s always freshly-baked. We love that the dough is light and airy when you bite into it.
They’re a recently opened Afghan bakery but have gathered their fair share of loyal customers because of the delicious treats and kind service. Plus, their prices are very reasonable. They even have promos sometimes, so make sure to take advantage of that.
Pro Tip:
Aside from the baklava, make sure to have some of their cookies. They’re delightful. Also, they have free parking here, so it’s very convenient.
Syriana’s Sweets
Media Credit: Syriana’s Sweets
Address: 1618 Merivale Rd
Contact: +1 613-265-8156
Operating Hours: Daily (10 AM – 9 PM)
If you’re looking for baklava with generous portions, this is the place to visit. Their authentic baklava is crunchy, beautifully moist, and too good to have just one. They perfected the balance of sweetness and tenderness, so it’s flavorful without being too much.
People who miss Middle Eastern treats go here and buy in bulk for events. It’s not surprising because they offer quality products for a reasonable price. The staff are also always so hospitable – they make sure to walk you through their pastries.
A lot of people rave about the pistachio baklava, but make sure to try their other variants that are just as good. All of them are handmade, made fresh with premium ingredients.
Pro Tip:
Their packaging and wrapping are very beautiful, so their pastries here are good gift ideas.
