Mari Bakeshop — Restaurant in Calgary

My wife found this gem while we were in Calgary for a night. We went first thing in the morning when they opened and little to our surprise there was a line up....

We thought to ourselves a) It has to be good and people are ordering a lot OR b) the service is just slow. (More on this later)

So while waiting in line the gentleman in front of us asked my wife what we were there for and she told him we came for deserts to bring back home (we are from Edmonton) for the kids and family (thanksgiving). He told us that is crazy we shouldn't be here for the deserts and we should really be trying to get the bread. He thought there are better places in Calgary for deserts.

So by the time we get into the store the bread that the gentleman in front of us was there to get was sold out. Felt bad for him since it was at least 20-30 minutes by the time we even got to a point we could see inside. But he still ordered a few items and went on his way.

Now back to what earlier.. my wife and I were still set on getting the creme puffs we came for. So we ordered 30 of them (5 boxes of 6), my wife had taken the time to figure out what each box would contain so it would be easier to give out to our friends and family.

I also decided to take the advice of the gentleman, and ordered 2 sourdough breads, a baguette, some cute little pumpkin breadzles for the kids and myself a turkey stuffed sandwich.

Needless to say the creme puffs were delicious even after a day of sitting in the fridge. I guess the gentleman's taste buds in front of is were more sophisticated. I definitely wouldn't shy from their deserts if you're craving!

Now for the bread... I brought the pumpkin seed sourdough to my family's Thanksgiving dinner to share and give to my brothers.. and wow was it amazing. Super soft on the inside but just the right crust on the outside, and wow was it moist. I am normally not a sourdough person, but after having this changed my outlook on it. It was so good. I also gave one of the breadzles to my nephew and he loved it. He even ate it after having Thanksgiving dinner.

We also brought over some creme puffs, which I didn't hear much about to be honest but I never got to have one.

Now for the other sourdough I got and the creme puffs and breadzle we got for our daughter. First of all my daughter is SUPER picky, and for her to want 2nds and 3rds of this sourdough bread was amazing. But to be honest she loves bread/bagels etc. She also ate her breadzle before the sourdough and loved that.

Now for the creme puffs, they were delicious and unfortunately I forgot to get a lot of pictures of the baked goods :( sorry they were very good to eat and very appealing to the eyes/stomach.

Oh before I forget the turkey sandwich was scrumptious, filling and sooo yummy. My wife and I shared that for lunch/brunch.

I would HIGHLY recommend checking this bakeshop out. If I could force you to do it, I would. Service was great and very helpful. Will definitely be going back the next time we are in Calgary! And sorry for the long...

Sweet Nothings, Sour Service: My recent visit to Mari Bakeshop was a study in contrasts. On the one hand, I had one of the best pastries I've tasted in a long time. On the other, the overall experience was severely hampered by uninviting service and a generally sparse atmosphere. The Pastries: A True Delight The undisputed star of the show here is the baking. I tried the Honey Almond Danish and choux and it was absolute perfection. Flaky, buttery, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients and expert skill. Every bite was worth the visit, and it's clear the baker here is a master of their craft. If you're purely chasing an excellent sweet treat, this is the place. The quality is genuinely outstanding and worth seeking out. The Atmosphere: A Lack of Warmth Unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn't live up to the food. The shelves that presumably hold retail goods or ingredients were nearly bare, giving the space an unloved or temporarily closed feel. It lacks the cozy, bustling energy you expect from a great local spot. I did not have a chance to try what I have been wanting to try like the sourdough loaf, pain au chocolat, and the famous pistachio brulee. The Staff: A Cold Brew of Attitude What truly spoiled the experience, however, was the service. From the moment I stepped up to the counter, the staff were unfriendly. There was a greeting, no smile, and my questions about the menu were met with short, clipped answers. It felt like I was an inconvenience rather than a valued customer. A little warmth goes a long way. The lack of basic hospitality here is a significant drawback. The Verdict Mari Bakeshop is a frustrating paradox. The pastries are easily five-star quality—they are truly exceptional and you should go just for the baked goods. However, the combination of unwelcoming staff and the uninviting, empty-shelved interior means the total experience drops it down considerably. I went to BOTH locations and did not find what I have been wanting to try. Go here if: You can grab your amazing pastry to go and don't mind cold service. Skip here if: You're looking for a comfortable spot to linger or value friendly interactions with your barista. Rating: 3/5 stars (5 for the food, 1 for the...

UPDATE 3: Their BLT Croissant is amazing!!! See my pic! If Mari reads this, please please bring it back!

UPDATE 2: they are not selling out stuff as fast thanks to increasing supplies. Still, we got the last 2 two slices of Cookies and Cream rollcake at noon on a Sunday. Come early to get the best selection!

UPDATE: After a couple of years, Mari Bakeshop has finally re-open! Man, you can tell how popular they are when the line is long even before they open and they sell out of most items by midday.

Due to perfect timing, I was able to order my wife her favorite rollcake from here. They were very accommodating despite just opening. After that order, I came back 3 more times to pick up items. Only on my third attempt, after finding out that I can preorder the day before, I managed to get my hands on their delicious croissants. They are very flakey and buttery. My kids adored them and ate more than me!

We are looking forward to getting back in our routine/regular visits to Mari!

OLD: We have been going to Mari for years!! The roll cakes are amazing! I have ordered almost all my employee's birthday cakes from here. Coffee, Matcha, and Raspberry roll cakes are the best! The staff are polite and accommodating! They were super helpful with getting me my wife's surprise cake even though things got derailed on our end. We recebtly tried their sandwiches, Pastrami and Genoa Salami. I wish I tried them sooner! The sandwiches are well-balanced in flavor and texture. Their baked bread is super crispy and light! So far, everything we have tried has...