North Pole Bakery (Lucy) — Restaurant in Toronto

Stepping into this small Italian bakery felt like taking a journey back in time. I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the owners, a delightful old lady who shared fascinating stories of her family's multi-generational business journey. It was heartwarming to hear about their dedication to preserving tradition and the love they pour into their craft.

My visit wasn't just a trip down memory lane; it was a heartfelt mission to find special cookies for my grandmother, reminiscent of those she used to lovingly bake herself. And this bakery turned out to be a true treasure trove, offering a wide selection of cookies that brought back fond memories of her homemade treats. The staff, too, exuded warmth and hospitality, guiding me through their offerings with genuine care.

While browsing, I couldn't resist trying their arancini, and let me tell you, they were nothing short of heavenly. Each bite was a burst of flavor, leaving me craving more. However, I must admit, the bread didn't quite meet my expectations. Despite being made in-house, it lacked the wow factor I anticipated.

Nevertheless, my overall experience at this bakery was nothing short of delightful. From the heartwarming stories to the mouthwatering treats, it's evident that this place is steeped in tradition and passion. I'll definitely be returning for more of those unforgettable arancini and perhaps exploring more of their...

North Pole Bakery, located near Greenwood and Danforth, is a local iconic establishment. Anyone who's lived in the area will know North Pole Bakery.

Like an iconic classic that it is, their discerning customer will be someone with an acquired taste for nostalgia because it doesn't have any shiny modern bells and whistles. It's family run and you go there for cozy, remind me of my Italian Nonna who's going to feed me with heaps of food, kind of vibe.

I've seen people go in to grab their pizza, focaccia, pasta meals, and they all leave happy and grinning. They also have an assortment of breads and baked treats. Mixed reviews on the baked treats (some find them too dry, others love them, they're not for me and I'll leave that up to you to decide).

One thing that everyone seems to agree on is their cannoli (see images provided here). The exterior cannoli shell is crispy and crunchy. The ricotta filing has just the right hint of sweetness with a dusting of icing sugar to finish them off. The ones I picked up on this occasion seemed a bit more golden than I'm used to but they were still delicious.

Time moves differently at North Pole Bakery. I've seen regulars who go in just to have a chat with the owners and share a cappuccino while others seek this place out for the must-have...

North Pole Bakery has the best bread products bar none.I have eaten their bread products for over 30 years and will continue to do so until I go on to greener pastures. The canolis are great, the pizza is delicious, scrumptious rice balls, new dark chocolate bark is to die for, I just can't say enough. My mom and I will always shop their. The owner lady and her daughters and staff are friendly. Others have come and gone but North Pole products have survived and me and my mom will always be happy for that! Tanti auguri a tutti! Favoriri!! ( my Italian sucks!) Too bad Laura and her cheese shop left!! La Torre del Formaggio!! Come...