Nova Era Bakery — Restaurant in Toronto

This place use to be THE Portuguese bakery on Dundas but it’s gone downhill for years now. The food is as expected. It’s not bad but it feels a little bit overpriced. It’s a cozy environment however the space has decreased significantly. It use to have quite a large dining area on the other side that closed down. The service could be much better. The people don’t seem very friendly (I don’t expect everyone to bend over backwards for customers but they seem miserable often.) I also feel like if you dine in they either take too long to check on you or they are constantly checking on you in a way that feels like they’re rushing you to leave. As I mentioned the prices have gone up (as most things have) but the quality has somehow lessened for example: a fan favourite the Tosta Mista — last time I had it, it had LITERALLY one slice of meat inside and one slice of cheese. I also will never forget how one evening while with a friend, we wanted dessert after our food and I asked for a slice of cake which was on the menu… The waiter told me I could not buy it unless I bought the whole cake because they wouldn’t cut the whole cake unless it was already cut into. So instead of serving a customer who was in the establishment they would rather wait until someone comes along and pays more money for...

This is a vintage Nova Era location, it goes back decades. Still going very strong in the heart of Little Portugal, this place keeps up with the pace. The baked sweets are over the top excellent and the bread, baked daily, is mouth watering good. The deli is in full swing and the menu has something for everyone. The dishes are not prepared as they may be served elsewhere which goes to Nova Era's benefit. Things here have a slight twist to them. Could be old school, could be a Portuguese things but whatever it is, it is well and good. This place is practically a corner stone in the neighbourhood. The service attitude and the lack-of-charm decor put it off slightly but never enough to deter me from dropping in for a snack and some fresh bread to go. Wait times can be a pain in the .... and the Lottery Stand can bung up the service too. It is not uncommon for the entrance to be clogged with a dozen people or more trying to make a purchase or pay for their table order. At the end of the day the bread will be slim pickings so get it earlier in the day if you can. Go there during less-than-peak-hours to avoid the hassle of waiting 10 minutes to pay. Mostly predicable and delicious, you can't beat Nova Era. I hope this location stays open for a few...

Nova Era Bakery is undeniably a reference point for Portuguese culture in Little Portugal, right on Dundas West. Known as a Portuguese bakery, it’s a spot the community—and many from outside it—frequent to find traditional baked goods and coffee. Unfortunately, though, the service leaves much to be desired.

Each visit here feels like subjecting yourself to rude, unfriendly service. My friends and I work nearby, and though we often stop in for take-out, on the occasions we stay for coffee, the experience is equally disappointing. Sadly, the unwelcoming attitude isn’t reserved just for us; I’ve noticed the treatment can be even worse toward elderly customers, who frequent this spot just as often.

We truly regret seeing a bakery with so much potential and a strong connection to the community be this way. We hope management will reconsider the service approach and provide staff with training to work with more dedication and positivity. It’s disheartening to see a long-standing establishment with great food, representing a vibrant community, miss the mark with such...