Artisan Bakery is the kind of place that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation within a single visit. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, the coffee is dialled in, and the baked goods are genuinely exceptional — but it’s the almond croissant that draws people back again and again. Available in a chocolate-filled variation, it’s the kind of pastry that makes you pause mid-bite. Flaky, buttery, and perfectly balanced, it pairs beautifully with a cappuccino or flat white made with equal care.

Beyond the croissants, the morning buns and breakfast sandwiches are well worth exploring, and the sourdough loaves are among the best in the city. A thoughtful “vintage loaf” option offers the previous day’s bread at a reduced price — a small but meaningful touch that speaks to the bakery’s character. Fresh sourdough pizza dough is also available to take home, rounding out an already impressive offering.

Churis Bread has quietly earned a devoted following among London’s pastry lovers, and the pistachio croissant is the reason most people make the trip. These aren’t your average flaky pastries — Churis makes supreme round croissants packed with generous, flavour-forward fillings, and the pistachio version is the undisputed star. The buttery crust practically dissolves on contact, with a rich, nutty filling that hits every note. A cardamom and pistachio variation takes things even further for the adventurous.

Beyond pistachio, the almond-filled croissants are generously stuffed, savoury croissants satisfy a different craving entirely, and the chocolate variety rounds out an impressive lineup. This family-run bakery brings a genuine artisanal sensibility to everything on the shelf — the same care that goes into their celebrated sourdough and pão de queijo clearly extends to every laminated layer of their pastry work. Takeout and delivery are available for those who can’t make it in person.

Mai’s Café & Bistro is a locally owned treasure nestled in the charming Wortley Village neighbourhood, dishing up traditional Thai cuisine in a cozy space filled with natural light and warm bay windows. The menu is a confident greatest-hits of Thai cooking — expect silky pad Thai loaded with shrimp, chicken, and fresh vegetables; deeply aromatic green and red curries with just the right amount of heat; and a legendary cashew chicken that inspires near-obsessive loyalty. The drunken noodles deserve special mention: boldly spiced and satisfying in every bite. Then there’s the mango salad — a feast-sized bowl of just-ripe mango that’s become something of a cult favourite. Portions are generous, the food arrives piping hot, and the service is genuinely warm and attentive. Western staples and breakfast options round out a menu with broad appeal, making it a perfect choice for groups of any palate.

Saisha’s Patisserie has quietly earned a devoted following among those who take their pastries seriously. The croissants here are the real deal — shatteringly crisp on the outside, with fillings that are rich, layered, and perfectly balanced. It’s the kind of croissant that stops a conversation mid-sentence.

But the croissant is just the beginning. The broader menu reads like a love letter to classical and modern French patisserie: a hazelnut tarte with deep, roasted depth, a Black Sesame Choux that’s as visually striking as it is delicious, a Basque Cheesecake with creamy, burnished perfection, and a tiramisu that’s been called the best in Ontario — not just London. The pistachio latte is a worthy companion to anything on the pastry menu.

This is a destination worth going out of your way for. Word has spread well beyond city limits, with visitors making return trips before leaving town. Prices reflect the quality, and the quality is undeniable.