The 6 Best Cake Shops in Ottawa
Cakes are essential during celebrations and are arguably the best dessert around. Ottawa has a plethora of bakeries and cake shops that offer mouth-watering selections when it comes to cake.
In this article, we will be reviewing the best cake shops in Ottawa.
What are the specialties of each cake shop?
Each shop has its own specialty. The table below should give you an overview of what each store has to offer.
1. The Cupcake Lounge
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Selection | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Feedback | ★★★★★(5/5) |
The Cupcake Lounge is a cake shop located in Byward Market Square. It’s a medium-sized shop that has a solid selection of cupcakes, cakes, pies, and other baked goods.
Although named for its cupcakes, the lounge is actually known for its high-quality cakes. Each cake is freshly baked and the ingredients used are top-of-the-line.
What makes it great is its convenient services for forgetful people. If you forgot a special event, don’t worry, just call the lounge up and its team will happily deliver the cake right to your doorstep!
Of course, it’s always a better option to order in advance because you get the chance to try the Cupcake Lounge’s best-sellers! Among these popular cakes is the Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cake, which is as delicious as it sounds.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’re definitely going to love this place. And even if you’re just here for the cakes alone, you’re still in for a treat.
The only drawback we found with this cake shop is its pricing, which can be steep, especially compared to other bakeries in Ottawa.
However, because of its unique offerings and the fact that the shop gets its ingredients delivered fresh every morning, we felt that the prices were justified.
Overall, we were very impressed with the quality of the cakes and pastries at The Cupcake Lounge and would easily recommend it to anyone looking for a yummy treat!
Pros
- Freshly baked
- Online delivery options
- Healthy options
- Open everyday
Cons
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
Perfect
“Delicious and exactly what I asked for! Recently ordered cupcakes and cake pops for a party and they were beautiful and delicious. I happened to mention the colour theme of the party and to my surprise they decorated them according to my comment 🙂 the cupcakes and cake pops were such a hit and everyone said how delicious and beautiful they were!” – Jean M.
Delicious
“We are so thankful for our delicious wedding cake from The Cupcake Lounge. We were undecided as to whether or not we were going to purchase a wedding cake, and settled the matter on the week of the wedding. We have always been fans of The Cupcake Lounges’ standard and gluten-free cupcakes, and so this venue was on the top of our list. We called the venue six (6) days before our wedding, and their response was nothing but kindness and positivity, no judgment whatsoever.” – Mbagwu Muray
2. Milo’s Pastry
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Selection | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Feedback | ★★★★(4/5) |
Milo’s Pastry is another great Ottawa cake shop. It produces a wide variety of cakes, cupcakes, and other pastries, including wedding cakes, corporate cakes, and more.
We love that Milo’s cake decor is always on point. This is why we believe it’s one of the best options if you’re planning a themed event.
This is due to the fact that the cakes are handcrafted and done meticulously to ensure perfection. The bakers provide a personal touch that you won’t find in most cake shops in the city.
If you’re still unsure, you can check out Milo’s cake gallery and see its best works for yourself. You’ll love how creative each design is and you’ll understand the difference 30 years in the industry can make.
It’s also worth noting that the flavor options that it provides are quite diverse. The bakery offers both traditional and unique flavors for every taste bud.
The bakers there studied both classic French and Arabic methods of baking and they combined these methods with modern techniques.
This results in a unique approach to cake-making that only Milo’s team can pull off.
Unfortunately, if you’re in rush, Milo’s Pastry may not be the best option. Most of its customized cakes need to be pre-ordered 2 weeks in advance to ensure that customers get everything that they want for their big day.
Overall, it’s a well-managed and operated business that produces high-quality baked goods at justifiable prices.
Pros
- Handcrafted
- Multiple options
- Online gallery
- More than 30 years of experience
- Combination of French and Arabic baking methods
Cons
- 2 weeks advance pre-order for custom cakes
Customer Reviews
Blown away
“I’ve ordered custom cakes from Milo’s Pastry for my engagement party and wedding and was blown away both times. Not only are they very professional and organized, they are so talented (I think it’s clear from the photos). Both cakes tasted great and weren’t too sweet. They also worked with me over email to make my vision for the cakes come true and I am so grateful and impressed. Highly recommend!” – Sarah C.
Exact copy
“Just got my third cake. Blown away! The design was exactly as the example photo I showed them. Nailed it again. The cake was super moist and delicious and everyone loved it.” – Caroline J.
3. La Brioche
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Selection | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Feedback | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
La Brioche is also a solid option if you’re looking for a good cake shop. It has a wide selection of cakes, plus it is always updating its menu so you can find something new and exciting.
As its name suggests, it specializes in French methods of baking. Its specialty cakes are all cheese-based and are incredibly delicious.
The cheesy basbousa particularly caught our attention for its enriching flavors and consistency. It isn’t something that you’d think of first when mentioning the word “‘cake” but it’s tasty nonetheless.
If you’re interested in ordering from La Brioche, you’ll be glad to know that it provides quotes online and has its own gallery that you can peruse to make sure you’re getting the right cake for your special day.
If you’re just randomly craving cake late at night, La Brioche is open until 10 pm and is conveniently located on Bank Street in downtown Ottawa where you can dine inside and order as much cake as you like.
The only drawback is the lack of customized options. It doesn’t offer much when it comes to themed cakes, so it’s not the best choice if you’re buying the cake for a specific event.
However, if you’re only after the taste and the quality, then this will be a great pick for you.
Pros
- Online quotes
- Open til late at night
- Online gallery
- Dine-in options
Cons
- Not many customization options
Customer Reviews
Very nice
“They had a cheesy basbousa which was warm and very nice. There were 2 people working there and a steady stream of customers, so note that you need to wipe your own table unless you want to try asking. Best if you plan for take-out or don’t mind wiping crumbs off the table yourself.” – Sarah B.
Great cheesecakes
“One of the bests confectionaries in the town! The sweets and desserts has great qualities, and store has friendly staff! I usually come to this store at weekend to buy for my guests and normally order Kunafa sandwiches to go and baklava. I also recommend rolls and cheesecakes!” – Amy K.
4. Batter Up Bakery
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Selection | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Feedback | ★★★★(4/5) |
If you’re into cakes that you can design yourself, Batter Up Bakery is the perfect option.
Its cakes can be decorated with intricate designs or you can choose to design them yourself so you can be sure that each one is unique.
If you’re planning an event, it’s an excellent option because you can basically order an empty canvas that you can decorate with your guests. It’s not only tasty, but it’s also a fun experience for everyone.
You can order pre-decorated cakes if you’re not into the whole design-your-own-cake thing. The options are really what make Batter Up a great cake shop.
Another thing we love about it is its dedication to using only the best ingredients. If health is a concern, it provides vegan and non-gluten options so everyone can enjoy a beautiful cake that is healthy for them.
Unfortunately, you need a solid budget if you plan to order from Batter Up. Its cakes are on the pricey side and are a bit steep for the average consumer’s wallet.
Another drawback is the non-refundable deposit that is required when pre-ordering.
This can be a real dealbreaker for some, so we thought to mention it.
Overall, we think Batter Up is a great cake shop because it offers delicious choices as
well as unique customization options.
Pros
- Vegan cakes
- Good for big events
- Design your own cake
Cons
- Pricey
- Non-refundable deposit
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend
“Absolutely love batter up bakery! We discovered batter up 2 years ago and could not be more impressed with their service and tasty treats! We have ordered everything from cookies, cakes, cupcakes to Brownies, donuts, cake pops and more! Their creativity only gets better I hardly have to provide any instruction and trust that they know what will be best!” – Jacinta Stringer
Personal touch
“We discovered Batter Up Bakery and Jamie-Lynn through a friend of mine 3 years ago and we have never looked elsewhere for cakes, cupcakes and cookies for any celebration in our family. I had tried so many different places before her and for vegan cakes with fondant there was always one thing or other that went wrong (mostly the smell). I never had any such concerns with Batter Up Bakery. Jamie-Lynn puts her heart and soul in every order and the end products are stunning as well as delicious.” – Lavanya G.
5. La Provence
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Selection | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Feedback | ★★★★★(5/5) |
La Provence is also an excellent bakery with a large variety of cakes, pastries, and bread. Located on Hazeldean Road, it is very popular with the locals for its good selection of sweet treats.
Its menu includes a variety of desserts like cheesecakes, French macarons, and other baked treats. Our favorite is the vanilla buttercream cake, which tastes absolutely delicious.
Although vanilla is known to be a boring flavor, the expert bakers at La Provence found a way to incorporate it into their recipes and make it interesting and delicious at the same time.
The bakers are experienced and pride themselves on using only the freshest ingredients.
La Provence actually partners with multiple hotels in the area, so it’s used to producing multiple orders a day at volume and speed. It’s also open every day so you can get your
cake fix almost anytime you wish.
If you’re in a rush and live nearby, you can drop by La Provence’s walk-in bakery and pick up a freshly baked treat or a yummy snack to go!
Its only drawback is its pricing, which can be steep, especially for folks on a tight budget.
However, because of its great choices and friendly staff, we’ll say that the price is definitely worth it!
Pros
- Online delivery
- Custom options
- Open to onsite service for events
- Also sells smaller cakes
- Walk-in bakery
Cons
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
Amazing cake
“Amazing cake! We grab all our cakes from this location. Sometime the more popular flavors get sold out so be sure to call in and place order ahead of time.” – John W.
So good
“Their mille feuilles are so good (my dad, my sister, and I enjoyed them and it’s rare for all three of us to like something). I’ve also tried their blueberry scone before and some other pastries I don’t remember the name of…but it was all delicious. I have yet to try something of theirs that I didn’t absolutely love. I usually take 1 star off if the items are a bit expensive but heck, it’s so worth it for this bakery” – Kunj P.
6. Lusa Bakery
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Selection | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Feedback | ★★★★★(5/5) |
Lusa Bakery in Ottawa is an excellent choice for a bakery for those who are looking for high-quality baked goods and confectionery. It’s especially great if you’re craving authentic Portuguese food and cakes.
It’s a popular and highly recommended spot for locals because of its wide selection of baked goods like Bolo de Arroz, Pão de Deus, and Bola de Berlim. However, our favorite cake on their menu is its rich and tart cheesecake.
We also love its bakers and servers who are not only experienced and well-trained but are also friendly and accommodating. This made us feel at home and helped enhance the experience of dining with them and ordering fresh baked goods.
We appreciate that you can place orders in advance which you can pick them up within the day just in case you’re in a rush or want a snack on the go.
One of the things we disliked about the Lusa Bakery is that its prices are significantly steeper than other options on our list. This isn’t necessarily an issue if you’re looking
They may offer a little taste of Portugal, but they’re a precious gem of a bakery and cake shop in the heart of Ottawa.
Pros
- Authentic Portuguese food
- High-quality, fresh ingredients
- Friendly staff
- Excellent service
- Amazing dine-in experience
Cons
- Expensive
- Closed on Mondays
Customer Reviews
A wide selection & friendly staff!
“Great bakery, huge selection of Portuguese desserts and treats.
They also make amazing sandwiches, and chicken meals. We went and had lunch there, then returned on the Saturday to stock up on baked goods to bring home to Niagara.
Staff are very friendly and helpful.
Prices are very reasonable for the quality.” – Andrew D., Google
A gem of a bakery!
“A gem of a bakery! Reasonably priced bakery items and beautiful presentation. Made me want to almost try every single item in the store. There are also other Portuguese food products on one side of the bakery and a food order area at the back. So many interesting beverages to try as well. I highly recommend dropping by for a visit. Limited seating available near the entrance.” – May Z., Google
FAQs about Cakes
And that’s it for the best cake shops in Ottawa. If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth some more, you may be interested in the best ice cream shops in Ottawa!