Where to find the best baguette in Toronto?

On a recent short stay in Paris, I was reminded how much I missed my favourite Parisian baguette (from Julien in the 1er arr.). We have been searching for something similar here in Toronto and have been unsuccessful. The closest and most reliable we've found has been ACE, but it is still not the same. Any recommendations out there?? Thanks very much.

[dangoodbaum]

Thuet's is the best by far. Chabichou is pretty good.

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Thuet
609 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V1M5, CA

Chabichou
Toronto, Toronto, ON , CA

[balthazar]

Agreed with the recommendations for Thobor's (Celestin), Jules (both on Mt. Pleasant south of Eglinton) and Cigogne, and there is also Rahier (both of those are on Bayview south of Mt. Pleasant). They all have nice baguettes but each place varies in style/texture of baguette. My personal preference in order is: 1. Thobor's; 2. Jules (a bit on the "heartier" side, crust-wise); 3. Rahier & Cigogne tied. But they are all good, and between them you can probably find the one that suits your taste.

I lived in Paris for a time and noticed that there too, baguettes varied from bakery to bakery. Which is lovely. You could try different places and settle on the one you liked.

Also a note on Thobor's: they bake some other terrific breads too. Try the fig bread (which has fig in it and is shaped - like a fig!). It's beautiful to look at, fluffy, delicious and always gets people's attention if served at dinner parties (slice but keep the entire loaf in shape on a plate or cutting board - makes for simple but striking presentation). Most of these four also make other loaves: ficelle, olive fougasse, etc. I won't even start on the pastries... mmm.

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Rahier
1586 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G, CA

Cigogne
1626 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G, CA

Thobors
627 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[Yongeman]

I love the baguettes at all of these places (they're just around the corner from me and from each other). One of my favourites, though, is at Epi Bread at Bayview and Millwood. They have white, ww, and sourdough, but the winner for me is their 'rustic baguette', a less formed version--long, but flatter than a regular baguette. It's part sourdough, which I love, and quite chewy/crusty, which I also love.

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Epi Breads
1526 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G, CA

[balthazar]

I'll have to try Epi - I've heard good things about it but never manage to get there!

[lamaranthe]

I would say that, first, you have to think that the atmosphere is not the same. Furthermore, the water is not the same. The same problem with pizze in Italy. So, don't dream about finding the same taste here :))

[duckdown]

Anything in Etobicoke or Mississauga? :)

[Hondapendragon]

In Etobicoke, try Artisano Bakery on Islington (South of Bloor) or Ma Maison on Dundas West (as mentioned above). They're my faves in the area.

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Ma Maison
4243 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M8X, CA

[madhatt]

+1 Le Thobors!

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Thobors
627 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[MRHenry]

Here is my list of top baguettes (not ranked)
- Pain Perdu on St. Clair
- Cavaillon (Celestine) on Mt. Pleasant
- Jules cafe on Mt. Plesant
- Le Thobors on Mt. Plesant
- Ma Maison on Dundas W

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Pain Perdu
736 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C, CA

Ma Maison
4243 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M8X, CA

Thobors
627 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

[pistachio peas]

honestly, i have tried all the baguettes listed in this thread and i think the best baguettes in toronto are at whole foods. try one.

[miranda]

If you like white baguette...Pan Perdu...Thuet and Celestin are my faves...all for different reasons...but organic whole wheat the best is Ace...only sold at certain locations...but wonderful...Miranda

[pinkskittles]

not too sure what kind of baguette you're looking for but i love fred's bread. it's a natural bakery that makes a great homemade sourdough baguette. you can pick them up at cumbrae's on church street, though i'm sure other cumbrae's locations would have them. go earlier in the day though as they may run out by the end. fred's bread is baked fresh and delivered each day (at other stores anyways, so i'm assuming it's the same with cumbrae's).

[toveggiegirl]

Dessert Trends sells great baguettes.
Although I love the desserts and atmosphere at Pain Perdu and want to love the baguettes, I find them sadly lacking (crust too hard, the mie too dense...).

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Dessert Trends
154 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S, CA

[mrbozo]

Thanks for the tip. I had the same reaction to Pain Perdu's baguette: love their croissants though.

[sugarcube]

Atelier Thuet, Celestin, and Bonjour Brioche are wonderful for baguettes.
Or go to Pusateri's or All the Best: they usually carry great Baguettes there too

[josamania]

Celestin definitely. What about Thuet on King? I heard you have to get there early if you go on a weekend.

[littlegreenpea]

I haven't had Thuet's baguette, but his country style loaf is good (best I've had in the city, but not the best I've had). If you go you should definitely pick up some of his pretzels though.

[vorpal]

Very nice baguette, at least the one time that I went. I devoured the whole thing in a matter of minutes all by myself.

[lamaranthe]

Thuet's croisssants do not beat Amadeus' by far

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Thuet
609 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V1M5, CA

[mrbozo]

Dominion stores now carry Première Moisson breads (they must receive the dough, frozen, from Montreal). Their baguettes have the proper mie (crumb) and the crust is, well, crusty. Next best is Ace Bakery's version.

If one prefers the ubiquitous "Vienna stick", countless variations are available; some are even marketed as baguettes.

[Maimonides]

I favour Patisserie Le Cigogne on Bayview south of Eglinton, north of Millwood. I prefer their baguettes and croissants.

[lamaranthe]

The name is La cigogne,1626 Bayview Avenue - [phone]
Their web site:
http://www.patisserielacigogne.com/

[UptownGal]

I have the same baguette sickness too once I returned from Paris. I bought my daily baguettes and pains aux chocolat from Boulangerie Heurtier in the Marais every morning. And ever since I returned to Toronto, I've been on an never-ending quest to find the baguette that would mirror the taste of my Parisian bakery.

I've tried Ace Bakery's baguette, didn't really impress me, maybe I had too high of an expectation.

I've also tried President's Choice Baguette, made with French Flour, it's a little better than Ace Bakery's baguette (much to my surprise), but still not close to the taste of Paris.

I've also tried some baguettes from various bakeries but none worth mentioning.

I really hope I don't have to fly to Paris to be able to eat that baguette again....

I will try Celestin when I pass by that area.

[lamaranthe]

Hoping it is not too late to tell you where to go for good croissants and chocolate croissants, I think you should go to Amadeus, in Thornhill (corner of Bathurst and Steeles). Buttery and flaky as you can dream of. It will remind you of the best pastry shops in France. Trust me : it is worth the trip !

The bakery on St Clair west of Christie is called Pain Perdu. Haven't tried their baguettes but have nothing but great things to say about their gateau basque, bouche noel and other sweet treats. Also very reasonably priced.

Patisserie Saint Honore 2945 Bloor St W - The Kingsway
Great Baguettes and croissants

On St. Clair West, near Christie, there is a French patisserie. I can't recall the name but in this patisserie the clientele all speak French. i would think they would have the best baguette... i think the name starts with a "P" or an "A" and they are a little bit west of Christie on the north side of St. Clair West.

IMO, the baguette from the bakery at Celestin on Bayview is pretty close to one from Paris.

[sloweater]

Agreed on Celestin... nicest baguettes in the city. Pain Perdu's are nice too, but the crust can be a little overdone at times.

[littlegreenpea]

Second Pain Perdu, though it's been a while since I've been there.

[Yongeman]

Celestin is very good, as is Jules a couple of doors south. Note that they are located on Mt. Pleasant, not Bayview.

[Splendid Wine Snob]

I'll say it once, and I'll say it till my head falls off...

Celestin-Martial is a goddamn genius. Especially that irresistable sesame seed baguette.

[sloweater]

Martial is no longer there. It has moved into the old Freshman's space and it is now Celestin de Marc Thorbor. The bread is still top notch.

Bonjour Brioche on Queen St.E. has an excellent one.