North Pole Bakery

What is North Pole Bakery? Perched at 1210 Danforth Avenue near Greenwood Avenue in The Danforth neighbourhood, North Pole Bakery has stood as an authentic, family-run Italian pastry institution since 1974. Stepping inside feels like entering an old-world village pasticceria, with glass counter displays filled with handmade almond cookies, golden arancini under heat lamps, and vintage espresso equipment. It has served generations of East End neighbours, Italian-Canadian families, and pastry connoisseurs looking for genuine European baking without commercial shortcuts.

North Pole Bakery Menu & What to Order The bakery is famous across the city for its classic Sicilian Cannoli, which are piped fresh to order with sweet, citrus-kissed sheep’s milk ricotta into blistered, crunchy pastry shells, ensuring zero sogginess. Savoury fans should arrive early for the Arancini—giant, crisp golden rice balls stuffed with savoury minced meat, peas, and mozzarella in tomato sauce, which routinely sell out before noon. Other highlights include the Frutta di Bosco sponge cake layered with delicate chantilly cream and forest berries, fresh rosemary focaccia, and bags of crunchy fennel-spiced tarallini.

Know Before You Go Operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the bakery observes traditional Sunday closures. Hot lunch items and fresh arancini are prepped in daily batches each morning; calling ahead to reserve specialty items is common among regulars. Greenwood subway station is just a short three-minute walk away, with Green P metered street parking available directly along Danforth Avenue.