When it comes to a tasty dessert, Ontario and butter tarts go hand in hand. We asked you to tell us where you’ve found the best butter tart in the province and the response was outstanding! One thing is for sure – whether you are in a small town or a big city a delicious Ontario butter tart isn’t far away!
Butter Tarts ‘n More – Little Britain, Ontario
Submitted by Bruce B, Rhonda H, Chris S, Jolene B, @jasonsmeall
While we had a huge variety of suggestions for the best butter tart, Butter Tarts n’ More kept popping up as a clear favorite. But beware: as Chris S. told us “…the only way to get a dozen butter tarts home is to buy two dozen.” Jolene B. told us, “My husband has his private pilots liscence, and apparently its a tradition for pilots to buy and eat some when they fly in to the Lindsay Airport!” Sounds like these treats won’t last long!
Flickr photo by jbcurio
Betty’s Pies and Tarts – Port Hope, Ontario
Submitted by Karen L. and Pamela S.
It only makes sense that this historic community, winner of TVO’s competition for the “Best Preserved Main Street in Ontario”, is also home to one of Ontario’s best butter tarts! Betty’s Pies & Tarts, on Hwy 2 between Cobourg and Port Hope, is a serious contender. Under $2, they offer a delicious filling and a tasty crust. For Karen they are a hands down winner!
Dee’s General Store – Valens, Ontario
Submitted by Monika G. and Shaz H.
Dee’s butter tarts are award winners! The champion of the Kitchener Waterloo Record’s “best bought butter tart contest”, one of the secret’s to Dee’s butter tarts is their size! Made in muffin tins they weigh an average of 85 grams. Try new flavours at Dee’s, like Cafe Mocha and Butterscotch Chip.
Flickr photo by bonnechance
The Little Tub Bakery -Tobermory, Ontario
Submitted by Melissa P.
Little Tub Bakery was founded by Wayne and Lorrie Hadcock in 1999 and is known for its traditional baking using old family recipes. Melissa told us “…the pastry is flaky and the filling is perfect! We buy extra to bring home and store in the freezer.”
Flickr photo by explore the bruce
Don’s Bakery – Bala, Ontario
Submitted by Anne P.
Named after Don Lloyd who opened the bakery in 1948, Don’s bakery serves up breads, muffins, cookies and of course butter tarts! Located right beside Bala Falls, this bakery serves up tasty treats and great Ontario scenery.
Flickr photo by kancil
Harbord Bakery & Dark Horse Espresso Bar – Toronto, Ontario
Suggested by Bronwyn G. and Asuka N.
While Ontario small towns are known for their local butter tarts, Toronto’s bakeries also made an impact on our list! Harbord Bakery, part of Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood is a regular on Toronto “Best of” lists. The Dark Horse Espresso Bar’s cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect place to enjoy a butter tart and an organic chai latte.
Flickr photos by pui and jeffcphoto
Get started planning a tasty tour of Ontario with our Best Butter Tart map (best viewed in Internet Explorer), then take a look at tips for your trip from Facebook friends!
Ontario’s Best Butter Tarts
- Marty’s World Famous Cafe, Bracebridge – Submitted by Jackie G. “Buttery pastry, ultra-gooey filling, generous size.”
- Wolfe Island Bakery, Kingston - Submitted by Brenda G. “Oh so good!”
- The Farmer’s Daughter, Huntsville – Submitted by Vicki S. “Awesome flaky pastry, and the filling is not too runny & not too dry … juuuust right! Mmmmm….
- Trudy’s, Bancroft – Submitted by Deb R.
- Nancy’s Bakery, Sauble Beach - Submitted by Shirley M.
- Kawartha Dairy, Bancroft – Submitted by Di W.
- The Little Tart, Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands – Submitted by Barrie M.
- West Guilford General Store, Haliburton County – Submitted by Amy R.
- Grandma’s Beach Treats, Wasaga Beach – Submitted by Trudie M.
- The Buttertart Factory, Campbellford – Submitted by Charlotte C. “…some gluten free as well”
- The Bear’s Den, Deep River – Submitted by Diane D. “Bernice makes the best!”
- Mrs. Cox’s, Quetico North Restaurant – Submitted by Deb R. “If you’ve ever had them you know they are the best!”
- Glenburnie, Ontario – Submitted by Lyn G. “They melt in your mouth! Hands down, the best buttertarts I have ever had.”
- Elliott’s Bakery, Garden & Greenhouse, Wiarton – Submitted by Caryn S.
- Fulton’s Pancake House, Pakenham
- A Little Taste of Paradise, Sterling – Submitted Tanya G.
- Tazzi’s Cafe, Salut Ste. Marie – Submitted by Ontario’s Algoma County
- Trenton – Submitted by Debbie G.
- Andrew’s Scenic Acres, Milton – Submitted by Cheryl S. “They make a variation with pecans and chocolate drizzle …. mmmmm……
- Doohers Bakery, Campbelford – Submitted by Elizabeth H. “Also home to the BEST chelsea buns ever!”
- Harley’s Pub & Perk - Submitted by Jennifer K & Submitted Linda L. “Nicole Wise makes the best butter tarts!
“ - Country Mart, Buckhorn – Submitted by Deb C. “…Sharon makes THE BEST!”
- Black Honey, Peterborough - Submitted by Cheryl A.
- Hy Hope, Uxbridge & Doo Doo’s, Baileboro – Submitted by Rick D.
- The Bakery, Flesherton - Submitted by Sarah W. “We buy them on our way to the cottage near Tobermory”
- Thunder Bay - Submitted by Mark M.
- DooDoo’s Bakery – Submitted by Rick D and @kelly_jessup
And let’s not forget some of our favourite suggestions – from Cheryl’s M kitchen, to Shelia H & Cynthia G.’s mom’s kitchens!
One thing’s for sure – this post has left us hungry for a butter tart! How about you?
Betty’s is my choice for best butter Tart’s, I discovered them while on the Great waterfront Trail Adventure. Filling is not overly sweet, crust is light and airy, YUM.
Offshore Bakery in Southampton Ontario makes 500 butter tarts a day in the months of July August.
Great to see some on-farm markets on the list. Andrew’s Scenic Acres and Fultons both offer fabulous things to eat and are worth checking out.
Doris Bacon from Uxbridge makes the best butter tarts ever they are awesome sweet and runny
Though I am slightly biased, I LOVE Grandma’s Beach Treats butter tarts… just the right amount of filling in homemade, hand-rolled pastry – heavenly!!
Flavours include: Raisin, Pecan, Walnut, Cranberry, Chocolate, Blueberry and fresh Strawberry in the summer months – Open all year round in beautiful Wasaga Beach, ON
The butter tarts at the Belwood Country Market, Belwood are melt-in-your mouth delectable treasures, made by a wonderful family – even if you buy twice as many as you think that you’ll need, there’s a good chance that at least some won’t even last until you get home!
Dar’s Delights in Moffat (Campbellville/Milton area), hands-down. The tops are slightly crunchy, the pastry flaky, and the filling a perfect balance of sweet and deeply caramel. I have been to a lot of the places above, and they don’t come close in quality. Try the pecan tarts and the cider donuts – UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Great to see Doo Doo’s Bakery on the list. I would just add Doo Doo’s is in Bailiboro, ON and we can’t make a trip to Port Hope or Cobourg from Peterborough without stopping here! Nancy J.
the best butter tarts are my wife’s . They are unbelievable, you can’t stop eating them. Everyone
says she makes the best hands down.
Don’s bakery in Bala’s butter tarts were the biggest disappointment of my life.
What is in them? Bought a dozen and 3 were eaten. I’m sure the bears will have a feast.
Marty’s in Bracebridge were really nice but huge!
All along the best ever were a mere 2 miles from my house at Dee’s Harvest Table in Newcastle
Butter Tarts&More is for sure the best tarts in Ontario, and if your looking for really good home made food you should check out their restaurant in Oakwood, great food, and great prices
Doodoos bakery in bailieboro has the best tarts!
GP Deli & Bakery, 191 Military S, Lancaster, Ontario – Exit 814 off 401. Head a little north and it’s on your right.
Come to the Flavour festival in Peterborough on April 28th, where 10 regional bakeries will vie for the title of best butter tart in Kawarthas Northumberland. A celebrity panel of judges will determine the winner. Check out all the ooey gooey details at http://www.facebook.com/ButterTartTour
I think Westside Fish and Chips in Huntsville, has the best buttertarts. They have won awards for the drippy, gooey piece of heaven.
You can get great butter tarts at Affairs Bakery in Creemore.
My friend Lynn’s Mom Eileen, makes the best butter tarts ever. She has been making them for family and friends for over 50 years. The pastry is perfect and they are gooey and you have to eat them over a plate. I have never tasted any better.
good job but did Dees not just move into Cambridge earlier this year from Valens?
The Bakery did move into Cambridge but the yummy tarts are still sold at the same Valen’s location, 97 General Store
I think the best butter tarts are made at Zehr’s Minnonite market on Hwy.21 just south of Bayfield. The filling is perfect and the crust is so good! Everyone should stop there and try some!
Thatcher Farms, near Guelph, on Eramosa Line 5. Great butter tarts!
The best I have had were from Zehres Market on # 21 just 20 min. north of Grand Bend.It,s a menonite bakery and butcher shop. They have exelent sticky buns as well
Totally disappointed in Dee’s Bakery butter tarts. I bought a six pack as well as a pie. The pie was mouldy and the butter tarts were half cooked, with only two or three little chocolate chips each in them. When I took them back I was accused of lying by Dee herself. Definitely suggest staying AWAY from Dee’s.
What about Ingoldsby’s? We purchased them at a small variety store in Haliburton and they were deep caramel with a feather light crust, a slightly crisp top and deliciously gooey insides. (Or maybe they aren’t making them anymore?) Ingoldsby, ON in the Haliburton Highlands
Glenburnie Butter Tarts are made by Mrs. Garrett’s in Inverary….yum!!
Has anyone ever tasted the tarts at Roy Lane in Sioux Lookout!!! Oh ya….worth the trip!!! Thanks Nancy Roy!!!!!
There is a place in Argyle, Ontario that has the best tarts. I don’t remember the name but Argyle is a small place.
Argyle Farm Market and Argyle General Store both on Glenarm Road in Woodvile are probably what you are thinking about.
HELLO-O-O- Wilkie’s Bakery on Mississauga St in Orillia, since 1906. Way up at the top of the list.