Duchess Bake Shop

Visit: August 2024 Duchess is a classic and never disappoints. The macaron selection is unique and extensive, and the quality is always very high. I always love coming here when I can, and taking people here when possible! Lots of desserts and pastries, so there's something for everyone. The interior is also very elegant, and the staff is always nice and patient

Oh Duchess, I’m like a kid in a candy store every time I stop by. I basically black out, and spend way too much because it’s so hard not to get one of almost everything. The macarons are the best! And I’m so happy they brought back their quiche! We have the Duchess cook book(s), but it one of those things where it’s duplicated but never replicated. Decor and ambience is great. It’s like a little Parisian escape in the heart of Edmonton.

At some point the Duchess was rated in the top 100 bakeries in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. With every bite you can tell how meticulously handcrafted everything is, from the quality of ingredients to the presentation. They blow me away with their new creations (like a banana cream salted caramel chocolate pie that I want to be served on my deathbed) to their tried and true classics ( the sour cherry pie is a must have). As someone who has travelled around Paris eating every macaron in sight, the macaroons from the duchess are second best I’ve ever had, losing only to l’adurée, the original creator of macaroons. The coffee and tea here is also not to be missed, as well as the homemade soups. Bon appétit!

I recently bought the Duke Cake (Large) from Duchess Bake Shop for my wife's birthday, and it was an absolute hit! The cake was a stunning masterpiece, beautifully decorated, and full of rich flavors. The combination of chocolate mousse, almond sponge, and salted caramel was simply divine and left everyone wanting more. This was my second experience with Duchess Bake Shop, and once again, they exceeded my expectations. The staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating, ensuring that everything was perfect for our celebration. Duchess Bake Shop is, without a doubt, my favorite spot for cakes. The quality and attention to detail are unmatched, making it the perfect place to find a special treat for any occasion. Highly recommend!

Excellent environment. Love this place:) Food and drinks went beyond my expectations. Had a pleasant conversation with both baristas. Will definitely stop by again

Amazing is all I can think of. Food and service both. Ordered grapefruit lavender tart It was $12 and seemed a little high priced but it was so good that we ended up getting one more. Their chocolate chip cookie is absolutely delicious and so is the butter tart. I know when my coffee is not good and I must say their latte was awesome. Very happy

First time in and the atmosphere was lovely. The staff was friendly and pivoting and told us about their recommendations and history of some of the food stuff. The croissant sandwich was filling and super fresh tasting. That tomato, tho so so good. We were also offered two free macarons since they noticed it was our first time! Very sweet of them.

Despite its big reputation, this quaint little bakery has a nice cozy feel. We finally tried it for the first time and we were pleasantly surprised it lived up to the hype. We ended up choosing a small Duke cake and a gruyere croissant to sample both the sweet and salty. The cake was very decadent and rich, a bit too much for our taste but still a very good cake, and would be especially so for chocolate lovers. The croissant was absolutely delicious. It had a nice light and crunchy outside texture, with the soft buttery and cheesy insides. The only thing that could have been improved is if the cheese was melted inside, as ours was still a partially melted but solidified slice. That small nuance didn't detract from the fact that the croissant itself was excellent overall. This place is known for it's sweets but we would definitely recommend potential customers try the savory menu items as well!

Visit: August 2024 Duchess is a classic and never disappoints. The macaron selection is unique and extensive, and the quality is always very high. I always love coming here when I can, and taking people here when possible! Lots of desserts and pastries, so there's something for everyone. The interior is also very elegant, and the staff is always nice and patient

Oh Duchess, I’m like a kid in a candy store every time I stop by. I basically black out, and spend way too much because it’s so hard not to get one of almost everything. The macarons are the best! And I’m so happy they brought back their quiche! We have the Duchess cook book(s), but it one of those things where it’s duplicated but never replicated. Decor and ambience is great. It’s like a little Parisian escape in the heart of Edmonton.

At some point the Duchess was rated in the top 100 bakeries in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. With every bite you can tell how meticulously handcrafted everything is, from the quality of ingredients to the presentation. They blow me away with their new creations (like a banana cream salted caramel chocolate pie that I want to be served on my deathbed) to their tried and true classics ( the sour cherry pie is a must have). As someone who has travelled around Paris eating every macaron in sight, the macaroons from the duchess are second best I’ve ever had, losing only to l’adurée, the original creator of macaroons. The coffee and tea here is also not to be missed, as well as the homemade soups. Bon appétit!

I recently bought the Duke Cake (Large) from Duchess Bake Shop for my wife's birthday, and it was an absolute hit! The cake was a stunning masterpiece, beautifully decorated, and full of rich flavors. The combination of chocolate mousse, almond sponge, and salted caramel was simply divine and left everyone wanting more. This was my second experience with Duchess Bake Shop, and once again, they exceeded my expectations. The staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating, ensuring that everything was perfect for our celebration. Duchess Bake Shop is, without a doubt, my favorite spot for cakes. The quality and attention to detail are unmatched, making it the perfect place to find a special treat for any occasion. Highly recommend!

Excellent environment. Love this place:) Food and drinks went beyond my expectations. Had a pleasant conversation with both baristas. Will definitely stop by again

Amazing is all I can think of. Food and service both. Ordered grapefruit lavender tart It was $12 and seemed a little high priced but it was so good that we ended up getting one more. Their chocolate chip cookie is absolutely delicious and so is the butter tart. I know when my coffee is not good and I must say their latte was awesome. Very happy

First time in and the atmosphere was lovely. The staff was friendly and pivoting and told us about their recommendations and history of some of the food stuff. The croissant sandwich was filling and super fresh tasting. That tomato, tho so so good. We were also offered two free macarons since they noticed it was our first time! Very sweet of them.

Despite its big reputation, this quaint little bakery has a nice cozy feel. We finally tried it for the first time and we were pleasantly surprised it lived up to the hype. We ended up choosing a small Duke cake and a gruyere croissant to sample both the sweet and salty. The cake was very decadent and rich, a bit too much for our taste but still a very good cake, and would be especially so for chocolate lovers. The croissant was absolutely delicious. It had a nice light and crunchy outside texture, with the soft buttery and cheesy insides. The only thing that could have been improved is if the cheese was melted inside, as ours was still a partially melted but solidified slice. That small nuance didn't detract from the fact that the croissant itself was excellent overall. This place is known for it's sweets but we would definitely recommend potential customers try the savory menu items as well!

I had no idea what to expect other than "the best bakery in Edmonton" and when I walked through the doors, I could understand why in that first second. I remember walking in and just being blown away by the presentation. After the first two steps I think I stood still to take in my surroundings to say "Wow" haha. The displays cases were very clean and presented all the pastries so beautifully. The interior was spacious with the left half of the area dedicated to the pastries and the other half had a coffee bar and merchandise display. From the furniture, display cases, chairs and couches, each detail was curated to deliver an elegant atmosphere. There were so many things to choose from, they all looked so lovely. My boyfriend and I got the Lemon Blueberry tart, some type of Blueberry Brioche, and Rose, Pistachio, and Vanilla macarons. I also got an Iced Matcha latte. The lady who helped us was so patient and helpful with us. I felt like their customer service was very warm. Everything we ordered was just phenomenal. I couldn't help but grab more bites from the Lemon Blueberry tart. Each pastry had the perfect amount of sweetness. All the macarons we ordered were delicious, the perfect size, and not too sweet. I tend to like floral flavors, so Rose was my favorite. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients. This was such a memorable experience, I look forward to the next time I'll be back!

Great place for coffee and something sweet. Clash date idea! Parking is stressful but it's doable so I suggest you give yourself 5 extra minutes to do the block a couple times. Sandwiches looked yummy! Not to long of wait a there was 3 people serving the counter. Good selection Saturday 2pm. Not a lot of dine in seats and they fill up quickly. Orange creamsicle - great filling. Not too sweet. Crust was pretty good. Tarts are not really my thing. Macaron Gateau. Soon pretty. Macaron cookie was 10/10 but filling was not my favorite and it's impossible to eat. Macaron cookie were 10/10. Perfectly made, perfect texture, perfect filling - caramel one wasn't too sweet. 100% would recommend. 2 small cakes, 2 macarons = $30 Overall very high quality goods

I've been going to Duchess Bake Shop for years and I'm surprised I haven't done a review yet! Duchess is a 5 star bakery. They're famous because their products are made of high quality ingredients and the taste is unmatched. They actually use butter from France! When you visit the Duchess Bake Shop you need to expect a bit of a wait. It's a very popular place and long lines are common here. You do not serve yourself here. There are glass displays where you can make your choice of baked goods. The staff are organized and efficient in boxing your selections. It's a good idea to be ready to give you're order once a staff member is able to assist you. Knowing what you want will definitely make the ordering process a lot smoother. The ambience is as if you are transported to a fancy bakery in Europe. The decor and the vibe is totally French chic. This bakery is beautiful and elegant. When you walk out with one of their boxes you feel like you stepped out of a high end luxury shop. You pay for quality here. My favourite item is their Duchess cake which isn't always available. I special ordered the Duchess Cake for my birthday the last year. They were taking pre-orders around the time of my birthday. It's a delicious dome shaped chiffon cake with marzipan and raspberry jam. I reserved a cake online and went to the bakery to pick it up. I didn't need to wait in line as there was a separate line for pickup. Duchess Bake Shop is definitely on my list of go to Edmonton bakeries. I recommended going here. Every visit here is a sweet experience!

Really lovely place to take in the ambiance. There are chairs and couches! Feels almost like high tea with these quality pastries. Gruyere croissants (~$4) were nice and buttery, key lime tart pie (~$9) was very sweet so share it with someone!

I switched from Duchess to Bonton because my favourite Macaron Cake that I have been buying since they started first underwent shrinkage (see how the first photo has a larger gold part sticking out than the original third), but at this point they added basically double the price (see second photo) for absolutely identical product ... I understand the inflation, but still...

If you are in the mood for something decadent, whether it's tea with your bestie or a box of macaroons to eat in bed, they have you covered. The shop is decorated beautifully. They have a lovely selection of baking items (like pearl sugar for making real Belgium waffles). I used to receive the Duke cake as a gift from someone , every year on my birthday and it never disappointed - chocolate lovers only need apply!

First time I've been able to stop and come in. Friendly staff with great recommendations. Decided to try the bread pudding, and it is amazing. Will make time to come back.

Made the mistake of dropping by for a coffee and a snack. Staff were incredibly unfriendly bordering on hostile. Very regimented, inefficient system that leaves customers wondering where and how to order. If you ask for something not on the menu (a large drip coffee - imagine! like that's never happened before) you're met with disdain and just the right amount of arrogance that makes you feel small and somehow not up to life's challenges. never again...

Neighborhood anchor of consistent, quality, inspired baked goods. They strike a nice balance of tried and true with seasonal inspired offerings.

Just like in paris. The smell is enticing once you open the door. Macaroons. Cheese croissants. Madelines. The duchess cake. Lime tarts. Brioche. I miss the days when this place just opened and everything was in stock and clean. Now its so popular the tables are dirty and my favourites are sold out by 3 pm. Ive come here for years when it was just half the size and there was only 1 or two staff there. Service was impeccable. I guess thats the price you pay for being the best parisan bakery in edmonton. All the best of paris delicacies in a large cafe. Plenty of seats but they always seem full. The desserts are the closest thing to parisan goodies that u can find in edmonton. The only thing missing is the selection of crusty bread sandwiches in every delectable flavours like smoked salmon or mixed meats. But hey duchess cant be perfect. They do got sandwiches and soups but they are not what you come to this place for. My favourites are the salted caramel macaroons, lavender and the rose ones. Delicate and not overly sweet. The only issue is that there is so much sugar in everything I feel like im in diabetic ketoacidosis bc my sugar is through the roof. You cant eat too much of this stuff even if you tried. Ive had the coffee and chai latte which were both nice. A bit small for me as I am used to the ventis but I guess it leaves more snacking room. My only vice about this is that its not cheap. $1.50 a macaroon. And everything costs about $3-$8 an item. Only a small box and it can end up to over $50 easily. But for quality you will come back and pay those prices. When im feeling like being swept to a parisan bakery. I come here. I never leave without a smile. And who could with all those delicious treats.

Walking into Duchess is such a treat. I could stare at all the baked goods for quite a lot longer than I was able to. The displays are just lovely. I do miss being able to sit inside, but I understand with covid you can't. We both ordered a scone. Mine was white chocolate raspberry and my friend got blueberry lemon. We also picked up a cookbook. The scones were delicious!!!!! Wished I would have bought 5 more. Service was also friendly. I'm still dreaming of that scone! I'll be back because there's so many things I want to try.

Duchess is an Edmonton institution and I'm not sure how much I can add that hasn't already been said but I'm going to try! They make some of the most delicious baked goods and pastries I've ever had. They are my go-to when I want to impress someone from out of town with Edmonton's dessert scene. My top three favourite treats are: 1) Sour cream cherry pie 2) Key lime tart 3) Lemon meringue cake The Duke gets an honourable mention because I never choose chocolate desserts but I would choose this over most others. They've done a great job setting up their space with a pandemic-friendly line that snakes throughout the store. While I can't wait to sit a coffee and eat macarons in-person, I'm glad that I can still enjoy their treats safely in the meantime.

I was working in the area and decided to stop by before they close to grab some ginger cookies for the kids. They had 4 left so I grabbed all of them. I also grabbed a mini key lime pie as I absolutely love these and they remind me of travelling. The atmosphere in the store was good, very clean and organized but I miss the hustle and bustle of the place. I remember a time when this place was always packed and not a seat to be found! The ginger cookies have chunks of candied ginger baked right into them and they are delicious. The lady who was helping me suggested that I try the frozen, ready to bake ginger cookies to take home and enjoy. I didn't even know they had this available so I'm so glad she suggested this! I bought the small size 8 cookies for $14.95. I have yet to bake some at home but I'm looking forward to the warm delicious cookies! They have a ton of provisions you can buy to make delicious goodies at home as well. The staff is super friendly and helpful and just a wonderful experience!

Went here a couple of months ago. The croissants are quite simply the best I have ever had. The service was prompt and friendly.

Definitely recommend! I ordered their Christmas cookie box it tastes so good and love their cakes!

OMG they have a Hogwarts Gingerbread House up to see right now along with all the amazing goodies to eat. If there was EVER a time to come visit this place NOW is the time to go here. I should NOT be telling you this but people, take your kids, take your family, take your grandparents, take anyone who was a fan of Harry Potter. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this fantastic Gingerbread House. Duchess Bakery has outdone themselves with this creation. And, then there is the baking itself. After you are done admiring don't forget to pick up some great baking - from the macarons to the cookies to the croissants. Everything is a treat and the staff are always willing to help you choose a favourite. You will not be disappointed if you come - only if you choose to miss out!

Cute French pastry cafe w. delicious macaroons n pastries. Will get it to go next time as the seating is limited and not organized (empty small tables but chairs all taken) which makes the experience not a delightful one (Taking a star away). My favorite was the chocolate cake w. chai latte.

This review is for Duchess' online order and delivery service during the pandemic. Easy ordering online with prepay by credit card. They have a short window for taking orders so find out when it opens and get there fast; they are very popular. I ordered Callebaut chocolate chips, two types of premod frozen cookies (packs of 8) and a lemon meringue cake. They phoned a few minutes from delivery, rang the bell and left the package on the doorstep. Unbagged you see it in the photo. I know it will all be delicious because that's what Duchess does. $68 total and worth every penny!! I want to make sure Duchess is part of Edmonton forever. I wish they had the Duchess cake on the delivery menu, but, well, you can't have everything, as Steven Wright says: where would you put it?

I have been treating myself to a Little Duke every September for 12 years. It is a much anticipated month for me, for my treat began when I had no disposable income at the time and I fell in love with this little chocolate cake. This year was a HUGE disappointment for me. Don't get me wrong the flavor is still the same, but the cake itself is almost unrecognizable from what it started out as. Over the years I have watched the circumference of the cake continually shrink and more gold foil show around it. Now they have reached a point that they cannot shrink it anymore, they have shortened it. It is no longer the Grand and Royal Little Duke it once was...it is more a Paltry Prince, a mere and meagre shape of its former self that has, as most things just gone up and up in price. Such a shame, such a disappointment.

I was looking for a place to get butter tarts, and this came up so my husband and I decided to give them a try. Upon walking in, we found they had a bit of a line and all tables were filled. Because there was nowhere to sit, we chose to only get pastries to go and not stay for lunch, which is a shame because their lunch options look great. While waiting in line, I saw that filling out a survey card can be redeemed for a free macaron, so we took advabtage and did the survey. We redeemed this for a cherry poppyseed macaron. I also ordered a butter tart and a pain au chocolate (dark). My husband ordered a lemon tart. The butter tart had great pastry, but the filling left a bit to be desired. It tasted good but didn't seem like there was much of it. We enjoyed it anyway. The lemon tart was really good! Tender pastry, and a smooth, creamy lemon filling with JUST enough tartness and not too much sweetness. We have not yet trued our other goodies, but these were good enough to warrant a return visit. Should I ever find myself in the area again, I will need to try their pear/brie/pecan flatbread thing. It looks delicious! Oh, staff is friendly and service is quick. No complaints there!

Prices are steep but desserts are perfectly not too sweet. Very cute bakery! Delicious macarons and chocolate cake.

Not like Duchess needs another review, but I thought I'd add my 2 cents. Obviously the location is open, bright and welcoming and it is always abuzz with lively chatter. I went back after a while (almost a year!) yesterday to treat myself and the husband to macarons - they were just as good as I remember. Additionally we tried the Early grey madeleine (amazing), butter tarts (even more amazing), autumn tart (so good), and the dark chocolate meringue (yup, très délicieux). Now to the not so positives - I was super disappointed in the drinks. We had ordered a cappuccino and a London fog and they were both lukewarm and blank, it just makes no sense how that could happen. Will be going back for the baked treats but not the coffee.

Visit Europe without leaving Edmonton! The food here will send your taste buds on a tour. High quality bakery and light lunch items. But really...it's all about the BAKED GOODS! Before I drove to Chicago, I swung by here and spent a small fortune on cakes so that my family could have a little sample of what I've been lucky enough to eat. The bakery sells cakes, cookies, macaroons, pies, cheesecakes. They also have a barista making your favorite cup of caffeine. The food is a treat. The cream tastes creamier. The cakes are just the right amount of sweet. The flavor combinations are deadly delicious. When you make your purchase, your items will be beautifully displayed and boxed up. Classy touch. I've gone during the week - visit before the work crowd grabs lunch for the best selection. There was one day I visited where the only cake available was one I would not have normally eaten. That's all that was left! Besides cakes, coffee, and lunch items, this place also sells items for you to take home such as pie filling and from scratch dough. You can find some unusual baking spices too. Lavender, anyone? Reasonably priced and ready for you to recreate their masterpieces! Also a huge bonus is that Duchess sells a cook book. Hope my husband reads this review and buys me one....hint hint. Things to know: Mommas - you can bring your stroller but boy is it a pain. I would not try to get your stroller to the bathroom. I came here on a mom date with our babies and it was a struggle. This place is very popular! You are not guaranteed a seat. Along with the popularity comes the lengthy time it will take for you to order food. This place is pricey. But worth every dollar! Close your eyes when you eat and really enjoy the flavors! Duchess is on 124th. Even though the street is busy, I managed to find parking right out front on the street every time without effort. The bathrooms are....dare I say beautiful? I will continue to come back to this deliciousness. I can't wait to bring more of my friends over to this esquisite taste experience.

Edmontonians: RUN, don't walk, to the Duchess Bake Shop for a world-class mind-blowing delicious pastry experience! You have *no* idea how lucky you are to have such an amazing patisserie within reach! Hunnybunny and I (literally) stumbled across DBS while on a walkabout break from dropping the troublesome car off at a near-by mechanic. The captivating scent of baked goods plus the happy, nay, delirious faces of those sitting within encouraged a detour. A bit of back-story: I savor savory more than sweets, but with a grandmother who was a baker I've downed more than a few bienenstich, Schwarzwälder kirschtorte, and (my favorite) linzertorte in my day. As an adult I knew enough to swoon over this patisserie in Paris' 1st arrondissement... BUT THE CHOCOLATE CROISSANT AT DUCHESS RANKS UP THERE! I was blown away by the unexpected bounty. Chatting with the staff and owner just reinforced the love for the baked stuffs wasn't a fluke. This place is a keeper. A note for those who love coffee with their sweets: the coffee isn't at par; not bad, but not worthy. Just FYI.

When I am going to Duchess around the holiday season, all you could just hear are the cheers of my taste buds whenever I eat a holiday macaron! It is wild how I have never reviewed this place, but this bake shop was what started my food adventures! There are just so many positive to Duchess, it's too hard to count. From the goodies, service, and even the interior decor, it's all just wonderful. From all the times that I have been to Duchess, it's always the pastries that make the hair on my arms stand. The pastries are so good! I personally love the lemon macarons. The textures and flavors just get to me. Perfection every time! They also have rotating flavors every month to keep things interesting. The service is also great. The staff is very kind, helpful and patient. They have a rotating system, and it keeps the lines moving. Super handy! To put the cherry on top, the interior is clean and organized. The decor has a very regal feel. Overall, a great go-to for some fancy pastries! If you want to skip the lines, make sure you pre-order some goodies.

This is seriously the best bakery in the city! I have never had a bad experience either with the food or the service. Even though the line is usually out the door it moves fast, only 15-20 mins in and out. Their macrons are always delicious and the there are new flavours regularly, recently the caramel apple, just lovely. The store is recently renovated and there is a lot more room for sitting and there's now a preorder counter, genius! Their tarts are also very good, notably the chocolate passion fruit tart is my favourite. Oh I can't say enough good things about this place! Hurray for French Parisian pastry!

I'd had treats from here before but I finally found a reason to venture out and bring some out of town friends in. It was everything I expected. Like stepping into a cafe in Paris. The desserts were all beautiful and the coffee was wonderful. It was a little overwhelming stepping up to the counter and having to just fly by the seat of your pants when ordering. Being a newbie I found this a little daunting but the staff member helping me was super sweet and patient. That being said the one who helped my friends didn't seem quite as patient as the one I was lucky enough to get. I would definitely return here for a special treat in the future.

Love love love it here at Duchess of course. Is it a bad thing that it is relatively close to my work place in the west end? With the expanded space there is most def more space to sit though depending on the time it will get super busy. Tip : get a table first before you line up for food! I just went this morning with a friend right when they opened at 10am. Who knew there can be a line up this early on a sat morning? Interestingly most people were in mine to pick up food to take back home or onwards to wherever their morning lead them. Not many sat down to enjoy their treats. Of course this was great for D & I! I also enjoy trying various items in the bake shop and then making them at home. They have another updated version of their cookbook out through appetite by random house. Definitely take a look!

I tried this place because I've seen it on several lists of "best bakeries in Edmonton", and based on three visits so far that is definitely well-deserved! It's reasonably roomy inside but there's always a line on weekends, though it moves reasonably fast. The displays are filled with an amazing selection of delicious looking baked goods, from macarons to cakes to scones to cookies and croissants - it's hard not to try them all! They're open till fairly late in the day, but be warned - if you turn up towards the end of the day they won't have much left. They sell out fast! The macarons are delicious and so is everything else I've tried, but one of my favorites is the croissant of the day - they stock plain and almond croissants normally, but in addition to this they have a frequently-changing "special" croissant that tends to be a sweeter option. The two times I've tried it the croissant had a tangy, not too sweet filling and then a sweeter glaze on top - most recently, a passion fruit puree in the middle, and a sugary earl grey glaze on top. Amazing. They also sell a normal selection of coffees and teas to drink with your baked goods, but let's face it, you're really there for the delicious baked treats and to be honest I haven't even tried their drinks yet. There is seating inside (although it fills up quickly), and the bakery counter on the left side when you enter, but on the right side is another display case and counter where you can purchase baking supplies. The freezers are full of their own pastry and dough, as well as fruits for pie fillings and other useful stuff. This is the only place in Edmonton I've found so far that actually sells sour cherries (frozen) for making cherry pies - you cannot make cherry pie with sweet cherries, so this was a fantastic discovery and I can't wait to bake cherry pies again! Also just inside the door is a tiny little free book lending library where anyone can take a book and/or leave a book. I love little community mini-libraries like this, and it means you'll always have something interesting to read if you get a snack to enjoy on site. Can't wait to go back and try some more different things!

I recently visited so can give a more accurate review. It was packed on a Sunday afternoon which is not surprising. It has a very unique vibe that makes you feel like you're in Paris or something. Prompt service and nice staff. The line was long but moved quickly. I ordered the Frasier cake for $8. It was really nice- not too sweet and well made. I also got a chai latte, however, was very disappointed with it. It tasted like steamed milk and lacked any sort of chai flavour. It was roughly $4 for a small mug of hot milk sprinkled with cinnamon and a thick coating of foam- definitely wasn't impressed.

It's hard to believe that I haven't written a review for Duchess. This is a world famous bakery that has gotten some serious recognition; remember when they were featured on a Buzzfeed article? I've been coming to Duchess for a number of years but I must admit, I don't come often. The main reason is that it's always insanely busy here. Expect to wait in line, good luck finding a table, and get there early for the best selection of baked goods. Despite this, I usually make a stop here in the fall (mid-September to mid-October) to pick up their seasonal Apple Earl Grey Jelly. This instead of PSL is my fall treat. It's so comforting with an Earl grey tea or London Fog. Whenever I'm at Duchess I must have their Lunch Combination. For some reason their lunch is super underrated but I think that Duchess makes the best quiche in the city. It's only $12 for their lunch combination - you can get a slice of Vegitarian or Meat Quiche (they have other sandwich options available too), a side salad and a seasonal soup. It's a fantastic deal for quality food. If I could eat this everyday for lunch I would. I would come to Duchess more often but it's just so much of a hassle. There's so much room in the cafe for more chairs and tables, I don't know why they don't take advantage of it. It's so awkward trying to enjoy the food and company when you have people starring at you so they can be first to grab your seat. Despite this, Duchess really does have delicious and good quality food. It's the closest we can get to France here in Edmonton. I urge you to go if you haven't been here already!

This famous bakery is definitely worth a visit even if you are in town for just a couple days. Even on a Sunday morning, there is a line waiting for it to open at 10am. Fortunately, the staff seems to be use to the rush an everyone is helped out and settled in an organised and timely manner. Our party had a lot of people, but we were lucky enough to grab one of the bigger seating arrangements and cluster around to try all the delectable treats. The options are definitely a feast for the eyes, with everything arranged neatly in the glass cases waiting to be called upon for eating. We had the dark chocolate croissant, almond croissant, the Duke mini cake, brioche pepin and several of the macaroons. Everything was delicious, and there is definitely something to appeal to everyone's taste. If you want something lighter and less sweet, go for the dark chocolate croissant. If you want a strong hit of chocolate, the Duke will serve to satisfy any chocolate cravings. To avoid chocolate altogether (but why would you), the almond croissant is well made and has the perfect density. Definitely will be back to try their scones and pies.

I love the atmosphere here with its beautiful white French cafe accents. I love that they opened it up more and added more tables. This place is always very busy. Which in the summer time is ok because I just take my treats to go and sit on a nearby bench, but in the winter time I only visit in the late afternoons if I plan on eating in. From Tuesday to Friday they are open till 7pm. I find if I visit around 5pm there is always a table I can sit at. Yes they are less treats to choose from at this time but they almost always have some macarons left. Right now they a Hogwarts Gingerbread House set up. It's worth seeing to understand how big of a project it must have been to create! Their featured drink is Butter Beer and it's not too sweet and really tasty! Again visiting in the afternoon ensures that you can get better photos of this grand Gingerbread house because there are less people around.

Oh my goodness, amazing macarons! And such a good price for each one too! Each macaron is only $1.75 each! (so much cheaper than the ones in Toronto). There is definitely NO compromise on the taste despite its affordable price. My favourite flavours here are: Rose, Pistachio, and Salted Caramel. But honestly, all the flavours here are really good! Also tried their Brioche Pepin - still tasted bombbbb a day after buying it! The couple times I've been here there's usually a line up. The macaron flavours can also run out. But definitely worth the wait!

I finally made it here after a couple failed attempts in previous years. One year they were on vacation and another visit they were closed. Usually, I am in town only for a short visit and this year I finally made it. We showed up an hour before closing time and most of the items were sold out. I settled with some macarons and a chai latte. The macarons were soft and packed with flavour. They were well made. They are not the best ones I have tried, but they were pretty solid. The chai latte was average. I actually like Starbucks' version more. The ambiance is elegant with the white and marble detailing. The seating arrangement could be better and I can see how this bakery can get packed during busy hours. Definitely, one of a kind ambiance in Edmonton as I have not come across many bakeries set up like this.

If you haven't been to Duchess Bake Shop yet, you need to get in the car and drive there NOW. Not tomorrow or later or in a week or two, I mean NOW! Their lemon tarts are to DIE for and they are known for their macaroons! DUCHESS made BuzzFeed's list of Bakeries you need to eat at before you DIE! That's right, before you die and Duchess is the only Canadian bakery to make the list! http://www.buzzfeed.com/jonmichaelpoff/bakeries-around-the-world-you-need-to-eat-at-before-you-d#.whn8Gab05K Now, do I love everything at Duchess? No, but I sure do love most of it! The staff are extremely knowledgeable and can lead you in the right direction if you describe your craving :-) My personal faves include the lavender meringues, macaroons, and anything lemony tart! Duchess bakes everything from scratch with no fillers or pretend ingredients :-) Mmm... Butter. The little accessories store attached to the restaurant/coffee house side is adorable and full of all kinds of kitcheny gadgets and goodness to get your bake on! See you soon Duchess, see you soon!

This place is like disneyland for a person who loves desserts! I went here on a weekday and we had to wait for a bit to get a seat to sit but I've heard that there is a lineup on the weekends to even get in so I would definitely recommend going on a weekday. I loved the white decor of the place and the servers were super nice and helped you pick the perfect sweet treat. I got the tartiflette combo which came with ginger carrot soup and salad while my friend tried the quiche. The tartiflette was basically like eating pizza with potatoes on top and the soup and salad was good too. The quiche was so cheesy and soft so if you like cheese, I would get that - theres a vegetarian quiche option too! For dessert, I I had the blackberry pistachio danish which was honestly my favourite thing! Both the flavours worked so well together and neither overpowered the other and the crust was so soft! Highly recommend this! I also tried the pistachio macaron which was amazingly light and the shortbread which was melt in your mouth buttery! Also their iced chai latte tastes really good - kind of like the kashmir chai in remedy! I honestly love this place so much I wish I could work here haha!

The store wasn't very busy but that may be due to their significantly increased prices and weekday timing. I took a bite out of both the grandmere flourentine and it made my heart go pitter patter. Eating the dark chocolate croissant temporarily made me forget who husband is! The store is spacious, well decorated and clean. I have never bought anything here that I thought wasn't delicious. Give his place a visit!!

I haven't been in a while, so it was a pleasant surprise to come in and see that they've renovated and made the space bigger by taking over what used to be their Provisions store - taking down the wall, adding more tables and brightening it up really made it seem huge in there. I am not going to lie - I used to think Duchess was THE bakery to go to in town, but I've found that over the years, their popularity grew (as did their prices) and their sizes seem to have gotten smaller. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it's not the be-all-end-all of french bakeries in town with so many having opened up in the past year or so. I stop in when I'm in the neighbourhood, but I don't necessarily make a point to visit it specifically.

Items Selected: Almond Croissant Honey Ginger, Pistachio, Caramel Macaron Maple Pecan Pie Brioche Pepin - Crème Patissiere & Milk Chocolate Butter Tart Paris Brest Strawberry Rhubarb Financier Molasses Cookie Winning nearly every Canadian baking accolade available since it's 2009 opening, Duchess Bake Shop on 124 Street NW is nothing short of an Edmonton destination, even a two o'clock arrival on a Wednesday finding all seats of the sizable café filled with patrons ranging from a traditionally dressed Arab family to groups of giggly girls busy Snap-chatting with Croissants in their mouths. Laid out in a flowing ring from left to right, seating in the middle and no lack of temptation to be found, Duchess focuses on daily scratch-baking with no preservatives or mixes while the staff is efficient and courteous, the fact that their fame has spawned a well-selling cookbook surprisingly not driving prices skyward as items like the $4.50CAD Paris Brest with crisp Choux and delicate Hazelnut Cream are several dollars cheaper than places overseas or even less-capable patisseries in Canada's neighbor to the South. Running the gamut of expected French Pastries, the Almond Croissant an airy single-baked version with ground and sliced nuts perfuming wide caverns beneath its shattering shell, Duchess' Macarons follow a high standard for quality with light sweetness and a weightless crackle around smooth fillings, the Honey Ginger particularly well-balanced while Caramel and Pistachio could rival any of the top competitors around. Setting aside the Brioche Pepin, a fold of Bread that was unfortunately too dry even with a thin layer of Cream and Chocolate at its core, better bites were uncovered in the seasonal Financier featuring preserved Strawberries and Rhubarb as well as the raisin-laden Canadian favorite Butter Tart. Taking a brief break to rest and digest, the sticky sugar topping of that gooey Tart a threat to anyone with loose teeth or fillings, Duchess Bakeshop continued to impress by way of a pliable Molasses Cookie heavily imbued with spice while the $7CAD "individual" Maple Pecan Pie with an all-Butter Crust and toasted Pecans bathed in Maple Syrup spoke volumes about the Bakery's ingredient sourcing.

Amazing shop! We were lucky to find not much of a line and a table easily on a Saturday which I heard is unusual. We both had the blueberry tarts which were so delicious. Just the right amount of sweet! I highly recommend checking this place out. I can't wait to return!

Fiiiiinally got to try some stuff from Duchess! And there is honestly not much more to say than it is SO good! The macarons were a great balance of tart and sweet and the cream balanced it out so nicely. The proportions were perfect and every bite was just soo good. The chocolate cake was great too especially if you're a chocolate lover because This. Was. Chocolatey - beyond amazing. I didn't realize you could taste different flavors of chocolate in one cake but oh yeah it's possible and it's delicious!! As far as the inside or pricing goes or selection I don't have anything to say because I wasn't the one to go into the store but what I can say is that these desserts were just phenomenal. The presentation too was so impressive. This is a great place if you're looking to get someone a gift because there wasn't an imperfection I could see. I can't wait to come back myself to try out some more delicious goodies!

OMG this place is heaven! This is the best bakery in Alberta! You will be delighted with anything you ear or drink here. It is a popular place and seating is limited; if you plan to eat in, I'd recommend watching if a table becomes available while your friend is lining up to buy some baked goods. But your wait will be worth it, for sure. Most of the items are sweet, but you can also have croque monsieur, quiche, soup or salad. I tried the croque monsieur and it was de-li-ci-ous!

This is one of my favourite bake shops in Edmonton. When I walk in and see all the delicious things in the display case i feel like I'm waking through a Parisian bakery. They have Edmonton's best Macarons and the key like pie is to DIE for!!! The scones are fluffy and dense which sounds weird but they are perfect. The croissants are melt in your mouth buttery and the cakes make a great special birthday or occasion. Must go if you are visiting, on a date or just want to spoil yourself or someone special.

This place churns out really tasty desserts. The cake we had was thick, almost overly sweet, and delectable. It was a fair price given the obvious amount of care taken into the intricate preparation, and the quality of ingredients. Come early - there's often a long line and things run out.

Love this bakery every time I visit Edmonton I have to go get some munchies before I head home. I highly recommend that you try the Keylime tart! By far the best I have ever had I get it every time and I don't share it. It's always supper busy so be prepared to stand in line and if you get a seat you one of the lucky ones. Wish I could bake this well....

This place is so great. Excellent people watching and delicious croissants. But tres cher! We went for a light (in volume not calories lol) breakfast and some coffee. I had espresso, he had a London Fog. The London Fog was just warm which was disappointing. But the gruyere croissant was very tasty. Be ready for a crowd though the place is very popular so that means it is always packed. I've also had the cakes and baked goods but it was my first time at the actual bakery and I already can't wait to go back.

Duchess never disappoints - no surprise as BuzzFeed has named Duchess one of the world's best bakeries. My regular order always consists of macarons and a latte. The macarons are the best I've ever had - my absolute favourite flavour is pistachio. This Fall season, Pumpkin Pie and Caramel Apple, have also been clutch. For birthdays, the Duke and Duchess are wonderful. Chocolate lovers should stick to the Duke. I have been going to Duchess Bake Shop since it opened in 2009 and it has never disappointed. Even with the increased popularity of the bake shop, the integrity of the food has not been compromised. I applaud Duchess Bake Shop's bakers and owners for their amazing work. Another thing I can appreciate about Duchess Bake Shop, is that this past May they drop the price of their macarons from $2.00 to $1.90. Duchess receives their organic almond flour from California. As California has experienced a long drought prices for almond flour have been high for several years. Recently, the price of flour dropped as California received more rain thus more almonds!! Duchess has since dropped the price of their macarons passing the price cut down to consumers. I do recommend pre-ordering during the busy holidays to avoid 45min+ line-ups. I full heartedly support and recommend every Edmontonian and tourist entering the city to support this local business. It is one of the many highlights of Edmonton

Dessert decadence. Their maracons are always a must-try, although a bit on the pricey side because you can never have just one. Currently my favourite flavour is salted caramel. They used to have a limited edition green tea raspberry one that was pretty bomb, too. I'd recommend visiting earlier in the day because they tend to sell out of their most popular items by the afternoon.