Emmer

Bakery · University

Emmer

Bakery · University

3

161 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 1H1, Canada

Photos

Emmer by null
Emmer by Emmer
Emmer by Emmer
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null
Emmer by null

Highlights

This buzzing Toronto spot serves up heavenly pastries like their must-try pistachio croissant, alongside friendly service and cozy seating, making it a breakfast haven.  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

161 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 1H1, Canada Get directions

emmertoronto.ca
@emmertoronto

CA$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

161 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 1H1, Canada Get directions

+1 416 922 1626
emmertoronto.ca
@emmertoronto

CA$10–20 · Menu

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay

Last updated

Jul 1, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

"Open for: Breakfast and lunchPrice range: $$Philip Haddad’s croissants are legendary; they’re also incredibly messy, though you should wear the buttery debris on your face as a badge of honor. The viral, twice-baked Sicilian pistachio croissant naturally steals the spotlight with creamy frangipane oozing from its butter-busting pores, but don’t miss the opportunity to explore the rest of the fine-tuned creations. Kitchen manager Colin Butcher and chef de cuisine Joe Siu offer weekly savory Saturday specials, such as a mortadella breakfast sandwich with creamy bechamel, nutmeg dijon, pepper rings, meaty Italian sausage, and a fried egg. While you’re there, pick up a loaf or two of the sourdough, which utilizes dough fermented for 24 hours to create a compact, chewy crumb and a rustic, crusty exterior.Know before you go: The best way to find out about daily specials, pastry drops, and preorder availability is to follow the bakery on Instagram." - Tiffany Leigh

The 38 Best Restaurants in Toronto, Canada
View Postcard for Emmer
@eater

"With their crispy-crackle crust and melting-moment centers, Philip Haddad’s croissants are legendary. They’re also incredibly messy, though you should wear the buttery debris on your fingers and mouth as a badge of honor. Beyond the classic, there’s also an emerald-studded, twice-baked Sicilian pistachio croissant, which oozes a creamy frangipane from its butter-busting pores. While you’re there, pick up a loaf or two of the sourdough, which is fermented for 24 hours, offering a compact, chewy crumb and a rustic crusty exterior. The cafe also offers breakfast, lunch, and early dinner options. The tahini halloumi toast is a life-affirming (if thematically messy) selection: Fragrant, bitter tahini is slathered on thick-cut sourdough, topped with salt-kissed grilled halloumi, and finished with maple syrup and sesame." - Tiffany Leigh

The 38 Essential Toronto Restaurants
View Postcard for Emmer
@celia

Try their pistachio croissants.

Clouds and wind streaks in the sky
Gotta go check out these spots in Toronto
View Postcard for Emmer

Lilian

Google
Sausage roll: delicious, I love a savoury pastry so this one is it! The sausage itself had a really good flavour and pastry was so flaky. Mouthwatering. Pistachio croissant: reading the reviews, it's really hard to get ahold of but got one at 9:30am on a Saturday. I enjoyed it, filling was perfect amount of sweetness and the crusted pistachio was beautiful and crunchy. Glad I tried it but for $10, I don't think I'd get it again. Sausage Breakfast sandwich: delicious, must be the same sausage they use in the sausage roll. English muffin was nicely toasted and the hot sauce was a nice touch! Chocolate chip cookie was good, but for the price I wouldn't get it again. Bit of a pricier spot, but the pastries are good and service in the patio was friendly.

Nathalie M

Google
This bakery often has lineups. Their most popular item is the pistachio croissant and it sells out pretty fast in the morning. They have a good amount of bread and pastries (savoury and sweet) to choose from. They have a patio where you can sit with your goods, drinks, sandwiches from this place. Whatever you choose, you need to lineup, place your order for to go or to sit down. If there anything that needs to be prepared for you, you take a number and wait seated at the patio. I’ve tried their croissant which is one of the best I’ve had in the city. It’s nice and flaky crispy and buttery. Their pistachio croissant was also good, even though I found it a bit on the expensive side. Their black sesame bun is good too. I’d like to try their sandwiches one day. Definitely recommend the place even though I find ordering and getting your order could be improved / be a bit faster.

Bhakti Dalvi

Google
Quite famous place with long queue, took around 15 mins. Got the sour cherry cheesecake croissant. Taste was different and good. The price is too steep though, $10 for a croissant is very much on the higher end. There is a spacious seating area adjacent to the space. They have a bunch of brunch menu options too which look good.

Bredgy L.

Google
Follow @bredgyeats for more food pics! The pistachio croissants from Emmer are a Toronto must-try. Despite its heavier price tag, once this pastry is in your hands you can immediately feel its heft, completely encrusted with a nutty coating of roasted pistachios that provides a delightful crunch that contrasts the surprisingly crisp flaky texture of the croissant. Despite being soaked with a sweet pistachio syrup practically oozing out with every bite, the double bake allows for that indulgent crispy texture. You shouldn't overlook their butter croissants and caneles, as well as anything else they offer. Watch out, one day I came early but not early enough for their pistachio croissants, yet I was still more than satisfied with that rich, buttery, and crispy bite of their classic butter croissant and their chocolately goodness of their pain au chocolat. Both have an intricately delicate structure inside, which indicates a mastery of technique.

Diya Saigol

Google
I’ve only tried the pistachio croissant… but I didn’t find it was worth the hype!! Definitely not worth standing in line early morning or during work hours for. They make it so difficult to get, it took me over a year to find a time I could get it. The croissant is very beautiful to look at, and it is tasty for sure, but I found the croissant much too toasted - it had a bit of burnt flavor and was very dry inside. The pistachio filling was definitely good… not spectacular though. The pistachios on top are generous and beautiful… surprisingly not that flavorful though! Not sure what quality/variety they’re using. Overall it is definitely a delicious croissant that I enjoyed, but not something I would go out of my way for… definitely wouldn’t wait in line or arrive at odd hours to procure. In comparison, I recently had a pistachio dark chocolate croissant at Geste on Queen West… I actually found this much better, with creamy pistachio butter filling and a buttery pastry. I’ll skip the line and go there next time! They restock every few hours…. Which Emmer could definitely choose to do if they wanted to make their items more accessible.

Nick M

Google
Hands down one of our favorite spots in the city whenever we’re craving a good treat! Their croissants are unbelievably buttery and flaky—easily some of the best we’ve ever had (trust me, the standards are high—my girlfriend’s from France) and we have no problem lining up for them. We also love their breakfast options, especially the sausage egg and cheese sandwich (one of the best in Toronto!) and the bacon butty—the sourdough bread is amazing. Other must-tries include the sausage roll, the sourdough baguette, and from the lunch menu, their BLT is one of our all-time favorites. Everything is made with care, and it really shows in the flavor and quality 👏🏻 Definitely worth the hype!

A H

Google
To be honest I come here a lot, and recently I’ve found the quality has gone down a lot. Their croissants used to be so vibrant and large. Now they are a lot smaller for the same price. And I understand each day they can proof differently but it’s been a consistent change. They are A LOT smaller than before, and they look burnt now almost every time. I’ve been coming here for the past 2 years so I know it’s changed. Plus their service has definitely improved but there’s something strange about the way they service. I have been in the industry for so long. There is a quicker and better way to serve your customers so they aren’t out there waiting for so long. Think outside the box, don’t do just one at a time. I always see another employee just standing there waiting. Why not start the order of the next customer, write it down at least if it’s large. Start their pastry box order or whatever. You can see in the picture that they have significantly gotten smaller and more “cooked” if you will. I want to say great things but I’ve been a bit disappointed the last handful of times I’ve come.

Patricia Chehade

Google
This is by far the best croissant I’ve had in all of Toronto! I’m obsessed with it and wish I can have it every single day! It’s worth the wait! They also have really great plain croissant, the croissant au chocolat was delicious and their sourdough bread is amazing!

Tara K.

Yelp
Excellent but PRICEY! Tried Emmer for Mothers Day brunch. Saw there was a line out the door, it moved pretty quick - so don't be intimidated! Ordering is a little confusing - you have to enter the shop first, then you get to choose if you want to dine in on their separate covered patio or take your food to go. A quick glance at the menu confirmed that most of the items you are getting will be 20+ dollars. We ordered the avocado toast and the turkey and celery root sandwich (the sandwich was discounted and ready to pick up from the display so I snagged it). Made our way over to the covered patio area to wait for our order. Luckily there was space as it was a constant revolving door. Lots of Mother's Day celebrations. Food was incredible - the bread is to die for and it was clear the ingredients are fresh and high quality. Only gripe is that the avocado toast was a little skinny for the price we paid. Highly recommend for an amazing neighbourhood brunch spot. Just save it for special occasions if you have a tight wallet (like me!).

Becky C.

Yelp
Nice bakery and always busy, so be sure to get there early for the best selection. A bit on the pricey end but good. Unless you have time to kill, order what's available in the case. The kitchen takes a while. Took over 15 min for an egg and cheese sandwich. Everything is good though! If you have time and money to spare, it's a good place to check out!!

Stana B.

Yelp
Another stellar Saturday morning visit to Emmer. And here I thought going close to opening time would alleviate waiting in line....nope! Arrived at 9:11am, and there was about 4 people in the bakery and 5 people ahead of me! Early birds!! Line goes fast, don't worry.... But so do the pastries so best not to leave it to last minute!! Came for the new egg salad toast option and it did not disappoint. Thankful to have the pepperoni chili crisp on the side that way I could temper the spice to my liking! Loved it. All the flavours with creamy egg, and crispy, crunchy textures worked well together. Highly recommend. Dine in option in heated/covered patio is a great option. Order at the bakery and then wait at your seat. Don't forget to get pastries to go! Staff is friendly!

Jen A.

Yelp
Bakery lovers, YOU HAVE to try to the Mushroom Gruyère Croissant Tile! What's a croissant tile, you ask? Imagine a little rectangle of pizza, but instead of a pizza crust, it's the flakiest, butteriest, perfectly crispy croissant crust! Oh MY GOSH. And the mushroom and Gruyère topping was perfect, of course. I went here at the end of the day, and there was no one in line, so they were kind enough to warm it up for me so I could take it on my wintry walk. You need this in your life. Also, I tried the sausage rolls, and they are excellent. They come with a separate little container of mustard that absolutely burns, haha. It's delicious in a horseradish way, so if you're into that, go forth!

Kelly C.

Yelp
During our long weekend trip, my group came here 4 times. This bakery lives up to the hype from our friends. The line on the weekend was around the corner (the bakery is close to the corner) and only took about 10-15 minutes to get in and order. Well worth the wait. We all loved the pistachio and almond croissant (not pictured, we were too excited) because of the jammy filling on the inside, it paired so well with the soft and already buttery inside. The black currant croissant and 40% semi-sweet chocolate croissant (pain au) had such a nice crispy flakey outside. We also tried some savory pastries: jalapeno cheddar scone (highly recommend, dense cheesy texture), shakshuka brioche, french onion brioche, and mushroom quiche. Our airbnb was a few blocks away so we were able to pop these in the oven for a few minutes which I think was a game changer since we also ate the sausage roll at room temperature another day; it was still very good but nothing like warm-gooey cheese.

Jennifer S.

Yelp
Emmer is everything you want to expect out of a small bakery. We arrived about 15 min before opening on a Saturday and were 4th in line. The cue progressively got larger. I ordered the shashuka in a brioche. I feel like it could have had more filling but nonetheless the flavor was savory and I enjoyed the runny yolk. Yes, the pistachio crescent is worth all the hype! It gave me supercharged baklava vibes. The outside pistachios covering was my favorite part and easily a shareable pastry. I would wait in line again for how delicious everything.

Eileen L.

Yelp
This bakery/cafe has been hyped for their pistachio croissant - we were second in line when we arrived 45 mins before opening on a rainy Sunday morning. The line eventually grew around the block by the time it was 9am. There is a limit of 2 pistachio croissants per person. We got 4 pistachio croissants as well as the 40% pain au chocolat. We also got a latte and an iced Americano. The pastries here are on the expensive side - after tax and tip the pistachio croissant is approx $11. HOWEVER, the pastries are large and heavy, enough to be shared among two people, and the quality of ingredients is high so I would say it's worth the price. The pistachio croissant was amazing and worth the hype! Their variety of desserts is actually pretty good, I saw they had bread and other pastries. They had a large patio with a canopy which was great since it was raining. Each table has hand sanitizer. They forgot to give us one of the pastries so we had to go back to ask. Washrooms are clean, up stairs access from the patio.

Polidennis S.

Yelp
Amazing croissants and bread. Hard to eat sourdough from anywhere else after having theirs. The loaf is huge. I cut into slices and freeze it. Lasts me a couple weeks.

Robert C.

Yelp
It's been a couple years but I'm back! I ordered pistachio and chocolate semi-sweet croissants to go the other day. Plenty of pistachios on the exterior of the croissant. Not really sure what the big appeal was although aesthetically it was attractive. The chocolate croissant I always thought could use more chocolate. I was the first one in line for the opening Wednesday. The cashier was eager and cheerful. I like people with good attitudes.

Sam K.

Yelp
Best sourdough in the city. Croissants have a great crispy flakiness with fluffy buttery centres. Cookies have great flavour, crispy edges and chewy texture.

Duri S.

Yelp
Got there before opening on a weekend and had about 15 people in line already. Pistachio croissant was sold out by the time I got to the counter at 9:15am. Don't know how they don't have more than a dozen of their most popular item at opening. Felt like manufactured scarcity. Bought canelé, almond croissant, soma dark chocolate croissant, and a peanut butter miso cookie. Like others have mentioned, the service leaves much to be desired. The person helping me threw things into the box haphazardly and things were broken when I opened the box in the car. The almond croissant was great in flavour but both croissants I bought seemed to be under-proofed. It was incredibly greasy and soggy in the middle and a bit off putting. Would rate it 5/10. Canelé was perfect both in texture and flavour. Rate it 9/10. Peanut butter miso cookie, despite it being destroyed when packaged, had amazing flavour and texture, soft and chewy in the inside and crispy on the outside. 8/10. Overall: I really wish I loved this place but unfortunately it doesn't even come close living up to the hype. With a lot of options in the city, there are better places to get your pastries at a lower price point without the lineups and the attitude. You shouldn't feel like buying from a business is an inconvenience to them.

Paul Jr. G.

Yelp
Great pastries But they only make 20-25 pistachio croissants a day. If you're lucky enough to get one after waiting in an unreasonable long line you'll be happy. It's quite delicious but a tad on the expensive side. $9.50 a piece. The sausage rolls are also very good a little more dijon would be appreciated. Additionally they need to reconsider the bacon butty, its bacon and bbq sauce in some sourdough bread. We were disappointed.

Oshynne L.

Yelp
I understand why there's always a line here even before it opens, as the selection of pastries is best before many people have come to purchase. I came to try the croissants after having visited for brunch once, and I was not disappointed. I had the butter croissant and the pistachio croissant, and both were well done. If you like almond croissants, you'll likely enjoy their pistachio one; I personally enjoyed the butter croissant more. I also had the sausage roll (which was $10!) and I don't think I would get it again; it was mostly sausage and very little roll. There is no interior seating, but there is a patio area on the side of the building with plenty of tables so it's perfect in the summer but likely better to do takeout in the colder months. I wouldn't necessarily return for the croissants, but I would be open to trying some of the other items that they offer!

Siobhan D.

Yelp
I didn't get to visit in person, but my partner flew home to Chicago from Toronto with a prize for me: An Emmer strawberry rhubarb tartlette!!! Oh my! Absolutely extraordinaire, so flavorful but also very subtle, delicate. The best crumbly bits on the top. Loved it! Thank you, Emmer staff. I hope to visit from Chicago one day!

Alex C.

Yelp
I tried their blackcurrant crossaint for $7.50. Overall, a very good croissant. Not too buttery, nice and flaky, and the flavors were balanced. The blackcurrant flavor was good but not too empowering. Overall, great but expensive.

Selena C.

Yelp
super quick service when grabbing to go. I still haven't been able to snag a pistachio croissant but hopefully one day! I went on a random wednesday afternoon and they were already sold out! Guess they really do sell fast. I settled for the black current croissant and after tasting that, i'm excited for the pistachio one. Croissant was buttery and flakey and the black current filling was just tart enough. Really has been the best tasting croissant i've had in toronto, I can see why they're so popular

Aiko I.

Yelp
Came here around noon. There was a line up of people when we arrived. It is a small place and they limit two groups inside. After 5 mins when we went in, there were not much left on the shelf but we were lucky to get the following items: Butter Croissant Canelé Berry Brioche Mushroom quiche The butter croissant is rich, crispy, airy and definitely tasty, but I found it a bit greasy. My finger got oily as I ate, but it was stretchy when I pulled it to tear into a bite-size piece :) Yet there was not much "buttery" after taste in spite of the greasiness. Their Canelé may be my favorite in Toronto - just visually less refined than other counterparts. Yet, their canelé has the best bitterness in the city. The outer is perfectly caramelized, thinly crisp and bitter, with a perfect contrast with the inner sweet custard. The center of the custard is melty moist! The brioche is a bit dry but naturally sweet with a distinct eggy flavor. Tasty. But the texture is a bit crumbly. The quiche had generous amount of mushroom slices, and it is cheesy side than eggy side (my preference). Overall, very good absolutely better than most bakeries. I wanted to try more items, but their items are sold fairly quickly so I must go at an earlier time. Will come back for their canelé for sure!

Elvis A.

Yelp
This spot had a lot of hype around it as rave reviews for the pistachio croissant, amazing brunch and huge lineups. Ahem I guess I am not one of those folks that think long wait time is part of the experience. They are decent for certain things such as the porridge bread, pistachio olive oil cake and the popular pistachio croissant. The brioche dessert didn't fare well for moi likewise for the cream puff ( price point being the culprit) and caramel rum croissant. The main bone of contention is they are charging a proper dine in price for grab and go items. I guess that's the new trend or shaping up to be a new trend! With the price value proposition I can't rate them higher than 3.5 stars.

Daniela B.

Yelp
This place it's amazing!!!! We had a mortadella sandwich special that was incredible. Their croissants are also delicious!! We went there 2 days in a room on our trip to Toronto.

Rachel O.

Yelp
Incredibly overpriced for what you get, waited 20 minutes for the worst coffee I've maybe ever had which also came in a cup that was completely covered in spilled coffee. Will never go back here, don't waste your time in the lineup.

Erin G.

Yelp
This bakery is wonderful. Always has a line on the weekends - which isn't a bad thing. They move quick and are patient with you when ordering. I go for the sausage rolls. They are expensive but I LOVE them.

Lucia L.

Yelp
Fave croissants in Toronto. I came early on a Sunday around 9:15 am and there was a short line. They limit the number of people inside to two. There is also a limit on how much croissants you can purchase which is understandable seeing how they are so popular. These croissants are big boys and they are hefty. They are very filling and probably have a whole stick of butter in each but so so so delicious. I love the texture of them. I personally prefer the plain butter one the best. I was very impressed with how many pistachios were caked on top of the pistachio one though.

Ada L.

Yelp
Emmer, located on Harbord at Borden is a bakery selling croissants, bread, pastries and sandwiches. A business that opened during the pandemic, this bakery is known to have long lines, partly because there can only be 2 customers allowed in the store at the same time. They have a patio on the side of the baker which is also covered and heated in the winter months. I've heard mixed reviews about Emmer ever since they opened and was curious to try it for myself. Wasn't particularly thrilled that there were always lineups so I never made the effort to go..until recently. Emmer recently started doing limited pre-orders on their items on select days (some croissants and bread items). The online ordering process was easy. Pick up was even easier where I could by pass the line and pick up my baked goods from their heated patio. Orders must be placed 48hrs before they are picked up. I ordered 2 butter croissants and 2 chocolate croissants. Unfortunately these items did not live up to the hype. The butter croissant was so oily...each bite, all I could taste was oiliness when I was eating it (not in a very pleasant way either). I enjoyed how crispy the croissant was but other than that, it was not great. The chocolate croissant also had such a small amount of chocolate it was laughable. Overall, glad I never had to wait in line for the croissants. Unfortunately, not worth the hype.

Poonam S.

Yelp
I popped by Emmer on a Friday morning around 11am and got lucky with a short 2 person line up. The bakery is small and they do limit 2 groups at a time inside currently. While the croissants were not on the shelf at the time, the staff was helpful in letting me know what time to return for the next batch. I ended up walking back a few minutes after and picked up a passionfruit croissant and olive oil pitaschio cake, as well as a latte. Everything was delicious. The only con is how quickly everything runs out!

Shaan A.

Yelp
Emmerrrrrrrr. Yes, there's a line up. Yes, they are sold out of pistachio croissants by 10AM. Yes, there's a limit on how much you can purchase. But are these the best croissants in Toronto? Also yes. Honestly it's worth it to try at least once, but I've been back a few times....in the last month. Go get your croissants! And shoutout to the owner Philip. Prices of the croissant are reflected in the wages paid to the employees.

Mandy Z.

Yelp
Emmer is a well known bakery store in downtown Toronto. We ordered Patty Melt and Tuna Melt. Portion is huge, and fill with beef and tuna. The Tuna Melt comes with a few pickles on the side. The Patty Melt comes with marble sourdough and Tuna Melt comes with sesame sourdough. Love their sourdough bread for sure and highly recommended.

Jennifer L.

Yelp
I was strolling through the neighborhood when I decided to go in for pastries and coffee, and I was blown away. The 40% semi-sweet pain du chocolat and caramélised passion fruit croissant were both skilfully made. The outside was crisp and flakey, while the inside was soft and buttery. In particular, I enjoyed the sour-sweet freshness of the passion fruit jam. The decaf Americano was surprisingly excellent, and was one of the cleanest cups I've ever had despite a chronic expectation that decaf will always be a disappointment. I be amending my walking routine to incorporate this little neighbourhood gem

Sherry S.

Yelp
So much hype for what I have to say is an average bakery. The pastry is better than most bakeries albeit overly salty, but the fillings were skimpy. I was searching for the cinnamon, and searching for the blackberry... The scone was inedible - basically a salt lick. I think it's okay, but not impressive enough to make me want to make a specific trip out there. I'd like to give it another try, perhaps another day, with different items. Overall. Meh.

Michelle W.

Yelp
Cute cafe spot on harbord street. Line ups early morning for their baked goods and lots sell out early. Theres also a spacious covered patio for dine in. I ordered the fried fish sandwich and it was soooo delicious. It was fried perfectly - light, crispy and yummy. Will definitely come back for more of the fried fish sandwich. Their known for their pastries and bread. I do think their pastry prices are steep - a chocolate croissant/roll pastry item was $6.

Carl N.

Yelp
Fantastic bakery! Everything really good and their croissant lives up to the hype. Recommend for sure.

Jade T.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick lunch on Thursday. Minimal presentation of freshly made sandwiches with freshly made bread. Place smells like heaven. Cashier was very nice as well and answered all out questions. I had the Mortadella, Stracciatella + Pistachio sandwhich which had soft hand-stretched mozzarella, dressed greens + pistachio pistou. It was delicious, I do wish it had a bit more layers of meet as i can barely taste the deli meat. My friend had the Shaved Celery Root sandwich Which had roasted celery root with urfa biber + mint, olive tapenade, caper, parsley and shallot sauce. My friend said the celery root was pickled. We sat on the outdoor patio which was nice, it was very spacious and had heat lamps. Note: Parking was hard to find.

Alex D.

Yelp
What can I say? I've had croissants and baked goods from the best of the best. I've had them all. In the early 2000s, I worked under Gontran Cherrier when he was doin his own show. If you don't know Cherrier, I don't blame ya, I wouldn't either, but this Frenchie practically perfected the croissant, along with a bunch of other baked delights that put a good hundo pounds on me by 2011. He owes me the cost of my gym membership. That'd be if I went to a gym. So where was I...ah, yes...Emmer. Let me splain something to the younger crowds out on dis here YELP. Back in the day, Toronto was untarnished by "Boutique" bakeries. It was just the real deal. The best croissant was from a bombastic woman on Queen at a place called Clafouti. It was pure puffed perfection for my fat face. Nowadays you got these sterile white "boutique" joints with all-white walls and a staff that has the petulant attitude of a Swiss boarding school brat who's showing off his dad's Maserati. It ain't for Uncle Alex. I like my bakeries laid back as a cup of Joe. So I waltz into Emmer after all this "TikTok" bought hype and guess what I see? A scattered half-full "this and that" collection of embarrassing pastries. I couldn't believe my eyes. Not full? This is a distinction between Toronto and REAL bakeries, from Paris to Palermo. In Toronto, they like ta do dis thing where things are "rare", "Sold out" before a certain time. Then they "limit orders." My fat face just laughs at these selling tactics. Back in all my days of being a pastry connoisseur, that's a sure fire sign that ya ain't the real deal. Look, you gotta understand something...bakeries can always fully prep der dough and accoutrements the night before for a scaled up patronage. But dis ain't dat. It's Emmer trying to look cool. Cherrier wouldn't ever let his croissant rack dry up. It's an insult to the craft. You kidding me? Drying up by noon and you call yerself a patisserie? OK, so l come back another day. I grab a slice of olive oil cake, a plain croissant and a flavoured croissant. Simple, nothing insane. I've already gained enough weight from Badiali's slices this week. Guess what the total came out to? $25.00 for 3 pastries. You kiddin me? My jaw had to be lifted from the floor, I felt like puking. Where am I? You won't FIND, no mattah how hard u try, in Paris, a good croissant over 3 Euros. You wanna know why? Well, do the math yerself, I ain't doin an algebra lesson over here. You go to La Maison d'Isabelle in Paris, rated the NUMBER ONE croissant on this blue marble called Terra Earth and you know how much Isabelle Leday charges for her IMMACULATE croissant? ....1 euro. So OK, back to Emmer...we got this posh little nosh of bread and salt and butter for $4.50, no word of a lie, $5 bucks with tip and it's AWFUL. It doesn't hold a glass of Michigan tap water to the best of the best and they're charging DOUBLE. I can't help but laugh at this poor excuse of a bakery. And I can't help but cry for the foolish patrons who believe this is quality. This is quality like Gigis Pizza is a legit biz that doesn't move dope. So I take an advance out on my house (if I owned a house) and fork up the 30 bones for the pastries. Couple of tings right off da bat....their portions are all off. Way too much butter. The density of these croissants would crush a '76 Chevy Impala under their weight. Their Olive Oil cake nearly made me gag. It was all poor quality oil and no flavour, no love. Look, I'm Sicilian. I know Olive Oil cake like the back of my hand. They're throwing so many pistachios on it, hoping it's gonna cover up the bland flat taste of the pastry.Here's anotha tip from Alex D., free of charge...if the bakery you go into is covering their pastries with an exorbitant amount of nuts, fruits, chocolate, make a 180. You know what Im sayin? Make a 180 and walk out because the pastry chefs are trying to cover something up, like they're Bush in 2001 or something. This is the unfortunate state of Emmer. Bland, heavy pastries that would make my French friend and Italian ancestors weep in their pathetic effort. It might make it worth it if their staff were up to snuff. You know? Like make me smile while I get robbed from your patisserie. But no, the behind-the-counter staff person looked like they wanted me to choke on the dang thing. Fair enough. I'd want my patrons to choke, too. Spare myself the embarrassment of having a gouged patron with a pulse. I miss simplicity and affordability in dis town. It used to have it. Now we have joints like Emmer, running the gambit of extortion and excess in the name of staking another nail in the coffin of epicurean delights and all dat jazz. I'm gonna need a cold shower after that experience. I feel embarrassed for myself.

Steve C.

Yelp
Emmer: 6 dollar croissants, 12 dollar loaves of bread, hipsters lined up around the block. I would be so smug if it were bad or even mediocre. Dammit. Emmer is worth every minute in line, every extra dollar spent. Having lived in France: the croissants here are right up there with my favourite bakeries in Paris and Montpelier, melting in your mouth in a gooey yet still textured bite. Not only are the loaves of bread baked to perfection - earthy, tough on the outside, soft on the inside - they are also enormous and can practically feed a family.

Marie N.

Yelp
If you haven't heard of Toronto's newest bakery to hit the food scene, Emmer, you're living under a rock. Back in 2018, Philip Haddad (prosthodontist by day, devoted baker during his off hours), launched his bakery side hustle on Instagram. The pop-up bakery churned out perfect loaves of sourdough, and word spread. Fast. Over three years later, the brick-and-mortar space Haddad dreamed about is now a reality. And, while Emmer is still very much known for its crusty loaves of sourdough, there are plenty more baked delights that rotate daily: ham and cheese baguettes, mortadella sandwiches, bacon butties, croissants, pain au chocolat, coconut cream pies, and more. My advice? Go early, be prepared to wait, and order EVERYTHING you can, because you won't regret it.

Doris L.

Yelp
Canada Day there was a morning queue. Some of the regulars only get their breakfast sandwiches and they raved about it when I was in the line up with them. I got the ham and gruyere croissant and the chocolate croissant were delicious. They are now one of my new fav places in the city for croissant. Not a fan of the croissants at Hazukido at Atrium on Bay for reference. Thor is no longer great but I will go back for chocolate almond croissant.

Chris C.

Yelp
One of the best croissant spots in Toronto. Had the pistachio and butter croissant. Fluffy, flakey and still had a crunch.

Laura A.

Yelp
The pastries are excellent, but the service is horrible. The ladies at the front desk are rude and handle customers poorly. It's evident that they don't want to be there. The overall experience is not worth it and feels quite overrated. I brought someone from abroad just to try their pastries, and this overshadowed the whole experience

Rachel L.

Yelp
I genuinely cannot handle how much I love this place. I've been three times (twice in one weekend) and I am blown away each time. If you see a line, and you will, run towards it. Get in it. Don't doubt it. Let yourself be pulled in by the bread smells. You will not be sad. The plain croissant is everything I have ever been looking for but couldn't articulate. SO BUTTERY, crispy, dense yet fluffy. It's truly a masterpiece. Hands down my fave croissant of all time, and I am a bread-a-holic. The sandos are also exquisite- had the avocado toast today which was amazing and unlike the usual. The bread was crispy and buttery (note the theme) and the avo was topped with fresh mint and a lightly spicy thing I can no longer remember. The breakfast sandwich is insane, also. I just suggest you slowly make your way through the whole menu. Sustainability Bonus- they lovingly accept BYOC. YES!

Diana C.

Yelp
I never write reviews because I believe food is subjective and service can be off cause someone can be having a "bad day" but what I just experienced at Emmer was wrong on their behalf. As a "Foodie", I have had my fair share of croissants and never have I paid $6.75 + tax for 1 (one) but to me, maybe there's a reason for this and I'm willing to pay. I ordered 1 almond & 1 pistachio croissant which both clearly written $6.75 on the display case respectively.  I also ordered a coconut cream pie which was $22.   My total came to $42.66?  When I questioned them, they priced everything as I knew but mentioned that the pistachio croissant was $9!  I pointed out that it clearly said $6.75 and she said it was a mistake as she wiped out the price and re-wrote it.  They did not offer to honour the price that was originally displayed and I am not a customer to make a scene especially if there's a big line behind me. I'm very disappointed for the way they handled it and to top it off...they don't even have utensils!!!

Selina H.

Yelp
Ok so I don't usually write Yelp reviews, but I had to make an exception today because of how amazing this place was. I got a vanilla latte with almond milk and an almond croissant and both were amazing! I've tried so many almond croissants in my life and this was by far the best one. Great ratio of almond paste to bread and it was super flaky and perfectly baked. The coffee was also super delicious! Really light and paired sooo well with the croissant. This being said, it is quite expensive, and I paid $15 (with tip) for both, but it's absolutely worth it!!Additionally, I live really close by and can say it's always busy. The only way I was able to not wait awhile is by going at 9:30 am after a snowfall, so make sure to come early!

Christian P.

Yelp
One of the hype places for croissants. What i liked most was the concept of open kitchen in bakery store. Clean bright and you see chefs working at the back. Croissants can run, yes, in and for the top 10 in toronto. Bit too buttery like tasso or even more, but the shape and cooking are better, thus it less flaky (just as it should be). The patio is ok, service is ok, won t make you feel special at all for sure... if you re 5 min earlier for any of their things whether lunch time or else they won t let you order or get things... they ll just tell you to come back later (ie to go back to the end of line).. hence i can t (and will not come back to) review more here as they were not flexible enough to allow me to review more...

Emily T.

Yelp
Good croissants! Very delicious. Soo good. Yum! Mmmm. So goood. There was a line. Gave me butter fingers.

Swaran S.

Yelp
If you want to find the best croissants, pistachio croissants, BLT, Americano, breakfast sausage rolls and the other croissants Sweet Etc come to Emmer.oh yeah.. Don't forget the sour dough bread.. The service is awesome and The owner super nice. Here's the thing.. On weekends you must get there early before 9am.to get pistachio croissants. Huge lineup starts around 8:00 - 8:30. The pistachio croissants is gone by 930am. Try everything.

Sal R.

Yelp
Have been told about the awesome bread and croissants of Emmer for some time. Not sure why the rave reviews as it didn't live up to expectations and frankly the 2 things that were highly touted were very disappointing. Order half a loaf of white country bread and I might as well have been eating wonder bread. The outside looked well cooked and inviting as a good loaf of bread should but the inside was poorly cooked and eating it was like eating raw dough. The chocolate croissant was very very greasy/oily and nowhere near what a croissant should be. A number or better options in the city and having lived in France not what one would describe as 'French'. On a positive note the patty melt was excellent as was the halloumi sandwich. Caveat emptor!

Elisa M.

Yelp
Emmer always has a long queue, and so I was excited to finally try it this morning when it only had a few people in line. The prices for coffee are standard but the pastry prices are very steep: $4.50 for a regular croissant and $9 for a pistachio croissant. When you actually see and bite into the pistachio croissant you understand why it is so expensive: it is absolutely LOADED with pistachios, inside and out. The prices themselves are not enough to deter me, but the quality was not what I was expecting: both croissants (but especially the pistachio) were oily, not buttery and, for all the nuts it had, the pistachio flavour just wasn't there. That being said, the espresso was above average (not the overly acidic and fruity espresso that is typical at most coffee shops these days) and the pastries were flakey. I just wasn't a fan of the overall flavour and texture of the croissants. I intend to go back and try their pain au chocolat, which is made with 70% cocoa Soma chocolate. But I won't be lining up for it.

Carmen F.

Yelp
The croissants here are really good. I've only tried the butter version, but it was delicious and completely soaked in butter. After trying the croissant, I returned within the week to try the quiche. Their quiche might be the best I've ever had. They are sold by the slice, and the slices are the height of a cake. The filing is cheesy and fluffy while the pastry is perfectly moist. I can't recommend the quiche enough! A plus side to the quiche is that I was able to grab some mid day after the croissant rush -- so no line.

Mackenzie W.

Yelp
Came for the food, stayed for the music. Whoever was working on Thursday, February 10th 2022 from approximately 1-2pm, thank you for your lovely playlist. Next time please play louder so we can hear better on the patio. BLT and Croque were lovely.

Catherine N.

Yelp
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Everything at Emmer is to die for. I have never had a better sausage roll...and the ham and gruyere croissant...oh my!! Run...don't walk!! More expensive but well worth EVERY cent!!! Don't forget the bread too!

S B.

Yelp
Really good croissant but not necessarily the best. Patisserie 27 is equally as good. And definitely not a Paris croissant. Super expensive. I think you can find other croissants in the city that are more reasonably priced.