Sweet Escapes in Northern Ontario: The Ultimate Butter Tart Trail Adventure

Northern Ontario offers a unique opportunity for a culinary adventure amidst its vast wilderness, stunning landscapes and charming communities.

Although the famous “Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival” is held in Midland, the butter tart is a quintessential Canadian treat that is a staple of bakeries and local spots across the North. Check out these tasty stops the next time you’re visiting.

Sunset Country: Wilderness and Wonderful Tarts

Sunset Country, known for its pristine lakes and endless forests, might not immediately bring butter tarts to mind, but hidden gems await. While dedicated butter tart festivals are less common here, many local bakeries and cafes will proudly offer their take on this sweet treat.

Nowhere Craft Chocolate & Coffee Roastery (Vermilion Bay)

This is a well-known roadside oasis on the Trans-Canada Highway in Vermillion Bay. The Nowhere Craft Chocolate & Coffee Roastery is a unique artisan shop specializing in bean-to-bar craft chocolate and freshly house-roasted coffee, offering a perfect blend of high-quality treats. Be sure to try one of their gourmet offerings, such as the decadent chocolate and salted caramel Eat My Choco Peanuts tart, for a contemporary take on classic pastry

Where to Enjoy Your Tart: Nearby places to enjoy the wilderness of the area are Pine Tree Park (Eagle Lake) with picnic tables, a sandy beach and a boardwalk area. Or, visit the Fort Vermillion Heritage Centre, which is near the cafe.

Superior Country: Lakeside Indulgence

Along the majestic shores of Lake Superior, you'll find communities with a rich baking tradition. Superior Country offers picturesque backdrops for enjoying your butter tart fix.

Dawson General Store (Thunder Bay)

We love visiting a general store, and Dawson General Store is like stepping back in time to when you did all your business at one stop. Today, you can select from over 60 local vendors whose products line the shelves. Enjoy one of their popular smash burgers followed by an ooey-gooey, tasty butter tart.

Where to Enjoy Your Butter Tart: Dawson General Store is located on the outskirts of the city. We recommend taking the drive, and if you want a spot to enjoy your tart, try Trowbridge Falls, about an 18-minute drive from the general store. 

The Sweet North Bakery (Thunder Bay)

Another popular bakery, the Sweet North Bakery, serves a variety of tasty baked treats, like butter tarts. We recommend you call ahead as they often have seasonal or daily features, like a wild blueberry butter tart or a strawberry butter tart. Pair your treat with a little something from their beverage menu.

Where to Enjoy Your Butter Tart: Both the Thunder Bay Marina Park and Prince Arthur Landing are close by. There are several public art displays at Prince Arthur’s Landing.

Breeze Bakery (Schreiber)

Known for its friendly, small-town charm, Breeze Bakery is a well-known stop for locals and travellers on a Lake Superior Circle Tour road trip. They offer baked goods, breakfast and lunch, focusing on fresh ingredients. The bakery is near Schreiber Beach, home to a Superior Picnic Table to enjoy the view.

Where to Enjoy Your Butter Tart: Visit Schreiber Beach, or try the Casque Isle Trail for hiking and the Parks Canada Red Chairs that overlook Lake Superior. 

Algoma Country: Sweet Treats

Algoma Country has its fair share of butter tart havens, which we’ve listed below. For a longer list of places to find a tart, click here.

The Queen's Tarts (Sault Ste. Marie)

This shop’s specialty is butter tarts! The Queen's Tarts is a full-service cafe that serves a rotating list of 20 – 40 unique varieties of butter tarts daily. Try a classic plain, a popular favourite like sea salt and dark chocolate or a twist to your tart like Crème Brûlée. Or enjoy the Nanaimo tart, combining two of Canada's favourite desserts! Round out your visit with a fresh-brewed drink from their menu.

Where to Enjoy Your Butter Tart: Located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, you can stay indoors at the café, walk down to the Downtown Plaza, or enjoy the view of the waterfront from Clergue Park.

Voyageur’s Lodge (Batchawana Bay, Lake Superior)

No trip along Hwy 17 North is complete without a stop at the Voyageurs' Lodge for their famous apple fritters. But did you know that they are also known for their maple butter tarts? Indulging in a butter tart is an excellent choice if a fritter may not be up your alley.

Where to Enjoy Your Butter Tart: Strategically located across from Batchawana Bay, you can enjoy the view of Lake Superior from the patio or cross the highway to the beach and enjoy your tart right on the shore!

Northeastern Ontario: A Diverse Butter Tart Landscape

Northeastern Ontario, encompassing a vast and diverse region from North Bay to Timmins, offers a variety of butter tart experiences. While a major, dedicated butter tart festival is held elsewhere, local festivals and bakeries in this region contribute to the broader butter tart scene.

La Baguette Magique (Sudbury) 

This beloved local bakery is an order-based baking business and can also be found at the Sudbury summer and winter farmer markets. They pride themselves on using fresh, whole ingredients, and their recipes have been passed down through generations. You can order a half dozen of their butter tarts: plain, raisin, walnut, or chocolate chip. If you're looking for another unique dessert, order some Pâté de Soeurs (Nuns Farts), a classic French-Canadian dessert made of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon rolled up in flaky pastry.

Where to Enjoy Your Butter Tart: Downtown Sudbury is known for its vibrant street art, through the annual Up Here Festival. Take a self-guided tour of these impressive murals, which are just a short walk from the Sudbury Market at Elm Place on Elm, Durham and Larch Streets.

Opera Bakery Café (North Bay)

This cafe is a charming gem in downtown North Bay and is a perfect spot for a casual gathering or just a quiet spot to have time for yourself. Enjoy homemade breads, sandwiches, fresh soups, and of course, coffee. Their butter tarts are popular among patrons and include the classic tart, pecan and raisin.

Where to Enjoy Your Butter Tart: From the cafe, you can enjoy the view of Lake Nipissing, or visit the waterfront area to see the Heritage Carousel, the Heritage Mini-Train or take a walk on the multi-use path.

Tips for Your Northern Ontario Butter Tart Trail

• Call Ahead: Especially for smaller, independent bakeries, it's always a good idea to call ahead to confirm their operating hours and butter tart availability.
• Embrace the Local: The charm of this trail lies in discovering local favourites. Don't be afraid to step into a small-town bakery or ask residents for their favourite spots.
• Variety is the Spice of Life: While classic plain and raisin butter tarts are staples, many bakeries offer variations like pecan, coconut, chocolate chip, or even maple bacon. Try a few different kinds to find your personal favourite!
• Combine with the Outdoors: Northern Ontario offers incredible outdoor adventures. Pair your butter tart stops with hiking or walking trails, waterfall stops, a community park, or simply enjoying the scenic beauty of the region.

Embark on this sweet adventure and discover the hidden butter tart treasures that Northern Ontario has to offer.

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.