James MartinThey say, “Once you realize that you don’t need a special occasion to buy cake, the second part of your life begins.”
When a friend told me she had never bought cake outside of birthdays and special events, I was taken aback. I always give into my cake cravings, even on a random Tuesday, and have never felt guilty about it—and so should you.
Perhaps it’s because we’re spoiled with irresistible options, which we can get by the slice for a mid-day pick-me-up or dessert. Whether you’re looking for classic or trendy flavors, you can easily satisfy your cravings at our local bakeries and cafes.
In this guide, I’ll take you through the best cake shops in Halifax where you can treat yourself to something delicious, no matter the day.
1. Pane e Circo
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Website: http://www.panecirco.ca/
Location: 1515 Queen St
Operating hours: Daily, 7 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +19024050828
Must-have: Lemon and Blueberry Opera Cake
Pane e Cicro is a one-stop shop for all your sweet cravings, which is why we added it to our list of the best bakeries in Halifax. Just like their artisanal bread, their cakes are made from scratch using premier ingredients.
Here, they make opera cakes in a variety of fruity combos such as lemon-blueberry and raspberry-pistachio. But what I look forward to are the holiday-inspired yule logs that make the season extra sweet and merry.
| Pro Tip: Try sweet treats from their sister restaurants, such as The Bicycle Thief’s Butterscotch cake and Ristorante Amano’s Devilish Chocolate cake. You can get them by the slice. |
2. Piece of Cake
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Location: 1475 Lower Water St Unit 115
Operating hours: Tue-Sun, 12 PM to 6 PM
Phone: +19022231679
Must-have: Chocolate Mille-Feuille
Piece of Cake is known for its mille crepe cakes, which are carefully layered and delicately filled with cream. Whether you’re craving something rich and decadent or light and fruity, they’ve got something for every palate.
I also like their sponge cakes. Instead of sugary icing, they’re topped with whipped cream frosting, a lighter and less sweet alternative for guiltless indulgence.
| Pro Tip: They take orders for custom cakes. At your request, they can make their cakes gluten-free, eggless, and vegan. |
3. Gingerbread Haus Bakery
Website: https://www.gingerbreadhausbakery.com/
Location: 1138 Queen St
Operating hours:
Tue-Fri, 9 AM to 6 PM
Sat, 9 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +19024254333
Must-have: Sacher Torte
Serving European pastries and breads, Gingerbread Haus is famous for their German-style buttercream tortes. Seasonal fruits sourced from local farms in the Annapolis Valley are always the highlight of their cakes.
Aside from their tortes, their squares, particularly the Bienenstich or Bee Sting, are a local favorite. This sweet treat is stuffed with Bavarian cream and topped with honey caramelized almonds, perfect with tea and coffee.
| Pro Tip: If you want to get the whole cake instead of slices, you can choose between two sizes: 6” and 10”. |
4. Talya’s Taverna
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Website: https://www.talyastaverna.ca/
Location: 799 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville
Operating hours: Mon-Sat, 9 AM to 7 PM
Phone: +19022521773
Must-have: Honey cakes
Located in Lower Sackville, Talya’s Taverna is a small, cozy neighborhood bakery, specializing in European breads and pastries. They’re known for their honey cake, an irresistible treat that is soft, buttery, and perfectly moist in the center.
If you still have room, you can try their peach cake, which comes in a mini version. It’s a realistic cake that looks exactly like a peach.
| Pro Tip: They accept special orders. You can choose from their cake menu and have your favorite decorated with custom designs for your special occasion. |
5. 24 Carrots
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Website: http://24carrotsbakery.ca/
Location: 3200 Kempt Rd
Operating hours:
Tue-Fri, 9 AM to 4 PM
Sat, 9 AM to 3 PM
Phone: +19024822424
Must-have: Carrot cake
As you can expect from a bakery called 24 Carrots, they make some of the best carrot cakes in Halifax. They are soft, moist, and sweet, which pairs perfectly with the tangy frosting.
Although I do love their regular cake items, I look forward to their seasonal products every year. From pumpkin-infused squares to Christmas fruit cakes, they make the holidays extra special and memorable.
| Pro Tip: If you run a cafe, restaurant, or small store, you can order squares, oatcakes, and other sweets in bulk from here. |
6. Creamy Rainbow Bakery and Cafe
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Location: 1526 Dresden Row
Operating hours:
Tue-Sat, 9 AM to 7 PM
Sun, 10 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +19024061948
Must-have: Strawberry Fraisier
Light, fluffy sponge cakes make a regular appearance on Creamy Rainbow’s menu. They have quite a refreshing roster of flavors, ranging from classic chocolate and red velvet to creative combos like matcha mango and strawberry peach.
But my favorite would be the Strawberry Fraisier. Its soft spongy layers are generously filled with whipped cream and topped off with a vibrant array of fresh fruit.
| Pro Tip: They have an extensive coffee and tea menu. But if you’re looking for something refreshing, try their special drinks like Yuzu Hibiscus Iced Tea and Grapefruit Ade. |
7. The Bread Lounge Bakery
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Website: http://breadlounge.ca/
Location: 5880 Demone St
Operating hours:
Mon-Sat, 7 AM to 7 PM
Sun, 9 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +19024052374
Must-have: Ferrero Roche cake
Vegan desserts are sometimes a hit or miss, but not at the Bread Lounge Bakery. They offer moist, flavorful vegan cakes, which come in a wide range of flavors—Blueberry Chocolate, Raspberry Chocolate, and Strawberry Vanilla to name a few.
If you aren’t lactose intolerant or vegan, I recommend getting the Ferrero Roche. It has rich, creamy chocolate frosting, crushed hazelnut pieces, and a heap of Ferrero Roche toppings.
| Pro Tip: Save some room for their tiramisu, a fluffy sponge cake infused with coffee and fluffy mascarpone cream. |
8. Layers
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Website: https://layerscupcakes.ca/
Location: 1276 Barrington St
Operating hours: Wed-Sat, 11 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +19024462206
Must-have: Lemon Raspberry
Layers is one of my favorite cake shops because they aren’t afraid to get creative. They’re constantly experimenting with flavors and designs, which definitely keep us patrons coming back for more.
Here, the Lemon Raspberry is the crowd favorite, a little sweet tangy, and light. It’s made with thin layers of raspberry compote and covered in lemon cream cheese buttercream roses.
| Pro Tip: If you want to try different flavors, you should get their cupcakes. They are just as delicious as their whole cakes but are more affordable. |
9. Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe
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Website: http://www.dillydallyeats.com/contact.html
Location: 6100 Quinpool Rd
Operating hours: Daily, 7 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +19024075554
Must-have: Seasonal fruit cakes
Dilly Dally, one of the best breakfast spots in Halifax, offers a small but incredible selection of cakes to satisfy your sweet tooth. I like their loaf cakes, which are pillowy soft, and slightly sweet treats that pair well with their locally-roasted coffee.
Their cake options will vary greatly per week, so every visit will be a delightful surprise. But you can count on them to turn seasonal fruits into delicious cakes.
| Pro Tip: Drop by early so you can grab a seat on the patio, where you can soak up some sun and indulge in your sweet treats. |
10. Jane’s Next Door
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Website: https://www.janesnextdoor.ca/
Location: 2053 Gottingen St
Operating hours:
Mon-Fri, 9 AM to 6 PM
Sat, 10 AM to 3 PM
Phone: +19024075554
Must-have: Chocolate Truffle Torte
At Jane’s Next Door, the chocolate cakes are a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. These cakes are rich, moist, and with just the right amount of sweetness.
Even their gluten-free chocolate cake, which only costs $6.25 per slice, is really exceptional. It’s fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth, and not excessively sweet.
| Pro Tip: Aside from baked treats, you can get Family Meals to-go from here. They offer three courses for 2-4 people. |
