Butter tarts are a classic Canadian treat—gooey, buttery, and oh-so delicious. But who makes the best butter tarts in Ontario? Discovering this was a delicious and daunting task. But I’ve made some tasty discoveries during my travels across the province. Here are the BEST places to enjoy butter tarts in Ontario.
Craving butter tarts? Here are my favourite finds for the BEST butter tarts in Ontario.
What are Butter Tarts?
Butter tarts have been beloved in Canada for over a century. They are different but have similarities to Sugar Pie in Quebec and Pecan Pie in the United States.
Imagine a flaky mini pie shell filled with a luscious mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and syrup. The filling in a butter tart is buttery, with hints of caramel, and it’s always deliciously gooey.
Beyond the filling, raisins and pecans are the two most common additions. However, many bakeshops in Ontario level up their butter tarts with yummy add-ins like crushed bits of a Skor chocolate bar or seasonal ingredients like peaches in the summer. The possible butter tart concoctions are almost limitless.
What makes a Butter Tart Great?
This is where things get tricky! Through taste tests with friends and family, I’ve learned that how you define butter tart greatness is very personal. Some people love it when the filling is slightly runny, while others cannot imagine a butter tart without raisins.
I have my own biases. I prefer a firmer filling, and it should not be cloyingly sweet. But in the end, the pastry makes or breaks it!
You can have the ideal filling, but if your pastry isn’t flaky, perfectly baked, and in the Goldilocks zone that balances the ratio of pastry to ooey-gooey filling, it won’t make the best butter tart in Ontario list.
Do I have a favourite? Not really. It’s impossible to choose just one! But I can commit to a top three: DooDoo’s Bakery, Bakery at 13th Street Winery, and The Maid’s Cottage.
All three are award-winning—yes, we host annual best butter tart contests in Canada! I ate A LOT of butter tarts, and all the shops on this list, in my opinion, are top-notch. They were also highly rated by family and friends, who were easily coerced into participating in my taste tests.
DooDoo’s Bakery
If you can’t make it to Bailieboro, Ontario, an hour and a half northeast of Toronto, don’t worry! You can order online. DooDoo’s ships their delicious butter tarts across Canada.
This adorable little country bakeshop is Hallmark movie cute. For me, their pastry pushes them into the top three. And their ratio of flaky crust to sweet filling studded with plump raisins was perfection!
Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. Address: 187 County Rd 28 in Bailieboro, Ontario.
The Bakery at 13th Street Winery
Not only does 13th Street Winery make some of the best butter tarts in Ontario, but it’s also a must-visit winery in the Niagara region.
It’s just one of those places that does everything right! Go for the butter tarts (and amazing wine). But linger at their seasonal outdoor bistro and wander through the sculpture garden.
The Bakery at 13th Street Winery has won for the best butter tarts, not just in Ontario but in all of Canada.
Love that they offer seasonal flavours. So far, my favourite is the Ice Wine Butter Tart, but I head down the highway each month to discover their latest offering.
Open Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays. June through October: 10 am to 6 pm, & November through May: 10 am to 5 pm. Address: 1776 Fourth Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario.
The Maid’s Cottage
I love the origin story of this place. They started selling butter tarts on their front lawn. Today, there’s a cute shop with friendly staff.
Love the frilly tart shells and their fun and unique flavour twists. I enjoyed the classic versions but was blown away by their creativity—the Carrot Cake Butter Tart!
I’ve also tried their S’mores Butter Tart, topped with a toasted marshmallow, and the Nanamio Butter Tart, a genius combination of two Canadian sweets.
Follow their Instagram feed, where they announce their attendance at Butter Tart festivals and events across the province.
Open: Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm, and Friday & Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm. Address: 223 Main Street, Newmarket, Ontario.
Belwood Country Market
If you love country markets, Belwood does not disappoint. They have phenomenal butter tarts and offer an array of delicious home-cooked takeaway meals—think butter chicken, ribs, and quiches.
But back to the butter tarts! Theirs are based on their grandmother’s recipe, which they’ve expanded with an impressive range of flavours, like the White Chocolate Blueberry Butter Tart.
If you are heading to the charming town of Elora, the Belwood County Market is less than a 20-minute drive away.
Open: Every day from 8 am to 8 pm. Address: 6 George St, Belwood, Ontario.
Grandma’s Beach Treats
Grandma’s Beach Treats won the best in Ontario for its Naked Butter Tart (plain with no raisins). The shop showcases its unique flavours, like the Hot Cocoa Butter Tart, a chocolaty butter tart topped with a toasted marshmallow.
If you’re heading to Wasaga Beach, Grandma’s Beach Treats is an eclectic shop with yummy butter tarts, ice cream and frozen takeaway meals like Mac & Cheese and Sweet & Sour Meatballs.
Open: Every day all summer long from 11 am to 11 pm. Address: 1014 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, Ontario.
Mariposa Market
Mariposa Market is more than just a great spot to grab some butter tarts; it’s a destination in itself. Located on the main drag in Orillia, it has an old-fashioned charm, with creaky wooden floors, a tin-tiled ceiling, and shelves of local treats like jams, jellies, pickles, and barbeque sauce.
Try to pull your eyes away from their gorgeous bakery showcase, filled with cakes, pies, donuts, cinnamon buns, and so much more! There’s also an eat-in cafe and cute gift shops. With so many things to tempt you, don’t forget their butter tarts, with a thick, luscious filling and a great crust!
Open: Monday to Saturday 7 am to 6 pm & Sunday 8 am to 5 pm. Address: 109 Mississauga Street East, Orillia, Ontario.
Dyment’s Market & Bakery
Dyment’s Market & Bakery is a hidden gem in Dundas, located on a family farm that dates back to 1887.
When you pull into the parking lot, you’ll smile when you see their billboard: “A balanced diet is… a butter tart in each hand.”
While they sell their farm-fresh produce, baked goods are the real heroes, from delicious pies, cookies, squares, and some of the best butter tarts around.
Their pastry curls over into an almost cloverleaf, allowing for delicious pockets of caramelly filling tucked into the crust.
Open: This seasonal market is open from spring to early fall. 9 am seven days a week, but closing time may vary. Address: 416 Fallsview Rd East, Dundas, Ontario.
If you want a little inspiration for a weekend getaway, check out Three Wonderful Places to Stay for a Weekend Getaway in Ontario.
