It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, and whether you have romantic plans for two, or delicious plans for one, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself to something sweet. Lots of local bakers and goodie makers are offering themed delicacies to make it special! We have rounded up some of our favourites so you don’t miss out on the good stuff.
Three Tarts
464 Bank St.
If you are looking for something a little different to celebrate the holiday, Three Tarts has a varied Valentine’s Day menu. They will have Valentine’s cookies; opera cake (think “layers of delicate almond sponge cake, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache,” for those who have never seen the Great Canadian Bake Off); mini pies in flavours like chocolate pecan, lemon raspberry white chocolate, and apple blueberry vanilla; chocolate cremes; and almond fudge cake.
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MooShu Ice Cream & Kitchen
477 Bank St.
MooShu is always a good idea. Try their seasonal Honeybun ice cream in this unseasonably nice weather! The Movie Night Choco Taco is a waffle cone taco lined with chocolate and filled with popcorn ice cream dotted with caramel. It’s finished with a dip in milk chocolate and freeze-dried skittles for an over-the-top treat for a Valentine’s Day in.
The Cupcake Lounge
324 Richmond Rd.
6 ByWard Market Square
It’s heart-shaped everything over at the Cupcake Lounge. Heart-shaped cakes, heart-shaped cake pops, and heart-shaped macarons. There are also, of course, Valentine’s Day cupcakes and chocolate-covered strawberries.
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Alicja Confections
303 Richmond Rd.
Alicja Confections has all sorts of Valentine’s Day treats for you to gift that special someone (or yourself, because you deserve love, too). They have a bonbon box, a chocolate dipped fruit box, giant heart shaped bonbons, and their famous postcard chocolate bars in fun Valentine’s Day flavours. Some of their Valentine’s Day sweets are already selling out, so be sure to pre-order soon to save yourself from missing out!
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Dessert First
350 Bay St.
1071 Bank St.
Dessert First does desserts really, really well, so it is a great choice if you are looking for an extra special Valentine’s Day treat for an extra special someone. Available for pre-order online and picked up at either their Bay Street or Bank Street locations, Dessert First is baking up some beautiful Valentine’s Day heart cakes in a variety of different sponge and filling flavours. They also have these super cute heart-shaped conversation cookies, complete with fun sayings.
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Little Jo Berry’s
1305 Wellington St. W
If you are vegan, or even if you are not, the Valentine’s Day offerings at Little Jo Berry’s will not disappoint. They have your heart-shaped cakes and cookies. They also have what sounds like a delicious heat-at-home Valentine’s Day dinner, which includes fried chicken, cashew cheese Alfredo pasta, a mini kale salad with ranch, a City Seltzer, and a treat of your choosing. You can also look into a fun heart-shaped shortbread cookie decorating class happening on Valentine’s Day, which would make for perfect date night plans.
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Merry Dairy
102 Fairmont Ave.
While we have only seen hints of what will fill the Merry Dairy freezers for Valentine’s Day, we are sure that it will be delicious. From the sounds of it, they will have a selection of dairy and vegan ice cream cakes on offer, in flavours like Mexican hot cocoa, strawberry love cake, strawberry coconut love cake, and more.
Top Shelf Preserves
527 Gladstone Ave.
Top Shelf Preserves is hosting a Valentine’s Day Pop-Up at their shop on Gladstone. They will have heart-shaped shortbread cookies by Little Jo Berry’s, featuring Top Shelf’s custom strawberry jam icing. There will also be all the jams and preserves your heart could desire. Nothing says “I love you” like their Seville Orange Marmalade.
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Strawberry Blonde Bakery
111 Richmond Rd.
767 Silver Seven Rd. unit 17
Strawberry Blonde Bakery has been in the Valentine’s Day spirit for a couple of weeks already, so you can find their shops full of gluten-free pink and red treats such as cookies, red velvet cupcakes, strawberry Nanaimo bars, and cake pops. If you want something specific, you can order online to be sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. Pick up their sugar cookie decorating kits to have all the fun at home.
Sleepy Baker Girl is making some incredible Love Day sweets. Contact them directly through Instagram @sleepybakergirl_cakes to order your box of a half-dozen cupcakes. Choose from three different flavours: chocolate sponge with raspberry cream, cinnamon swirl sponge with Lotus Biscoff cream, and red velvet sponge with Dunkaroo cream. You can also add a personalized fondant topper. All for a cool $30.
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Life of Pie
1134 Bank St.
Life of Pie is a beloved Old Ottawa South establishment, and while they are famous for their pies and daily menu of home-cooked meals, their sweet treats can’t be beat. This season, they have special decorated cookies and sweet heart treat boxes to be sure there is something for everyone. Stop in for lunch and bring home the goodies.
Batter Up Bakery
296 Athlone Ave.
Tucked away off the beaten path is a bakery worth a visit. Batter Up Bakery has an extensive list of Valentine’s Day goodies. They have more cookies than one can count: cakes, cupcakes, a dessert box, cake pops, chocolate-covered Oreos, and the cutest little Valentine’s Day cards with mini cookie treats. Don’t have the time to make it to the bakery yourself? Don’t sweat; they offer delivery.
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SuzyQ Doughnuts
1015 Wellington St. W
1721 St Laurent Bd.
2015 Robertson Rd.
SuzyQ is always a crowd pleasing choice. For Valentine’s Day all of their famous doughnuts are heart-shaped, and you can order ahead to be sure that you’re not waiting in line! Pre-order a box of six regular or vegan doughnuts, or four Boston Cream-style doughnuts. You can add a bouquet of tulips to your order too, for a one-stop romance shop.
Keyto Your Heart
75 Somerset St. W
Keyto Your Heart opened this past summer in a quaint store front on Somerset West, dishing out some of the hardest-to-find baked goods and treats. The bakery offers keto, gluten-free, grain-free, and sugar-free food & desserts that range from baguettes to pizza to birthday cakes, scones, and cupcakes. For Valentine’s Day they are offering red velvet cream cheese cupcakes, tiramisu, and cake balls, as well as themed dessert boxes. You can order ahead on their website, or head into the store and see what catches your fancy.
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Ottawa Farmers’ Market Vendors
The Ottawa Farmers’ Market takes place every Sunday from 10am to 3pm in the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne. It’s the perfect timing to pick up sweet treats and artisanal gifts for anyone on your list! Check out some of our favourites like Yummy Cookies, TL Chocolates, Hummingbird Chocolate Maker, The Right Bite, and 2 Sprinkles Gluten Free.
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