Best Desserts in Ottawa

Ottawa's dessert scene is much more than bakeries and ice cream shops. The city has a Ukrainian-trained pastry chef making French opera cakes on Sussex Drive, Pierre Hermé-trained sisters making 22 flavours of gluten-free macarons in Westboro, a 30-year-old late-night cheesecake institution in the ByWard Market, the city's only churrería, and a brand-new mochi donut café in Nepean.

This guide covers the best dessert spots in Ottawa — beyond what's already in our bakeries, cupcakes, and ice cream guides.

Top Dessert Spots in Ottawa

1. Elina Patisserie — French & European Patisserie

Elina Patisserie on Sussex Drive is the most ambitious patisserie in Ottawa. Pastry chef Elina Olefirenko, originally from Ukraine, opened the shop in late 2022 and handcrafts every item herself in an open kitchen — you can watch the process from the counter.

The menu reads like a classical European pastry textbook: opera cake, mille-feuille, gateau basque, sacher-torte, eclairs, macarons, and canelés sit alongside her signature honey cake and Vanilla Basque cheesecake. The execution is precise, the small batches stay fresh, and Google reviewers consistently call it the best in the city (4.7 rating).

Must-try: Honey Cake, Vanilla Basque Cheesecake, Opera Cake, Canelé

Price: $$
Address: 443A Sussex Drive, Downtown
Hours: Tue–Sat 11 AM–6 PM, Sun 11 AM–5 PM (Mon closed)
Best for: Special occasion gifts, refined dessert lovers

2. Quelque Chose Patisserie — Gluten-Free Macarons

Quelque Chose Patisserie in Westboro is Ottawa's most famous specialty macaron shop. Founder Julia Dahdah trained at École Grégoire-Ferrandi in Paris and worked at Pierre Hermé — and it shows in the quality of the 22+ macaron flavours rotating through the case.

Everything is 100% gluten-free, including the lavender, rose water, pistachio, caramel London Fog, and Nutella macarons. Family-run by the Dahdah sisters with afternoon tea service available.

Must-try: Lavender Macaron, Pistachio Macaron, Caramel London Fog, Rose Water

Price: $$
Address: 379 Richmond Rd, Westboro
Hours: Tue–Fri 11 AM–5 PM, Sat–Sun 10 AM–5 PM (Mon closed)
Best for: Macaron lovers, gluten-free desserts, afternoon tea

3. Oh So Good Desserts — Late-Night Cake Institution

Oh So Good Desserts & Coffeehouse has been serving cakes in the ByWard Market since 1994 — over 30 years. The case holds 35+ handmade cakes including classics like Black Forest, Tiramisu, Red Velvet, Ferrero Rocher, and Carrot Monster, plus an extensive cheesecake selection (Baklava, Raspberry White Chocolate, Caramel, Key Lime).

What makes it special is the late-night hours. Open until 11 PM Sunday to Thursday and midnight Friday-Saturday, it's one of the only spots in Ottawa for a proper dessert after dinner.

Must-try: Black Forest Cake, Tiramisu, Baklava Cheesecake, Crepe Cake

Price: $$
Address: 25 York Street, ByWard Market
Hours: Sun–Thu 10 AM–11 PM, Fri–Sat 10 AM–12 AM
Best for: Post-dinner dessert, late-night cake cravings, special occasions

4. La Catrina Churros — Ottawa's Only Churrería

La Catrina Churros in the ByWard Market is Ottawa's only churrería. The recipe comes from traditional Mexican churros masters, using just three ingredients to make a 100% vegan churro that's crispy outside and soft inside.

Order them plain with cinnamon sugar, or filled with chocolate, dulce de leche, strawberry, or condensed milk. The Mexican hot chocolate is the perfect pairing.

Must-try: Filled Churros (chocolate or dulce de leche), Mexican Hot Chocolate

Price: $
Address: 105B Clarence Street, ByWard Market
Hours: Mon closed, Tue 4–9:30 PM, Wed–Thu 4–10:30 PM, Fri 4–11:30 PM, Sat 11 AM–11:30 PM, Sun 11 AM–10:30 PM
Best for: Vegan dessert, unique experience, late evening sweet

5. Casa Bonita Coffee & Bakery — Mochi Donuts

Casa Bonita Coffee & Bakery in Nepean opened in February 2025 and was the first café to introduce mochi donuts to Ottawa. The chewy ring donuts are made fresh daily in about 12 rotating flavours — Ube, Matcha, Black Sesame, Chocolate Hazelnut, and Cinnamon Sugar.

Beyond mochi donuts, they serve mochi puffs, croffles (croissant waffles made to order), and Vietnamese egg coffee. The café is decorated with pink florals and has board games available — it's as much a hangout as a dessert spot.

Must-try: Ube Mochi Donut, Matcha Mochi Donut, Croffle, Vietnamese Egg Coffee

Price: $
Address: 780 Baseline Rd Unit 21, Nepean (Fisher Heights Plaza)
Hours: Mon–Thu/Sun 9 AM–9 PM, Fri–Sat 9 AM–10 PM
Best for: Asian dessert fans, west-end families, instagram-worthy treats

Comparison

Restaurant	Specialty	Price	Vibe	Best For
Elina Patisserie	French patisserie	$$	Refined	Special gifts, Opera cake
Quelque Chose	Gluten-free macarons	$$	Family-run, elegant	GF dessert, macaron lovers
Oh So Good	Cheesecakes & cakes	$$	Cozy, late-night	Post-dinner, after 9 PM
La Catrina	Vegan churros	$	Casual, unique	Vegan, hot chocolate
Casa Bonita	Mochi donuts	$	Cute, hangout	Asian fusion, west end

Tips for Dessert in Ottawa

Late-night cravings: Oh So Good is one of the only Ottawa dessert spots open past 9 PM. Open until midnight Fridays and Saturdays
Gluten-free: Quelque Chose Patisserie is 100% gluten-free for all macarons
Vegan: La Catrina Churros are 100% vegan (just three ingredients)
Best for gifts: Elina Patisserie boxes a single opera cake or honey cake beautifully — perfect for special occasions
Try the new thing: Casa Bonita's mochi donuts are unique to Ottawa. Go on a weekend for the freshest selection
Need more sweet? See our guides to bakeries, cupcakes, ice cream, and BeaverTails

FAQ

Where can I find the best French patisserie in Ottawa?

Elina Patisserie at 443A Sussex Drive is widely considered the best French patisserie in Ottawa. Ukrainian-born pastry chef Elina Olefirenko handcrafts honey cakes, opera cakes, mille-feuilles, canelés, and macarons in an open kitchen. It has a 4.7 Google rating.

Where can I get late-night dessert in Ottawa?

Oh So Good Desserts & Coffeehouse at 25 York Street in the ByWard Market is open until 11 PM Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. They have 35+ handmade cakes and cheesecakes.

Where can I get gluten-free macarons in Ottawa?

Quelque Chose Patisserie at 379 Richmond Rd in Westboro makes 22+ macaron flavours that are 100% gluten-free. Founder Julia Dahdah trained at École Grégoire-Ferrandi in Paris and worked at Pierre Hermé.

Where can I get churros in Ottawa?

La Catrina Churros at 105B Clarence Street in the ByWard Market is Ottawa's only churrería. They make 100% vegan churros from three ingredients, available plain with cinnamon sugar or filled with chocolate, dulce de leche, strawberry, or condensed milk.

Where can I get mochi donuts in Ottawa?

Casa Bonita Coffee & Bakery at 780 Baseline Rd in Nepean was the first café to introduce mochi donuts to Ottawa when they opened in February 2025. They make about 12 flavours daily including Ube, Matcha, Black Sesame, and Chocolate Hazelnut.