Tori’s Bakeshop arrived in the Beaches early in the year, and went on to prove that vegan baking can survive (and thrive!) on taste alone. Leaving the dogma and obtrusive signage aside, Tori let its cupcakes, cinnamon buns, and scones speak for themselves. And speak they did. Rumor has it the area is still enveloped in a (refined-sugar-free) doughnut coma, though luckily there are soymilk lattes to snap you out of it.

Did it really take this long for a bakery in Toronto to think up a “Streetcar” sandwich? In any case, Andrea’s Gerrard Street Bakery brought a whole lot more than clever nomenclature to East Chinatown with its summertime opening, offering a homestyle spread of classic butter tarts, cookies, cakes, and other sweets. “Wee cakes” reign supreme on the indulgent end, while freshly baked scones have come to dominate weekends.