Bakeries and cafes in the Southern Gulf Islands

Imagine the smell of freshly baked bread mingling with the rich scent of artisanal coffee. This is a typical morning in the Southern Gulf Islands. The place where wood-fired sourdough loaves from Vancouver Island-milled grains and locally-roasted coffee beans reign supreme.

Each island boasts its own charming bakeries and cafes (and even bread stands). Here, you can slow down and indulge in cozy atmospheres and delicious flavours . Just some of the things that make these places a welcome aspect of island life. These are some of our favourite spots for your coffee and baked goods fix:

Pender 

On Pender, Vanilla Leaf Bakery Cafe serves up everything from donuts and croissants to cakes and pies. Meanwhile, Slow Coast Coffee offers savory quiche and tarts along with local music jam sessions. For organic wood-fired bread, The Happy Monk Baking Company has loaves  available for order online with pickup at various locations across the island.

Mayne

Morning lovers will find plenty of options on Mayne. The cronuts at Sunny Mayne Bakery Cafe are not to be missed. Moreover, Shavasana Art Gallery & Café showcases the typical Gulf Islands alternative vibes. Get your specialty caffeine fix at The Mayne Bean or visit the market in summer to try Dalektable Desserts from a professional pastry chef. 

Salt Spring 

With somewhere between 5-10 places to get coffee, depending on the season and the day, you can be sure Salt Spring will deliver in the bakeries and cafes department. 

For your modern cafe fix, Salt Spring Coffee Cafe & Kitchen will make you feel right at home; and leave you buzzing. A local favourite, Barb’s Bakery has a cult following for its sourdough cheese twists. Switchboard Cafe, located in a former telephone exchange building, offers a rotating selection of bean roasters. For bread, the much-loved Francis Bread has some of the best wood-fired, organic sourdough loaves around. Gluten sensitive? Try Jane’s Dough for the closest breads you can get to regular sourdough.

Galiano

A local staple, Sturdies Bay Bakery has a lineup of baked goodies, fancy coffee beverages aren’t to be overlooked here either. For European style specialty baked goods, Blu Bakery offers an all gluten-free menu of breads and pastries. You can find them at their market stand and by special order.

New to the scene, Folia is the go-to for plant-based options. Don’t miss the focaccia.

Start your island morning with cozy local food

With so many great places to start your morning, you won’t wake up in the islands wishing you could go back to bed. From modern coffee shops and food carts to bread stands and gluten free bakers; the islands have the full suite of cozy indulgences for an uplifting start to your day.