Located along the bustling Dundas Street West strip in the Junction, the Malta Bake Shop is a beloved institution in the Little Malta neighbourhood of Toronto. The bakery is particularly known for its signature dish, pastizzi – a delicious snack made of flaky, paper-thin pastry filled with either ricotta cheese or mushy peas.
With its roots dating back to 1919, the Malta Bake Shop has been under Maltese ownership for over 100 years. It was originally opened as a grocery and bakery by Grezju and Cisina Borg to serve the growing Maltese community. Today, the bakery is run by Antoinette Buttigieg and her husband Charlie, who took over in 1983 and continue to carry on the tradition of serving Maltese pastries and baked goods.
Malta Bake Shop offers a range of made-in-Malta food products, including a delightful carbonated soft drink called Kinnie. This drink is brewed from bitter oranges and is similar to Italian chinotto. Kinnie is a rare find, and I haven’t come across it anywhere else. They also offer a sugar-free version of Kinnie, called diet Kinnie, which is an excellent option for those looking for zero-sugar drinks. Please note that this is not a sponsored post for Kinnie. As my father is diabetic, I always try to share information about where to find sugar-free products in Toronto whenever possible.
The Little Malta area has a rich history dating back to the 1950s when the first Maltese immigrants arrived in Toronto. Today, the neighbourhood is a vibrant hub of Maltese culture and tradition, with the bakery being one of the few remaining Maltese-owned establishments in the GTA. 3256 Dundas St. W, Toronto.
