Café
Carousel Bakery
A family-run bakery inside St. Lawrence Market, known as the home of Toronto's famous peameal bacon sandwich, with breads, bagels, pastries and hot sandwiches.
Forno Cultura
An Italian bakery whose King Street West flagship, in a converted former truck rental shop with arches and an open kitchen, serves breads, pastries and its own espresso.
At a glance
- Type
- Italian bakery and café
- Area
- King West, Toronto, Canada
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- fornocultura.com
Good to know
- Open kitchen
- Pour-over coffee
- Several locations
Why we recommend it
Forno Cultura is an Italian bakery with several branches across Toronto, and its flagship at 609 King Street West is the one to visit. The company calls it the culinary heart of the business, and the space itself is part of the attraction: a former truck rental shop converted into a bakery with arches, vaulted windows and an open kitchen where you can watch the bakers at work.
Coffee is taken seriously alongside the baking. The espresso is made with the bakery's own Riserva beans, and there is a rotating pour-over programme for anyone who prefers filter coffee. Tastet, the Canadian food guide, includes it in its list of the city's best coffee shops.
The wider business shows how much of the work is about bread and pastry. The Queen Street West branch at 1056 Queen Street West is the home of the company's pastry and research and development lab, a focacceria in First Canadian Place is built around artisan focaccia, and a small biscotteria in Union Station sells biscotti to travellers. There is also a café at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Sterling Road.
The King Street flagship is open from 7:30am to 7pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, which makes it convenient for breakfast, a late-morning coffee or an afternoon pastry. It is in the basement level of the building, so look for the entrance on King Street West.
Forno Cultura suits food lovers, couples and anyone looking for Italian baking and good coffee in the King West area. It is also a convenient breakfast stop for anyone staying in the area. The East Room partnership adds further cafés at 507 King Street East, with a rooftop, and at Carroll Street and Claremont Street. The Museum of Contemporary Art branch stays open until 8pm on Fridays, while the First Canadian Place counters keep office hours on weekdays.
For anyone passing through Union Station, the biscotteria there is open daily, while the Museum of Contemporary Art café is a good pairing with an exhibition. Each branch has its own phone number and opening hours on the website, so check the details of the one you plan to visit.
Forno Cultura FAQs
Where is the flagship?
At 609 King Street West, on the basement level.
What are the flagship's hours?
7:30am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.
What kind of bakery is it?
An Italian bakery, with its own espresso beans and a pour-over coffee programme.
What is special about the building?
It is a converted former truck rental shop with arches, vaulted windows and an open kitchen.
Are there other branches?
Yes, including Queen Street West, First Canadian Place, Union Station and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Is there a branch at Union Station?
Yes. A small biscotteria is on the lower level of Union Station.
How can you contact the King Street branch?
By phone on 416 603 8305 or by email.
Is it good for breakfast?
Yes. The flagship opens at 7:30am on weekdays.