Fresh Start Bakery & Cafe

595 Bay St., Toronto
(437) 333-7125

Recent Reviews

L W

I love this place. I’ve tried quite a few things and all of them were delicious but their bocconcini sandwich and chocolate chip cookies are my favourite. Everything is always fresh and the staff are so friendly.Vegetarian options: They have a vegan simit (like a Turkish bagel) with avocado and hummus and two vegetarian sandwich options - the Parisian which has brie, lettuce and tomato and Bocconcini which has bocconcini cheese, pesto and tomato (It’s amazing!)

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bocconcini Sandwiches

Hazem Kamel

A nice Turkish eatery offers a variety of flatbreads, Simit sandwiches, and Shalshouka (menemen). Special thanks to Danny for the excellent service!Location is underground and no reservation is needed.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Celik

Real Turkish cuisine. Delicious …

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Arda Cem

Super delicious Turkish breakfast.You immediately feel like you're in Turkey.Today I ate the full breakfast with “Moms Menemen” and it was really a dream. I can only recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lindsey L

We were looking for a breakfast place to pass the time while a family member had a medical procedure, and decided to try something beyond the usual breakfast chains that are all around now. So glad we stumbled on this small cafe, on the lower level of the Atriums.As we’d started our day quite early we were looking for something substantial, and the Turkish breakfast fit the bill. It is meant to serve two, and came with two simits (similar to a bagel), a dish of menemen (scrambled egg in a tomato/pepper/onion sauce, with sausage), and a platter of spreads and toppings. We subbed coffee for the included tea.It was our first time having Turkish breakfast so I don’t have a baseline to compare it to, but we enjoyed it quite a bit. The simits were fresh and the variety of toppings really made this meal.There is limited dine-in space, but most folks were just grabbing coffee and pastry to go, so that wasn’t a problem. I saw a review from a few months ago noting that it was quite dark—perhaps they have improved the lighting since, because it was plenty bright on our visit.We took a few pastries to go for later in the day. The pear and almond tart was a favourite, and the chocolate-walnut cookie was delicious too. The almond croissant was tasty but not the best I’ve had. Do note, if it is a concern for you, that most of the pastries contain nuts, and they are all in a shared bakery case. This was not an issue for our party but someone with a nut allergy might not find much here they could sample.The lunch sandwich menu sounded amazing, and if we’re in the area again we would return midday to try that!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Traditional Simit, Turkish Breakfast

Adam Keanie

Lovely food, coffee and service. Agree with others this is a hidden gem.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Menemen

Sabra Gallo

Delicious savory pastry and friendly service started my Friday off right! Will be back soon to try the gluten free pistachio cookie ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Manolli

As someone who is always hopping from different cafes on a regular basis, I can say this is probably the best service I’ve ever experienced at a cafe. The staff are extremely friendly and patient with you and work hard to create a good vibe.The cafe has many Turkish options like Turkish coffee and tea along with some other menu items.This is a hidden gem. Highly recommendedAs a bonus, the owner is also extremely nice.I will definitely be coming back!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ana Han

Came for moms menemen breakfast (eggs, tomato, feta, peppers, onions, sujuk, with tea and a Turkish bagel). The worker kindly swapped the bagel for a pistachio cookie (delish! Good pistachio flavour). However, there was no sujuk on my menemen :(

Ylevitinmd

We had a very poor experience. I ordered a tuna poke bowl, and the server brought it out without many main ingredients. It was missing hard boiled egg, avocado, massago, and some other components. They didn’t even apologize when I pointed it out, and no substitute was offered. I would strongly advise against visiting the place! Beware!

Ioana Alexandra Zelko

Absolutely stellar service, nice, caring, observant people. The double pistachio baklava is delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

sireen sadiq

The cashier/server (Dani) was very sweet and accommodating. I wanted some spice in my food but they didn’t have a hot sauce so she went out her way to make a chilli sauce for me that I could have with my food that was so delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Don Juan

Had regular croissant; find it too flaky (falling apart), carrot cake (too greasy) and the GF pistachio cookie (too sweet)Cute little coffee shop.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

Eileen Lau

This bakery and cafe is located in the atrium food court. They have a great variety of baked goods, particularly middle Eastern style. The atmosphere was very dark so not ideal for working. The tables and seats look very old.I got the almond croissant (toasted) but it didn't have much filling and it was not very flakey.Worker was nice though.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Janice T.

This Turkish bakery and cafe is a hidden gem in the Atrium's food court. I really liked the peach, pear, and almond tart. I'll be back to try the shakshuka and the simit (a Turkish-style bagel). I heard that they sell out of the simit in the morning.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

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