Some of us grew up with cinnamon buns as a special treat. For me, they were always tied to special moments. But now that I’m older, I love the fact that I can just grab one whenever I want.
So, when I got the chance to write about cinnamon buns, I was all in. I rounded up a few friends and set out to find the best cinnamon buns in Calgary because, let’s be real, this research is the best kind, and it’s better to do it with someone.
If you’re craving cinnamon buns, don’t worry. Just keep reading, and you’ll be on your way to a sweet adventure!
Table of Contents
1. The Big Buns Club
Media credits: bigbunsclub
Website
Address: 1235 26 Ave SE
Operating hours:
- Friday to Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Monday to Thursday: Closed
Price: $$
The Big Buns Club’s cinnamon buns aren’t just your average cinnamon buns. We loved how they really gave their time and care to the presentation. At one point, we even thought they were too pretty to eat.
Their dough is eggless and made with almond milk, giving the buns a soft and slightly different texture than traditional buns. It also has a balance of flavors, with just the right amount of cinnamon without being overpowering.
They also have a wide variety. They offer both classic and seasonal flavors, including some fun, savory options. A few of us went for the mini buns, which are perfect for trying multiple flavors at once.
Pro tip:
If you want fresh, bakery-quality cinnamon buns at home, you always grab their frozen ones. Just thaw, bake, and enjoy!
2. Cinnaholic
Media credits: cinnaholic
Website
Address: 1523 5 St SW
Contact details: +1 403-455-6444
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 10 AM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 9 PM
Price: $$
Cinnaholic’s cinnamon buns come in over 20 flavors and with a ton of toppings to mix and match.
We love their classic cinnamon roll topped with caramel frosting, pecans, cream cheese frosting, and fresh berries. They’re perfectly warm, soft, and pillowy.
We also like that they have just the right amount of caramelization at the bottom for a bit of crunch. The balance of cinnamon and sugar was also not overpowering, just enough to let the flavors shine.
Unless stated, we couldn’t even guess that they were vegan. Some of us felt the frosting was sweeter, but with so many customization options, it’s easy to adjust it to your liking.
Pro tip:
Note that these rolls are a bit big. If you’re not hungry, consider splitting one with a friend to enjoy without feeling full.
3. Canela Vegan Bakery & Cafe
Media credits: canelayyc
Website
Address: 1319 9 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403-226-4199
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Monday: Closed
Price: $$
We first tried Canela’s classic cinnamon buns, which were soft, gooey, and perfectly spiced. It’s impressive that their pastry selection offers vegan, non-vegan, and gluten-free options.
The real standout, though, was the seasonal flavors for their cinnamon buns, croissants, and cheesecakes. There’s always something new to try here, so I love coming back.
For the cinnamon buns, the salted caramel flavor had the perfect balance of rich caramel and just the right touch of salt. If we had one small critique, the icing was a bit too sugary and slightly grainy. But honestly, we enjoyed everything so much that it didn’t really matter!
Pro tip:
Pair their cinnamon buns with their drinks, like the London Smog. It’s their own spin on the earl grey tea, which perfectly balances the sweetness of the buns.
4. Alforno Bakery & Cafe
Media credits: alfornoyyc
Website
Address: 222 7 St SW
Contact details: +1 403-454-0308
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:30 AM – 8 PM
Price: $$
The cinnamon buns from Alforno Bakery & Cafe are massive and slathered in rich cream cheese frosting. The frosting is slightly sticky, but it didn’t bother us. The sweetness is also not overwhelming.
Alforno’s Italian roots might explain why these buns have that extra bit of finesse. From the soft texture, we can tell that some serious baking techniques are at play here.
We also noticed that the cinnamon buns don’t stick around long. Since everything at Alforno is baked fresh daily in limited batches, they have a bit of an exclusive feel. Aim to arrive in the morning if you want to get your hands on one.
Pro tip:
Pair their cinnamon buns with coffee. Alforno’s solid coffee menu has options that perfectly complement their buns.
5. Lazy Loaf & Kettle
Media credits: lazy_loaf
Website
Address: 8 Parkdale Crescent NW
Contact details: +1 403-270-7810
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7 AM – 7 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM – 7 PM
Price: $$
Our team visited Lazy Loaf & Kettle and tried their cinnamon buns with raisins. They come with cream cheese frosting on the side, which adds a nice touch.
The bun itself was soft and chewy. That said, we noticed that the bread-to-cinnamon syrup ratio was a bit off. There was a lot of dough, and we found ourselves wanting more of that gooey, spiced filling.
Beyond the baked goods, they also serve a full menu of breakfast and lunch items.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning to order a meal, expect a bit of a wait. They take their time preparing the food, but from what we saw, it’s worth it.
6. La Boulangerie Bakery Cafe
Media credits: laboulangerieartisan
Website
Address: 2435 4 St SW
Contact details: +1 403-984-9294
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:30 AM – 6 PM
Price: $$
La Boulangerie Bakery Cafe had a display case packed with golden pastries, but of course, we had to try their famous cinnamon buns.
They were light and flaky, with a caramelized bottom and just a hint of raisins. It’s totally different from the usual dense, doughy kind. They didn’t even need butter, though we wouldn’t say no to extra indulgence.
The whole place has a relaxed vibe, and just the right amount of Parisian charm, and the food offerings are delicious. The staff is super friendly, the prices are fair, and it really feels like a little slice of France in Calgary.
Pro tip:
If you want to enjoy some fresh air, you can grab a seat on the outdoor patio. It’s also a great spot for people-watching if that’s what you like to do.
7. Good Bread
Media credits: goodbreadyyc
Website
Address: 8303 Fairmount Dr SE
Contact details: +1 587-295-0887
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7 AM – 7 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM – 5 PM
Price: $$
Instead of the usual bun presentation, Good Bread’s cinnamon buns come in small paper cups, kind of like cupcakes. They looked like muffins at first, but by the look of them, we know they’re already delicious.
The texture was soft, and just the right amount of icing added sweetness without overpowering the cinnamon flavor. If you like a bit of crunch with a sweet finish, you’ll probably love them.
Some of us found the buns a little on the drier side, though, so warming them up can make a big difference.
Pro tip:
Besides the cinnamon buns, don’t skip Good Bread’s pretzels. They’re soft, tasty, and delicious. For an extra burst of flavor, be sure to ask for a dipping sauce with it.
8. Glamorgan Bakery
Media credits: glamorganbakery
Website
Address: 3919 Richmond Rd SW #19
Contact details: +1 403-242-2800
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 7 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 7 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday to Monday: Closed
Price: $$
The first thing we noticed about Glamorgan Bakery’s cinnamon buns was how homemade they tasted, like something straight out of a family kitchen. The dough had the right amount of fluffiness, not too dense or airy.
They come in packs of six, and you can choose between the classic or the raisin version. We tried both! The raisin one has a little extra chewiness and sweetness, but even the plain ones were loaded with cinnamon flavor.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking to try more of the bakery’s best, grab a loaf of their cinnamon bread. It makes incredible French toast since it’s already drizzled with syrup.
9. Miss P’s Gluten Free
Media credits: misspsglutenfree
Website
Address: 3126 Glenmore Ct SE
Contact details: +1 403-970-6175
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday to Monday: Closed
Price: $$$
Miss P’s is a completely gluten-free bakery, which is a big win for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. There are no cross-contamination worries, so you can enjoy their treats stress-free.
We gave their cinnamon buns a try, and overall, they were pretty generous in size. I even had to share mine with someone!
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll probably love them. I personally found them very sweet, but some of us thought they were just right. Texture-wise, they were quite dense, especially when reheated.
Pro tip:
Need a last-minute gluten-free cake? Miss P’s has come through for others on short notice, so if you’re in a pinch, try giving them a call.