The Crusty Baker

The Crusty Baker isn't your typical bakery. Located in Old Town Kemptville right near the water, you'll find traditional English baking and meals including delicious curries, and sandwiches on fresh baked breads. They also carry seasonal gifts and make fun, decorated cookie boxes for all the various holidays. Highly recommended.

Stopped by here as part of the Fresh Baked Adventures tour. Glad I did!

Tons of nice locally made items like sodas and curries. Their scones have some funky flavours. We ate the mulberry pumpkin seed scone. Now, I'm not a scone connoisseur, but this was legitimately the best scone I've ever eaten in my life.

Also took home a garlic bread that is just fantastic.

If you ever have the chance, stop by!

It's hard to find good fresh bread options, harder in a rural area. I had a great experience, the baguettes are amazing. I may have eaten a lot of one with butter while warm.

This little place is my favourite place to grab lunch. The sandwich is large and so tasty. The break is baked in the old school way and doesn't effect my wife's gluten sensitivity either. Love this place.

Half the garlic bread was gone before I had time to snap a photo!! Absolutely delicious and so buttery. Such a positive first experience at the crusty baker. I’m not typically in the area but it smelt amazing in passing so I had to check it out. The girl working was so friendly and warm, she helped me pick out what I wanted to try. I also grabbed a toffee cookie, sooo soft. I’ll definitely be back soon!!

***UPDATE*** (2024)
After speaking with one of the employees randomly, I was asked to give Crusty another chance as the most of the previous issues had been dealt with. I've been there three times and I was treated kindly with great service by multiple employees - I'm so glad that I listened because the food is affordable and absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS!

*****
I just went in, I was really hungry. The girl was too busy to look up and acknowledge a customer and the gentleman (baker?) wasn't interested in selling me food either so I just left... Not sure why they wouldn't serve/acknowledge my presence - not willing to find out, others are willing to accept my money.

I love the sandwich for lunch here. So tasty, and I find myself checking on Tuesday to see if they are open. I look forward to my lunch here every time.

They are our Go To place for some very tasty baked goods... too many to mention. The service is always friendly and helpful. I would not hesitate to refer them.

PHENOMENAL IN EVERY WAY!!!. Been a customer since the day they opened. Have used them to craft specialized theme menus for community events as well as feeding our family of six on a regular basis. Seriously, I don't know how I would have survived living semi-rurally without their ever-present creativity, beautiful souls and commitment to providing the best food experience possible. Love this crew to bits.

Delicious baked goods and baguettes. This morning, I got myself a cranberry scone with glaze that was just so wonderful, crunchy outside, nice and moist inside, a little bit of butter and you have perfection right there! The staff is helpful and friendly.

Literally the best vegan pastry I've ever had in my life. Amazing pie crust! So flaky

We had a large catering order and John was absolutely fantastic in getting this arranged for us. We absolutely loved the sandwiches the bread was an absolute star! Highly recommend the potato cheese scone! They were gone in a flash! Thank you John so much for your help getting this organized and delivering absolutely delicious food.

Such a lovely little British-style bakery! Friendly staff who took the time to verify with the kitchen that certain pastries were safe for my dietary restrictions. The sausage rolls were fabulous and the bacon butter tarts were very generously portioned. Can't wait to come back to this hidden gem again soon!

The Crusty Baker is the best! This is the best bakery I've encountered - healthy ingredients, excellent quality, reasonable prices and baked with care. I look forward to every opportunity I get to sample their baked goods and love the seasonal special products that they make. Keep up the good work!

October 14, 2023
Had the pleasure of acquiring Outstanding baked goods from the Crusty Baker booth at the Kanata Farmers market yesterday (west Ottawa). The owner presided.
The bread products are Far better than any other bakery I have patronized, anywhere in my travels around the world.
The quality, taste, seasoning, innovative items are First Class.
I am hooked on the focaccia bread roll with brie and cranberry.
There is something about the taste, use of seasonings and the medium brown toasting that creates their great products.
Many products like sausage roll etc.
Easy to get to for urban folk, down the 416 and get off at Kemptville, turn right into downtown.
I will be making regular visits going forward.
I wish the best to the Crusty Baker.
Everyone - please take the time to patronize small businesses - they are the essence of our economy. Rather eat the Crusty Baker breads than the large corporate blah Ace bread at Loblaws (where I never go to).

There are a top three big moments in my life so far:

The Birth of My Child;
My Wedding Day;
And Eating the Muffaletta from The Crusty Baker.

Depending on My Wife's Attitude each day the Sandwich sometimes takes second place from her.

The bread was fluffy, crusty and chewy. The contents were plentiful and salty in nature.It's the only sandwich you need a fork with because I think Dante himself created a new circle for people who do not eat every morsel of this specific sandwich.

Not to take away from the rest of their delicious delectable other items but when you've had a Gretzky, all the LaFleurs, Orrs and Howes get pushed away.

If the lands of Highlander and Sandwiches ever intermingled, The Crusty Baker would be the Connor McLeod of The Clan McLeod holding the severed, Kurgan-like head of the competition aloft and screaming to the Heavens "There can be Only One!", and then casting it down into the bottomless abyss of mediocrity.

Fantastic bread and savory treats with excellent friendly staff.

My favourite bakery! I think the bread here is second to NONE! The parmesan garlic bread is to die for. Have been a customer for years and will continue to frequent this place as often as I can!

I have never seen cinnamon buns get eaten so fast (by 4 others, so not just me). Absolutely 100 percent sticky delight. The rum and something cupcakes were a hit as well.

Highly worth the stop.

We purchased a variety of breads and buns as well as a quiche. Everything was delicious but the quiche was outstanding. Probably the best quiche we have ever eaten. It was well worth the drive from Ottawa.