*OMG Baked Goodness is now permanently closed*
OMG Baked Goodness is a bakery & café rumoured to sell Toronto’s best handmade desserts and savoury eats. Located at 1561 Dundas St W, a block west from Dufferin and Dundas, OMG is open Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm* for take-out service.
ATMOSPHERE
Unassuming on the outside, OMG Baked Goodness has a simplistic exterior that blends in with the other storefronts on Dundas. However, what makes the café stand out is its pops of bright pink - its sign, window decals, and outdoor bench.
Although the outside of the café feels a little basic, when you step inside, its interior transports you. The café’s hot pink exterior switches to a contrasting black and white colour scheme that makes every detail pop. OMG uses a mix of vintage furniture, pretty lettering, elegant floral patterns, plants, and touches of pastel to breathe life into the space.
The café is quite long (which helps accommodate their large pastry displays), making it easy to maintain distance from others when inside. However, if we weren’t in the pandemic, I could not imagine many people would be able to get their coffee/baked goods to stay.
As for its vibe, you can feel the sense of locality when visiting. The staff at OMG Baked Goodness are constantly on the go – placing orders, baking – but they always make an effort to converse with their customers. I appreciated their kindness when giving recommendations, and their patience when I needed time to decide.
MENU
OMG Baked Goodness has a brimming pastry counter filled with a large array of sweet and savoury goodies. Are you vegan or gluten-free? Don’t worry, they have options for you too.
Savoury options include: Croissants, turnovers, focaccia
Sweet options include: Cupcakes, cookies, muffins, hand pies, bars, tarts
OMG is known for their pies and tarts. Heavily recommended is their maple tart, inspired by chef/owner Lesley’s Manitoulin Island background. I’d also recommend their savoury turnovers; I ordered a margherita one on my last visit and it was cheesy goodness.
With items baked fresh daily, you can’t go wrong with any baked good you order at OMG. But considering the café’s name, that shouldn’t be a surprise.
Other fun additions: 1) Based on availability, OMG also sells day-old items (“Yesterday’s Yummies”) at a reduced price. 2) OMG offers “Bake at Home” croissants, cookies, and turnovers – these goodies can be bought frozen and baked at customers’ homes. 3) House made soup and chili is also sold at the café.
As for drinks, OMG Baked Goodness offers a variety of hot or cold beverages made with Hale coffee beans. Their menu is limited compared to the amount of baked goods they offer. That being said, OMG carries most coffee shop favourites. The menu can be seen in the image below. Drinks range from $2.65-$4.75, and almond/oat milk is offered at an additional cost.
CHANGES MADE + HOW TO SUPPORT THEM
OMG Baked Goodness has adapted to meet the safety protocols suggested by the city. This includes operating with takeout service only, enforcing mandatory facial coverings, limiting the number of patrons inside at one time, and keeping a clean/sanitized space. I felt very safe during my visit, and if you are located nearby and are not unwell, I encourage you to check out and support this café.
Great ways to support OMG include stopping for a morning coffee run, having a breakfast of pastries, stocking up on frozen goodies, or purchasing a gift card for future visits.
Surviving as a small business during a global pandemic is no easy feat. It is important to continue supporting local cafés to ensure their longevity. I hope OMG Baked Goodness is a business you consider patronizing.
SUMMARY
OMG Baked Goodness is located near Dufferin & Dundas. Just as their name suggests, the café specializes in delicious baked goods. Although the outside of the shop looks basic, once you step inside, you’ll marvel at their lively interior. Besides its décor, the café boasts a sense of locality, felt by the kindness of its staff. As for their menu, OMG offers a large variety of sweet and savoury options that are baked fresh daily. There are also many vegan and gluten-free options. You can’t go wrong with any of their baked goods, but their pies, tarts, and turnovers are especially recommended. As for coffee, OMG serves basic coffee shop fare made with Hale beans. The café has adapted to city protocols to ensure the health and safety of its customers and staff.
*Given the COVID-19 pandemic, hours and offerings depicted in this post may be skewed as businesses adapt to better serve its staff, customers, and community.