Manuel Latruwe Belgian Patisserie & Bread Shop

4.5 star rating
15 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Bakeries, Desserts  [Edit]

1333 1 St SE
Calgary, AB T2G 5L1
(403) 261-1092
Hours:

Tue-Wed, Sat 7:30 am - 5 pm

Thu-Fri 7:30 am - 6 pm

Price Range:
$$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Private Lot

Review Highlights   

  • user photo
    "...was still excellent, the croissants still flaky and fresh." In 5 reviews
  • user photo
    "Delicious, rich chocolate and pastries." In 6 reviews
  • user photo
    "They also have an amazing chocolate croissant and a great..." In 6 reviews
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15 reviews in English

  • Review from Terrence L.

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    5/6/2012

    I utterly love this place.  When I first came to Calgary, I was looking for a taste of home (Quebec) and found this wonderful Belgian bakery and cafe that served wonderfully fresh and totally yummy belgian waffles with Bernard Callebault chocolate and fresh whipped cream.  

    I've since then tried many of the cakes, the breads, and the savory pastries.  All of them were utterly astounding, and I can't say enough about them.  The attempted experiment at sheep's milk ice cream was a little...eh... nice try, and I find the cakes to be astoundingly pricy (something I restrict myself to purchasing now maybe twice a year, usually for birthdays for friends).  Still, it's a absolutely yummy guilty pleasure every once in awhile.  :)

  • Review from Wendy P.

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Cake for lunch? I don't mind if I do. It's been a busy day, turns out it was breakfast too. But not to worry, I balanced the sweet with a little bitter topped with cream in the form of a cup of coffee. Afternoon delight if you will.

    If you want delicious little cakes, you're going to want to get them from Manuel Latruwe. Alternatively, if you want to be in my good books, you'll buy me a little cake from Manuel Latruwe. They even have some gluten free sponge cakes. You may think the one you've picked out is too pretty to eat. Indeed, they are all eye candy... But since when shouldn't you eat your heart out when eye candy is involved? I promise, these cakes reciprocate.... They aren't cheap, but they're sure to make your day (or night).

  • Review from Supreet S.

    • 13 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    12/17/2011

    I visit at least 3 times a week for a cappuccino. Lately I've been dabbling in the pastries. I've tried several baguette sandwiches and my absolute favourite is the Walnut loaf with jalapeno jam and brie... Mmmm.Inevitably I will taste everything, and everything I have taste so far is nothing short of perfection.
    One morning I chatted with Mr. Latruwe and asked "How's business?", his response (with a smile, of course) "Business is always good. I am in the business of making people happy." This sentiment is exactly what I observe when I visit Manuel Latruwe.

  • Review from Julie L.

    • 28 friends
    • 281 reviews

    Fountain Valley, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    7/28/2010

    Flaky cinnamon rolls and lots of pastries, quiches, and desserts were available early in the morning. I love that they were ready for the day. What you should know is that the baker actually makes the pastries and if you order a Belgian waffle, he personally makes it. The idea just astounds me as usually the famed bakers are visualizers and don't do the day to day work.

    The espresso isn't great, but I'm all for the regular coffee with a cinnamon roll. Get there early because though they are well-stocked in the morning, everything goes fast and that's all Mr. Latruwe makes.

    Oh yeah, something about free gelato this whole month? Yeah, they can do that.

  • Review from dinah g.

    • 305 friends
    • 800 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    2/14/2010

    This place was totally full at lunch hour on a Friday so I was curious as what they had to offer, they had some really nice chocolate covered cakes shaped like hearts for Valentines which was a really nice touch; They were all so beautiful to look at it would be a shame to dig into them; chocolate cake covered with milk dark chocolate mousse, black forest temptation, coconut and almond sponge cake, raspberry crème, and cappuccino marquis.

    There are nice pies, buns, and a great lunch special of soup and salads; they offer lentil, and sweet potato plus they have a simple but nice assortment of their own brand name ice creams, vanilla, chocolate, passion fruit, strawberry and pistachio.

    I noticed that the place has ample seating and the service seems quick, definitely a place to try just for the pastries alone which look all so decadent.

  • Review from Sapna G.

    • 1364 friends
    • 1115 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    4/22/2010

    Hands down one of THE best bakeries in Calgary.

    Whether you're looking to pick up some bread, cakes or patisseries to go, or whether you're thinking of having breakfast, lunch or any one of their remarkable creations along with a cappuccino in-house, Manuel Latruwe Belgian Patisserie & Bake Shop is SURE to leave an everlasting impression on you and your taste buds.

    I had breakfast here last weekend and I honestly didn't want to leave. Their croissants are some of THE best I've ever had, as is pretty much EVERYTHING on their menu.

    They even give you the option to take their goods home and bake them yourself! Yup, you can take home waffle batter, cookie dough, appetizer boxes, pizza, cinnamon buns or chocolate buns, and bake them in your own home and have them fresh out of the oven.

    There's nothing that these guys haven't thought of.

    If you LOVE amazing food like I do, then do yourself a favour and take a trip over to Manuel Latruwe. You WILL NOT be disappointed -  this I can promise you.

  • Review from Ella B.

    • 6 friends
    • 35 reviews

    Toronto, ON

    4.0 star rating
    1/25/2010

    I've been going to Manuel Latruwe for many years now. It has my favorite croissants in Calgary, as well as excellent desserts and coffee.

    The service is good, and the location is nice especially because they have parking but are fairly downtown. On the downside, they are not cheap, they run out of things quickly, and rarely open during any busy season in calgary. Don't try to go there during the holidays or stampede for that matter, they are closed.

  • Review from Starkie S.

    • 1 friend
    • 90 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    6/8/2011

    The service is the one item that stands out for me, although I have not eaten in, the counter service for bread & pastry is always friendly but not always quick.

    Over the years, the breads have been my favourite - try the blue cheese bread and once home, lightly toast it with a small amount of whipped - very flavourful (only if you love blue cheese). Another interesting item is the homemade marshmallows - I heard from someone in the house that they were not big on the texture, but they are a real treat.

    If you desire products on the weekend I suggest getting there for opening as I have arrived later to be disappointed as alot of the items sell out quickly.

  • Review from Maria H.

    • 19 friends
    • 66 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    3/30/2011

    First time I have breakfast there. Belgian breakfast. very good! coffee. very good. service. very good... pricey. yes. but it's worth once in a while.

  • Review from Mare B.

    • 3 friends
    • 23 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    1/30/2010

    This is my favourite bakery in town.  The bread is divine, the pastries incredibly indulgent, and if you can make it there Saturday, they'll make you the fluffiest, most amazing waffles from scratch -- topped with your choice of strawberries, chocolate, whipped cream or ice cream.

    Oh, and if you want a cake for a special occasion, you should call ahead and order it: they run out fast.  My favorite: cappucino cake.  I can't think of a sweeter way to treat someone on a special occasion.

  • Review from David T.

    • 1 friend
    • 99 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Why did it take so long to find this place? Mmmm. Delicious, rich chocolate and pastries. This will give your pancreas a workout. Service is a bit slow.

  • Review from Nicola J.

    • 0 friends
    • 12 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    3.0 star rating
    10/2/2008

    I was already peeved with Manuel Latruwe before I ever set foot in the place. They'd been renovating for months and each time I stopped by they were still closed. Despite announcing in the City Palate that they were open. So when I finally got the chance to go inside, my expectations were probably higher than they should have been. I expected a remarkable interior. And it was only so so. I expected magical, tasty food. And it was really only decent. They gave us forks...with our creme caramel. No spoons with the cappuccino. Have you ever tried eating a custard with a fork? Or used said fork to stir sugar into your cappuccino? Overly picky? Perhaps...but, like I said I'd been waiting a long time. The quiche we shared was decent, if a little runny. Surely this is not the best Calgary has to offer!

  • Review from Katie C.

    • 72 friends
    • 357 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    Updated - 11/7/2009 4 photos

    Headed down to Manuel Latruwe today to spend an obscene amount of money on bread and pastries. All worth it of course. The service was still excellent, the croissants still flaky and fresh. Every time I go it reinforces my feelings that this is the best bakery in town.

    Listed in: DEELISH!

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    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 5.0 star rating
      10/17/2009

      Magical, tasty food is right. I love Manuel Latruwe with a passion that can't be explained by… Read more »

  • Review from Adam G.

    • 50 friends
    • 58 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    11/5/2009

    One of the best bread shops in Calgary (with decent prices too). They also have an amazing chocolate croissant and a great assortment of Belgian desserts.

  • Review from s c.

    • 0 friends
    • 28 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    2.0 star rating
    5/30/2011

    Nobody can deny they make good pastry.  The atmosphere is nice and the staff at the counter are always pleasant.  I would recommend the coffee, or sitting down with a couple of pastries, but not to order from the menu.  My family has had several very disappointing experiences with their breakfast/lunch menu.

    On more than one occasion they have apparently lost or forgotten orders, such that you have to go up and remind them you're waiting several times.  This will go on for 30-40 minutes, so that if one of the orders does arrive promptly, that person will have started and finished eating before another receives their meal.

    Most recently, i made breakfast plans at Manuel's with my mom.  Our coffees and her rosti arrived quickly (and she really enjoyed the rosti).  I had ordered the croque madame and after 30 minutes and two trips to the counter to ask what the hold-up was, it arrived with a raw poached egg.  To be clear, I like poached eggs runny.  When I say 'raw' I mean that part of the egg white was completely transparent, and halfway through eating a glob of mucus oozed out from under the yolk sack.  Irked by this time, I took the plate back to the counter and complained.  The waitress took the plate into the kitchen and a few minutes later, appeared without the plate, saying the chef refused to give a refund.  What she told me sounded like it had been politely paraphrased from a more curmudgeonly rant about people not knowing anything about poached eggs, and accusing me of trying to get (one third of) a free meal.

    So next time you are looking for a nice place to have breakfast, I wholeheartedly recommend l'Epicerie next door, or eat! eat! in Inglewood, or Wake in Kensington, or the Laurier, or one of the other myriad restaurants in Calgary that serve an excellent brunch.

    If you are looking for delicious French pastries and only know of Manuel Latruwe, I recommend Yann just off 4th street, where everything they touch seems to turn to gold, including their croissants, bread, gluten-free brownies, and most importantly their macarons.

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