A trip to Georgina is even sweeter with a butter tart in hand! Our communities are home to an impressive number of independent bakeries and cafés serving everything from traditional favourites with gooey filling and flaky pastry to creative flavours featuring coffee, chocolate and Skor. From charming downtown bakeries to cozy cafés and hidden local gems, there are plenty of delicious stops worth exploring. Along the way, browse unique shops, enjoy beautiful views of Lake Simcoe and experience the welcoming communities that make Georgina special.
MoeTarts
If butter tarts are the main reason for your trip, MoeTarts is an essential stop. This Sutton award-winning micro-bakery specializes in handmade butter tarts and cookies made without preservatives.
You can choose from plain, raisin or pecan and anyone looking for something unique can try one of the signature flavours, including Skor, packed with pieces of the chocolate bar, or coconut, made with dark chocolate, coconut and pecans.
MoeTarts is located at 132 High St. in Sutton. You can also find a selection of its butter tarts at Queensway Marketplace in Keswick, making it easy to add a box to your next local shopping trip. Flavours and availability may vary by location.
Market Street Bakery at Papa Luigi’s
Market Street Bakery’s handmade butter tarts are baked fresh in the heart of downtown Sutton. They feature a thin, flaky pastry and a sweet filling with just the right amount of runniness.
The bakery is located inside Papa Luigi’s Family Restaurant, a classic restaurant in Georgina that is well known for its delicious fish and chips. Enjoy a meal before finishing with a butter tart for dessert and pick up a few extra baked goods to bring home.
Elaine’s Black River Coffee
Butter tarts, fresh coffee and a seat beside the river make a perfect combination.
Located at 126 High St. in Sutton, Elaine’s Black River Coffee is known for its welcoming atmosphere and homemade treats, especially its flaky butter tarts. Pair one with a coffee or tea and choose from several seating areas throughout the café.
Head outside to the back patio, garden or dock overlooking the Black River. It is a peaceful place with a beautiful view of the wildlife and paddlers passing by.
Elpida Café and Roastery
At 14 The Queensway S. in Uptown Keswick, Elpida Café and Roastery brings together freshly roasted coffee and locally made treats.
Its butter tart selection has included classics such as plain and pecan alongside flavours inspired by the café, including an Elpida coffee butter tart. Seasonal creations such as pumpkin may also appear throughout the year. Pair your choice with one of Elpida’s handcrafted drinks or a cup of its organic, fair-trade coffee, roasted on site. Elpida offers a wide variety of specialty coffee and tea drinks, as well as drink flights if you are feeling adventurous.
Flavours change, so check Elpida’s current offerings before visiting if you have a particular one in mind.
Sweet Treats by C
Sweet Treats by C is one of Georgina’s newer bakery storefronts, located at 1035 Metro Rd. N. in Island Grove. Owner Chelsea grew the business from a home-based bakery into a welcoming shop known for cinnamon buns, apple fritters and creative gourmet donuts.
The bakery also carries butter tarts from Baked by Becky, another Georgina baker who specializes in butter tarts and cookies. While you are there, browse the other locally made products or settle in with a treat. Baked by Becky offers raisin, Skor, pecan and plain butter tarts, as well as a variety of seasonal flavours to explore. Families will also find a children’s corner and a small book nook inside.
Oh Nest Café
For another sweet stop in Keswick, visit Oh Nest Café at 672 The Queensway S., where you can enjoy freshly baked pecan butter tarts. These classic treats combine a rich, sweet filling with crunchy pecans, making them a delicious choice for butter tart lovers. Whether you're picking up a treat for yourself or bringing a few home to share, Oh Nest Café is another stop worth adding to your Georgina butter tart trail.
Butter Bee Bagel
Freshly baked bagels, creative cream cheese flavours and hearty sandwiches are just a few reasons to visit Butter Bee Bagel at 213 The Queensway S. in Keswick. This locally owned bagel shop offers a delicious selection of sweet and savoury favourites, including butter tarts.
Butter Bee Bagel's inviting storefront is a welcoming place to stop for breakfast, lunch or a freshly baked treat. Choose from a variety of bagels, pair one with a flavourful cream cheese spread or enjoy a chicken salad or tuna salad sandwich.
Plan your own Georgina butter tart tour
Several of these stops are clustered close together, making it easy to create your own route. Start on High Street in downtown Sutton for MoeTarts, Market Street Bakery and Elaine’s Black River Coffee. Browse the downtown shops between stops or take a break beside the Black River.
Continue along the Lake Simcoe shoreline to Sweet Treats by C in Island Grove. Next, head toward Keswick for Elpida Café and Roastery, Butter Bee Bagel and Oh Nest Café in the south end. Along the way, you can explore Georgina’s lakeside communities, parks and local shops.
Butter tarts are often made in small batches and popular flavours can sell out. Check each business’s current hours and availability before setting out, especially if you are travelling for a particular flavour.
Celebrate at the Georgina Buttertart Festival
Still hungry? The annual Georgina Buttertart Festival brings professional bakers, local vendors and butter tart fans together for a full day devoted to one of Canada’s favourite treats.
The festival takes place on the third Saturday in October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Georgina Ice Palace, 90 Wexford Dr. in Keswick. Visitors can browse and sample butter tarts, watch the butter tart competitions, shop from local vendors and enjoy a family-friendly community event. Raffle baskets and a 50/50 draw will also be available, with proceeds supporting the Peaceful Hearts Georgina Foundation.
Whether you prefer yours plain, filled with raisins, topped with pecans or given a creative twist, Georgina has a butter tart waiting for you. Visit one stop or turn it into a full tasting tour.
Did we miss your go-to Georgina butter tart? Share it with us so we can add it to the list.