Golden Wheat Bakery Cafe is one of Toronto’s best-loved Portuguese bakeries.

Founded in 2012, the Rogers Road outpost was one of two bakeries to bear the name. Its counterpart, which was previously located on College Street, closed its doors in 2025, following an unprecedented increase in rent.

Both bakeries were owned by the same family. Father Jose Cunha opened the original bakery in 1992, while daughter Patricia Prandao opened a second location almost two decades later.

Though the two bakeries shared many similarities, including their understated wood and metal aesthetic, Patricia explains that she and her business partner, Alcides Laundos, "wanted to do [their] own thing."Golden Wheat serves a wide selection of Portuguese desserts, from flaky pastel de natas to flavourful flan pudding. Warm drinks, fresh sandwiches and other coffee shop staples are also available.The grilled ham and cheese sandwich, also known as the tosta mista ($5.90), is a popular Portuguese sandwich made with two simple ingredients.

The bread is lightly buttered, then toasted in a sandwich press, giving it a light, crispy texture that pairs well with the tender meat and melty cheese.

The grilled chicken breast sandwich ($8.90) is a slightly larger sandwich, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and mustard.

Be sure to keep some napkins handy: though the wide array of ingredients makes this sandwich a satisfying meal, they also make it much messier than the tosta mista.Pastel de natas, more commonly known as custard tarts ($1.85), are bite-sized pastries filled with creamy custard. Their crispy, caramelized tops give the tarts a distinctive appearance, as well as a slight crunch when you bite into them.Sugar donuts ($1.70) are bigger than your average donut and twice as decadent. The outside is coated with white sugar, while the inside is bursting with sweet cream.Though officially known as a latte ($4.75), Golden Wheat's take on this drink more closely resembles a galao, a type of Portuguese beverage made with espresso and warm milk.

It is served in a tall, thin glass and has a slightly higher ratio of milk to coffee, giving it a richer, sweeter taste. Cappuccinos ($4.75) are served in squat ceramic mugs, filled to the brim with velvety foam. Their winning blend of bitter coffee and steamed milk is ideal for sipping on the way to work in the morning.Other items, such as croissants, eclairs and even whole cakes, can be found in the bakery's glass display case.

Each of these items is made from scratch and can be customized to suit your needs. If you've got a wedding, birthday or other special occasion coming up, the staff would be more than happy to give your pastries a more personal touch.Though saddened by the loss of their sister location, Patricia and her staff have taken the news in stride.

With a solid menu and a devoted following, the team hopes that the Rogers Road location will become the new face of the franchise, carrying the family's legacy into the future.Golden Wheat Bakery Cafe is located at 579 Rogers Road.