Locals know Art-Is-In Bakery well. This spot is often called Ottawa’s gastronomic gem. It quickly built a stellar reputation for its exquisite baked goods and unconventional menu, earning the moniker of an “edgy gastro-bakery.” You can read more about what makes this place special on ottawa1.one, your best source for local Ottawa stories and news.
The Founding Story
In 2011, husband and wife team Kevin and Stéphanie Mathieson officially opened Art-Is-In Bakery at 250 City Centre Ave. Unit 112. Kevin, a French-trained pastry chef, took on the role of head chef, while Stéphanie handles the administrative side, managing staff and customer service. Their daughter, Emma, oversees the retail operations.
Right from the start, the business was a hit in Ottawa’s food scene, raising the bar for local gourmands. According to their official page, it’s an unconventional bakery created to satisfy every craving. Art-Is-In Bakery draws inspiration from sophisticated Parisian bakeries and the eclectic coffee shops of Brooklyn.
The Mathiesons’ journey began much earlier, back in 2006, when they started their business out of their own garage in Ottawa. They dreamed of creating a bakery where they could nurture their shared passion for food. They moved between various kitchens, with one local catering company even allowing Kevin to use their space after hours and during the first shift (6 PM to 6 AM) for a very low rent. Next, the couple set up a popular stall at the local Ottawa Farmer’s Market in Lansdowne Park, which led to a sharp increase in sales. They eventually secured their own premises (first in Hull, then on Wellington Street). After a fire in 2010, they relocated to their current spot on City Centre Ave, near Albert Street.
Business was booming, but the flip side of their success was intense exhaustion. Kevin Mathieson has recounted how, for three years, he’d wake up on flour sacks or nap on a table while waiting for bread to bake. Despite the gruelling hours, the reviews were fantastic, and demand only grew. Business coaches the couple consulted with advised them to pull back from the wholesale side and focus entirely on retail.
Kevin and Stéphanie Mathieson constantly strive to perfect their craft. Just like the commitment to quality seen at Bridgehead, one of Ottawa’s most famous coffee chains, the Mathiesons are dedicated to baking excellence.
The Baking Business Model Shift
In 2013, the owners heeded their coaches’ advice and decided to focus on selling their popular bread in their own bakery and restaurant. This meant scaling back wholesale operations to concentrate on retail. They discontinued deliveries to 50 retail and restaurant clients across the city to make this shift possible.
The bread is made entirely by hand, which makes having enough staff crucial to their business model.
In one interview, the couple shared that they would continue to supply local farmers’ markets and keep just one wholesale client – Farm Boy. This client picks up the bread themselves, eliminating the need for delivery.
In 2019, Kevin and Stéphanie Mathieson’s business went completely cashless, accepting only debit or credit cards.
In January 2020, the couple planned to expand, hoping to open a second Art-Is-In Bakery location in Ottawa’s ByWard Market area. These ambitious plans, however, were put on hold by the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns. Therefore, there is still only one location operating in the city.
Awards and Recognition
Following the initial local buzz came recognition not just locally, but on a North American scale. Every positive mention, glowing review, or award highlighted the high quality and innovative nature of their products.
- One of Art-Is-In Bakery’s earliest and biggest champions was Stephen Beckta, a renowned Ottawa restaurateur. He regularly recommended the bakery’s bread to other restaurants. Beckta stated he believed Art-Is-In made the best bread in Ottawa, though he noted the bakery needed to scale up its operations.
- In 2014, the bakery was featured on the Food Network show “You Gotta Eat Here!” Host John Catucci raved about one of Art-Is-In Bakery’s signature sandwiches: the Duck Confit BLT.
- A 2017 travel guide article in the *New York Times* recommended tourists visit the spot to try some of the best bread in Ottawa. The article specifically suggested trying a breakfast sandwich and their Cronut-style pastry called the “O-Towner.”
- Lesley Chesterman, the respected food critic for the *Montreal Gazette*, highly praised the wide selection of baked goods. She gave glowing reviews for the bakery’s superb bread, towering cronuts, and delicate, unmatched buns.
- In 2019, the bakery appeared on TV again, this time on the US Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Host Guy Fieri highlighted the “O-Towner” cronut as an absolute must-try.
Art-Is-In Bakery was also nominated for “Best Bakery in Ottawa 2012” as part of the FACES Magazine Ottawa Awards. This nomination is an honour, reflecting the high regard for their work within the local Ottawa community.
The Famous “O-Towner” Cronut
The bakery is famous for its “O-Towner” interpretation. This donut (similar to the registered pastry from New York’s Dominique Ansel Bakery) is made from croissant dough. Layers of butter are added, and the pastry is then filled and glazed with various flavours, ranging from pistachio to raspberry.
This croissant-donut hybrid is so popular that it has been featured on many television shows and called one of Ottawa’s best desserts.
A Local’s Favourite Hangout
Art-Is-In Bakery has become synonymous with high quality, creativity, and a dedication to the craft. They don’t just bake great bread and other treats; they create genuine works of culinary art. A prime example is their famous Dynamite Baguettes with their perfect crispy crust and large, airy holes. This dedication has earned the establishment countless local awards and national recognition, including appearances on popular television shows.
Art-Is-In Bakery is truly one of the favourite spots for both Ottawa residents and visitors. People love to come here to sample fresh croissants, buy natural sourdough bread, signature baguettes, cronuts, and more. You can also purchase the bakery’s products at local farmers’ markets: Westboro (Byron Linear Park, every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) and Lansdowne (Aberdeen Square, every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM).
Stylish Bakery-Café Meets High-End Eatery
It’s fascinating how these two different vibes have successfully merged in one establishment. When you visit Art-Is-In Bakery, you’ll find an industrial-meets-hipster design with high ceilings and exposed elements. Despite this edgy look, the space feels remarkably cozy and inviting.
The foundation of the bakery is its naturally leavened bread. The bread is distinguished by its dense texture, crunchy crust, and delicate, slightly sour flavour—a perfect example is the signature Dynamite Baguette. Ottawa locals and guests can sample loaves with various flavourings, such as potato and dill, or baked garlic and rosemary.
The bakery offers plain and almond croissants, famous for their ideal multilayered, buttery, and light structure. Beyond the baked goods, the establishment offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, featuring elevated dishes like Croque Madame, Eggs Benny, and high-end sandwiches and burgers served on their signature bread. Art-Is-In Bakery is, without a doubt, an indispensable part of the city’s culinary map.
