Victoria’s best apple fritters

The famed apple fritter is perhaps the most socially acceptable pastry to eat for breakfast—because well… fruit. For many of us, the smell of cinnamon and apples encased in warm, sugary dough is enough to bring back happy, nostalgic memories. If you were raised in Canada your parents may have picked up fritters from your local grocery store as a treat, or perhaps you were lucky enough to have had them freshly made at home to use up some harvest apples.If you are a newcomer to Canada, you might have tried one with your double-double at your local Tim Hortons to try and immerse yourself in Canadiana. However, the true gems are found beyond the grocery store and national chain restaurants, and we’re here to tell you where to grab the best apple fritters in Victoria.

Sidney Bakery

If you are looking for the best value and arguably the best overall apple fritter, look no further than Sidney Bakery. At $1.75 each, it is no wonder that these mounds of cinnamon sugar delight are almost always one of the first items to sell out each day. If you have not yet been to this bakery, stop what you are doing immediately, and go there now. One of Greater Victoria’s oldest bakeries, they have been serving our communities for over 100 years, and these apple fritters are a testament to exactly why they have staying power. Closed Mondays.

sidneybakery.ca2507 Beacon Avenue, Sidney

Esquimalt Bake Shop

If heading out to Sidney is too far for you, then the Esquimalt Bake Shop is the next best place to find unbelievable apple fritters for only $2 including tax. Even if you grew up in Victoria, you may have never heard of this hidden gem, so let their fritter guide you and see what other goodies they have to offer (their Long Johns are also a favourite). If you do make a trip, be advised, this place only takes cash. Closed Sundays.

Website@esqbakeshop21-1153 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt

Royal Bay Bakery

This next locale is so jazzed about fritters, they have adopted Fritter Fridays where they often have a feature fritter in addition to their staple apple. These tasty treats will run you $2.75 a piece or $15 for a half dozen. Royal Bay Bakery has some fierce fritter followers claiming that these pastries are “the best on the Island.” Closed Sundays and Mondays.

royalbaybakery.com@royalbaybakery3337 Metchosin Road, Colwood

Yonni’s Doughnuts

If you are looking to fill up on fritters, Yonni’s Doughnuts has you covered with their maple apple fritter. These dense delectables are the priciest on this list at $3.50 a piece but worth their weight. This is the first fritter on the list that is available seven days a week and at all five Discovery Coffee locations to boot!

yonnisdoughnuts.com@yonnisdoughnuts (and @discoverycoffee)664 Discovery Street1001 Blanshard Street281 Menzies Street1964 Oak Bay Avenue3587 Blanshard Street

Empire Donuts

The apple fritters at Empire have the biggest apple chunks of those on the list, plus you can feel good about ordering delivery as the shop provides their own service (see this article about local restaurants doing their own delivery). You may need to order delivery to ensure you get yours, though, as this is the only place on the list where you can’t call ahead to reserve for same-day pickup. You get better deals buying in bulk from Empire at $3 for one, $17 for six and $30 for twelve. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

empiredonuts.ca@empiredonut736 View Street230 Cook Street

Dynamite Donuts

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the fritter from Dynamite Donuts. Victoria’s newest doughnut shop opened in June 2020 in Uptown Mall and is quickly making a name for itself with its comic-like theme and playful offerings, like the cartoonish “Homer.” This shop was opened by the team at Irene’s Bakery, and their apple fritter can be all yours for $3.25, seven days a week.

Website@dynamite.donuts.yyj107-3671 Uptown Blvd

When you taste your next drool-worthy treat, don’t forget to tag @tastingvictoria or use #TastingVictoria to be featured.

Written for Tasting Victoria by Lauren Gaultier @winethenfood