Blacksmith Bakery

The Fort Langley shop sits where the village blacksmith worked around 1910, and the name came with the building. Stephan Schigas, who trained as a pastry chef in BC, worked in London kitchens (including Michelin-starred Zafferano) and taught pastry in Vancouver before he and his wife Bernice opened the bakery in 2014.

What they bake

The main case is viennoiserie: croissants and chocolate croissants, laminated pastries, scones and cinnamon buns. Behind that are bars and cookies, whole cakes and a take-and-bake range for when you want something warm from your own oven. Their site also lists a brunch, bistro and pizza menu at the cafés, so it works as a sit-down lunch as well as a pastry stop.

Two Langley rooms

Fort Langley is the small heritage-corner original, with outdoor seating. Latimer Village, off 83A Avenue in Willoughby, is the newer café, with a patio. There is also an express café at the Langley airport (5385 216 Street) and a counter in Maple Ridge, both with limited seating.

Before you go

• The cafés run 7 am to 7 pm, seven days a week. Call ahead around holidays: Latimer is 604-371-0600, Fort Langley 604-371-0181.
• Plan on a quick stop rather than a long laptop session: seating for that is limited.
• For a birthday or dinner party, preorder a whole cake or a pastry box on their site rather than hoping the case still has what you want at noon.

For more local bakeries, see Shop Local in Willoughby and the Fort Langley guide.