Sweet Traditions: Holiday Cakes & Pastries in New West

The holidays in New Westminster are filled with sweet traditions, and in this episode, host Carla McNeil takes listeners on a cozy tour of the city’s best cakes, cookies, donuts, and pastries. From European-inspired baking and Ukrainian holiday treats to neighbourhood cafés, gourmet cookies, and custom cakes, this episode celebrates how local bakeries and cafés help shape the season. Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering, looking for the perfect dessert, or just want an excuse to explore New West with a coffee in hand, this episode highlights real, well-loved local spots that make the Royal City taste a little sweeter during the holidays. 🎂 Featured Businesses Banette https://banette.co 536 6th Street, New Westminster, BC Kozak Ukraїnian Eatery https://www.kozakeatery.ca 444 6th Street, New Westminster, BC BAK'D Cookies Cafe https://www.bakdcookies.ca/ 285 Nelson’s Court, New Westminster, BC Caffe Mira 28 E Royal Avenue #130, New Westminster, BC Yum Gourmet Donuts 468 E Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC Lucy’s Cafe and Bakery 702 6th Avenue C, New Westminster, BC 🍰 Special Mentions Take The Cake Patisserie https://takethecakebakery.ca 150-1110 Ewen Avenue, New Westminster, BC Cake It Easy Custom Cakes https://cakeiteasy.ca 800 Carnarvon Street #360, New Westminster, BC Delicia Cafe & Bakery https://deliciacafe.ca 656 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC Pamola Bakery & Deli http://www.pamolabakery.com/ 117-810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC Hi everyone, and welcome back to the New West Spotlight Podcast. I’m your host, Carla McNeil. The holidays in New Westminster have a way of showing up in the small things — lights in the windows, familiar faces downtown, and of course, baking. Cakes, cookies, pastries, and donuts are part of how we celebrate, how we gather, and how we share. In this short and sweet episode, I’m taking you on a quick tour of some of New West’s favourite spots for holiday treats — places that help make the season feel a little warmer and a lot more delicious. We’ll start in Uptown at Banette, a bakery that feels especially cozy this time of year. Known for its European-inspired pastries, Banette’s flaky croissants and buttery brioche are perfect for slow holiday mornings. It’s the kind of place where you sip your coffee a little longer and let the season settle in. Just nearby is Kozak Ukraїnian Eatery, where baking is deeply tied to tradition. Alongside their comfort food, you’ll find pastries and breads connected to Ukrainian holiday celebrations — food meant to be shared, remembered, and enjoyed together. It’s a reminder of how many cultures shape New Westminster’s holiday table. If your sweet tooth leans playful, BAK’D Cookies Cafe is a must. Their oversized, gooey cookies feel tailor-made for December — easy to share, hard to resist, and perfect for everything from movie nights to casual get-togethers. For a quieter pause, Caffe Mira offers that neighbourhood café comfort many of us rely on during busy weeks. A latte and a slice of cake here feels like a small holiday ritual — familiar, calming, and just indulgent enough. Sapperton, Yum Gourmet Donuts brings colour and creativity to the season. Their handcrafted donuts add a little joy to grey winter days and remind us that holiday treats don’t always have to be fancy to feel special. And if you’re craving something nostalgic, Lucy’s Cafe and Bakery delivers classic comfort baking — the kind that reminds you of home kitchens, family recipes, and desserts that don’t need explaining. Before we wrap up, here’s a quick nod to a few more sweet spots worth knowing about. Take The Cake Patisserie in Queensborough is known for elegant cakes and French-inspired pastries that often become the centrepiece of holiday celebrations. Cake It Easy Custom Cakes creates thoughtful, made-to-order designs for festive gatherings across the city. Along Columbia Street, Delicia Cafe & Bakery offers fresh pastries and cakes with vegan and gluten-free options, making sharing easier for everyone. And finally, down at the River Market, Pamola Bakery & Deli blends European baking with Mexican-influenced flavours. OUTRO The holidays in New Westminster are sweeter because of these local bakeries and cafés — places that help us celebrate in ways both big and small. Whether you’re picking up a dessert for a gathering or just treating yourself on a cold afternoon, supporting local makes the season feel more connected. Thanks for listening to the New West Spotlight Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the show and share it with someone who loves holiday treats as much as you do. I’m Carla McNeil, wishing you a warm and delicious holiday season here in the Royal City. 📌 Episode Description Sweet Traditions: Holiday Cakes & Pastries in New West The holidays in New Westminster are filled with sweet traditions, and in this episode, host Carla McNeil takes listeners on a cozy tour of the city’s best cakes, cookies, donuts, and pastries. From European-inspired baking and Ukrainian holiday treats to neighbourhood cafés, gourmet cookies, and custom cakes, this episode celebrates how local bakeries and cafés help shape the season. Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering, looking for the perfect dessert, or just want an excuse to explore New West with a coffee in hand, this episode highlights real, well-loved local spots that make the Royal City taste a little sweeter during the holidays.