"One of the finest bakeries in a city full of them, Mile End’s Cheskie (or “Cheskie’s” to locals) has been the go-to kosher Jewish sweets spot for over two decades. Founded by Cheskie Lebowitz, a New Yorker turned Montrealer, the bakery nails its Russian babka, a chewy, gooey, impossibly rich confection that steals the show — though it’s tucked away on the back counter. Cheskie’s is also well-stocked with cheese crowns, rugelach, black-and-white cookies, mini cheesecakes, and kokosh, babka’s denser Hungarian counterpart, ribbonned with chocolate or poppy seeds. Cheskie is open until 11 p.m. most nights, but closed on Saturdays." - Valerie Silva
