Vancouver is in dire need of more good bakeries. With everyone so busy out hiking and yoga-ing and working out like crazy, there’s a whole lot of disposable calories floating around out there. And while we may lack an over abundance of bakeries, our city does show strongly on the overall locally-made-cinnamon-bun charts.

What follows is a list based on many years and many calories worth of cinnamon investigative journalism. By no means have we tried every ooey, gooey bun out there – but we’ve given it a fair shot! With that, we give you: Vancouver Eats Out’s guide to The Best Cinnamon Buns in the City.

1. Grounds for Coffee: The Grounds for Coffee cinnamon buns clearly lead the pack as the best cinnamon buns in the city – a winner by a landslide. Devastatingly delicious, moist and gooey – we were shocked to discover that they do not contain hydrogenated oils or trans-fats (they are also nut, raisin, bleached flour, egg, shortening and preservative free). These sticky buns really are at their best when fresh from the oven or heated up ever so slightly – be sure to ask your server to warm them. *Note: the Grounds for Coffee buns are so good they are carried at coffee shops across town (including Kits Coffee).

2. Solly’s Bagelry: Layers of gooey, heavy dough trap a dark, flavorful cinnamon spread in what might be considered one of the city’s more complex cinnamon bun taste sensations. The spice mix on these buns is unique, and their consistency heavier and denser than most of the others we tried.

3. Terra Breads: The Pecan Cinnamon buns at Terra’s are very different than their doughy former competitors. Flakier and raisin and nut crusted, with a slightly salty bite, these buns easily make our list. Best served fresh from the Terra’s on Granville Island and accompanied by a warm cup of joe. Om!

Solly's dark, flavourful cinnamon roll.

We also have to give major props to the chains for serving up some mighty flavourful buns. Ikea, McDonalds, Cobs and the classic Cinnabon all hold their own against our local favorites.

Next up? More starch is on the horizon! We’re on the prowl to try any cinnamon buns we couldn’t cover for this post. Who did we miss? Which cinnamon buns should we hunt out next? Share your suggestions and we’ll volunteer our waistlines.