The smell of fresh bread right at the door, pistachio-green walls, a display case that makes it hard to choose, and a flat white I’ll definitely be back for. Old Church Bakery in Steinbach is a bakery with a story that began in an old church out on the prairie.
I was here on October 17, 2026, with two friends. Visiting this bakery was their idea, and a good one. Later that day we drove on to a campfire on the St. Adolphe Friendship Trail. The whole route is in our fall day trip from Steinbach to the Friendship Trail.
What Is Old Church Bakery?
A sourdough bakery and café at 11 Brandt Street in Steinbach, about an hour from Winnipeg.
The name isn’t just a pretty word. The bakery’s founder, Larry Peters, studied sourdough in San Francisco. He started selling his bread out of a small church on the prairie, and over time that tiny bakery became his full-time work.
One of his regular customers was Holly Derksen-Sobering. She started helping out at the bakery, fell in love with working with sourdough, and bought the business in 2015. In the fall of 2016, the bakery moved out of the old church and into Steinbach, closer to the people who loved it.
Today, Old Church Bakery shares its building with Prairie Oils & Provisions. You can see both signs from the street, so it’s hard to miss.
How Do You Get There From Winnipeg?
About 60 km southeast, roughly 50 minutes of driving.
We left Winnipeg around noon and were there by 12:30. The bakery sits on a corner next to some big chain restaurants, so it’s easy to find. There’s a small parking lot right in front, and we found a spot with no trouble.
A drive like this makes a nice plan for a day off, or even a weekday evening. Just check the hours before you go.
When Is It Open?
Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Sunday.
Pay attention to Saturday: the bakery closes at 4 p.m. We were there on a Saturday and arrived around lunchtime, so we made it easily. But if you’re planning a day out of the city and want to stop here on the way home, that won’t work on a Saturday.
Hours can change around holidays, so check the current schedule on the bakery’s website or Google Maps before you go.
What’s It Like Inside?
Quiet, cozy and genuinely friendly — the kind of place where you stay longer than you planned.
Open the door and the smell of fresh baking hits you right away. The interior mixes light wood, white walls and pistachio green. There are plants on the shelves and the counter, black pendant lights over the display case, and old black-and-white photos on the walls.
Every staff member we met was smiling and friendly. They explained everything, answered our questions and gave recommendations. We sat at a table, talked, and didn’t even notice an hour go by.
What Should You Buy?
Sourdough bread, savoury and sweet pastries, cakes and cookies — a big selection for a small bakery.
Bread. Most of the bread here is sourdough with a long fermentation. You’ll find plain loaves and loaves with add-ins. The bakery is upfront that it isn’t gluten-free, although many people find it easier to digest.
Pastries. Croissants, cruffins (a cross between a croissant and a muffin), cream puffs, cinnamon buns, cookies and cakes. Some with caramel, some without, with all kinds of fillings. Right now, the bakery’s website lists the Cinnamon Toast Cruffin at $6.70 and the Pumpkin Cheesecake Cream Puff at $4.85.
In October the display case was full of cinnamon, apple and pumpkin. It looks like part of the menu changes with the seasons — and these are exactly the flavours you’d expect in the fall.
What we got. I wanted something savoury, so I picked a cheese and bacon scone. With a flat white, it came to $10.73 with tax. My friends went for something sweet. One of them filled a whole box with different pastries for her kids — so they could try everything at home and know their favourites next time.
How’s the Coffee?
Proper barista coffee — and the main reason I want to come back more often.
I ordered a flat white and it was the right call. The baristas made a pretty latte art pattern and served it hot, in a cup that matched the interior. Delicious and very aromatic.
Prices from the menu board (October 2026):
| Drink | Price |
|---|---|
| Drip coffee or tea | $3.00 (12 oz) / $3.35 (16 oz) |
| Americano | $3.80 |
| Flat white, cappuccino | $4.80 |
| Latte | $5.25 |
| Chai latte, London Fog | $5.50 |
| Matcha latte | $5.85 |
| Cold brew | $5.60 |
| Hot chocolate | $4.60 |
| Almond or oat milk | +$0.50 |
| House-made syrup | +$0.60 |
Another plus is the choice of milk. If regular dairy milk doesn’t work for you, you can switch to almond or oat.
There’s also a self-serve water station in the café. It’s a nice touch you see in good coffee shops: espresso is often served with a glass of water to refresh your palate before the first sip. And if you’re just thirsty, it’s handy too.
What Can You Take Home?
Whole-bean and ground coffee, tea, honey, jam and souvenirs with the bakery’s logo.
The shelves hold coffee from several roasters: Stone City (including their own Old Church Bakery Blend), Jacked Up Jill, The Fluid Bean and Negash Coffee. Next to them you’ll find Two Leaves and a Bud tea, Canadian honey and homemade jams.
There are souvenirs too: mugs, T-shirts, sweatshirts and even baby onesies with a fall print.
My friend bought a bag of ground coffee with “chocolate” in the description. The next day she said it was really good and filled the whole house with its smell while she brewed it — but she couldn’t taste any chocolate. I joked that after that many sweet pastries, nobody could have.
Actually, that’s how it’s supposed to be: “chocolate” on a coffee bag describes tasting notes, not added flavour. Roasters use these words for the natural character of the bean, and it’s much more subtle than chocolate syrup.
How Does Ordering Work?
You order at the till, pick up right there, and clear your own dishes.
There’s no table service. You collect your order at the counter, and when you’re done, you bring your plates and cups to a dedicated spot by the water station.
You can sit down and take your time, or grab your coffee and pastries to go.
Can You Bring a Dog?
No. There’s a no-dogs sign on the door.
That’s why our dachshund Nika stayed home with Bohdan this time. If you’re travelling with a dog, plan for someone to stay outside with her, or order to go.
But I definitely want to come back here many more times, next time with Bohdan. To try something new, take home a fresh, crusty loaf and a bag of coffee — and just sit here together for a while.
What Can You Pair It With?
We drove on to the St. Adolphe Friendship Trail — about 40 minutes from Steinbach.
After the bakery, we stopped at the Shell station nearby and bought a big bag of firewood. It cost $11.99 before tax — in Winnipeg, a bag half that size usually costs us around $12.99. We spent the rest of the day by the campfire on the trail. That part is in our fall day trip from Steinbach to the Friendship Trail.
If you like short trips without much of a plan, read our post about the 40-minute rule for spontaneous weekend drives. Steinbach is a little farther, but the idea is the same.
Quick Reference
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 11 Brandt Street, Unit B, Steinbach, MB |
| From Winnipeg | ~60 km, ~50 min |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Sunday |
| What they have | sourdough bread, pastries, cakes, cookies, barista coffee |
| Coffee | flat white $4.80, latte 5.25,almond/oatmilk+0.50 |
| To take home | whole-bean and ground coffee, tea, honey, jam, souvenirs |
| Service | order at the till, clear your own dishes |
| Water | self-serve water station |
| Dogs | no, sign on the door |
| Nearby | St. Adolphe Friendship Trail, ~40 min |
| Time needed | ~1 hour if you sit in |
Last checked: October 2026. The atmosphere, service, scone, flat white, water station, shelves and no-dogs sign are firsthand from our visit on October 17, 2026. Drink prices are from the menu board that day. The scone and flat white came to $10.73 with tax, from our receipt. The large bag of firewood at the Shell was $11.99 before tax.
Sources checked: Old Church Bakery’s website (bakery history, hours, menu and pastry prices), SteinbachOnline (Prairie Oils & Provisions moving to 11 Brandt Street). Prices and hours change — check before you go.
